A Newly Hooded Road to Walk

"Well I guess your not really in it for real now are you?" said Silvershade, taking a step back in contemplation, "You are just a trainee now, and I don't even know if you'll pass to be one."

Fluttershy was startled with fear, "but you said I would be in your little thing now!"

"Well yeah, but you can't just take the application for this job Fluttershy, it's a lot more than that, you have to be worthy of becoming an Assassin, and unfortunately I am not qualified to pass such a judgement, and then you have to survive years of training and traveling before you can become a true Assassin of our Creed."

"Wait, What!? what do you mean years! how many?"

"My training took about eight years before I was allowed field access, ah but what the hell am I worrying about, you'll be fine."

Fluttershy was growing unnaturally loud for her usual posture and it seemed a little out of place, but it was necessary, "How are you so sure?! you can't just say one thing and get me all worried then say the opposite!"

"Fluttershy calm down I forgot about two contributing factors that will probably guarantee your entry," replied Silvershade calmly and serious. The small mare saw this and quieted down her nerves.

"A-and what's that?"

"Well for one, the Creed has been looking thin lately, that's why I'm out here, looking for recruits, along with of course killing that false king a couple weeks back."

"So are there other ponies searching for recruits?"

"A couple,"

"so is that why you are worried about me getting in?"

"No I guess I was just anticipating your recruitment to be as intense as mine was. Since I joined at a larger time, the choices were a little more picky and very competitive, but your situation is different."

"Oh, and the other reason?"

"Well your eagle sense of course! that's a very rare attribute that is valued a lot with the Assassins, so that's definitely a big bump up in the charts."

Fluttershy was trying to absorb all this information, and getting ready for far more, silvershade hadn't even explained who the Assassins or their "Creed" actually was, and now she was expected to train for eight years away from home! She wanted to know what was next, when she could start everything, and she grew anxious just standing there, but she remained contempt on the outside as always.

"So where do we start?" asked Fluttershy cheerfully

"Well I checked the train schedule and the train that we need leaves in two weeks,"

"mmmhmm"

"So in the mean time, I think we should get you in shape!"

"Oh, g-great," said Fluttershy nervously.

"So you know what that means!"

"a lot and a lot of flying?" said Fluttershy fearfully

"Haha nooo, that's against our rules, you run everywhere unless completely necessary for the mission, or staying alive longer, so for the next two weeks you''ll be running into shape and sprinting into discipline!"

Fluttershy was not looking forward to this, physical exercise had always been low on her list of priorities, "you seem far to excited about this,"

"I know!" said Silvershade putting his hood on, "it's called sarcastic optimism! now get a good sleep I'll see ya at six sharp in the morning," and at that he disappeared into the church's shadows.

Fluttershy saw this as the beginning of her training, and with a little hesitation, she started. Her and Silvershade ran for what seemed forever, with the stallion barely breaking a sweat and Fluttershy struggling to stay alive just behind, they started low, and as she grew used to it from the many hours a day, they went further and faster. Once they ran out of trail to run out of town they began running through and around, with silvershade running separately on the roofs Fluttershy kept going as hard as she could so that she wouldn't disappoint her trainer who watched her the entire time. The yellow mare grew odd looks from her acquaintances in town, since she had never done any public exercise before, normally she would be too embarrassed, but by this time she was too exhausted to care.

She gained a free day at the end of the first week where she could see the differences, she was more fit and skinnier, her leg muscles increased in size and she felt better. It was also on this day that silvershade told her the story of the Assassins and their struggle against the Templars, and why their plans must always be put to rest, he taught her the Creed's basic history, telling her to take notes, as there was much, much more to learn. He told her of the most infamous of Assassins, and the two families that made it what it is today: the Kenways and the Auditores, and how they did so. But that was all the history she received that day, for she needed the rest for the next five long days.

...

Twilight sat in a leather chair set meticulously in the living room of Rarity's home, who sat with the alicorn as they drank tea.

"Twilight have you seen Fluttershy recently?" questioned Rarity curiously

"Well yes I have, everyday in fact to busy to even give a simple hello, it is very odd of her. What have you not seen her?"

"I've seen her every day as well, just running! endlessly through the streets, without any notice of the ponies around her, just looking focused and exhausted," replied Rarity with a concerned and curiously look on her face, "Just yesterday I had said hello to her and she just passed it off with a grunt of acknowledgement and her gaze unfazed."

"Hmmm, I wonder why she would be so determined to do this all of a sudden, she is far from the exercising type, and now all of a sudden it's as if that's all she wants to do." Pondered Twilight

"Yes, it is very odd, I mean it's fine that she's focused on jogging now but at least take that quick moment to look over and give a simple wave!" pouted Rarity in frustration for her best friend's sudden detachment.

...

"I'm very sorry Fluttershy, but you have higher priorities right now than being with your friends, the this weekend you can be with them and say your goodbyes, but now you are doing what you need to to survive this new life you are choosing," explained Silvershade sternly to his trainee.

Fluttershy was struggling not to tear up, "C-can I at least tell them that I'm leaving so they can plan something for my departure?" asked the yellow Pegasus innocently.

"Fine," said Silvershade defeated by her sad gaze, and making fluttershy relieved, "but you have to do it today before it gets dark so we can start again early tomorrow."

"Y-yes okay okay, thank you Silvershade!" squeaked fluttershy thankfully, then ran out the cottage door throwing her jacket on.

She could hear silvershade yelling out her door, "don't forget to make up a realistic excuse! otherwise we're both screwed!"