A face you'll never see

I look in front of me to see a slightly run down building with chipped of red paint. Where a door was once was now an open space into the house. From the front there was a three story tower on the right side with an opening at the top for a 360 degrees view.  Other then the house itself the land around was beautiful. From behind the house you could see for miles and miles. Just behind the house was a huge field with nothing but short grass and flowers. Beyond that there was a tree line that lead into the everfree forest.

                “Crimson,” I said as I wave him forward. Once he was shoulder to shoulder with me I spoke to him.

                “It will take a lot of work, but I think that this will become a fine establishment.” He nods while I turn around to face Arrow.

                “And what do you think Arrow? Did I do a fine job for a base?” I watch as he inspects the house further going as far as climbing up the tower for some reason. Once he was done inspecting the tower he makes his way down and to us.

                “It can defiantly use some work, but other than that the house is very suitable for defense. I would like to ask for the tower as my living quarters.” I nod to him while all of us walk inside to call dibs on our rooms. Once inside I burned the layout into my head. Once you walk inside there is a doorway to your left a few feet away from the front door leading into the kitchen. On your right there is a larger door way leading to a bathroom. Further down the hall way opens up to a large living room with a two story high ceiling. The room itself was circular in shape and on one side had stairs leading to a singular door looking over the room. The layout of the door caught my attention instead of the other rooms. I walk up the stairs laying my hand on the railing along the way. Once I was in front of the door I turn around to see the whole living room below me. The whole room looked as if it could hold around thirty people or more.

                “This is where we start. It may not be big but it is defiantly worth the effort to fix.” I smile as I dream of the future of the order which I now call ‘The United Shadows’. I open the door to see a room… no not a room a future. Even though the room was bare I could see all of the uses of space. The room unlike the living room was a square shape instead. On my right was a double window in which I could push outwards. On my left was a doorway leading to a medium sized bathroom. I hear a knock on my door just as I was looking through all of the space in my closet. I look back to see Arrow in my doorway with a crossbow strung to his back.

                “I’m guessing this is going to be your room.”

                “Yes, would you do me a favor Arrow? I need you to find Crimson and wait for my in the living room.” I watch as he nods and walks away to carry out my task. As I wait I call Ady to see how she is since I wasn’t able to save her in Canterlot.

                “Ravvy? Thank goodness you called. I heard the explosion from the castle and I was worried.” I smile at her concern for me.

                “How are you Ady? Are you still in Canterlot?”

                “No, luckily the idiots who were transporting the titan forgot magic binds. Once they were asleep it was only a matter of crushing them. I am actually in the area known as the white tailed woods.” I tap my gauntlet to bring up a map of Equestria to see where she might be. I look from the white tail woods to my position when an idea comes to mind.

                “You are actually not that far from me. I’ll put up a beacon for you to follow.” Good thing about these ponies is that they don’t have technology great enough to find my beacon.

                “Ok I see it on radar. I’ll be there in a little while.” I hang up and walk out of my door to see Arrow and Crimson in the living room looking up at me. I put my hands on the railing as I look upon my two new friends.

                “This is what I need from you. We are just starting this guild so we need more people. What I need from you is a list of people whom you deem would be a good asset to our cause. While we are doing this I’m going to have a construction crew working on the house to bring it back to tip top shape. Now let’s go get some new people. We meet back here in a week to show the people what they are dealing with. Once that is all finished I will start to train all of you personally for duration of a month.” I finish my little speech at the bottom of the stairs with my back facing the front door.

                “Come let us carve a new future for this guild.” I turn around and start to walk out of the door with Arrow and Crimson behind me.

Raven’s Pov

                The first person I sought out for was in Ponyville. His name was Frozen Ace and he apparently teaches runic magic. I learned about him from the spa twins when I asked for shady individuals in Ponyville. From what I have heard he is a young unicorn with a silver coat. His mane is a medium length green, and apparently he wears a black trench coat and a stetson. I shake my head trying to form a plan as I walk into Ponyville community college. I walk up to the mare manning the front desk and ask her where I might find Mr. Ace. She then directed me to a class room a little ways from the front desk. I thanked her as I open the doors to see the man sitting in his desk writing a report of some kind. I look around to make sure nobody will bother us as I close the door and make my way to the man. Without taking his eyes off of the paper he responds to me.

                “Lessons are over. If you wish to learn wait until tomorrow.” I stand there waiting for the man to realize I’m still here. Once he looks up I see that his eyes are actually two different colors. His left eye look as if it had no color just an iris. His right on the other hand was a startling red. I stare into his eyes (A/N No homo) trying to find what makes him tick. What I see is plain boredom as if he wants more with his life.

                “Now that I see you’re not one of my students, how may I help you?”

                “My name is Raven, and I only wish to have a word with you.” As my name left my mouth I see a spark in his eyes.

                “Oh, and what does the infamous assassin want with me?” I look around once again to see if anybody was listening.

                “I am recruiting for my order right now, and I wish for you to be a part of it. As you can see I am not from this world, so it would make sense that I need help.” I stand there for about ten minutes as he thinks it over in his head.

                “And what would I gain from this ‘order’ of yours?” I pull out the memories of my mentor explaining to me the benefits of joining.

                “If you join you will do jobs that are assigned to you. You will receive 90 percent of the whole pay, and the other the percent will go to the guild. You will also be given a room at our base which is now being renovated just outside of town. Anything other than that you can ask me if you need it.” I stand there again for another ten minutes as he finally makes up his mind.

                “I will join you, but I ask that I choose my jobs.” I nod to him as I offer my hand to him. I wonder how Arrow and Crimson are doing.

Arrow’s Pov

                Instead of searching through Ponyville, I decided to take my chances in Canterlot. Once there I went to a shady little bar on the other side of town. I asked the bartender where I might find crazy people willing to join me. He then told me a little story about these two bat pony twins, who everpony thinks that perform incest, and also told me where I might find them. I thank him while I leave and head for some apartments down the road. Once I made it to the apartments I fish out the slip with the apartment number on it. 408. I search around for the room number when I come across a beautiful bat mare. She had a shimmering black mane with a silk like grey coat, but what really caught my attention were the leathery wings on her back. Wait, could she be one of the twins.

                “Excuse me Ms, but are you by chance Silk Shadow?” The mare’s eyes narrow at me as I stand there.

                “Who wants to know?” I could see the venom falling off of those words. They sent a shiver up my spine.

                “My mentor sent me to ask you and your brother a question.” I make no move to get closer. Anypony could see that you do not want to mess with this mare. She stands there next to the trash can eying me.

                “Who is this mentor of yours?”

                “The assassin Raven,” I respond calmly. The mare’s eyes grow in size as she starts to walk off.

                “Follow me.” Without another word I follow her to the room in which she and her brother currently reside. I stand there as she tells me to wait and disappears through the door. After a little bit of shuffling in the room the door is opened by a stallion. I could see why they are twins. The stallion had a grey mane with a black coat instead of his sister’s.

                “Why did Raven send you here?”

                “May I come in and talk about it?” The stallion, who I guess is Silk Knight, closes the door and speaks to his sister. I stand there just as the door opens with Knight standing out of my way. Taking it as a sign I walk into their room when I feel cold steel against my throat.

                “Now spill it before I cut your throat.” Not taking my chances at swallowing I instead slowly breathe in through my nose.

                “My mentor Raven extends his hand in an offer to join our order.”

                “And what is this order you speak of,” Knight said behind me as he closes the door.

                “The United Shadows, but we only have three members including myself.” I hear snickering behind me from Knight.

                “And why should we join your cause?” I remember what the bartender told me from earlier.

                “Because there will be no one trying to hurt you or hunt you, you both know what I’m talking about.” I feel the blade drive further drawing blood. I look to Silk’s eyes to see nothing but sorrow and rage.

                “Don’t you ever say that again or I will castrate you right now.” I shut my mouth as a hand lands on my shoulder.

                “If I were you I would leave.” I shake my head and continue to glare at Silk.

                “Fine but if you truly wish to join then come to this address in a week at noon. Raven will be there personally to welcome any who come.” I hand Silk a piece of paper with the time and address of our base. I feel the sword let up just slightly when silk grabs the paper. I slowly turn back around and head out of the door to find the next recruit.

Crimson’s Pov

                Unlike Raven and Arrow I sought the help of mercenaries. I went to a bar not too far from where I saw Arrow enter an apartment complex. As I entered I saw that this was actually a mare’s bar. How could I tell? Well, there were mares everywhere, and no stallion to be seen. I walk through the bar earning stares from all of the mares in there. I make it to the bar and sit down just as the bartender walks up to me.

                “Honey, you have to be either gay or crazy to walk into this bar.” I nod to her as I point to the vodka behind her. As she leaves to get me my drink I grab the notepad in my back pocket and begin to write.

                “Hey you are honey, and that will be 3 bits.” I slide the notepad over to her as I lift up the shot glass.

~I am here looking for mercenaries~

                “Sorry honey, no mercenaries here.” I take the notepad and write my response.

~Horseshit, I worked in the guard. I know where all mercenary spots are in the city~

                “Fine, who are you looking for?” I write one name that I remember on the notepad.

~Coco the Pegasus~ The bartender scratches her chin in thought.

                “I think that she is at the Prancing Horse. I don’t know about you, but that name just doesn’t make sense.” I nod to her as I stand and walk out, but not before a mare stops me. The mare had a two toned mane with a light amber coat. Her mane had light crimson and yellow streaks though it.

                “Hey there hot stuff. You have some big balls to walk into an all mare bar. I think that’s a little hot.” I watch as the mare tries to make her move on me. I side step her only to have my arm jerked back. I look to my arm to see that the mare grabbed my sleeve. I have had enough.

                “Let go.” Barley a whisper, but the tone of my voice made her let me go. I walk out heading to the Prancing Horse.

                After an hour or so searching I finally come across the Prancing Horse in a rundown part of the city. I walk into the bar this time to see shady dealings going on. In one corner I saw a stallion selling drugs to a mare, at the bar I spot a mare slip a pill into a stallions drink, and then I see a Pegasus in the other corner laughing her head off. I’m guessing that’s Coco.I walk up to the crazy mare when I see her look up at me.

                “Oh, are you another stallion looking to get some of this?” I watch as she pokes her chest out while grinning like a fool. I feel my face heat up as I avert my eyes. I grab my notepad and write down while trying to look calm.

~I am here on business~

                “And what type of business is that.” That goofy grin never left her face.

~I am here to heir you to our order~

                “Ooo… Are you an assassin? That’s sooooo cool. If you pay me right then I’ll defiantly join.” I slip her the piece of paper telling her where and when to go. Celestia she’s crazy.

1 week later

Raven’s Pov

                I look out of my window to see the construction crew working on more attachments to our base. The good thing is that they finished the quarters yesterday, so the recruits will have a place to stay while training. I turn back from the window to see Crimson leaning on my doorway looking at me.

                “Is it time?” He nods while I walk towards him. I place my hand on his shoulder as I walk past him. After I pass him I look down onto the living room to see all of our hard work stand/sitting in this room. I scan the crowd looking for those who will stay after training. I bang my gauntlet on the railing trying to gain their attention. Once all of the voices died down I began to speak.

                “All of you that are here today I thank you for coming. I will spare you the business slogan and get straight to the point. I have called you all here to ask you one simple question.” All of the people in the room look at me with wonder, respect, fear, and going so far as….. lust?

                “Are you truly ready for the hell I am about to but you through? With what I am about to teach you, you will be able to change the world.” I stand there as shouts fill the room until they began to beat their hooves on the ground making the whole building vibrate.

                “Now that you know what I want, I will train you to sharpen the skills you have, or I will drive those skills into you. Don’t worry I will train each and every one of you myself since even these two do not know as much as me.” I spread my hands signaling to Arrow and Crimson.

                “I don’t care if a mare and a stallion are in the same you. You will all learn that the one next to you is now your family. I want all of you to get a good night’s rest because tomorrow is the start of your training, and I warn you the first week is the worst. I am going to teach you the exact same lessons that my mentor taught me when I was younger, dismissed!” I watch as all of the recruits leave and head to their respected living quarters. I turn back to my room to look out of my window to see the titan right outside.

                “Ady you’re here! Good now, there is a garage that the construction crew build last week. I want you to go in there and stay there until I get the appropriate tools to build the rest of the titan.” The titan gives me a full body nod as it starts to walk off. What I failed to notice was the red lights instead of blue.