//------------------------------// // Hitman's Code // Story: Leap of Faith // by A bag of plums //------------------------------// “So…” Rarity folded her arms and looked at Rainbow Dash. “What’s this great plan you were talking about?” “Glad you asked, Rarity!” Rainbow punched her fists together. “We’re gonna head on out of here and have some fun!” “Fun?” Applejack frowned at the thought. “Have ya been payin’ any attention, Rainbow Dash? Sunset or Velvet might be in danger if we go out there.” “Yeah, we’ll be careful!” the athlete cracked her knuckles. “Avoid deserted areas, make sure suspicious people aren’t around, and I’m pretty sure Velvet can figure out the Templars from the normal people.” “Well, what do you want to do then?” Rarity asked impatiently. “First thing on my list…” Rainbow Dash paused for a second. “That new action movie about killing people and stuff comes out today, so let’s go see it!” “Now why on earth should we go watch this movie? Violence isn’t something high on my watchlist.” “Because…” Rainbow wore a sly smile. “Your favorite actress has the lead role.” Rarity seemed to vibrate on the spot. “E-E-E-Ebony Wings is in that movie?” “You bet she is!” Rainbow swung an arm. “So, we watching the movie or not?” “A movie sounds safe enough,” Velvet said slowly. “There isn’t much chance of running into any Templars at the theater. But,” she raised a finger. “I’ll need to visit the armory for a second. I lost my knife back at the construction site and I don’t feel safe with just my hidden blade.” “Wait, wait, wait!” Sunset blocked the Assassin’s path. “I know you, uh, kill people to keep us all safe, but I don’t think I feel comfortable with you carrying such a dangerous weapon around.” “Sunset, I’m trying to keep you alive here, not give our enemies an advantage,” Velvet explained with a frown. “I need to be better armed than with just this.” To illustrate her point, Velvet furled and unfurled her hidden blade. “I know, I know, but we’re around, Velvet,” Sunset reasoned. “We’re not like you. Seeing a weapon like that, I don’t know if we can handle watching you gutting even an enemy up, you understand?” Velvet looked as if she were about to argue, but then she saw the looks on everyone else’s face. “Okay,” she relented. “Not as if I’d be much good in a fight right now anyway. How about a baton, would that be agreeable?” The girls looked at each other and nodded. “Yeah, sure.” “No harm in a baton, I suppose,” Sunset shrugged. “I mean, even Mr. Pierce has that extendable one he uses in class to teach us a lesson.” “You’re going to have to tell me about this Mr. Pierce one day,” Velvet said as she ducked into the armory, returning with a collapsed metal baton. “You make him sound like a man I knew once.” “Eh, I doubt it,” Rainbow shrugged. “Old Mr. Pierce is really boring. Anyone you know must be exciting!” “Well, let me grab my scarf and we can be off,” Velvet smiled and headed to her room. The girls followed, with Sunset taking in the new surroundings. Velvet’s room was a simple square with a desk by the wall, and a small white bed on the opposite side. A chair stood near the bed with a red tattered scarf draped over the top. The only other thing of note was a silver ring, sitting all by itself on a bedside shelf. “That dreadful thing, dear?” Rarity took a step back, a little shocked. “No offense, Velvet, but that thing looks like it’s been through war and back. If you would like, I could always fix up a new one for you.” “No!” Velvet held the scarf tightly. “I mean, no thanks, Rarity. I like this scarf.” “Oh… Alright.” the fashionista gave up. “It’s not my place to make you get a new one. How about I fix it up for you?” “You don’t have to,” Velvet said again. “I like it the way it is, thanks.” “Well, if we’re all set, let’s go!” Rainbow rushed for the door. “We’ve a movie to catch! There’s a show in fifteen minutes!” “Wow, she must really wanna see that,” Applejack lifted both eyebrows to Sunset. “You know how she is…” Sunset chuckled. “I don’t mind,” Velvet said as she pulled the scarf around her neck. “I could do with a movie. It’s been years since I’ve seen one.” Velvet Breeze led the girls out, not forgetting to lock her doors before finally setting foot back out into the icy air. Sunset rubbed her hands together before stuffing them into her jacket pockets. It might’ve been cold now, but this was still just the start of winter. It was only going to get colder from here. Sunset helped Velvet up beside Applejack in the front before hopping into the back of the truck with the other girls. As soon as they were all ready, Applejack started the engine and headed back towards the city. “So what’s this movie you want to see so badly, Dash?” Sunset couldn’t help but ask. She wasn’t all too familiar with the latest movies. “It’s called Manslayer’s Doctrine,” Rainbow brought up the film’s page on her phone to show the others. “It’s about how Ebony Wings’ character is captured by these evil scientist whackos and forced to relive her ancestor’s memories or something. Sounds like a good time, no?” “Manslayer’s Doctrine?” Rarity repeated. “Why not Assassin’s Creed? It’s a lot less of a mouthful.” “Oh yeah, she’s right! Hey, Velvet!” Pinkie called to the front. “Don’t you Assassins have that creed thing as well? This movie could be about you! Have you relieved your ancestor’s memories before? What’s it like? Is it cool? Do you have to wear ancient clothes?” Velvet gingerly rubbed at her arm. “No, I haven’t ever relived my ancestor’s memories, Pinkie, as much fun as that might sound. So I can’t answer your other questions either.” “Awww…” the poofy haired girl sat back down. Sunset began breathing again. She thought Pinkie was going to fall off the truck. This time, they didn’t take the highway. Instead, AJ turned the truck down the first street in the city, parking the vehicle in a small rectangular carpark right next to Canterlot’s theater. “Well, here we are, girls,” Applejack turned the keys in the ignition before pocketing them. “Movie time!” Rainbow somersaulted out of the truck. “I’ll go ahead and buy the tickets, you girls can just wait in the main hall.” Sunset hopped out of the truck, her boots crunching in the snow. She led the others into the warmth of the theater, happy that the building provided a decent internal heating. Infact, it was warm enough for her to take off her scarf, the others doing the same, except for Velvet, who kept it wound tightly around her neck. There were a few crowds of people dotted around the place, waiting for their movie to start; Sunset figured most of them were here to see that Manslayer’s Doctrine, seeing as it came out today. “Hey, girls, look’a this one,” Applejack took their attention, pointing to a poster of the latest Daring Do flick, Daring Do and the Griffon’s Goblet. “It’s cousin Sunflower.” “She looks good as Daring Do,” Pinkie complimented. “I mean, she’s Dashie’s favorite actress, she must be really good.” “But look at her!” Rarity pointed to the character standing behind Daring Do. It was a blue-skinned woman clad in a black catsuit holding a gun and a goblet. “Isn’t Ebony Wings just the best actor ever?” Applejack rolled her eyes. “Yeah, we know ya love Ebony Wings, Rare. And from what Ah hear from Sunflower, she’s pretty fun to work with.” “Your cousin knows Ebony Wings?” Rarity gasped aloud. “Sure,” Applejack replied. “Ah mean, they act together. Even been to her house a couple times.” “I’m sorry, but who’s Ebony Wings?” Velvet said. Upon receiving a look of shock from Rarity, she backpedaled, “I don’t have a lot of time to watch movies, with my, uh, training and all.” “Who is Ebony Wings?” Rarity clasped her hands together and smiled. “Why, only the best actress in the world! You should see all the awards she’s won! She can adapt to almost any role, which is a skill you don’t see much. I mean, really? She’s the best actress out there! You won’t find anyone better.” “She’s that good?” Velvet’s eyebrows shot up at Rarity’s passionate outburst. “Yes, she is!” Rarity squealed again. “And she does it all while taking care of her daughter. She’s our age, if I recall.” “Alright, you’ve got your point across, Rarity,” Sunset giggled. “She’s a good actress.” Sunset decided to take a walk around as Rarity continued blabbering on about Ebony Wings. The fiery haired girl went to check out the other movie posters for either upcoming movies, or recent movies. The Manslayer’s Doctrine one was there. It was a picture of Ebony Wings again, but this time, in a hood and an old pirate outfit, with a sword and blade drawn. Sunset couldn’t help but feel like the blade looked a little like Velvet’s, but coming out from the top instead of under the arm. Under the character, it read, “Watch it in 3D.” Sunset guessed her athletic friend was going for that. There was yet another poster of Ebony Wings of a movie titled Topview. She was facing her back to the camera in some kind of futuristic skintight suit, holding a long rifle. Apparently her name was Viper, according to the poster. Sunset found it weird that her outfit had a bat theme, since her name was Viper. The tagline at the top read, “The World Needs More Heroes.” The next two posters down the line were of other characters in Topview, starring alongside Ebony Wings. One was a pale-skinned woman in a brown jacket and green-black tights named Tracker, while the other was some guy called Agent: 67, who was in what looked like a baseball jacket, along with a visor and mask. Sunset didn’t know who the actors were, but Rarity probably did, even if she wasn’t interested in them. There were more about Con Mane: Phantom, Happy Crows, The Space, Rapid and the Angry 6, Live Softly, Rainbow Monkeys, and one called Finest Fantasy, which Sunset presumed was based off those games that Pinkie and Rainbow liked so much. Ebony Wings was in that one too, as someone called the Pale Sorceress, but as a side role. “Interesting what people come up with these days,” Velvet appeared beside Sunset, looking at the poster of Finest Fantasy. “The last movie I watched was Batpony, and that was a long time ago, before I joined the Assassins.” “Why did you join the Assassins, Velvet?” Sunset asked. She realized she didn’t know the answer to that question. “Long story short?” Velvet thought about it. “I just wanted to help out. I couldn’t sit by and watch them struggle on. They needed all the help they could get. They still do today. Besides,” she said with a hollow laugh. “It’s not like I was ever given much of a choice.” “What did happen to your Assassins? From what you’ve said, it feels like something big had happened.” Velvet opened her mouth, but her voice was overpowered by Rainbow’s as she walked over with the others. “Here you two go! Two tickets to see Manslayer’s Doctrine, in 3D!” “I knew it!” Sunset snapped her fingers and took the ticket. “Thanks, Dash.” “I know…” Rarity dragged. “I told her that the 3D glasses aren’t good for your nose, but she doesn’t want to listen.” “Rarity, it doesn’t matter,” Applejack added in. “Ah mean, they’re just glasses. You wear ‘em when you’re sewin’ right?” “She does…” Fluttershy whispered, but no one heard her. “Whatever, girls,” Sunset cut in quickly. “Let’s just go watch that movie Rainbow’s been dying to see.” “Yeah! To the theater!” And the athlete was gone, disappearing along the corridor. Before Sunset knew it, they were all seated in the dimly lit room. Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rainbow were in front of them, while Rarity, Applejack and Velvet sat with her. Only Rainbow had bought popcorn, but she gladly passed it around for the others to share. “Thanks for bringing me here,” Velvet said after she swallowed a bunch of popcorn. “It’s not everyday I have friends to hang out with.” “Don’t worry about it!” Rainbow flicked her 3D glasses on. “For now, you can just sit back and enjoy this awesome movie. Glasses on, everyone!” Sunset listened and placed her black frames on her face, leaning back against the red fabric seat as the lights went out. A set of trailers began playing, advertising a few of the other movies and some hair products. Soon, the screen widened itself as the real show began, starting with logos from Twentieth Century Horse and Epic Pictures. A voiceover began. “I thought my work was finished. I was wrong.” The movie then panned over to Ebony Wings’ character standing behind a bar, polishing a glass with a rag. “Isn’t she a natural?” Rarity whispered. Applejack rolled her eyes. The front door of her establishment flew open as three men in suits and sunglasses walked in, their hands all held together in front of their bodies. “Sorry, we’re closed,” Ebony Wings told them and continued her work. “Are you Desert Shine?” one of them asked her, completely ignoring her earlier statement. The bartender sighed and looked away. “Yes, but we’re closed, so if you could kindly-” Sunset slightly jumped in her seat as a hand flew across the screen, smacking Ebony Wings’ character of Desert Shine in the face, sending her stumbling against the shelf of glasses, shattering a few as they fell. “Wh-what?” Desert placed a hand to her head, which came back with blood. “Bag her, go, go!” one yelled and immediately began talking into an earpiece. The other two grabbed Desert and quickly dragged her into the back of a black van, instantly leaving the establishment in the dust. “What a way to start a movie…” Applejack whispered over to Sunset. “Tell me about it…” Sunset continued watching. The next scene started with Desert Shine waking up in a new building before some scientist person came in to talk to her about her ancestor, Desert Fox, one of the world’s most notorious pirates. Sunset had no idea why someone with the name ‘Desert’ would become a pirate. Soon, they placed Desert Shine into some kind of table, strapping her in. A little scene that looked like some kind of light tunnel played before Sunset and the rest of the audience found themselves looking into Desert Shine’s past, living as her ancestor, Desert Fox. “Hey, that’s pretty cool,” Velvet nodded her approval at the scene. “Getting to live out as your ancestor? It’s like reviewing history as though you were actually there. I should tell Morning Blade about this. She loves history.” “Yeah, cool,” Sunset smiled. The 3D glasses had really brought out that last scene. It was almost as if they were the ones going through the light tunnel. The next hour or so introduced Desert Fox and her crew, along with action scenes showing how good they were as pirates. She seemed like any other common criminal to Sunset until she met a man named Flintlock, who showed her there was more to plundering and pillaging, along with the real dangers of the world: the Crusaders, a group of individuals who looked to control the world’s trade, which would be catastrophic for everyone else. Joining the Manslayers, Desert Fox began helping the people out, stopping Crusaders where she could, using the ship she once used to rob them as her tool to save them. Sunset had to control herself not to duck whenever a cannonball flew towards the screen. She thought she was going to get hit multiple times. “Sunset, quit squirmin’,” Applejack held back a laugh. “It ain’t really there.” “Sure feels like it though…” Sunset rubbed the back of her head. Every now and then, the scene would shift back to present day, with either Ebony Wings strapped to the table, or locked in a cell. The Crusaders would talk to her, trying to get her to understand why they needed her memories. Sunset doubted she herself would understand what a person’s memories could be used for. “Man, this movie rocks!” they heard Rainbow Dash whisper to Fluttershy. “Though, I really want to see the Manslayers, not this present day stuff.” The rest of the movie dealt with Desert Fox’s dismantling of the Trottingham Crusaders, taking them down one by one. In the end, she faced off against their leader, Punch Up, who had rather die than see her tear his work apart. In the end, the Manslayers had prevented the Crusader’s takeover of the World’s trade routes and were awarded as heroes to the public eye. However, the same couldn’t be said about Desert Shine. She was pulled back out of the machine before being thrown into a new cell. “Your work is done, Desert Shine,” one of the modern Crusaders smirked at her weak form; she hadn’t received a proper meal or rest in days. “You are of no more use to us. You shall remain here until we decide what to do with you…” Sunset felt sorry for the character as she lay there in the dark, sobbing quietly, unable to do anything to help her situation, even if she was a fictional character. Those Crusaders had no right to treat her like that. She was human, not some kind of experiment they could throw away when they were finished with it. Without warning, an explosion almost threw Sunset up into the air as masked men and women rushed into Desert Shine’s cell, pulling her away through the ruined wall into sunlight. The camera panned over to the hole, then Desert Shine’s voice was heard. “I thought my work was finished. I was wrong.” Then the movie was over as the credits began rolling. “That. Was. Awesome!” Rainbow jumped up on her feet and cheered as the lights came back on. “Don’t you girls think so?” “Ah think the effects were decent enough…” Applejack breathed as she stretched her arms and back. “Ah mean, nothin’ spectacular. Just fancy light shows and stuff. Gotta say, the 3D thing was interestin’ enough.” “Well, I’ll be waiting for the sequel. I bet it’s gonna be good!” “I didn’t particularly like it…” Fluttershy rubbed an elbow. “There was way too much violence in this movie.” “I thought it was okay,” Sunset joined in, standing up and smoothing out her jacket. “Interesting plot idea. I really wonder if they somehow got inspiration from you guys, Velvet. Like that blade. I mean, it comes out over the hand, but it is kinda similar.” “Who knows…” Velvet shrugged as the girls made their way back to the main hall. “Directed by Action Tape. Never heard of him. Then again, I haven’t been in the Brotherhood a long time. Maybe he met another Assassin.” “Well, what now, girls?” Rarity asked, dropping her 3D glasses with the rest in a plastic box outside. “Rainbow Dash?” All eyes turned to the rainbow haired athlete. “Well… I kinda only planned for this one awesome movie.” “Well… Velvet, dear. I have some things I need to take care off at my boutique,” Rarity checked with the blue-skinned girl. “Perhaps you would like to come see it? Perhaps we can pick something nice for you.” Velvet rubbed at her head nervously, but the pale-skinned girl quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry, dear. I’m not going to take that scarf from you. I meant something nicer. That hoodie of yours got all dirty in your… fight, afterall.” “Is it really okay?” “Of course it is!” Rarity chuckled. “I’ve given out my fair share of clothes. One more isn’t going to change anything.” “Sounds like a plan,” Sunset agreed, nodding her support to Velvet. “It’ll be fine, Velvet. Plus, Rarity’s place is pretty safe. No one’s been able to break in before.” Velvet looked unsure. “Are the rest of you okay with this?” Rainbow shrugged. “So long as I don’t have to model any fancy clothes, yeah, sure.” Seeing Fluttershy and Applejack’s nods, Velvet relented. “Alright then. Let’s go.”