An Assassin's Life for Me

Sea Worthy and Wind Starter were just getting up. Today was the faithful day for them. The four of them had convinced Sea Worthy that it was a worth while cause, so he had asked to join along with them, Edward was fine with it and they were all excited. Wind suggested that they got the rest up so they could figure out how to put their robes on.  Now they were talking while figuring out how to put on their robes that they had gone to port to have made, and bring the tailor back with them so she could have a more permanent work place.

"So what do you think our test is going to be Wind?" Asked Shielded Mace while he tried to get his head through the hood while trying to lift the over his shoulder. Shielded Mace was a white unicorn stallion with a silver, spiked mane.

"I don't know Mace. Maybe something to do with the Templars Edward found. Or maybe something about the princesses, since they're here." Wind Starter replied.

"Hey is this right?" Heavy Hit spoke up drawing their attention. Heavy Hit's a light brown stallion with a short yellow mane.

"Wow... That looks perfect." Shielded Mace said with no small amount of confusion. "How'd you do that?"

"Oh, you put the rear legs' parts on first then you put the inner top part on and tuck it into the bottom. Then you put the long coat over it. Then the armour and belts. Like that!" As Heavy spoke he helped Mace with his. It was just like the human ones, but in their form. Heavy helped the rest of them with theirs and they all stood around each other chatting about how they looked.

"Hey Cap'? Why is your blue instead of red like ours?" Asked Chrome Defiance. He was a grey unicorn stallion with a darkershade of grey for his mane, which was hidden beneath his hood.

"I'm not sure. Kenway had blue robes instead of red one, maybe it has to do with him being a captain." Sea Worthy replied while examining the differences between his robes and the others. "Either way, I can see how they can do what they do in these. They are thick enough to block crossbow darts, yet light enough for you to fly Wind Starter."

They continued talking until a knock came at their door. Sea worthy went to answer it. An assassin was waiting for him.

"Edward is ready to administer the test, are you?" He said to all five of them. They al answered with a chorus of 'YEAH!'. "Good, follow me. I will lead you to where it is being held."

They looked at each other and back to the assassin and nodded. They were dead silent as they went through the hallways to where their new lives would begin.

Edward watched the five bound figures struggled and tried to talk through their gags. This was the test he had set out for the pony recruits. Each of these figure were templars. One was a spy, another was a noble, one was an officer, another a smuggler, and the last one was a prince. He had each one of them under a blanket to keep them a secret from the princesses and guests, as well as the recruits. He had chosen the ceremony to take place in one of the largest and lowest rooms in the entire fort. He had specially ordered the robes for them along with red banners with the assassin symbols. The banners were high on the walls, each separated by a torch, and an assassin under each banner. Edward stood at the end of the room behind the covered figures, and beside a pit with burning embers. One of the assassins told him that the ritual usually had the assassin branded on their ring finger, but since the ponies didn't have fingers, Edward was just going to brand the back of their right forelegs. This wasn't the original ritual for the assassins, but it would work for them. Edward was his robes with his hood up, he had all of his equipment also. He was mulling over what to do about a certain purple princess who happened to have a certain Apple that could end up being a problem when the doors opened to reveal said princess, along with the others. Twilight happened to have a saddlebag on, and Edward swore he could see a golden shine come out of it.

All of the assassins in the room looked at Celestia as she walked in between them, their expressions hidden within the shadows of their hoods. "I see you redecorated Edward. Care to explain why?" Asked a somewhat nervous Celestia.

"Ah, yes. Some of the crew of that of yours survived, they wanted to know who we were, we told them, and when we took this fort, they wanted to join us. For the cause, for he skills, for the purpose, for the life. I hear you know one of them quite well. Se Worthy I believe, yes?" Edward stated.

Celestia was shocked. Her own personal military, the best trained in Equestria, were being swayed by assassins! She thought her guards had the utmost loyalty towards her, and yet these five had chosen to side with murderers! "Why should I believe you? I know of your brotherhood, and what it entails, you could just be lying to me to get me for your own gain." Celestia said with some venom.

"Ask them yourself, besides, I'm certain there are others that aren't as...obedient as you would like." Edward shot a look at Twilight who gulped, loudly.

Celestia looked back to see Twilight sweating and with the least convincing grin on her face. Her eyes widened at what was being implied. "Twilight, is there something that you would like to share?"

"Uh....No?....." Twilight shrunk under Celestias' glare.

"Oh really? Then what exactly is in your bag, my dear?" Edward said motioning towards her bag while narrowing his eyes. "I'm sure we would all like to know."

As if my an unsaid queue, the assassins by the door stood in front of it, cutting her off. She sighed with defeat. "Uh, please don't be mad Celestia but..." Twilight used her magic to pull her bag open and its' contents out.

Celestia gasped. "Twilight....how could you?"

Twilight hung her head in shame. All of the assassins in the room shifted and looked at each other, nodding every once in a while. "I-I couldn't resist... It was like it was calling to me, and I had to know what it was, to see what it could do, its' potential."

"Twilight, do you know what you have done?" Celestia said concerned.

"I brought the ancient artifact that nopony can control, to a bunch of deadly warriors?" Twilight replied sadly.

"Not exactly no." Celestia turned to Edward and gave a quick nod. Edward nodded back and snapped his fingers. The two assassins that were closest to the apple stepped closer to Twilight. The other elements tried to make a defensive circle, except for Fluttershy who was entranced by the apple. "Step away from Twilight my little ponies. This is a matter that she needs to deal with herself." They reluctantly did as they were asked and soon stood beside Celestia. The two assassins stood on each side of Twilight, one of them stretched their hand out, palm up. Twilight got the message, give him the apple. She looked to the other to see a blade come out of his sleeve. She hung her head while she floated the apple to the outstretched hand. As it rached it she heard the blade of the other go back to his sleeve. The assassin cupped the apple in both hands as he walked up to Edward and kneeled before him. Edward grabbed the apple slowly with his right hand. He felt the same feeling he got when he had the crystal skull in his hands. He hated it, but he knew that this must be done.

Celestia closed her eyes as she expected her and the others she had brought with her to die. The most she hoped was a fast death compared to those her father had executed. Tears began to fall from her face when she heard the familiar sound of the apple powering up and the gasps from the others as they watched Edward and the apple become surrounded by golden lines. Celestia knew that if it got into their hands, they would kill and take over like so many more had tried, but failed, but assassins don't fail, especially when it came to the apple. She thought about it, she had shown Twilight the apple, she gave in to her curiosity, she had brought them all there, just to die.

Nothing came.

Celestia opened her eyes to see she was still alive. So were the others. She looked back to Edward and saw him simply holding the apple at his side like it was just a ball. "Something wrong Celestia?" Edward asked the teary princess.

She quickly magicked her face dry. "I, uh, yes. I am fine, I mean." Celestia took a minute to regain herself. "Shouldn't you have killed us? Or be controlling us? That is the Apple of Eden, so why aren't you affected?"

Edward let out a chuckle. "You know, I didn't believe it when I was told. Back when I was working for the assassins, not an assassin, but just as good, I learned that they each were 'provided' with some precursor blood. This allowed them to see like they did when they still existed. When I was offered it, I asked what it was like, when they explained it, I told them I could already do that. They all didn't believe me, so I took tests and eventually they trusted me. I learned that day that I was born with it in my veins, that makes me part precursor. They made the Apples, so that means that I can control them just like they could."

Celestia and Luna were wide-eyed. "B-but..." They stammered.

"It seems you may a while to take that in. You can stay and watch if you want, but I must ask the rest of you to leave. This ritual is somewhat sacred among the assassins." Silently the six younger ponies nodded and left, leaving the princesses with the assassins. As they walked out, the five recruits came in. "Excellent, lets get started." Edward said with a grin.