A Newly Hooded Road to Walk

The bronze gate slowly opened for Fluttershy and Silvershade after weeks of hunting a Templar. Exhausted, they wearily walked in. Over the past years, Fluttershy and Silvershade have created a notorious reputation for themselves as very talented assassins within the brotherhood. This is especially the case for Fluttershy, considering how she was still an apprentice and, of course, her size and timid nature at first glance.

They walked up the old stone steps to the empty fountain, expecting a welcome back, but were instead greeted with the silence of their comrades' abstinence. The fountain and the courtyard stretching out to the estate was empty, rather than being full of training ponies.

well this is odd, where is everypony, wondered Fluttershy as her and Silvershade made their way into the mansion. Once inside they were finally greeted by Bo, who had a look of despair stricken onto his face.

"Hey, hey Bo!" shouted Silvershade, who jogged over to the master curiously, with Fluttershy in step just behind. "Bo what's going on? Where is everypony?"

"The apprentices are all in their dorms, and as for the other assassins, they are having a meeting,"

"For what?" asked Fluttershy.

"They are about to vote to determine the new house master, in replacement for master Achilles," stated Bo sorrowfully.

" Wait, a-are you saying that Achillies has passed!?" said Fluttershy, painfully squeezing the words from her throat, tearing up simply at the thought.

"No, not yet. The old fool is hanging on so far, but I wouldn't know, he's asked to be left alone untill you two arrived, it sounded important so we left him be. I'd make haste to him now while he is still with us."

They nodded to Bo and without a word quickly made their way their master's room, Fluttershy gave a soft knock on the doors to the house master's quarters, and patiently awaited a response from inside. They heard a weary voice come from inside, sounding to barely be a whisper. "Come in my children."

They opened the doors and calmly walked to the side of the bed where Achilles lay, "Welcome back you two, I presume your contract went well?"

"Yes master, there were some bumps but we did what had to be done," answered Silvershade unwavering.

"Good, good, *sigh* it must be diminishing to see me in this pitiful state."

"N-not at all sir, everypony will reach a moment like this in their lifetime, one way or another," stated Fluttershy, in an attempt to be encouraging.

"Ah yes, of course. Though such truth does not keep me from being any more disappointed having to join the greater beyond. Aside from such discouraging talk however, I have important things to fulfill for the two of you."

"What is it?" Asked the pair.

"Out of any of you skilled ponies here, I have found the most pride in the two of you. The two of you have become the children that I was never given the chance to have, as if fate had noticed and gifted you to me to fill the void. That is why I have decided to gift you in my passing. Normally we would have a ceremony for these events but in this case, in the interest of time, I shall promote you two here and now."

"What!? You really mean that master?"

"Of course, nothing would make me happier than to see you both excel a little bit more in my last hours."

"Thank you master, we promise we'll make you proud," said the two assassin's as they began to lightly tear up.

"Good, that's what I like to here, now, let's get down to it. Silvershade, may you please take this key to my safe over there." The old stallion handed an old key to the black pony, and pointed to a large steel safe inside the wall to his left. Silvershade went and unlocked the safe, which contained only a single object: a small wooden box with a silver decorative assassins symbol on the lid.

Achilles's voice wavered a little, "come boy, bring it here," he said as he reached out over his bed. Silvershade carefully brought the ancient looking box over to the old stallion, who grabbed it slowly with shaky hands. Achilles unlocked the box and reached in, bringing out a silver chain necklace with the Brotherhood's symbol attached.

"Silvershade you will be first." The Assassin walked over the the side of the bed close to Achilles. "I need not say a word, young stallion," said the Master. "For if you have reached this milestone and title, you already know the words that bind you to our Brotherhood, and the duties that you must carry out in its name. Do you understand Silvershade?"

"I do," replied Silvershade solemnly.

"And will you, even at the cost of your life, serve for the safety of Equestria and the well being of your comrades?"

"I will."

"Then by the authority gifted to me by my own Master, I grant you, Silvershade Moonstride, the ultimate title of Master Assassin," said Achilles, as proudfully as possible in his current state. Then Silvershade, smile cocked on his face, bent down as Achilles placed the necklace around his neck.

Silvershade's voice wavered with joy, "Thank you Master." Achilles simply smiled and nodded in response.

"Fluttershy my dear, come," said the Master as he waved the young pony over to him.

"Hmm? O-oh yes Master," stuttered Fluttershy as she walked to the side of the bed.

From the ancient box Achilles pulled out a small silver ring with the Brotherhood's symbol on it in bronze.

"This ring symbolizes your title as an Assassin, and is to be worn every day until you pass on to the greater beyond. Of course you can take it off every once in a while, just to clear it up, I remember an assassin a while back who thought you could never take it off. They ended up gaining some weight and their finger actually died and had to be removed! Haah how about that!" The old pony let out a feeble chuckle.

"Well y-yes sir very funny, but may we get back on task?"

"Hmm? Oh yes my apologies, back to it. Do you, Fluttershy Carington, solemnly swear to abide by the rules of our creed, and protect those of Equestria who cannot protect themselves?"

"I do."

"And do you, even at the cost of your life, swear to protect our ideals and your comrades?"

"I do."

"Then by your word and my authority, I gift you with the title of Assassin, and this ring as the symbol of your title."

"Thank you, Master Achilles," said Fluttershy tearing up.

"And one more thing, Fluttershy."

"What is it?"

"Here," said Achilles who handed a pamphlet to the young little mare, "an assignment I've saved just for you."

"T-thanks, but what's so special about it?"

"To other people, nothing at all, but to you, I believe it'll be gift and an opportunity. Good luck my dear."