Chapters An Assassin's Life for Me
1: Man O' War Sighted Cap'n
The black flag is rising, seeking retribution
Edward Kenway, welsh-man, captain, pirate, assassin. He was all of these things, tired was one of them. It had been so long since he had seem land. They had been sailing from England back to Nassau, and they should have arrived weeks ago.
A few weeks back, a thick fog had appeared around them and it hadn't let up for at least two weeks, one week past their original arrival time. The fog was thick enough that it had dimmed the sun to it looked like an infinite sunrise or a ghostly abyss. The crew had kept their wits about them for the first few days but they were slowly getting more jumpy, and desperate. Something that seemed to lighten their spirits was the occasional whale that had allowed them for some food that went fast. Kenway knew that his ship could withstand some fog, the crew wouldn't get too angry as long as they knew who he was and what his ship had done. Besides his crew was made up of assassin trainees, so they were very willing to help him get to the brotherhood in his old home. He had decided to go back to the brotherhood and join with them. Anne Bonny, his quartermaster, had decided to join him with the assassins. The wind hadn't changed since the fog rolled in. It was as if the days were repeating them selves.
The Jackdaw had been fully upgraded, with metal plate armor, golden guns, extra fire barrels, and reinforced ram. Edward had spent some of his large wealth gained from pirating to have an organ built into his quarters. One of his favorite things to play was a piece that required the chimes of a medallion that was given to him by Anne as a gift. He entered his cabin and sat down on the bench in front of the organ. He removed his blades to allow his hands a free range of movement.
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He wound up the music medallion and placed it on the organ. It chimed away as he prepared to play. He knew this from pure muscle memory, having practiced it for a long while in his estate in northern England, teaching himself. As a few bars of chiming ending he began to play, listening to the now absent sounds of crew. He felt happy playing with no interruptions. He felt like he was good at something that was purely his to be good at, seeing as how no one else he knew could play like him.
He played for a few minutes and stopped to let the familiar chiming of the medallion finish. As he slowly got up he heard the crew returning to their posts and begin talking again and began to sing.
"Now we are ready to sail for the Horn,
Weigh hey, roll and go!
Our boots and our clothes, boys, are all in the pawn,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!
Heave a pawl, O heave away!
Weigh hey, roll and go!
The anchor's on board and the cable's all stored,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!
Soon we'll be warping her out through the locks,
Weigh hey, roll and go!
Where the pretty young girls all come down in their frocks,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!
Heave a pawl, O heave away!
Weigh hey, roll and go!
The anchor's on board and the cable's all stored,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!
Come breast the bars, bullies, heave her away,
Weigh hey, roll and go! .
Soon well be rolling her down through the Bay,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!
Heave a pawl, O heave away!
Weigh hey, roll and go!
The anchor's on board and the cable's all stored,
To be rollicking randy dandy-O!"
And with that Edward changed out of his robes and armor and went to bed to await the next day, he hoped that he would find something then, perhaps something could find him even.
Celestia was watching the completion of the new navy of hers she had requested to protect from the rising griffon threat. The first ship was one that she had dubbed 'Preservation' it was a rather large ship with enough hull strength to withstand the arrows of the griffons, and twenty openings on the side for unicorns to fire magic. It was to be used in defense but if it was needed it could be used for assault as well. She had decided that she should go on it's maiden voyage. Leaving princess Twilight and Luna to keep everything in check while she was gone. She planned on enjoying the week or so she would be on the ship. She has happy to be getting away from the papers, and she had planned on investigating a report of a long lasting fog that had an eerie sense of dread coming from it.
A few days had passed on the ship and they had reached the fog and were staying a ways away from it. She was considering that the fog meant nothing when she heard a pony cry.
"Something's in the fog!"
She turned to see a black ship that was slightly smaller than hers with a metal shell and a bird on the bow. She looked at the top of the main mast to see a sickening sight being sent to the top, a flag. A black flag with the symbol of something she thought she dealt with long ago. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she saw the ship turning to reveal a row of golden tubes going along the side.
Edward awoke to hearing some of the ships crew running around on deck chatting to each other. By the sound of it they seemed nervous and relieved. He began to rise out of bed when he heard something that he didn't feel like hearing.
"Captain! A ship is waiting for us! It's a Man O' War!" the spotter called out.
He dawned his Mayan armor (all of his outfits, sword and pistol sets are stored in the ship) and rushed out of his cabin.
"Do we know where their allegiances lie?" He asked Anne.
"No, we can't recognize the flag but it certainly isn't one of ours." She replied.
"Then raise ours, lets see how they react."
The crew got to work raising the flag while he turned the ship into a broadside position. With no reaction from the flag, he yelled.
"Run out the port guns, and tie up the sails!" He turned to Anne. "How about now?" He asked more to himself then to her.
They just continued sitting there, not doing anything. Frustrated by the silence he looked around at his crew, the were ready for a fight they had put their assassin robes on and were all waiting for something to happen. Edward motioned for his spyglass. He looked through it to view the enemy captain, he found....it. It looked like a small horse somehow using telekinesis to hold a spyglass up to watch him also. The opposing captain seemed to panic at seeing Edward raise his own telescope. Continuing to watch the other captain he took in it's features. It had a white coat and a grey mane and mustache, and a horn......Edward had seen gods and weird half people half something he didn't want to remember, he wasn't to disturbed by the horn. It had dark blue overcoat and a few golden decorations. It seemed to be motioning for another to join it. Another one began to walk up behind it, or him the mustache gave it away a bit, this new one was white with a horn and wings, and judging by the armor and size it out ranked the captain. The new one seemed a lot more feminine so he assumed she was a governor's daughter, by the and armor and other decorations. She raised the spyglass to her eye and looked through it straight at Edward. Her spyglass dropped, eyes widened and was breathing heavily. Edward chuckled at this, when he saw her calm down a bit he followed. He lowered the spyglass and handed it to a crewman.
"I am going over there to meet our new hosts." Edward told Anne. She began to protest to this and he answered with, "I will give you a signal if I need assistance, and by 'assistance' I mean fire." She seemed to calm down at this and begrudgingly watched as he jumped off the boat. He was glad that his Mayan armor was somewhat water resistant, as well as being able to deflect bullets, just in case they decided he was worth shooting at.
He was getting close to the Man Of War sized ship and was able to hear the crew, which he assumed were also horses, speaking English.........Again he didn't question when he thought of what happened when the two-eyed-mad-man got him drunk, and didn't question it. He climbed up onto the deck and was greeted with his suspicions. The horses were surrounding him with swords drawn. and the two he saw earlier were standing in front of him but still in the circle of horses. He had about one and a half meters of space between him and the closest horse. He crossed his arms and looked at the two important ones.
"And you are?" Edward asked with enough venom to make them sweat but not enough to cause offense.
"H-how dare you speak to the princess that way!" The captain yelled nervously drawing his sword.
Edward did the same with both of his swords which made them all jump. "A man who doesn't give two arses otherwise." Edward remained in a calm stance.
The 'princess' took a step forward and stated "There is no need for violence." Edward noticed the sweat at her brow, her fake smile masking fear, a look he had seen many a time before.
"There is no point in faking to me, I can see right through that peaceful mask of yours. You may be able to hide your mouth and body, but you missed the eyes, I can see right into them. You're afraid"
This seemed to trigger a reaction of anger in the crew, all of which had golden armor that was more decor than actual protection and were mainly white. The captain stepped forward poking his sword towards Edward. At this Edward ran one of his swords along the other captain's, making a well known ssshhhhhhhhhhiiiinnnnnngggg that he relished. Edward was raising his other sword to slash at his new opponent when a yellow aura surrounded the captain, he looked down to see the same aura seemed to be attempting to hold him but his armor was preventing it, he was able to move without any restrictions. He looked over at the princess to see her horn was in the same state, surrounded by the same yellow aura. Edward didn't care at this time though, he had a target and he planned on eliminating it.
"Gentlecolts, please. Restrain yourselves!" The 'princess' said, her fear temporarily replaced by frustration until she realized that Edward wasn't restrained.
"B-but princess! It insulted you!" The captain responded.Then he looked over to Edward who ha d a wicked grin on his face, mocking the scorned captain. It turned back to the 'princess' and said with some sorrow. "I apologize princess Celestia,, for what is about to happen. Unicorns! Emergency very important pony transport!"
At this about ten unicorns stepped forward and began to surround the princess with energy and she popped out with a frustrated yell.
"Now we can get started!" Exclaimed Edward, replacing one of his swords with a pistol. He fired into the air. The ponies groaned as they regained their hearing. Edward chuckled as they all heard similar noises coming from the distance, peppering them with cannon fire.
An Assassin's Life for Me
Cannon balls were piercing the ships hull mercilessly. The crew had tried to react but the devastation of their ship had unsettled them. The looks on their faces was showing Edward that they hadn't expected their precious ship being torn apart without a move, other than the signal shot, from him. Edward had stood still, replacing the empty pistol with his second sword, and waited for the captain to make a move. The crew scattered to through the mangled ship trying to do anything to keep it afloat. The ship was on fire from an explosion of, something below decks. Edward kept his eyes trained on the captain who was standing on the other side of the ship doing the same, with his sword drawn also. Edward waited as the fire crept through the main mast, burning the base and toppling it across the ship. This distracted the horse-captain enough to allow Edward to charge him, jumping over the scorched remains of the mast, and turned his swords around to prepare to assassinate the captain from the air. The captain looked back in time to dodge away, but not without a gash along his left hind leg. The captain looked to the quarterdeck and ran up the stairs leading to the wheel. Edward ran after him getting up the stair to see him waiting for him. The two swordsmen began their duel, slash after slash from the equine was easily parried by the experienced pirate, and followed by hard punches with his guarded hands and fierce strikes from the gauntlet on the side of Kenway's arm. The elder captain was clearly not nearly as able as Edward was. The two were about the charge again when they heard and explosion on deck and bother turned to hear screams of wounded and, now dead, crew. The captain turned to the destruction to find more pirates storming the ship, robes and blades at the ready. He yelled over the guard railing that separated the wheel from the drop to the main deck.
"Everypony hold! We surrender! WE SURRENDER!" The pony crew obeyed instantly out of fear for the now present enemy. They all sat on their haunches and raised their fore hooves into the air. Accompanying this were boasts and screams of victory from the Jackdaw's crew.
"Line up what remains of the crew on the quarter deck." Edward said to Anne as she nodded and turned barking orders at the assassins.
"The ship is yours, and our live are in your hooves." The captain said with dread.
"Alright then, lets start with questions then. Where are we?" Edward asked the sitting captain.
The captain seemed to be confused by this question. 'How could it not know where it is?' he thought to himself. "You are in the western sea."
"And that is?"
"The sea to the west of Equestria."
"Alright then, nationality I assume?" The captain nodded, his head still low from his defeat. "Alright then, why did you transport the one that was trying to simply talk. I would have listened you know, always like a preacher of peace." He chuckled remembering when the Templars had claimed they were doing this for order and peace, and slitting their throats one by one.
"Perhaps, I was quick to judge. Either way the live of these stallions are in your ho----"
"Hands, these are hands." Edward cut in.
As they said this the remaining crew joined them by the wheel. Each one had a look of despair, low hanging heads and sad expressions. Edward noted that all these equines only stood up to a little above his waist. Edward took note of their numbers with some surprise, and the captain seemed to be astonished at how few had survived the brutal attack. Including the captain, there were five. The captain and two others with horns, a winged one and one that was bigger than the rest but had no horn or wings to him.
"What should we do with the ship and her crew Edward?" Anne said eyeing the horses with a look in her eye that only displayed both intrigue, and some disgust at the horses ability to speak and build a ship, like this shook her world to a new level.
Edward thought about the question for a minute or two that seemed to drag on for the ponies before answering, "Give the dead a sailors release, scrap the ship, and these ones will guide us back to where they came from, won't you?"
The captain looked up and said "We will obey, but may I ask what a 'sailors release' is?"
Edward nodded to Anne for the crew to begin. "To the depths with them." The end of Edward's statement was punctuated by the splash of the bodies.
An Assassin's Life for Me
3: The Black Flag is Rising
He`s a plundering lover of violence, born into poverty bred into silence.
Twilight was going through some more papers, she now understood why Celestia had wanted to take a break, when a bright flash of light entered the room. She looked over to see that Celestia was standing there with a look of fear and frustration. Celestia looked around confused and saw Twilight, her expression calmed immediately but Twilight could still see small beads of sweat forming on her brow, to be quickly absorbed again or wiped away.
"Princess Celestia, what's wrong? What happened to the Preservation?" Twilight asked worried about her ex-mentor.
Celestia thought about the question for a moment. "I am afraid, Twilight." Twilight recoiled in shock, at her answer. "I fear that the ship is destroyed and I pray that at least some of the crew have survived." Twilight stumbled, walking over to be closer to Celestia she wondered how to react, hearing that and entire ship of at least one hundred ponies wasn't exactly easy. "An organization is being reborn, their experience in combat is unmatched and they have the best success rate seen by any. The last time we had met they had accused me of treason and tyranny, I was able to sway them, but after that they had simply disappeared. They were mercenaries of sorts, they accepted contracts from people in power. Everything was kept secret from all but them and the contact. Although they did this, they openly declared with each kill why it had been done. Corrupt guards, traitors, robbers, and even killers. None knew who was a part of their organization, they kept everything confidential. At the end of it all was their elder, a father figure to them, said elder would never send his brothers to a fight that didn't have good reason for them. No matter how good the pay was. They were able to topple mountains if they so wished, they did almost that when they removed my father from power." Celestia addressed her father with pure distaste.
Twilight was shocked at this. 'An organization that was able to remove a being more powerful than CELESTIA!!!' only one question was able to work its way through Twilight's dropped jaw. "Wh-wh-who were they?" She was afraid of the answer.
"They, were The Brotherhood of Assassins."
Edward escorted the remaining five ponies onto the Jackdaw, they had collected any personal belongings they had and asked to keep them. Edward agreed. "What is your name?" Edward asked the captain who was carrying some coin and a picture of what Edward assumed was his wife and kids, with a sword that seemed to be a prize or a reward.
The captain looked at him taken aback by his captors question. "My name is Sea Worthy."
"What?" Edward asked with genuine confusion of how someone would be named as such.
"Sea Worthy."
"What is your rank?"
"I was to be promoted to admiral upon the construction of the Preservation's sister ships. But now I am just a captain, or at least I was." He quickly corrected himself as to not offend his captor. "Might I know yours?" He asked preparing to retreive his statement should a problem arise.
Edward though about this for a moment. "Edward Kenway, Captain of the Jackdaw." 'How could this pony knowing my name hurt anyone? I should keep the brotherhood a secret though.'
"What are you going to do with us?"
"That depends, will you cooperate with my men and myself?"
Sea Worthy looked back to his five remaining crew and decided that even if they wanted to, they couldn't fight them. "We....shall."
"Then you will be treated like any other crewman on this ship. Equally, well as equal as we can get really considering the fact of different species."
Sea Worthy was surprised at Edward's level of intellect. "Where will we go then?"
"Where you can get a ride home. We aren't going to take you around the world for free. Now go bellow decks and find come cots that you five can use, it should be obvious if one is taken, and later we can discuss where to drop you off and how to get there." Edward knew that each crewman tended to personalize their sleep space albeit with a carving in the wood around it or something on the cot.
"Alright then." Edward nodded at the would-be admiral as he took his crew to the lower levels to find a place to rest. He gave the order to fire at what remained of the wreck that was once the Preservation.
"What were we able to salvage from the ship?" Edward asked Anne.
"Enough preserved food to last a while, hard cider to last longer, and enough gold to fill all of our pockets for a while." She responded with pride.
"Excellent, now see to it that our friends aren't disturbed. We could use them yet."
"Aye Edward, but what are they? They are too small to be proper horses and they have colors and talk and--" She was silenced by a hush coming from Edward.
"I don't know and don't care, all we need to do is get back to Nassau and forget what we've seen here. We don't need these ponies being a nuisance. Besides I saw their leader and she was afraid, maybe we can use that to our advantage."
"I don't like this Edward..."
"Well it's what is happening, and we might even have fun doing it. Now raise the flag so that any who see it will stay away."
Edward watched as the familiar black flag was hoisted up to the top of the mast. The brotherhood's crest emblazoned upon it with a skull in the center. 'Time to get back to business ' He thought to himself.
An Assassin's Life for Me
Sea Worthy had pointed them in the direction of a port he could be left at to the north. Edward had called up the five ponies to watch as the were able to see their destination. "We will be arriving in a few hours, I suggest gathering what you brought with you and relax on deck, I will call you when it is time to depart." they all went off to gather their things and the winged female one who said she was Wind Starter flew up to the crow's nest, and seemed to fall asleep.
Sea Worthy had joined Edward at the helm and answering questions about himself, Equestria, and anything that was of Edward's interest. He had looked forward to seeing dry land and a warm bed awaiting him but his was odd. The place he was being dropped off was a fort on an island in the middle of a bay. The thing that unnerved him, and had no problem in making it known, that there was no ships around other than their own. He insisted that the flag be identified. Edward sighed as he raised his spyglass to see a red flag with a eagle-like skull on it.
"Well... what's on the flag?" Sea Worthy asked with impatience.
"I'm not sure, but it definitely isn't the same flag you were flying with the sun and moon." Edward answered lowering the spyglass. "It is red with a long eagle skull on it. This made Sea Worthy panic.
"Oh no oh no oh no. What are we going to do?!? We can't lose that fort! It is our first line of defense against the griffons!!!" Sea Worthy exclaimed.
"Well then it seems you are out of luck, they have already taken the fort it seems. How important is this fort?" Edward asked.
"As I said it is our first line of defense, so it is our strongest fort. It is a center for trade so it is full of valuables that could fund a full on invasion force!"
"Riches you say.... Well I don't see why we can't help you out a little." He turned to Anne with a devilish grin on his face. "Prepare the mortars with grape shots and get the crew ready for an attack, they don't seem to have cannons so we don't need to destroy the towers. I will be in my quarters getting ready for the attack."
"Aye, sir." Anne responded grinning to match her swordsman ship. "All of you lazy dogs! Dawn your robes and prepare the mortars for tearing flesh from bone! We are going to take that fort for ourselves!" This was met with cheers from the crew. They were itching for a proper fight.
"Wa-wait Edward we can't just storm the place!" Sea Worthy exclaimed.
Edward turned to the pony, his grin sending a shiver down Sea's spine. "Watch us." He turned and entered his cabin and began to dawn his robes, replacing his normal cutlasses with the gifted gun swords that were given to him by the order for completing some assassination contracts for them, removing his pistols and replacing them with his pistols that he had found and had been identified as those that belonged to captain Morgan he liked them because of the longer barrels tended to send shivers down anyone who was at the other end. Checking that he had everything he would need for this assault, he was satisfied. He walked out of his cabin and went back to the wheel. Sea Worthy was still bewildered about how bold this was.
Looking at the crew he noticed that they all had their robes on and hoods up. "Anne, are the mortars and cannons ready?"
"Aye."
"Men, we will make our mark on this place today we WILL show them who we are, they will not know what hit them. We will pillage that fort and show them what happens when you mess with ASSASSINS!" Swords were raised at the ready and the cannons were rolled out, the mortars steadied awaiting the order. "FIRE!"
The five, now present, ponies watched in awe as the mortars fired their payload high in the air and split into multiple smaller pellets of metal going at extremely high speeds. As they landed the could hear scream of pain coming from inside. By this time they had made it to the dock, and unloaded enough assassins, the ponies got off and ran over to the gathered assassins. "Edward! We want to help!" Exclaimed each pony.
"Are you sure?" Edward turned towards the ponies. "Tell me, have you ever taken a life before?" The ponies looked at each other, they shook their heads. "You have gone through training but haven't been in a fight?" They shook their heads again.
"Just because we haven't been in a proper fight before, we have been trained to fight against griffons!" Said Sea Worthy the rest of them regained their composure after hearing their captain. "Trust us, if you don't want us to fight hoof-to-claw with them then let us find another way to help! They must have gotten here somehow, we could find their ship and destroy it!"
Edward thought about and retorted "Alright, instead of destroying the ship though, steal it. I can build my fleet up again."
The ponies smiled and went off around the island and Wind Starter took off. The assassins began to climb over the walls and jumped off each assassin taking a griffon down when they landed. The griffons began to regain some composure but not able to get a good hit on any of the assassins, claws being deflected, beaks being bashed with blunt end of blades and cold steel carving through flesh. Edward immediately made his way towards a griffon with armor and a large hat, an officer. He killed as many griffon as there were between him and the officer without using a precious pistol shot. He had found a ledge to climb on and was able to get above the battle and above the officer. He jumped. He landed on top of the officer as it turned and flared its wings, but it was too late for escape, as the two gun blades plunged into the rib cage of the officer. Getting off the body Edward took the hat off of the griffon as a trophy. It was a crimson tricorn with black trim and three large eagle feathers decorating the back right corner. He placed it on his head, lowering his hood to fit the hat properly. He looked up to see the inner fortress' walls and saw another griffon with the same decorations except with the colors reversed, gawking at him then running off through a door. Looking around the Edward saw the battlefield littered with griffon corpses and little to no blood on his assassin crew, and all of them alive and kicking. He motioned for them to follow him to the inner walls. They climbed up the wall and were met by three griffon guards. They looked like they were about to piss themselves. Edward took out his pistols and sent three shots directly at the three scared birds. With the resistance gone other than the ones behind this door and the leader of this group would be waiting with whatever he had left in the way of defense. Edward kicked the door open and was said leader was greeted with a long barrel pointed at his forehead.
General Riptide was managing the state of the fort when loud bangs followed by screams were heard throughout. His sons had led a retaliation to this disturbance and a few minutes after he began hearing the sound of metal against claws one of his sons entered his office panting with fear in his eyes. "What is wrong my son?" Riptide asked.
"Father, a group of beasts have invaded, Steel Scraper is dead by their leader. Father, it is on it's way here." Said Zeus, he had been named after an old legendary warrior that was said to command lightning with nothing but his will.
"WHAT?!?! HOW THIS MUST BE A TRICK HE CAN'T BE DEAD!!!" Riptide exclaimed with sadness and fear. 'How could a creature kill my kin? He was trained by the best of the best griffons. He CAN'T be dead....' Riptide thought to himself. "Where is it now?"
Before Zeus could answer they heard three loud bangs from outside and the doors burst open. A bipedal creature was walking through the door with a long tube, pointed directly at his head. His eyes narrowed and his jaw dropped. He watched as the creature pulled on the device and an eruption of pain came from his head, as the ball dug through his skull.
Edward watched as the limp body of the richly decorated griffon fell the smaller griffon was watching the fallen like it was one that it knew, possibly a father. "Well then, it looks like you are the new commander of this place, and the last of your kind alive here. I suggest you think about what to."
"I-- I uh," The newly promoted commander stammered. "I surrender this fort and whatever is in it to you. As commander of this fort I address you as a griffon begging for my life, do you accept my terms?" The griffon had sweat rolling down his head, and lowered his hat to cover his chest.
Edward smirked "I accept, Anne take him to a cell in the fort, and send some of ours to explore and draw a map of this place."
"Aye Captain." She said as she directed some assassins to follow her as she took the commander into custody.
"Oh and send someone to get Sea Worthy and the others." She nodded as she left with the griffon.
Edward began searching the room with the corpse. Nice clothes,unable to be worn by him though, a gold pocket watch, that now belonged to him, and a pendant around it's neck, a cross. This was something he recognized it had a gold chain and a gold outline but the inside of the cross was a ruby. It was the symbol of the templars. Edward ripped the pendant from the neck of the griffon. He stood and got a better look at it. There was no doubt that this was the symbol of the templars. He attached the pendant to his newly acquired hat. and continued to look through the office and found that it also seemed to be the treasury. There was gold everywhere.
Edward dressed himself in gold over his clothes as the five ponies walked in and gawked at him."What? Is my magnificence too much for you?" Edward said sarcastically.
After some laughs from the ponies and Edward Sea Worthy spoke up. "We found that ship you were talking about and it seems to be in suitable condition. Now, I must contact the princess. I am sure she will want to talk to me about my over-reaction and how you were able to take on a full griffon garrison. I will find a letter sender and be back to discuss."
"Awwww relax! You are all gentlemen of fortune now! You can bathe yourself in rum and wine and sleep in the riches of kings with me if you wish, but if you must notify your princess go ahead. I'm in no rush." Edward said. "Either way you are no longer in my command, go about and do that which you will. I won't stop you unless I have to."
The ponies nodded and relaxed and left to go about their will. All that Edward did after that was go and find the biggest room he could at the top of a tower and lay down on the bed with all of the gold and his armor still on him. He was looking forward to what would happen in the days to come, what riches he could plunder and what templars he would slay. He was in his element, he was happy.
An Assassin's Life for Me
Celestia woke with a blue mist materializing in front of her, followed by a letter with the seal of captain Sea Worthy. The sight of this letter gave her hope that he was still alive and was either sending a letter of ransom (the more likely) or was fine and reporting back. She knew that whatever was in that letter wasn't going to be good news, so she swallowed her fear and opened it. It read.
Princess Celestia,
I Captain Sea Worthy, give my sincerest apologies as to my misjudgement. I and Captain Edward Kenway have made a pact and I would like to suggest to you that you meet and possibly attempt to strike a deal. I have seem first-hoof the strength and prowess of his skills and the skills of his crew. They would be a fine addition to the military, Kenway's crew was able to over whelm and entire garrison of griffins held in a captured fort, without losing a single member. I believe that Kenway will be willing to converse with you and fight with us as long as his reward is sufficient. Whatever your decision, I am sure it will be the best.
Captain Sea Worthy
Celestia was in shock at this letter. 'How could one of them not simply kill them on sight, let alone make a deal for their lives when a pony could never truly give anything to a human. What could it want?......' he thoughts were interrupted with Twilight entering her study.
"Princess, I have to ask more about this 'brotherhood'. What were they exactly, why did they defeat your father, HOW did they defeat your father?......" Twilight asked.
Celestia wondered whether she should reveal the truth to her prodigy. "Walk with me, Twilight." She stood up and walked out the room and down a hallway. "What I am about to show you has made ponies go mad, turned the best of friends into enemies, turned the benevolent into tyrants. This thing, has destroyed empires purely by beings desiring it. This is what turned my father into a selfish monster. He was the one who awoke all the darkness that threatens us daily. This thing fed off of his insanity and hunger for power that it had caused in him." After walking for a few minutes going down staircase after staircase they reached a door with three holes in it in a triangular fashion, for horns to unlock it. Celestia placed her horn in the top one and sent magic radiating throughout the door. The large rusted iron doors parted and revealed a room within the mountain that had blue patterns all over the walls. They were inlaid in the walls and glowing and in the center of the room was a pedestal. On the pedestal was a glowing golden ball with similar patter on it only glowing a bright yellow instead of blue. Encasing it was a glass orb and the glowing ball was floating in the center of it. Twilight gawked at the room she was amazed by the architecture, but the glowing ball caught her attention and kept it. She didn't notice that she was slowly moving towards the ball with a growing need to touch it. Nothing much, just to feel those glowing carvings, and see what all the fuss was about, this couldn't possibly be the thing that Celestia was talking about, She began to remember what was happening when she felt a golden aura envelop her and demand the attention she was giving to the ball.
"What are you doing princess? I thought you wanted my to see it." Twilight asked annoyed.
"That is close enough. Any closer and you would have faught me trying to get it." Celestia replied.
"What is it?" Twilight said returning to Celestia's side.
"When I was young I heard my father call it, The Apple of Eden. "
"What are you going to do with it?"
Celestia though for a while before answering with a growing sense of dread in her voice. "I, don't know."
I was watching with contempt as the two ponies talked about my creation. I had hidden myself from them for centuries as the one they called Nocte father of Celestia and Luna, husband of Lux, fell prey to the apple's and my own will. I had never meant for him to go power mad, I simply wanted to give him power and watch him entertain me as I watched what he did with the power. His choices were just that, his. Simply fuelled with the powers of my people, 'The ones who came before' we tell these beings. I, am Consus known as the Erudite God. Many of these apples existed, but only a few survived. I had been away at the time of my race's destruction, and had taken my apple with me. When I had returned my home was ablaze and I was devastated. Later on though the humans began to flourish, building cities and creating monuments. I had befriended a boy by the name of Giovanni Borgia and convinced him to join the assassins. The goals of the assassins were just and I believed in their reasons. Although my own limits were tested, the assassins wanted me to help them more openly. I declined, only stating that it would cause more harm then good. I am the last true survivor of my people and I plan on keeping myself in the apple until I am needed elsewhere. This will be interesting. Lets see if Kenway can find out what to do next.
An Assassin's Life for Me
6: Everything is Permitted
Edward awoke with the sunlight in his eyes, he groaned and stretched.He still had his robes on and the gold jewellery he was wearing around. Now that he could properly see the room he was in he was impressed by the detail and décor. The dresser had elegant carvings in it and so did all of the wood work in the room. there was a balcony that allowed Edward to view the entire fort. Looking down he saw his crew walking around, going about whatever they wanted to do, drinking the hard cider that they must have found in the fort. Edward looked back into his room and looked at a golden grandfather clock that was set by the door. It was 10:26. He walked out of his room and continued down to where the main entrance was. As he walked out of the main fort Sea Worthy walked up to him.
"I sent princess Celestia my report and I asked her to come here and meet with you." Edward groaned at what he was hearing.
"Why did you ask her to come here?" Edward asked massaging the bridge of his nose.
Sea Worthy was slightly confused by this question. "Why not? You and your crew seem to be the best fighters I've ever seen! With you on our side the griffins won't stand a chance! Not to mention the technology on your ship could improve our military ten-fold!"
"WE, aren't interested in fighting someone else's war. We have morals to uphold as well. Besides the best I could hope for from you ponies as a reward would be at least one of us dead." Edward glared at Sea Worthy. "There is nothing you have that we could possibly want, or couldn't just take."
Sea Worthy's jaw dropped at this. "Then why did you take this fort back for us?"
"I didn't. We needed a new place we could set up the brotherhood, and you said that this fort had enough gold to pay for anything we need to get started here." Edward retorted.
"What brotherhood? Is that why you are all wearing those robes?"
"Yes." At this point the other four ponies had gathered around them.
"Edward, could we ask you something?" The earth pony whose name was Heavy Hit asked.
"Yes? What is is?"
Wind Started stepped forward. "We want you to teach us how to fight like you and your friends do. We asked Anne about the brotherhood, and she said that you would need bodies to help set it up here. We would be honoured," they all bowed their heads to Edward. "if you would accept us into the brotherhood." She finished.
Sea Worthy and Edward were taken aback by this proclamation. Edward was impressed by their enthusiasm and Sea Worthy was considering this as his last troops defecting.
"WHAT?!? Why? What could you gain with this so called 'brotherhood'?" Sea Worthy asked with concern for his crew who he had grown to liking over their voyage.
"Skills, skills that out match the entire crew of the Preservation, skills that can take out the griffon garrison that was here skills that are honed to a point sharp enough to pierce iron." The unicorn known as Shielded Mace said. The other nodded in affirmation.
Edward rubbed his stubble on his jaw as he thought. 'I doubt that us walking around this pony place will allow us to keep a low profile.' He thought to himself. "You will have to be tested and seeing as how I am the head of the new brotherhood here you will have to be able to defend yourself against one of us. Then you will have to pass the final test, then you will be accepted within our ranks and given your own blades." Edward was planning on having some of the ponies in the brotherhood but he was hoping for a more experienced group to start with, but when these four just offered themselves he couldn't resist.
"But you can't-----" Sea Worthy was cut off by a letter materializing in front of him and landing on the ground. Edward gave a look that said "What the hell just happened?" Sea Worthy lifted the note with his magic and read aloud.
Captain Sea Worthy
Your apology is accepted. I along with my sister and the elements of harmony will be arriving within the week on the sister ship of the Preservation. I apologize and give my most sincere condolences for the loss of the ship and her crew. I must however advise caution when around the humans Edward now was paying attention to the letter The are easily aggravated as you probably have figured out and can...... Sea Worthy went over the letter mumbling so as to not alert Edward as to what was said. ....... And we will be bringing enough guards to hold the fort after we take the brotherhood with us back to Canterlot.
Princess Celestia
"Well then it seems like you may need to find another place to hold the brotherhood." Sea Worthy said while trying to hide a smirk of triumph.
"We aren't going anywhere." Edward said with a chorus of 'What's from the five ponies. "They are going to have to let us stay here if you want our help with that war of yours."
"But.... you have to listen to the princesses!" Exclaimed Wind Starter.
"No we don't. If you want to be one of us then you have one loyalty, only one, loyalty. It is to your brothers and sisters. Are we clear? If you are having change of hearts then walk away now. If you are up to it still, then come to my room on top of the tower." With that, Edward went into the tower to find more secrets within the fort.
Twilight still had many questions about the brotherhood and the apple, but Celestia had said that it would be explained when it needed to be. Her words were "Some things are meant to be left alone, this knowledge is dangerous. If anyone knew about it and they didn't need to, it would turn them from a bystander to a target to a body in a coffin." This answer had stopped Twilight dead in her tracks. If it was this serious then she shouldn't want to know about it, but that artefact. That golden ball. This thing was too interesting and attractive for her to just let it go. She had done research on this door that had blocked the apple from the world, and she had found something interesting in it. 'The door was constructed to only allow those with need for it and authority to use it to obtain it.' Through further investigation she found out that at least two alicorns were required until Celestia found out how to avoid this barrier and be able to get in on her own. She had to know about this apple. She only knew of one way to do this in time before she was to meet with her friends and leave to go to one of the forts on the front lines. She left to go and find Luna. Twilight thought that maybe Luna would be able to shed some light on this and. if persuaded enough, could help her examine the apple.
She reached the observation tower and opened the door to find princess Luna watching over the night as usual. "Princess Luna?" Luna turned to see Twilight.
"Ah Twilight, what brings you up here this late?" Luna said happy that she wasn't going to spend the entirety of the night alone.
"I have some problems and questions that need to be answered, but we can't do it here, and we can't do it without going through a few locked doors." Twilight said trying to keep a straight face, but her nervousness was hinted in her voice.
Luna looked pensive for a minute and though about what Twilight could mean. "Is this against my sister? Or just a thing you believe is....intriguing?"
Twilight shrunk back a bit and answered "Both."
Luna thought for a minute and remembered what her sister had said when she had been informed of what had happened. She had said. "I don't want you causing anything this time. You saw first hoof what they were able to do when they were ponies and now there ideals have spread to humans! We both know their tendencies for violence and skill for carrying out their own will. They can't be provoked. The best we can hope for from the assassins is some peace keeping and maybe some insight. Nothing more. I will offer them sanctuary and room to grow, but we don't need to give them an obvious reason to hate us or not trust us. With some luck, there won't be any problems." Luna though about what Twilight was proposing and thought about how her sister had treated her, like a foal. Maybe doing this and taking some responsibility would make her sister see that she was capable of doing good on her own.
"I will assist you Twilight. Although I must know what exactly we are doing." Luna answered.
"We are going to look at an artefact. I need to know about it and get it somewhere it can be studied." Twilight said.
"Alright, but we must keep this from my sister. This will be between you and me only."
An Assassin's Life for Me
Five days have past since Sea Worthy had gotten the letter form the Princess. Five days since the recruits had accepted his offer to join them. Edward had trained the new recruits well, or at least as well as he could. Their techniques had to be altered for the body of the ponies. They have proven useful for the most part, they had sailed the captured ship to several ports to run errands and they thought that it was a good way to help since the assassins would be feared, being humans didn't help them in that aspect. In fact they had even convinced a blacksmith to live in the fort with the assassins. The blacksmith was having some trouble with his business, him crafting knives and blade and maces didn't get much attention in a land where violence isn't necessary nor is it smiled upon. So when they had expressed interest and a need for his services he had gladly accepted the offer to join us, he didn't want to fight though, so he didn't need training. The blacksmith had introduced himself as Fire Forge, and had been able to make modifications to the basic hidden blades to be used by ponies. Edward knew that the rulers of this land would be coming, and he had secretly set up the final test for these ponies behind all of their backs and was going to have them perform the test in front of their princesses. He was grinning with glee at wondering how they would react. This was going to be fun.
He had sent the four of them to a port to find a suitable designer to convince to live at the fort. They still had enough room for a few more services to be present on the island. He was awaiting their return in his office when he heard something he was hoping to hear for hours now.
"SHIP HO!! Coming up from the south! She's a Man O' War! She aint one of ours!" Shouted the watchman.
Edward got up from his seat and put on his under-shirt and his robes with a smile growing on his face. He went onto the balcony of his room and shouted to the assassins below. "To your stations men! Raise the flag! Make them piss 'emselves!" The all ran to get to where they were needed. Edward looked at the flag poll and saw his signature flag being raised to the top and he heard the cannons being rolled out from his ship. He knew his crew wouldn't fire without his order. He jumped off of the balcony and landed on the roof of the adjacent building, jumped off that and landed in the main courtyard, he ran to the docks to greet his new guests.
As he got to the gates he decided to stay in the building that had to be passed through if they wanted to get to the rest of the fort. He looked down at the docks and saw Sea Worthy standing there, most likely awaiting his superior. Edward scoffed at this, he never understood how you could respect someone without them proving themselves in a situation that demanded their full range of skills. Anne came up behind him.
"Get everyone out of sight, that princess of theirs doesn't need to know how many we have." Anne silently nodded and left to tell the assassins to get scarce.
Edward was ready, he knew that whoever this was knew about him. And they feared him.
A few hours passed before the ship finally came in on the opposite side of the Jackdaw. A set of stairs were lowered from the deck and four soldiers walked down them and formed a line on the deck. After they had set up a line on the deck eight others stepped off the ship he recognized three of them from Sea Worthy's description. The first one was Celestia (the one that almost pissed herself already), Luna the second (princess of the night, HA), and the third was Twilight Sparkle (most recent of the crowned and holder of the element of magic, fair enough). The other five he had no idea, he didn't care much either. He saw the sweat forming on Celestia's and Luna's faces. The look on Twilight's face was odd though, she seemed to be confident. Confidence was an emotion he had grown use to see in his targets before they saw him. He was hidden in the shadows of the room after all. The others just seemed happy to be there.... huh, perhaps the have not been told.
When they had taken up formation behind the guards they walked towards Sea Worthy who was about four meters from the door. That's my cue. Edward thought. He went down the stairs and waited behind the door, he was in earshot of Sea Worthy, so when they started talking he could listen. He was going to wait for the perfect moment, he had given the order to make them piss themselves after all.
Celestia was afraid when she saw that flag being raised. She had instructed her guards and the others to stay in formation. The elements thought she was over reacting but Twilight and Luna understood her. She was afraid when the guards stepped off the ship, from previous experience this either meant that they were giving her a chance to talk, or a chance to run. She can't see any of the brotherhood, but the captain was standing there as if nothing was wrong. They approached him and he bowed.
"It is excellent to see you again princess, and my apologies again for the emergency teleport." Sea Worthy said, still bowing.
"That is quite alright captain, you thought it was best. But.... where are they?....." Celestia noticed that her voice had gone up an octave or two. She attempted to calm herself.
"Around. They have asked me to let them reveal themselves." He stood back up.
That sent a shiver down Celestia's spine, she knew that they didn't want her here. Yet there she was. She looked back to see Luna seemed as afraid as she was, but Twilight seemed confident, this couldn't be good. "Well, uh, I suppose that we shouldn't keep them waiting then." Celestia began to move forward towards the set of doors.
"You're right." The doors burst open to reveal the human Celestia assumed was Kenway. "It's not polite to keep people waiting." He said with a smirk. He did a sarcastic bow. "Welcome to the new head bureau, of the assassins!" Kenway gave a small nod and an instant later, two others came up behind him. In an instant they were surrounded by them. Celestia was afraid for all of them, it didn't help when she heard a thump behind her, she feared the worst. When shy turned she was relieved to see that it was just Fluttershy, fainting. She looked over the rest of them, they all had fear plastered on their faces now, except one. Pinkie Pie was completely unaffected.
"Hey do you guys like cake?" Pinkie asked innocently. Celestia looked back at the human, he had dead-panned still in his fake bow.
"Wha-" Kenway was cut off.
"I love cake, oh don't worry you'll get some at your 'Welcome-to-Equestria-Assassins-party!' it's all good. Ooooooooo, we can even have it after you and Celestia make your deal and after Twilight shows you the App---" Pinkie was stopped by a purple hoof in her mouth. It didn't stop her talking only made it tolerable.
"Uh, hehe sorry about her. She's a bit.... excessive." Twilight said, with some more sweat forming on her face, and a large apologetic smile on her face.
Kenway had broken out of his stupor. "Uh. Alright then, come in! Come in! We have rooms for you princesses and friends, but the soldiers will have to sleep on the ship. We don't have enough room for a man o' war sized crew." Kenway turned and went into the main yard of the fort. The princess was ushered in by the closing assassins. I hope he has a bone in his body that will be willing to see eye to eye with us. Celestia thought as she walked into the yard.
"Your guards aren't needed any more, the can be dismissed." Edward said looking back at Celestia'. He was close to getting her humiliated.
"Wh-what? Why would they no longer be needed? They need to be here to set up patrols when this fort is once again under our control." Edward could see that she immediately silenced herself after she finished. He stopped and turned to face her. He was a head taller than she was.
"And who exactly said that this fort is going back to you? I've seen the way you look at us, the fear in your eyes was clear from the start. Well, that and the fact you broke a spyglass when you saw me. You know you can't beat us. For all you know there are a thousand of us hiding in that haystack over there," He pointed and indeed there was a haystack. "or over there in the blacksmith shop with Fire Forge." He gestured again at the newly set up shop, with a pony inside grinding away at some blades. "or simply hiding right in front of you." He returned his hands to his sides. "Now, dismiss, your, guards."
"If what you say is true, then my guards will stay here." Celestia didn't take well to threats.
"Ugh," Edward rubbed the bridge of his nose. "MUSKETS!" He yelled. Two assassins came out from the haystack he had motioned towards, another came from the blacksmith, and another dropped down from somewhere Celestia couldn't see. Each one had a musket trained on one of the four guards. "Now, we are going to do it this way. Either, you dismiss your guards, so they can go and take a good long deserved rest and wake in a few hours. Or you can carry some bodies with you back to your ship, that won't be waking back up."
Celestia instantly regretted what she had said. Now she had brought her subjects into a battle that didn't need to happen and she had just angered the head of this group of assassins. She lowered her head. "Guards, you are dismissed until further notice." The four guards looked up at her with surprised expressions. Edward stopped massaging his nose and smirked.
"Go on then,you will be notified of up coming events." Edward said mockingly. They left without a word. "Excellent, now all of you, show them to their rooms please, we will continue this tomorrow." Eight assassins stepped forward and directed them to their rooms in the main fort.
"Ship coming in captain. It's our new recruits." An assassin said stepping forward.
"Just in time, make sure they get a good rest, and tell them that their final test will be tomorrow at noon." Edward said. The assassin nodded and left to tend to the incoming ship.
If she knows who we are, then she will be in for a treat. If she's forgotten, then this will remind her. Edward thought as he headed of to his chambers.
An Assassin's Life for Me
It was a restless night for Edward. He wasn't awarded much sleep anyway, because of the last minute preparations he needed to complete for the following day. These tasks included; settling the new seamstress in, placing an order to be fulfilled soon to Fire Forge, and setting up the room for the recruits final tests. Edward didn't know the original tests, since he hadn't taken any himself, but he learned enough from the other assassins what must be done. In fact, he had given up trying to sleep that night. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something was there, something he couldn't see. He thought that is he kept looking around, he would find it. He had been going off of that for about three hours, it was 3:00 AM according to a clock ticking in the newest hall he was going down. Said hall happened to be the same hall he had prepared for the visitors. And said visitors were asleep.
"What is it, what is it!" He mumbled to himself.
He went down the eight doors that led to the guest's rooms. First, the orange one's, nothing that I can see. Second, the rainbow one's same. He only knew that those were theirs because of some trouble they had caused, and now their doors had large locks. Third.... hmm something made Edward wary of the door. He peered in, making the door creak slightly.
"HI THERE!! OOOOOO ARE YOU SNOOPING!! I LO--" The pink one was cut off by Edward slamming the door and planting his back against it, panting. 'NO, nononononononono, not dealing with her at this hour.' He thought to himself, hoping that didn't disturb any of the other ponies. It seemed his prayers were answered when none left their rooms. He had spent and entire five minutes of her constant babbling when they met, he didn't want to go through any more.
Forth, there shouldn't be gems in the door? Edward looked closer and saw that the jewels had been placed in small indents carved into the door that weren't there before. And they were left completely unsupervised! So he did what a good person would do, and stole them all. If she doesn't care enough to look after them, then I will. He chuckled to himself. Fifth, smelled a bit of animals, but nothing of importance. For the next three doors he knew the occupants. This was the end of the hall, the one to his left was that of princess Luna, right was princess Twilight Sparkle, in front was princess Celestia's. He began with princess Twilight, he needed a look in each of the rooms to fully asses if they are the cause, or so he thought. He creaked the door open and used his eagle vision. What he saw stunned him. Impossible.....Impossible! He screamed inside of his mind. Twilight was sitting near the window at a desk, lit by a single candle. It was covered in papers and she was levitating a quill, scribbling down whatever she was thinking. But what drew his eyes, was a small golden orb. He knew those lines engraved on the surface, he knew the light coming from them. He tore his gaze from the Apple to look with hate and amazement at the princess. In eagle vision, she should be either blue for friend, gold for target, white for unimportant and red for enemy. Twilight was all of the above. the three colours seemed to fight for control over the studying body, constantly swirling around. He made his move. He entered the room, closing the door silently, the click being hidden by the splash of the waves outside in the growing storm. He kept his distance, placing himself between her and the bed in the room. He simply waited, remembering some lessons and tips he had been given by the other assassins to remain patient. Eventually, Twilight sighed and crumpled up another piece of parchment, and placed the apple into a drawer. She stood and turned around towards her bed, and directly at Edward. Thunder boomed outside as a flash of lightning revealed his presence to her. She gasped at the hooded assassin, and reeled back.
"W-what are you doing here?" She stuttered. "W-what do you want?"
He raised his hand, palm upwards, to her. "Give me the Apple."
Twilight was stunned. Her 'host' was able to easily sneak into her room, he knew what she had been studying, and he was now asking, no, demanding to have it. The ultimate power that Celestia had warned her about. She couldn't find words to state her claim. She could either give up the Apple and disappoint Celestia, or say no and likely have to face Edward's wrath. While her mind was in conflict, words escaped her mouth.
"I-I can't. I won't!" As they left her mouth, she instantly got further back and began sweating. Stupid, STUPID! Celestia would've understood if I gave it up, wouldn't she? She mentally berated herself. What would he do? Just kill her? Force her to give it up? She closed her eyes, expecting the worst.
She waited. Nothing happened. She looked back up to see Edward with a scowl. Their eyes locked, hers out of fear, his out of frustration and hatred. He kept his eyes locked to hers as he turned on his heels. He began to walk out, the sound of his boots hitting the stone floor the only sound other than the now raging storm. Thunder shook her back to the world as her door shut, leaving her alone again. Only one thing went through her mind.
WHAT?
Edward didn't bother going to the other rooms, he had enough impossibilities for one night. He figured she wouldn't just give him the Apple, heck, he didn't even know that they had the Apple. But this only meant that she was falling to it's influence and he woul;d have to tread lightly if he was to pry it away from her. Throughout his walk back to his room he continued thinking about how he should proceed. Only one solution entered his mind, and it was one he was planning anyway. Although he could shake a simple thing from his mind, something that he couldn't avoid if he wanted his plans to succeed.
This is becoming tiring.
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.
