Equestrian Legends: An Assassin's Tale... [Book-1]

Chapter One: The day my life changed...

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, our main protagonist finally ended the life of his corrupted Mentor, Rashid Ad-Din Sinan. As he withdrew his blade from the old man's throat, falling to the ground his victim was not fully dead just yet. The old traitor didn't give up on his plans, and with the last of his breath explained his reasons.

"Impossible! The student never defeats the teacher!"

"La shaiq' waqee mutlak bl kollin mumkin" (Arabic for Nothing is true, everything is permitted.)

"It seems so, then you win. Go and take your reward."

"You have played with a dangerous fire, old man. Which you should have destroyed."

"Destroy the only thing, which could end the crusades and make peace? Never."

"Then i will."

"We will see about that." Altaïr looked at the Apple of Eden, hearing the voice of his now dead Mentor. "We carefully studied the wisdom and the knowledge of the opportunities and senseless folly. And I was convinced, that this is only a presumption of spirit. Because a lot of wisdom, a lot of annoyance as well; and who enriches the knowledge also increases the suffering." At this point, Altaïr was standing in front of the apple, mesmerized. "Destroy it! Destroy it, like you said you would..."

"I... Can't!"

"Yes you can, Altaïr. But you won't..." Altaïr picked up the apple, looking into it he pondered what should he do with it.

"Have you anything to teach us, or would you lead us all to ruin?" As he finished the sentence the apple began glowing and pulsing, followed by a small exposion causing Altaïr to lose consciousness.

Meanwhile in Canterlot however...

Princess Celestia and Luna were tending to their daily routine, breakfast together, awaiting reports from the guard, and doing their best for the benifit of Equestria... But this day was different, the doors to the throne room shot open and a guard rushed in. As he approached the royal sisters he took his helmet off and bowed to them, Celestia, as usual asked the reason for his presence. "Ah, greetings Captain. For what reason are we enjoying your company on this lovely afternoon?"

"Your highness, the Alicorn amulet has been stolen! Our elite is already working on capturing the thief." In a brief panic and surprise, the sisters swapped glances, followed by Luna's response.

"Good, we must make sure it returns to the appropriate place, where it can not corrupt any minds..."

"Forgive my question, princess. But are you sure it's not Discord, or King Sombra behind the theft?" After the question, they both made a decision.

"Luna, get the elements. I'll go help the Captain assembe a team."

Luna replied with a simple nod and they left to tend do their tasks.

Somewhere else, Altaïr woke up...

As he ragained consciousness, he was forced to realize he was somewhere else. Opening his eyes he was blinded by the sun, the time must have been around noon. As he stood up he stretched his limbs and put the apple away. What happened? Where am I? I must hurry back, who knows what *Abbas** will say about me if they find the corpse...* Altaïr wasted little time, and tried to make his way out of the forest he woke up in. Little did he know, the forest was no other than the Everfree Forest... As he found his way to the outskirts, he found himself facing an Ursa Minor. Much to his fortune, aside from being surprised by the existance of such a creature, he had no other problems. Better not wake it... I must stay quiet... He was an Assassin for a reason, his wonderous stealth skills didn't fail him this time... That was close... Hey, I see a road, it must lead somewhere. As he reached the side of the road, he saw a group of horses coming his way, at first sight he thought they were simply left loose, so he continued on... After getting a bit closer however, he noticed two crowns, many horns and wings, which made him stop, but it was too late, one of the guards noticed him.

"Princess, what is that thing ahead of us?" Celestia looked at the Captain, and shook her head.

"I do not know, but to me it seems to have a sword, so it must be a communicative creature... We must be careful." The Captain nodded in response, tho he was visibly nerveous. As the group got closer to him, Altaïr unsheathed his sword and prepared for a fight, unavoidably raising suspicion, to which he was, even more to his surprise, adressed by Celestia. "Greetings, fri-" Even tho she meant no harm, Altaïr was way too confused to coprehend the situation. A talking horse with wings and a horn, wearing a crown... So he closed his eyes to coprehend the situation.

"Did you just... Talk?" The princesses swapped glances.

"Yes, i have... Your reaction tells me you are definetly not from around here..." Altaïr knew he must be careful with such creatures. He somewhat knew about Greek mythology, thus, knowing about Pegasi and Unicorns... But not about the combination of the two. He could only imagine they held both abilities to fly and control magic.

"No... I am not native to this land... Can you explain where I am and how do I go back?" The guards stepped in front of the princesses, separating them from Altaïr, Luna was surprised by the event, as none of them ordered them to do so.

"Captain, what's the meaning of this?" Celestia inquired.

"Apologies princess, but I sense a great amount of power radiating from him... Can you not?" As the Captain expressed his reasons Celestia suddenly felt the power he was talking about, confirming it.

"Now that you mention, I do... Guards, if you will..." The guards surrounded Altaïr, forming a perfect, yet tight circle around him.

"What's the meaning of this?! I demand anwsers, now!" The princesses thought they finally realized what was really going on, much to Altaïr's misfortune, they were wrong... Very wrong... The Captain, appearantly thought the same.

"In the name of the royal sisters, and the laws of Equestria you are under arrest, for strong suspicion of stealing a powerful artifact." This, of course confused Altaïr, he did his best to explain the situation, but he was barely able to speak up.

"What makes you believe such? Do not anger me with your accusations of theft, or i'll put my blade to your throat!" The princesses did not approve of his threat towards the Captain, and anwsered him in unison.

"You can stop with your illusions and deceptions, Discord. Give the amulet back and we will let you go."

**Discord, who? Who are they talking about? What amulet are they talking about, maybe the apple? "Who is this Discord you speak of? What amulet? I do happen to posess a powerful artifact, but I can assure you it is anything but an amulet..." The guards looked at the sisters, who swapped glances and took a few steps back, whispering.

"Luna, what do you think?"

"He is suspicious, that is sure... We have to make sure he does not posess the amulet."

"But if he's not Discord, and he is surely not an Alicorn or Unicorn. Why would he even want it? It only enhances magical abilities... And he surely seems not to be able to use magic..."

"You are right... But we have to at least see what artifact he is hiding from us." Celestia, as much as she did not like the idea, approved of it and they rejoined the conversation, Celestia adressing Altaïr.

"We believe you are not Discord... But if you want us to believe that you didn't steal the amulet, please introduce yourself, and show us the artifact you posess." Altaïr took some time to respond, but the time was worth it.

"Look, I am no fool, I know you have some sort of royal authority over these... ponies... Yet, with all respect, I must refuse to show you the artifact. For the benifit of all living in the world, believe me, it is better where it is now."

"We must admit, you are correct about our authority. Therefor, we do not command, but kindly ask you... Introduce yourself, and show us the artifact..." At the end of her sentence the guards took a few steps closer to Altaïr, who pointed his sword at the Captain in response.

"Stand down, I mean no harm. But if you make me, I will not hesitate to spill your blood." The Captain looked at the princesses, Luna nodded and he took a few steps back, Altaïr looked at them and replied. "I am Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, I came from what most likely is another world, in there, a village called Masyaf. Celestia grinned and eased up.

"Well met, Altaïr. I am Princess Celestia, ruler of this kingdom. This is my sister Luna... From your confident threat towards my guards tells me you have a talent with those blades... What is your profession?"

If I tell them i'm an *Assassin, it won't end well... But I will not stand down until it's over...* "I will tell you, but at first I want your word on not judging me because of it." Luna nodded in response, Celestia gave her a reprimanding look. "I'm an Assassin." One of the guards used his magic and swung his blade at Altaïr, trying to kill him... If only Altaïr's reflexes wouldn't have been so good, he would have survived as well. "You have been warned... Anyone else willing to throw their lives away?" The guards remained silent and still, Celestia anwsered.

"Altaïr, if you show us the artifact, we will leave you be, maybe even help you find a way back home."

"If that is what it takes, then so be it..." As Altaïr reached for the apple, a loud buzzig repeatedly echoed overhead, attracting Luna's attention. Soon she realized what was going on, Changelings were approaching... Soon, a dark swarm clouded the skies, blocking out the sun. Altaïr didn't hesitate to ask the princesses.

"What are those things?!"

"Right... Like you're not one of them..." Said the Captain with an arrogant tone.

"Those things are Changelings, they aim to take over the kingdom. Altaïr, we must stop them... And would aprecciate your assistance." Altaïr nodded and reached for his knives, only to realize they were greatly outnumbered. The princesses were accompanied by a mere 10 guards, and him... As the sisters prepared their spells, the guards took up stand and prepared for the worst... Altaïr looked at them and adressed both the guards and sisters.

"Even if this will be my last battle, I will not stop until my last breath... It's an honor fighting on your side." The guards nodded, the princesses grinned. As the first Changelings arrived, the princesses and Unicorn guards focused on a shield, which the Changelings immediately assaulted, trying to break it. As the shield stood, the remaining guards and Altaïr tried to kill them from the other side, but it was too slow... Suddenly, the attacks became more and more agressive, Changelings flew upwards and back down at the shield, causing their heads to split open on impact, resulting in their deaths... But causing much more damage to the shield.

"Altaïr! We can't hold much longer..." He understood what they meant, and found no other solution, so he withdrew the apple and yelled.

"Princess! Look! This is why I refused to show it to you!" The sisters looked at him, the apple began charging, slowly making a while, glowing circle around the group. The longer he charged, the bigger it got, eventually it became big enough to have all of their attackers inside. "Everyone! Close your eyes, and let the shield go!" At first the princesses refused, but soon after they had no other option, as the relentless assault had tired them out. As the guards and the sisters closed their eyes, Altaïr used the apple, causing each and every single one of the Changelings to drop dead... But at the process, Altaïr sustained massive injuries as well, using the apple took it's toll on his health... As he finished, he fell to the ground breathing heavily, as he made impact with the ground the apple rolled out of his hands. This... Is not... The end of me... As the remaining guards and the sisters opened their eyes, they stood there in shock.

"Sister... What could have caused such destruction?" Luna looked at her sister and anwsered.

"So this is why he refused to show us the artifact... Just look at what it's capable of... Where is he th- oh no..." Celestia looked around trying to find him, when two of the guards dragged him out from under a pile of corpses. They approached him, to their relief he was still breathing... But his robes were ruined, covered in blood, and his body was covered in bruises and cuts... "Guards, he's coming with us, come this way." A few Pegasi guards formed a stretcher for him out of their wings, a Unicorn put him onto it, the rest of them kept them covered, before they started following them they replied.

"Yes you highness!" In unison, Celestia approached the apple and tried to levitate it into Altaïr's belt, she did manage to complete the task, but not without causing herself massive pain by coming into contact with said artifact, her sister knew something is bothering her and approached her.

"Sister, are you all right?"

"Yes... But... That artifact... It caused me a lot of pain from coming in contact with it, even with telekenisis... I can only imagine what Altaïr went through while holding it..."

"If so..." Luna looked at Altaïr being taken to the castle by the guards. "Then he must have suffered enough to save us all... I think we should trust him." Her sister pondered a while... But came to a conclusion that she must agree. They made their way back to the castle, where the guards allowed them enterance as usual and ordered Altaïr to be taken to a hospital and heavily guarded. The sisters returned to the throne room, but they had little time to spare, as the Captain rushed into the room once again... This time with more interesting news.

"Yes, Captain. What news do you bring this time?" Celestia asked, tho a bit annoyed.

"Your highness, I, with my own eyes saw another creature similar to Altaïr at the gates... He claimed to know him and requested an audience with him and the two of you."

"Sure, let us move on..." They made their way to the gates, and saw another figure wearing similar robes to Altaïr, but his ones were black, none of his fingers were missing, and he was half blind, claiming to be a fellow Assassin of Altaïr... As they approached the figure they were greeted.

"Ah, what a pleasure and honor to enjoy your presence... May I be allowed to see him?" The princesses nodded and asked the figure to follow them, when they got to the hospital they found Altaïr awake, yet weak. As he noticed them he got out of his bed, the doctors tried forcing him back but failed. He walked up to the robed man and pointed his sword at him.

"What are you doing in here?!"

"Oh, Altaïr... Are you not happy to finally see me?" Altaïr looked at the princesses in response.

"Arrest him, do it now... or let me kill him." They swapped glances, confused about his reaction.

"Sure but, why? He's a fellow Assassin of yours..."

"No, he was never an Assassin... He was my biggest enemy all along..." Altaïr had the right to argue, for the figure was no other than Rashid Ad-Din Sinan, his Mentor. At last, it only appeared to be... Only a minute later, Altaïr and the princesses found themselves facing a Changeling... The biggest of them all, their queen, Chrysalis, wielding the Alicorn Amulet. The sisters knew what that meant, Celestia looked at her sisiter and asked her.

"Luna, quick! Get the elements!" She nodded and hurried off, turning her attention back, Celestia saw Altaïr grab a blanket from the bed next to him and throwing it at Chrysalis. As the blanket soared mid air Chrysalis made a remark on his action.

"Such futile attempt to hide your esca-" Only then did she realize Altaïr never meant to escape, but to fight her... As Altaïr's knives suddenly tore through the blanket, Chrysalis had no time to react. As the blades punctured her eyes blinding her temporarily, she let out an unearthly scream, causing many of the windows to crack, some even shatter. "You... Worthless waste of flesh... For this i will enjoy withnessing your agonising final moments..."

As she said that, Altaïr ran up to her and with a loud and gruessome splatter, impaled her and started turning the blade inside. Inch by inch, scream by scream followed, Celestia could do nothing, but watch in awe how cruel Humans can be. He does not have a clear idea who he fights against, but knows she means nothing good... Even in his state he is capable of performing such tasks... He must be careful tho, one beam could mean the end for him. Much to her surprise Chrysalis gave for the pain and fell to the ground, where Altaïr lunged at her, holding the amulet with one hand, tearing chunks out of her throat with the hidden blade. Altaïr said no word during the whole fight, concentrating on his goal he succeeded, when Chrysalis tried to escape by teleporting away... Unfortunalety for her the amulet remained in Altaïr's hands as she disappeared. Altaïr stood up, caught his breath and sheathed his blade.

"Is this the amulet you mentioned when we met?" She just stood there, not knowing what to say. She knew the power the amulet contained, and that power as such only the elements could fight against, and Altaïr just retrieved it without being injured at all. Altaïr found her lack of response strange and gave her a worried look. "Princess, are you okay?"

"Oh yes... It is the very amulet I spoke of. You have the gratitude of the entire kingdom for your actions right now." Altaïr handed the amulet over to her, she summoned a box with her magic and sealed the amulet inside. Suddenly the sound of thundering hooves echoed down the corridor, it was Luna with the elements.

"All right, here they are. Now what... Wait, where did she go, what happened?"

"Well, my dear sister... Altaïr just happened to retrieve the amulet from her and make her flee." Luna looked at Altaïr with an approving look, he knelt down before the sisters and adressed them.

"Princess Luna, Princess Celestia. I am more than honored to have your gratitude, and proud to know you allowed me to do my duties for now... But I must ask for your assistance. I must go home, my presence is in great need there." The princesses swapped glances and replied.

"Well Altaïr... You see... We have no idea where you are from. And teleportation spells only work if the caster knows how the targeted location looks, or has been there previously..." Altaïr was disappointed, but who wouldn't have been? Being told by the most powerful creatures that there is no way for him back home... He stood up and hung his head down in depression.

"I hope you are not decieving me... If you're telling the truth, then I have one, perhaps two requests."

"Go ahead, we will see about them." Celestia assured him.

"I would pledge to spend my life serving the kingdom, Equestria, was it?" Luna nodded. "Seeing as I have nowhere to go or live, I would be honored if I was allowed stay here with you." Luna smiled and anwsered his requests.

"Well, if that is all you desire in exchange for your loyalty and service towards the knigdom and us, so be it... Maybe a question."

"Go ahead." He replied.

"What species do you belong to?"

"I'm a Human."

"A Hu-mane?"

"A Hu-man."

"Right now, Altaïr. Let me show my sister what you just did..." Celestia replied, followed by Altaïr's nodding approval. Celestia's horn started glowing and projected the event into mid air, like in todays movie theatres. As she finished Luna made a remark as well.

"I must say, compared to the fact that you have no control over magic, this is indeed quite impressive strategy and execution of plans..."

"Your words are most kind, but I fear you misunderstood me." Celestia raised an eyebrow and replied.

"If so, please explain."

"I did pledge my loyalty an service, that is true, yet not to you but for the kingdom."

"As I said, please explain."

"With all respect, I must inform you that I will not accept any commands, as you and I use different methods of improving the lives of your subjects."

"This sounds troubling... If you accept no commands, I hope you will still aid us if we ask for your service." Altaïr nodded the best he could.

"I only follow your... Requests, if I find them the best solution to a given problem." The princesses fully understood his words, even if they found his Disobedience... offensive.

"We understand your way of thinking, but we urge you not to publicly show your independence from us, as it could cause many troubles among the subjects."

"I will do my best, as I said, to keep the kingdom in order and peace... Yet, you must know my methods may prove to be more violent than yours... And more effective I must say." The princesses knew what he was capable of, seeing the apple's power themsevles and Altaïr's skill with the blades... Causing some concerns to rise in them, and doubts over the risks of their presence. From there Luna took over the conversation with him.

"Seems acceptable. Of course, since we are not to command you, I suppose you are not to join the ranks of our soldiers... Well, if you wish to you can, but they will most likely refer to you as The Human or The Assassin... Are you fine with that?"

"Believe me, I have been called many things worse than that... Yet I feel they might not approve of my presence among them, I know someday I will earn their mutual respect and trust."

"Well said Altaïr, however... I must ask you to spill a drop of your blood once again..." Celestia and Altaïr gave her a confused look.

"Give me a reason good enough, and you may withness even my death."

"When the Changelings attacked, and Chrysalis just a while ago, you have shown dedication to protect Equestria and us, but we must make sure you are not one of them... Forgive me for this idea, but we must make sure." Altaïr nodded, responding in a calm voice.

"I understand your concern, here." He unsheathed the hidden blade and cut one of his fingers, as the blood slowly made it's way down his hand the first drop hit the ground.

"It's red... Changeling blood is blue... Thank you for your suffering, by the way." Celestia informed him.

"What do you mean?"

"After you used the apple, you collapsed, we thought you were dead. I used my magic to levitate the apple back into your belt, but even that little contact with it caused me much pain. I can only imagine the pain you went through holding it for so long."

"I see. Pain will never kill you, wounds won't either... But what caused them might do." The princesses agreed on that, Celestia then anwsered.

"Altaïr, I believe I must ask you to come with me. Sister, go get the high ranked soldiers and meet us in the throne room."

"Sure, but what about the elements? Shouldn't they be returned ?"

"No, Chrysalis may come back any moment and we must be ready." Her sister nodded and left as requested. "Come Altaïr, we have a lot to talk about..."

End of Chapter One