The Father

Ponyville

The Farmers Market in the center of Ponyville was a sight to be seen by everypony. It felt as if the atmosphere was the definition of life itself. The smells, the sounds, the ponies...you could wander for days and only know half its wonders.

"This is incredible. I've never been anywhere so...alive."I spoke, as I slowly walked through the farmers market along side Rocket.

"I've always heard small towns and communities are always like this. They say that the spirit of a community such as this, can never be broken."Rocket replied.

"I'll say. It's as if everypony knows everypony. I could never imagine this place in a state of chaos...not by the looks of this."

"Well, we've got the rest of the town to see. I picked up this at the train station."Rocket pulled out a piece of paper with a drawing of a map on it, a map of Ponyville. "So we're in the farmers market right now...I say we head to hear."Rocket pointed at the south side of the map, which was labeled "SugarCube Corner".

"Interesting name...I bet there's a sweet shop there."I said as I looked at a clock tower nearby.

"Well, we best get going. Looks like it may rain soon."Rocket and I stared up into the sky as weather pegasi pushed clouds together.

As we begun to walk towards the exit of the farmers market, I noticed a mare carrying a crate a fruit and vegetables. As she picked up the heavy crate, her body gave way, and she tripped. The fruits and vegetables tumbled out of the crate as a small stallion with a sack suddenly threw as much food as he could into the sack.

"HEY!"The mare yelled, reaching out to grab him, "Stop him."She shouted aloud to anyone willing to help. As if it were instinct, I picked up a ripened orange that had been left behind, and threw it towards the fleeing thief.

*thud*

I could hear the orange make contact with his head as he collapsed the ground. Rocket went to retrieve the stolen belongings as I pulled the mare to her hooves. "Are you okay?"I asked. The mare brushed herself off, and looked at me.

"I'm fine. Thank you..."She said. I looked at her eyes in disbelief. The countryside may be beautiful, but the mares here are indescribable. Her yellow fur shimmered in the remaining sunlight that pierced the clouds as her brown mane flowed freely in the wind.

The hypnotizing image was cut short as Rocket returned with the stolen food. The mare took the sack, and threw it back into the crate.

"Here, let me help."I spoke as I lifted the crate upright.

"Don't take to much time. We've still got work to do."Rocket spoke as I hoisted the crate on to my back.

"I know, it won't take long. Where do you live ma'am?"I turned to the yellow furred mare.

"Just follow me, it's not to far from here."She spoke.

"Don't take to long William, meet me at that clock tower when you're done. In the meantime, I'm gonna have a wander."Rocket explained his actions, and quickly left the farmers market.

"Ready when you are miss..."I spoke, realizing I did not know of the mare's name.

"Meadow...call me Meadow."She spoke softly. I followed her as she begun to make her way out of the farmers market. The the pegasi continued to push the clouds together as the sunlight slowly faded, and a rush of cold air begun flowing through the streets in a gentle breeze.

As we walked, I felt a cold drop of liquid land on my muzzle. Another landed on my ear, then my rear. The next thing you know, rain was showering down from the clouds. Meadow's pace immediately picked up as her mane quickly became drenched. I could instantly tell she disliked the rain. My instincts told me to handle it now or never, I couldn't just leave her to get soaked.

"Here."I called, gaining her attention. I stretched my right wing out fully, and gestured an invitation to her. My size was plenty big enough for her to walk under comfortably. She took up the offer without hesitation, and moved her head under my wing.

"Thank you. You're too kind William, I'll be in your debts."She spoke sincerely.

"There isn't any need for that Meadow. I couldn't bear to see you struggle, especially in this weather."

"Many thanks. My house is just up ahead."Meadow pointed ahead of us towards a small house that could fit two people. I approached the doorstep as Meadow departed from under my wing. She trotted ahead to unlock the door, and led me in. "Here is fine thank you."She said.

I kneeled down, letting the crate fall off of my back, and fall to the floor softly. I looked around, observing the paintings and furniture around the house.

"You have quite a lovely home Meadow."I complimented. I made my way for the door as she smiled. "Sorry to be leaving to quickly. My friend and I have work around here."I explained. "Maybe we could go grab a drink or something sometime?"I asked as an intense burning rose in my cheeks. Meadow stood with my on her doorstep as the rain continued to poor down.

"I would love to. When do you-"
*CRASH*

Meadow's voice was suddenly cut off by a deafeningly loud explosion towards the other side of the road. Ponies stopped in their tracks as they looked towards the smoke and fire.

"What the hell?"I said quietly. I watched as a figure begun walking out of the smoke. It begun to take shape, and I realized to my fear that it was a stallion. The stallion made his way out of the smoke...my heart immediately dropped in horror...The stallion was wearing a white hooded robe...Rocket.

"ROCKET!"I shouted from the porch. Rocket looked up at me with fear. He suddenly stood up on two legs as if he were being possessed...and then...he fell to the ground. Three more figures made their way out of the smoke as ponies begun to back away. The three other stallions wore dark grey jackets with trifold hats, as well as a belt around their shoulders, which held many threatening weapons. "No..."I identified them as what I hoped would not be present...Templars.

"What's happening?"Meadow asked in fear. The Templar in the middle of the three nudged Rockets now lifeless body, and spat on it. He looked up, straight into my eyes.

"There!"He shouted as he pointed towards me. "Assassin! Kill him, and the mare!"Meadow gasped as I pulled her front door closed behind us.

"We have to go now! Hold on."I said as I threw her on my back. Her hooves gripped my shoulders as I turned to climb the building. The Templars were only a few yards away by the time I reached the top. I looked to my left, and saw the train station in the distance. "How fast are you?"I asked.

"I won fastest athlete in junior and senior year in high school."Meadow replied as she let go of me.

"Good, cause we're gonna need to run."I took off to the other side of the roof, and saw a bale of hay below me. "Listen carefully, I want you to completely relax as if you're diving into water."I spoke calmly.

"Wait what are you-"I picked her up with ease, and looked at the bale of hay below me.

"Calm, just let faith catch you."I spoke. She gave me a nod, and I gently tossed her out of my hooves. She flipped around, and landed into the bale back first. She immediately jumped out of the bale unharmed, brushing some of the dried grass off her legs. I quickly followed as I heard the sounds of the Templars climbing up the building. I jumped, and landed in the hay.

"Quickly, we must get to the train station."I said as I climbed out. I took off, sprinting back through the farmers market in the matter of seconds. I continuously looked behind me to make sure Meadow was keeping up. In the distance I could see the train station ahead of us. Behind us, the Templars chased us as we reached the platform.

A train was making ready to depart as we neared it. The doors begun closing as I jumped into the car. I looked behind me and saw Meadow leaping for the door as it nearly closed. I forced the door open, and pulled her into the car. The train begun accelerating quickly, and we left the station by the time the Templars had caught up. Meadow took a seat, breathing heavily and deeply.

"I highly apologize Meadow. I couldn't leave you to be killed by those savages."I spoke.

"No need to be sorry...you saved my life. Who were those ponies?"Meadow asked. I gritted my teeth as I tried to decide what to do. Tell her the truth, or reveal my order's secret.

"I'm supposed to keep this a secret...but what I'm about to tell you is extremely classified...promise not to tell anyone?"I asked.

"Cross my heart."She drew a cross over her chest as her ears perked up ready to listen.

"The stallions that killed my friend Rocket were no ordinary men...they were Templars."I said. "A secret organization that fights to establish order and control over their ponies. They've been fighting us for hundreds of years."I explained.

"Us?"Meadow asked.

"Yes...us. I belong to a secret order called the Order of Assassin's...we fight to bring peace and freedom...and the Templars are our greatest enemy."I spent the next half the train ride explaining the orders of Templars and Assassins, explaining their history, and their intended future.

I was again on my way back to Canterlot. The city of Ponyville below now had a dark cloud of smoke slowly rising above it. I sighed, and closed my eyes...knowing what lied ahead.