COLONIAL RITE.
SEQUENCE 1.
EQUESTRIAN INTRODUCTION.
Twilight Sparkle stood in a dark room with the only light available coming from candles on a large table in front of her. The young princess was wearing a pair of jeans, lavender sneakers and a sleeveless lavender sweater with a white long sleeved undershirt. A hot pink star with five smaller white stars surrounding it was sewn onto the part of her sweater that covered her left hip.
She suddenly heard the sound of boots hitting the floor and saw the outline of a man appear at the opposite end of the table. "Do you swear to uphold the principles of our order and all that for which we stand?"
The young woman took a deep breath. "I do."
"And never to share our secrets nor divulge the true nature of our work?"
"I do." Twilight glanced around the table, seeing a few of the current members of the organization she was about to join, including a certain silver haired magician, who had a lavender feather, which happened to be a romantic gift from the most recently crowned Equestrian princess, braided into her hair.
"And to do so from now until death – whatever the cost?"
The young woman nodded. "I do." The man then walked around the table and over to her.
"Then we welcome you into our fold, sister. Together we will usher in the dawn of a New World. One defined by purpose and order. Give me your hand." The young princess held out her hand and the man slid a silver ring onto her ring finger. Emblazoned on the ring was a simple insignia, a red cross pattée. "You are a Templar. May the Father of Understanding guide us."
Those gathered put a hand over their hearts. "May the Father of Understanding guide us."
Five weeks ago.
Princess Twilight Sparkle was sitting her castle's library. This evening she was reading the latest edition of Daring Do, Daring Do and the Shrine of the Silver Monkey. It had been a year and a half since she and her friends had defeated Tirek and she and Spike had settled into their new home quite well.
Through the open window she could hear the sounds of a struggle, followed by the angry shouts of two of her friends. She put down the book she was reading and ran out of the library, through the halls of her castle, and eventually ended up outside. There she saw Rainbow Dash and Applejack, surrounded by eight men, two of which were pointing swords at the women.
Rainbow was wearing a blue sleeveless shirt with a rainbow colored lightning bolt in the center of her chest. She was also wearing a pair of blue track shorts and blue sneakers, with her wings flared out in anger.
Applejack was wearing an orange short sleeved shirt with a trio of red apples over her heart, along with her trademarked Stetson, as well as a pair of blue jeans and brown boots. She rushed forward but stopped when she saw Twilight.
"Ladies, we don't want to cause any trouble, all we want to do is meet the person who's in charge around here." The man who spoke was pointing his sword at Rainbow Dash, and he looked like he was ready to defend himself. "This could all be over in a few seconds, just tell us who the person in charge around here is."
"That would be me! Now stop threatening my friends!" Twilight threw a fireball at the ground in between the man who spoke and the man that was pointing a sword at Applejack, only to have the magic ball of flames change course and hit the ground next to the town fountain. "What in the...?"
The man standing in front of Rainbow Dash sheathed his sword. "It seems that your Shard of Eden deflects their magic, just as it deflects musket shot, Haytham."
"Yes, that does seem to be the case, Shay." The man standing in front of Applejack sheathed his sword and turned to two of the other men. "Please put your pistols away." The two men looked at the guns in their hands before returning them to their holsters. "Thank you." The man then turned to face Twilight. "Madame, we need to discuss something of dire importance, but may we discuss it inside, away from prying eyes?"
Twilight narrowed her eyes at the group of eight men, she didn't trust them, but she wanted to hear what they had to say. She also wanted to know why they had attacked Rainbow and Applejack, as well as how they had managed to deflect her spell. "Very well, we may speak inside." Rainbow and Applejack were shocked to hear Twilight would even consider speaking with the men who had attacked them mere seconds ago. "But there are two conditions."
The man who had asked if they could speak inside raised an eyebrow. "And what would those conditions be?"
"I get to bring my friends with us and we get to ask you questions." The two men looked at their companions and received affirmative nods, showing they were ok with it.
"Very well then, we accept your terms." Twilight smiled and asked Rainbow and Applejack to get the others while she made sure their 'guests' were not going to do anything to harm them.
Twilight Sparkle's castle library,
30 minutes later.
Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Rarity entered Twilight's castle library ands saw the young princess carefully looking at the men, some of which were reading books.
Pinkie Pie was wearing a pair of sneakers with a white front and pink sides, along with pink shorts and a t-shirt with three balloons in the center of her chest. Fluttershy was wearing yellow sandals and a yellow sundress with three pink butterflies on her chest. Rarity was wearing white high heels, as well as a white business suit that had three blue diamonds over her right breast and a skirt.
Haytham turned and looked at the five women who had just entered the room. "Please, sit down and make yourselves comfortable so that we start our discussion. I am sure you have many questions." The five women did as he asked and sat down, after, checking to make sure there were no tacks on their chairs. "Now I know you all have questions, but may I suggest we introduce ourselves to each other? I would like to know the names of those I am addressing." After the girls told the men their names the man called Haytham, who seemed to be the de facto leader, smiled and stood up.
"It is a pleasure to meet you ladies, I am Haytham Kenway and these are my associates." He pointed to a man examining a map of the Mild West, that showed which native tribes settled on which part of the land. "This man is William Johnson."
The man turned and nodded to the women. "Hello, it is an honor to be in the presence of such beautiful young ladies." He quickly returned his gaze to the map, and Twilight could have sworn she heard him say that half of the natives had signed their land over to him.
Haytham then pointed to a man who was sitting down reading a book on military tactics. "Next, I would like to introduce you to Johnathan Pitcairn."
The man looked up from his book and nodded to the women. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, ladies." He quickly returned to the book, quietly approving and disapproving the tactics described within.
Haytham then pointed to a man who was leaning on a wall. "This man is Thomas Hickey." The man stuck a finger in his ear and started twisting it, trying to remove some earwax. Haytham gave the man a small, disapproving frown. "Very charming Thomas, could you at least try to make a good impression? Especially since we are in the presence of royalty?"
Hickey simply looked back at the man who had addressed him. "An' why should I? I ain't a citizen o' this country!" As the two men glared at one another, the air in the room became so thick that someone could cut it with a knife .
"You have a valid point, Thomas." Everyone looked to a man that was standing up and holding a book on Equestrian economics. "But you should still show respect since the princess was kind enough to invite you inside her castle." The man turned and looked at Twilight before sweeping his arm down, placing it over his chest and bending into a bow. "My name is Benjamin Church. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, your majesty. And I mean no disrespect but, I believe that the Equestrian economy needs to undergo some serious changes."
"The feeling is mutual, and after we're done here, I'd like to hear your suggestions on how to improve the economy." Twilight glanced to the side and saw a man sitting at one of the library's tables reading a book on naval travel and warfare. "Who are you?"
The man closed the book, stood up and looked at Twilight. From the book he was reading, she assumed he was a sailor. "My name is Nicholas Biddle, it is an honor to meet you, your highness." Twilight smiled and nodded at the man, showing that she felt the same. "And this is-"
"I am Charles Lee, and I would appreciate it if you stopped glaring at me, Rainbow Dash." The rainbow haired girl felt the venom in his words, but could tell it was her actions that aggravated him, not her name.
Twilight was upset about the way the man had spoken to her friend, but said nothing. Instead, she looked at the man who had been pointing a sword and dagger at Rainbow Dash when she had first seen the group of men. "And that just leaves you."
"My name is Shay Patrick Cormac, and I am pleased to meet you, your majesty." Shay took Twilight's hand in his own and kissed it.
Twilight pulled her hand back and began to blush. "Oh um, I uhhhhhhh..." The door to the library suddenly burst open and seven men wearing golden armor, carrying swords and spears ran into the large library, followed by two women.
The first was seven inches taller than Twilight and she wore a bright white dress. She had a golden necklace and tiara with large amethysts in the center of each piece. Her hair was a mix of pink, green and blue that seemed to blow in a non existent wind. Thomas immediately started eyeing the jewelry, noting that they would fetch a pretty pound back home. The woman quickly ran over to Twilight and hugged her. "Are you alright Twilight?"
The other woman was an inch taller than Twilight and was wearing a dark blue dress. She had a dark blue, almost black tiara and necklace that had a silver crescent moon emblazoned on them, and her hair looked like the night sky and in blew in an ethereal wind. She stood in place glared at the eight men, a sense of pure rage emanating from her. "I don't know who you are, but anyone who threatens the Elements of Harmony are enemies of Equestria and- Are you really trying to scare us with L shaped pieces of metal?" Every single one of the Templars, excluding Johnson, had pulled out their pistols and pointed them at a soldier, as well as Celestia and Luna.
Pitcairn remembered the battle in the Colonies where he and his regiment had first spilled the Patriot's blood, and decided to try and get these soldiers to surrender, just as he had tried to get the Patriots to lay down their weapons in order to prevent a war, which he failed to do. "Lay down your damn arms! I said lay down your arms and do not attack ya' damned soldiers! Else we'll be forced to cut ya' down faster than my regiment cut down the rebels in Lexington!" This only got looks of confusion from Luna and the soldiers.
Johnson began to look between Celestia and his fellow Templars. "Please brothers! Have you forgotten that we only wish for peace!? And please call off the soldiers!" At that moment Twilight looked at the soldiers and closed her eyes.
"Stand down..." She opened her eyes and saw the soldiers and the men that she invited into the castle were still ready to fight. "I said stand down! Both sides will stand down this instant!" Celestia looked at her former student and frowned.
"Twilight, why are you protecting them? They attacked Applejack and Rainbow Dash!" Twilight's face twisted into a frown
"Princess Celestia, I'm protecting them because they didn't attack Rainbow and Applejack. Applejack and Rainbow attacked them!" The two women looked away guiltily. "So please, call off the soldiers..."
There was a snort and Celestia turned to see one of the guards had not obeyed Twilight's command. "Soldier, stand down. If Twilight says-"
"With all due respect princess, you are too forgiving and these men must pay for their crimes against Equestria!" The soldier drew his sword and charged toward Pitcairn, who happened to be the closest, only to get shot in the shoulder. The soldier quickly fell backwards and grabbed his wounded shoulder before crying out in pain.
Luna watched as Pitcairn put his pistol away. After he had done so, Luna slowly made her way over to the guard. "W-what did you do?" The Redcoat raised an eyebrow at the woman.
"I defended myself." The man walked over to the soldier he had shot and bent down so they were eye level. "I'll let ya' live since, I too, am a soldier and I understand that ya' want to protect your country. But if ya' attack me or my associates again, I won't be as merciful." The British Major stood up and walked back over to where he had been standing when he fired his pistol.
Twilight looked at the guards and their wounded companion. "Leave us. Take him to Ponyville General and then return to Canterlot." One of the soldiers opened his mouth to protest, but Twilight cut him off. "That is an order!" The soldiers reluctantly obeyed and left, taking the wounded man with them. Twilight then turned and looked at her fellow princesses. "Celestia, Luna, we were just about to have a conversation with my guests, would you like to stay and ask them some questions?" The two princesses nodded and walked over to a reading couch big enough for three, never taking their eyes off of Twilight's guests once. "Great, now I'll let my guests introduce themselves and we can get started."
The men quickly introduced themselves once again before the questions started, the first of which came from Twilight. "So, Haytham, how did you manage to deflect my spell? I heard Shay mention a 'Shard of Eden' what was he talking about?" The two elder princesses froze when they heard the word 'Eden'. This did not go unnoticed by the group of Templars, even though they remained silent for the moment.
Haytham raised his left hand and pointed to the simple brass ring he was wearing. "This, my dear Twilight, is a Shard of Eden." Twilight burst out laughing, not believing that a ring could deflect her spell.
"Pieces of Eden are not things to laugh about Twilight Sparkle." The entire room went silent as the women all looked at Luna, except Celestia, who was cautiously eyeing the ring on Haytham's finger. "Pieces of Eden are powerful artifacts. Some such as Haytham's Shard, are able to deflect projectiles, while others, such as Staves, can create flawless illusions, and Swords, can make people great warriors and leaders, as well as project bolts of lightning."
Luna took a deep breath before looking at Twilight and the other Element Bearers. "All six of you have already witnessed the power of eight different Pieces of Eden, those being the Elements of Harmony, Crystal Heart and the Alicorn Amulet."
The girls' eyes all went wide, apparently the ring Haytham was wearing could be grouped together with some of the most powerful artifacts made by Equestrian magic. "If that thing is so powerful, than how did they get it?" The women all looked at Pinkie Pie and raised an eyebrow. "I mean, shouldn't it have been hidden away like the Elements of Harmony?"
The girls suddenly heard Thomas burst out laughing. "Wot' are ya' serious? People 'ave been huntin' these things down for centuries in our world!"
Haytham coughed, managing to get the girls' attention. "I am quite interested in the Pieces of Eden that you mentioned... Is it Princess Luna, or simply Luna? Anyway what do they look like? What do they do?" After a few minutes he sighed. "I see that you shall not tell us simply because we asked you, so maybe we can workout a trade." Haytham took a deep breath and turned towards Celestia. "If you tell us about these Pieces of Eden that you have seen, we shall tell you the names of some nobles who plan to overthrow you and take control of your nation." The room went silent and the world around the men began to turn into pixels before vanishing.
COLONIAL RITE.
SEQUENCE 1 COMPLETED.
DATA SYNCHRONIZED.
LOADING NEXT SEQUENCE.
Author's Note
Ok guys, I have no idea how to explain how the story layout, but it's kind of simple so I am sure you'll figure it out.
Also, Trixie braiding Twilight's feather into her hair indicates that they are romantically involved. So yes, this story has Twixie. Why? Because I can and it's an adorable fucking ship!!! I support Twixie and I'm proud of it!
May the Father of Understanding guide you.
P.S
I regret nothing!!!
COLONIAL RITE.
SEQUENCE 2.
CONSPIRACY AND REVELATIONS.
The room remained silent for a while before the eldest of the Princesses sighed. "I have heard rumors that some nobles are planning a coup, but I have been unable to find any evidence to prove it. Are you saying that you know who the perpetrators are?"
Haytham nodded. "We can give you one name, the rest we can learn from him." Celestia was about to ask who the traitor was, but Shay raised his hand and cut her off.
"What is the punishment for treason in this country?"
"Death." Luna began to feel uneasy, not liking where this conversation was headed. "Why do you ask?" The men all looked at Haytham and nodded.
"In that case, we offer you our services in order to eliminate the traitor and his co-conspirators." Celestia was about to protest, but Haytham cut her off. "Before you refuse, let me point out that the nobles of this country are cowards, and if you arrest him, the other traitors will be quick to destroy all evidence of their crimes."
"As much as I hate to admit it, Haytham has a point Celestia, besides, there are some noble families that even you and Luna can't touch, and if those families are a part of the conspiracy, we would be unable to touch them, even with proof of treason." Celestia, Luna and Twilight's friends all looked at her in shock. "As of this moment, I am placing these men under my protection, and I approve their request to eliminate the traitors themselves." She then looked at the group of Templars. "You are to set about your task right away."
The Templars were shocked that it was Twilight who had approved their request. 'Perhaps we should make her a member of the Order, if she shares our ideals and goals of course.' Haytham stood up and looked at Twilight. "You are aware that the target will die?" The young princess nodded her head in conformation. "Very well then."
Haytham turned and looked at his fellow Templars. "Gentlemen, the princess has given her consent to our operation. We are to go to Canterlot, find Lord Silver Tongue, learn the names of his co-conspirators as well as any other secrets he may possess. And after we have learned all we can from him, we shall make sure that he never betrays the Equestrian royal family again. We leave for Canterlot immediately." The Templars all stood up and gave Twilight a nod before leaving.
Once they had left Celestia walked over to Twilight and sat down next to her. "Twilight... Do you realize that you just sent eight men to end the life of another?" The young princess nodded, not regretting her choice.
"Celestia, I am quite aware of what I just did, and I would do the same if I was presented with the situation again." All of the Equestrians looked at Twilight in shock. "Now, before you hate me, think that Haytham and the others have manipulated me, or believe I have gone insane, allow me to explain why I just signed Lord Silver Tongue's death warrant."
Once everyone had taken their seats, Twilight started to explain. "Luna, as you said, the punishment for treason is death, so Silver Tongue would have died anyway, and Haytham was most likely correct when he said that the other conspirators, if there are any, would destroy all evidence linking them to the plot. I simply chose, what I believe to be the best course of action in order to prevent the coup. And before you ask why I'm being so cold and unfeeling, let me just say that I don't care what you think about me anymore."
"Twilight... You've changed since the issue with Tirek. You've been becoming colder, less caring and distant..." Twilight looked at her former teacher, seeing a look of pure concern on her face. "What happened to you? What changed?"
The room remained silent for three full minutes before Twilight responded. The young woman was calm, she had expected Celestia to ask that question, a she had an answer ready. "I grew up and I realized that the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's only like that in the countries that we Equestrians rule, the rest of the world is a cold and cruel place, filled with famine and disease... And what do we do to help the rest of the world? Nothing. And that's not even mentioning all the lives that have been lost... All the lives lost because you wouldn't help them!"
"Twi' what are you talking about...?" The young princess looked at her farmer friend and tears began to form in the corners of her eyes.
"The changelings, Applejack... Chrysalis and her subjects didn't attack because they wanted to, but because they needed to. They only attacked Equestria because they were desperate... Chrysalis actually went to Celestia and asked, no, begged her for help, but Celestia turned her away!" Twilight stood up and walked over to Celestia, a look of anger and disgust on her face. "You knew they were starving and you turned them away! They were dying and you knew it! You knowingly condemned an entire race to death! Their ejection from Canterlot on the day of the wedding killed half of their race! And it turns out that this isn't the first time it has happened either! I used to think Chrysalis was the villain, but she's not! The villain in that situation was you Celestia!"
Celestia was silent for a few minutes before she closed her eyes. "I was doing what was best for Equestria, Twilight. You're just too young to understand..."
Meanwhile in Canterlot...
Thomas Hickey looked down at the injured noble, Lord Silver Tongue, lying on the ground and smirked. "Ready ta' talk yet?" He kicked the man in the gut. "'Ow 'bout now?" Another kick. "Listen, I can do this 'til ya' die, but I'll stop if you jus' tell us who ya' work for."
Thomas kicked the noble again, harder this time, and was rewarded with the sight of the noble coughing up some blood. "S-stop! I'll tell you anything you! Just stop hurting me!"
"Good." Thomas kicked the man again before signaling Shay and Haytham. "He's all yours boys, I'm goin' to see if I can find anythin' valuable. That's why I told Church ta' get a horse n' cart, ta' move the goods." He was out of the room before either of the higher ranking Templars could protest. With that, the man with the cockney accent quickly went about his business, finding any jewelry or just plain gemstones, as well as silver, gold and anything else that he thought could be considered valuable before putting them in burlap sacks and taking them behind the mansion that Silver tongue dwelled in, and placing them in a waiting cart.
Four hours later.
"Hickey, are you done yet?" Church was beginning to get frustrated, he had been waiting for the man to finish for what seemed like an eternity, while the other Templars had already left and were headed back to Ponyville by train. The only reason that Church had yet to leave was because he knew that he and his brothers would need funding for future operations. "If you don't hurry up I'll-!"
Hickey stuck his head out of a window above Church. "Almost done, I jus' need to get this safe open." A few minutes later there was a loud thud followed by Hickey talking to himself. "'Wha' the 'ell? Haytham's gonna want to know about this!" Seconds later Hickey was out the door and sitting next to Church. "'Ey Ben, look wha' I found!" The man flicked his wrist, exposing a hidden blade. "There are Assassins in this world too."
Meanwhile back in Ponyville.
"So Princess, if I'm understanding you correctly, you want to use magic to see some of my memories, right? You want to see what I've done in the past?" Seeing the princess nod, Shay thought for a second. "Alright, I'll pick one, and you only get one." Twilight sighed, but nodded as her hands began to glow before she touched Shay's forehead.
In a flash of light Twilight was standing in a room with a man that looked to be of Zebrican descent. Shay suddenly burst into the room and began yelling at the man. "So what's the next city you want me to smite?! What happened in Haiti happened in Portugal. A great earthquake. Thousands dead, thanks to your damned Manuscript!" A woman ran into the room and put herself between the two men.
The black man seemed to be shocked at Shay's words. "This cannot be."
The woman looked at Shay. "Shay, a person cannot start an earthquake."
"A person meddling with these Precursor machines could. You saw the Box, Hope. The Temple was filled to bursting with that kind of power." Shay turned back toward the black man. "You made me SLAUGHTER INNOCENTS!"
Hope became enraged by Shay's words. "How dare you!"
"You defend him? Achilles sent me in there like Mackandal sent his man in Haiti. He knew."
Another man came into the room and helped restrain Shay. "What the hell's going on? Stop this!"
Achilles spoke up. "The operation was delicate, perhaps you-"
Shay roared. "You are shifting the earth itself. Who are you to decide what city falls next?"
Achilles scowled and motioned to the door. "Get him out of here."
Hours later in the memory Twilight found Shay sitting by a campfire. "Liam is a fool if he thinks I'll leave this be. Achilles cannot be trusted. He must never find another Precursor Temple. I don't care that he's Mentor, or that his family is dead. There's no excuse for this level of madness!"
What followed was shocking to Twilight. Shay broke into a building a stole a book, was confronted by Achilles, escaped and ran until he came to a cliff overlooking a bay, with Liam pointing a pistol at him.
"That's enough! "
Hope took a step forward. "Give back the Manuscript, Shay. I'm sure Achilles-"
"I cannot. I will not let this happen again. All those souls lost... One more hardly matters."
Shay started walking towards the edge of the cliff. Twilight heard Liam call Shay's name before time seemed to slow. She watched as Shay was shot in the back before he fell down and off the cliff plunging into the bay.
Twilight opened her eyes and found that she was alone in her bedroom. "Achilles made him cause an earthquake that killed thousands... It's no wonder Shay has so much guilt in his aura..." The woman with lavender wings got up. "I have to help him get over the earthquake, it wasn't his fault! What kind of friend, let alone Princess of Friendship, would I be if I just left him miserable like that?" With her mission decided, Twilight ran out the door... And ran right back in to get dressed up when she realized that she and Trixie, who she had been dating since the Alicorn Amulet incident, had a date tonight. Shay could wait another day.
Rainbow Dash's house.
Rainbow walked up to her closet, opened it, and got on her knees. The others may not have seen it, but Rainbow knew the symbol that had been on the silver rings that Haytham and the others wore. "Templars..." The woman with cyan wings opened a secret compartment it the floor, pulling out a hooded cloak and two bracers with retractable blades. "The other Assassins are gonna want to know about this..." Time stopped before the world turned into pixels and disappeared.
COLONIAL RITE.
SEQUENCE 2 COMPLETED.
DATA SYNCHRONIZED.
LOADING NEXT SEQUENCE.
Author's Note
Enter the Assassin Brotherhood.
Hope you enjoyed.
Next, THE APPLE AND THE ORPHAN.
