The sound of screams was what first stirred Spike out of his sleep. Scratching his neck, he lifted his head from the barrel that he rested on only to hear the sounds of armor and drawn swords. Now alert, Spike softly moved around the covered wagon to take a peek of what was going on. He saw multiple bandits, mostly pony and griffin, holding up the caravans as they threatened them with their weapons. Spike smirked. About time they showed up.

Pushing a few aside, one giant of a minotaur, covered in steel armor, approached the center. With a great axe on his shoulders, he looked at their spoils and grinned. “Alright, boys, get these wimps out of the way and let’s get the loot. I have a feeling this is gonna be our best robbery yet.”

Obeying their boss, the thieves ordered the travelers off their carriages. Pushing and shoving them towards the side of the road while others began to loot the merchandise. One of the zebra bandits opened a barrel with his hatchet. He looked inside, but blinked in confusion by what he saw.

“Uh, boss?”

“Yeah? What is it?” the minotaur asked, picking his nose.

“Um, there’s only rocks in this barrel.”

“What?!” the minotaur shouted, smashing another with his axe, revealing it to be full of sand. “What is this?! Get me answers, boys!”

Spike cracked his knuckles and was ready for a fight when he noticed one of the female griffin bandits heading towards a cloaked figure on one of the wagons. Despite the hood hiding the stranger’s face, Spike knew who it was and decided to watch. Marching forward, the bandit asked, “Oi, what kind of payload are you delivering anyway? What’s your business?”

The cloaked figure turned to her. “My business?” A split second later there was a flash and the griffin bandit held her throat with both claws. Blood began to spill out before the bandit collapsed. “My business is death.”

“She killed Sinja! Kill her!” one of the bandits shouted as they aimed their spears at her. Before they could even reach her, the cloaked killer tore her cloak off and flew into the air. Knives drawn, she dived down and she landed between the shocked bandits. With a few twirls and slashes, they were down choking on their own blood.

Drawing another knife from her waist belt, the dagger wielding griffin smirked at the sight of the growling bandits. One of them gasped and pointed at unique patch on the left side of her brown vest. “B-B-Boss! She’s a member of the Red Lightning!”

The group of bandits began to mutter upon hearing this as the minotaur spat on the ground. Spike slowly touched the patch for the Red Lightning that was displayed his red trench coat, right next to one of a small purple star. It had been ten years since he got it from Marc. Ten years of training, battling, and surviving on the Erebus Islands.

“What’s a Red Lightning doing with this lot?!” the minotaur demand. “They ain’t that rich to afford you!”

“True, but the mayor of their town is. He’s sick and tired of you guys robbing his trade caravans,” she replied, flipping her daggers in her claws.

“Yeah, well I don’t care how good your reputation is! It's only one of ya’s and a bunch of us!” the grinning minotaur replied.

“Who says I came alone?”

Upon hearing this, Spike grinned. Show time.

A split second later, the cloaked wagon he was hiding in burst into emerald flames. Those unfortunate enough to be near it screamed as the green fire engulfed them. The lucky ones died in mere seconds while others flailed around vain. One of them found their misery cut short when Spike burst out of the flames and crushed his head with a single stomp. The dragon reared back his head and unleashed an arc of green fire into the air, frightening all near him.

“B-bastard!” a unicorn shouted, charging forward with his sword in the air. Spike let the blade snap in half upon touching his scales. With a snort, he punched the unicorn in the face, knocking him out.

“Anybody else want to take a shot at the dragon with strong scales?" the dragon asked, to which several other bandits charged or flew at him. Upon seeing this, his eyes began to glow green. “Suit yourselves.”

Smashing his fists together, his arms were engulfed by green flames much to their horror. Before they could get away, Spike slammed one in the face with his burning fist and set his head ablaze. Sensing two of them trying to attack him from behind, he managed to flip them off their hooves with a quick tailspin. Grabbing them by their legs, he engulfed them with his burning hands before swinging them around like clubs. The other bandits tried to avoid the flaming bodies, but Spike’s blows were too quick for them. After enough hits, he proceeded to rid himself of them by throwing them like javelins to a small huddle crowd. One bandit, a diamond dog who was all but ready to piss himself, tried to run away. Spike was having none of that. He focused his inner flame into his hand, lighting it up as if he held a fireball in his claw. When it was hot enough, he unleashed it on the retreating rouge who was blasted into bones and ash.

The young griffin rolled her eyes at her fellow guild mate before stabbing a charing bandit in the chest. “Do you always have to make an entrance?

“Doesn’t the hero always have to look a bit flashy when he arrives?” Spike asked, clawing a griffin in the face. “Besides, Aquilina, you did that whole ‘my business is death’ thing.”

“You’re just jealous that it was a good line,” Aquilina replied with a smirk. The two stood back to back as they found themselves surrounded. “By the way, what have you got cooking tonight at my uncle’s for the dinner rush?”

“Prime cut rib wrapped in bacon with a side order of fries dipped in garlic mushroom sauce," Spike answered. He also made a mental note to make sure they stocked on the darker ale for tonight.

“Okay, now I really want to killed these rucks and get home. Dinner here I come!” Aquilina shouted as she and Spike charged in opposite directions.

The minotaur leader, watching from a distance, growled. “Fine! Let’s play dirty then! Kill the traders!”

A row of crossbowmen lined up at the cowering hostages. They turned to their rescuers to help them, but their focus on the fighting in front of them. Spike wasn’t worried, however, they had plan just in case this happened. The bowmen fired as the arrows sailed through the air, the traders closing their eyes. When they felt no pain seconds later they opened their eyes to find their attackers in shock. The arrows had stopped halfway with a blue glow surrounding them, keeping them in place.

A figure walk out of the crowd of traders, dressed in a blue diamond encrusted robe. Many looked at her with blushed cheeks of awe or envy as her winter white coat made it seem like she was made of snow. Her raven colored mane hid half of her face, allowing a single sapphire eye to glare at the stunned bandits. Levitating beside her was a silver staff with a glowing blue orb held in place by a silver eagle looking claw. She too had a pin that signified her allegiance with the Red Lightning much to the relief of the traders although some looked confused by her appearance.

“W-where did you come from?” one of them asked. “I didn’t even see you...”

“I was always there. I just didn’t let you see me thanks to my magic,” replied the mysterious unicorn. With a wave of her staff, the arrows turned face, directed back at their owners. Another wave, and they shot forward until they were deep in their hearts. The unicorn turned to the civilians. “You’re part in this is over. Please leave.”

They didn’t hesitate as the group of traders fled as fast as they could. Lifting her staff, the unicorn unleashed blasts of ice from its tip, freezing any nearby bandits that tried to get closer to her. One of the pegasus bandits tried an aerial assault, only for someone much faster to meet him in mid-air first. A single kick from a chestnut brown pegasus, and the bandit was eating dirt with a bleeding face.

The unicorn sighed as her savior landed behind her. “You’re late, Windward. Where were you?”

“Sorry, beautiful,” the pegasus replied, giving a charming smile as he brushed off some of his amber mane. The bandits wondered who he was until they saw the tattoo mark of the Red Lightning on his right shoulder. His cutie mark was a cloud shaped like cross with arrows on each end, but there were some scar markings near it. On each of his hooves he had brass horseshoes to add an extra kick to his blows. “I got distracted by how dazzling you could be when your giving that cold glare of yours.”

“Are you sure you weren’t being a scattered brained idiot as usual?” the unicorn asked, side stepping from a weak attempt to cut her head off with an ax. Windward responded by spinning in the air and kicking the attacking bandit in the face.

“Ouch, Azura,” Windward winced as he held his hoof over his heart. “You’re going to break this heart of mine.”

“I wish,” Azura replied, rolling her eyes, “then I could actually have peace and quiet in my life.”

“Will you two stop bitching and help us already!” Aquilina shouted, as she locked both her daggers against the sword of a unicorn. She ended up winning by spitting in his eye and gutting him when he lowered his guard.

Windward shrugged and lifted his wings to levitate in the air. “If I kill more than you do I get a kiss?”

“Sure, but I get ten percent of your cut if you lose,” Azura replied, twirling her staff.

“Deal!” Windward shouted with excitement before speeding across the battlefield. Like his namesake, he flew in all directions, bashing heads in with his bronze horseshoes. With each kill, he would shout out the number that grew quickly.

Azura, not one to be left out, allowed her horn to glow as she swept her staff in front of her. Frost began to grow around her as a group of bandits tried to assault her from all directions. With a simple stomp of her hoof, icicles erupted from the ground. They pierced the flesh of her attackers, and turned the pure white ground into crimson red.

The minotaur leader growled as saw his forces were getting killed left and right. The few who were wise enough to realize they were outclassed were already fleeing. Spike, upon finishing an uppercut to another bandit, turned to face the leader only to watch him flee.

Growling, Spike chased after him. “Oh no you don’t! Peewee!”

Something fast and red flew through the skies like a fireball. A red bird with flaming wings cawed in the surprised minotaur’s face before unleashing a bright flash of light that blinded him. He screamed in pain from the burning in his eyes while swiping the air in frustration. Spike ducked under a blow before kneeing the minotaur in the face, slamming his fists in his temples, and throwing him over his shoulder. The minotaur tried to get up, but Spike held him down before gathering fire into this mouth. With a roar, he unleashed it on his foe’s face. The bandit leader screamed and howled in pain, his body shaking in a vain attempt to free himself. Only after a minute of unending pain did he finally stop.

Shutting of the flow of fire, Spike grimly stared at the burned skull of his enemy. Getting up, he shook his head. “Sorry, nothing personal.” He felt his familiar land on his shoulder and begin to sing a comforting song to easy his guilt. Looking at his claw, Spike wondered what his Equestrian friends would think if they knew of the lives he had ended since starting his career as a mercenary. Would they even want me around anymore?

Pushing the thoughts out of his head, Spike made his way back to the caravan trail where he saw his comrades finishing off the bandits who stayed to fight. Seeing them unhurt, he smiled before realizing they still had to deal with the ones who fled. “Did anyone see where the other thieves went? We can’t get paid until we kill them all.”

“I think they fled that way,” Aquilina replied, pointing to the right of the forrest.

The four charged forward, intending on finishing their contract. However, they only barely started to run before stopping near a clearing. There was no need to hunt them down anymore because their limbs were scattered around in a sea of wet red grass.

In the middle stood the fifth member of their group, a kitsune cloaked in a long black robe with white edges. On the chest area there were two logos. One was their guild patch, the other was a symbol from the kitsune’s homeland of Kyukyo. According to Marc, it meant “serene”, but that wasn’t what anyone felt when they stared into the cold blue eyes of Yasahiro. His whiskers twitched as he put away his four tails, each holding a curved sword known as a katana, into his robe before approaching the group. .

Smiling, Spike nodded to his fifth companion. “Nice work, Yasahiro.”

The kitsune stared at Spike with his expression and nodded back. Spike felt a shiver down his spine upon gazing at the void like look the ronin always seemed to have. He still didn’t know why the third best fighter in the guild went on missions with him and his friends. Yasahiro had always been more than capable of taking down jobs on his own but one day he started working with them. No explanation was given, but he was fast and deadly so nobody in the group was complaining. Rumor was that he could speak, but very few even heard him so much as whisper.

“Okay! That’s sixteen, beautiful!” Windward shouted as he landed next to Azura who pushed him back. “Pucker up, because I want to take the next ten seconds to experience cloud nine.”

Azura turned to him and leaned forward with a sly smirk on her face. Windward gulped as he turned red, readying his lips before he heard her whisper, “Seventeen.” He fell face first in defeat as Azura turned away with her head held high. “Thanks for the extra ten percent.”

“Ugh, rent is gonna kill me this month...” Windward muttered, flat on the ground.

Aquilina, Spike and Peewee couldn’t help but giggle at their friend’s behavior. It was always like this each time the two worked together. Windward would do his best to woo his crush and Azura would reject him each time. Yet, credit where credit was due, Windward was not one to give up and each new day was another attempt to win her heart.

“Well, the bandit group is either dead or pissing in their pants in fear. Citizens are safe. Leader is dead. I'd say the job is complete,” Aquilina replied, smacking her talons together. “Now let’s get the caravan back to town and see the mayor about our pay. I wanna get home and eat some grub.”

“Is Spike cooking?” Windward asked as he poked his head up. Upon seeing the dragon nod, he was on all fours in a second with his drooling tongue sticking out. “I’m in! Let’s go!”

“Despite the idea of spending more time with you, I won’t say no to a good meal,” Azura replied, licking her lips.

Spike turned to Yasahiro and asked, “You in too?” He nodded. “Alright, then let’s head home.”

***

The overjoyed mayor thanked them for helping his village and gave them their pay. Although, he was confused when a tearful Windward said to give a part of his pay to Azura. The trip back to Judecca was uneventful save for Windward flirting with Azura who responded with her usual rejections. All while Aquilina threatened to cut their necks open if they kept talking.

They passed through the streets before arriving at what looked to be a run down warehouse. In front of it, guarding the entrance, was a large minotaur in red and yellow plate armor like a knight. Only his head remained uncovered, revealing his dark blue fur and sharp black horns. He smiled at the group as they arrived. “Welcome back. I take it you had no problems?”

“Please, I’ve had harder times wiping my butt then dealing with them,” Aquilina replied with a smirk.

Spike rolled his eyes at his friend’s usual tasteless response. “What she means to say is we need to report to Marc on a job well done.”

He nodded and let them pass which allowed them to enter the main room. Like the outside, it was a rubble of a place with broken boxes, bottles, and hole filled boards making up for it. The group went to the middle of the room before Spike stomped on the floor six times. I never get tired of this, he thought as he remembered seeing the secret underground base for the first time. Marc said it was the best reaction he had ever seen while Aquilina took a photo she kept for blackmail.

A rumbling was heard followed by the unlocking of locks as a square of the floor began to give way. It lowered itself down, carrying its passengers as light began to shine from below. Spike smiled upon seeing his second home. The roaring fires from the torches and fireplaces revealed a huge underground cavern. Little did anybody above know that below the town was an entire hidden network maze of caverns. Wide and tall enough for all members to maneuver without the fear of a ceiling too tall or a hallway to narrow. Each pathway connected to various rooms needed for a mercenary guild to operate. Equipment shops with members buying, selling or bartering new gear. Smithies to create something new or fix up old equipment. Rooms to rest in with beds the size of ponies to dragons. Sparing dojos to test your strength or settle a grudge. Libraries, medical wings, job boards, and recreation areas for games and fun plus many more. And of course, a huge bar that was the size of the Throne Room back at the Royal Sister’s Palace.

For the past ten years, it had been Spike’s world. Once a little dragon lost on an island of criminals. Now a full grown member of one of the baddest mercenary bands on the Erebus Islands. Upon the elevator reaching the end, Spike tipped the old pony elevator taker who put the silver in his tip jar.

“Well, I’m going to take a bath before dinner. I’ll see you at Rupert’s later,” Azura replied, but stopped before glaring at Windward. “And if you come to peek again, I’ll show you that new spell that can teleport any part of your body into your gut. Including your balls.” She walked away with her tail sweeping the floor.

“Ah, there isn’t as spell for that... is there?” Windward asked, sweating a bit.

“Don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past Azura to come up with one,” Spike replied. He crossed his arms in amusement which made Windward turn white.

“Uh, I’m going to get a drink before meeting you guys,” he said before taking off.

“So, the three of us are going to report to Marc?” Spike asked, turning to Aquilina.

“Make that two,” Aquilina answered nodding around them. Their kitsune friend had already walked off without saying anything.

“I hate it when he does that,” Spike muttered. “Alright, let’s go.”

The two, plus Peewee, walked through the large group of members going about their own business. A few chatted with the two, but they ended it to get their mission status over and done with. They found Marc close by in on of the rec rooms, listening to the radio of Eberus’s Island’s only DJ. The only source of news both on the Islands and outside of it.

“Yo mah' island dsheeiters, it's yo' favo'ite Diamond Dod DJ, Razzdog. Hooooowwwwl!” shouted the voice on the radio. “Right On! Got some interestin' news today. De Legion gotss'ta finally end its war wid de triple alliance of da damn mercenary groups. Duh Broderhood of duh Blades, Judgement Win's, and Rex’s Guardians. As pa' usual Legion standards, all dree wuz wiped out. Not a sin'le spare soldia' . All goners brother. Peace to ya'll out there in d' clouds. Dat’s rough stuff, but as we all know, dems de boogies.”

“Next, some Equestrian news. De Equestrian First attempted t'brin' de pain t'some changelin' families in Trottingham. They gotss'ta beat off by de guards of Princess Celestia and da Wonderbolts. While some dozen of dem wuz captured, no majo' figures wuz repo'ted missin' o' wuzted. Celestia says she t'makin' sho' all welcomin' immigrants are safe fum dese radicals. Damn, mama, ya'’ve been sin'in' de same damn song fo' years now. We’ll start believin' when we seein' sump'ng, ya dig?”

“Finally, Warlo'd Vandar managed t'win some victo'y against his rival Lo'd Swanburn. 'S coo', bro. Man, dese two top rivals are gunnin' fo' it now. It's only matta' uh time befo'e all uh de islands choose some side. We be seein' de fust rula' uh de entire islands, ya' know? My hope be on Lo'd Swanburn a'cuz dat guy may dress likes some peacock, but at least his soul's in de right place. Right On! Unlikes dat Warlo'd Vandar who gotss'ta cruicfy yo' ass. Sheeit, dat's de howl uh de hour. Ah be baaad... an I'll be back wid mo'e news and updates, but fo' now. Let's get some beat on wid some special tunes from Griffinstone."

Leaning on his personal red chair, the blue dragon known as Marc looked at the two approaching him. “Oi there. I guess yeh two are done with y'r mission??”

“Yup, the mayor says if he needs anything he’ll ask us for help again,” Spike replied. He dug into his coat pockets and tossed a bag of silver to his boss who caught it with one hand. “That’s enough silver for another lesson, right?”

Feeling the coins in the pouch, Marc smirked. “Yup. Meet me here tomorrow ‘fore noon and don't eat thou 'll lob up.”

Spike sighed before he walked away with Aquilina by his side.

***

“He loves to torture me,” Spike said as he walked over the night sky with Aquilina on their way to her uncle’s place. He could already feel all ten years worth of hurt he had to deal with in training to get this far acting up again.

“You can’t deny his training is working,” Aquilina replied with Peewee hooting in agreement. “Your first two years here had me knocking your scaly butt hard. Now? I can't always keep up with you.”

“Are you actually admitting that I’m getting to be a better fighter then you?” Spike asked, smiling as Aquilina punched him in the shoulder. He chuckled before looking up at the sky where the stars were shining bright and Luna’s full moon was high above. “Hard to believe it’s been ten years. Sometimes... it's like I’ve been here forever.”

“You’re not thinking of heading back home are you?” Aquilina asked, looking at Spike with uncertainty.

Spike shook his head. “No, I still need to get stronger. And these islands still need to learn friendship. I’m not giving up on that yet.”

“Oh good,” Aquilina replied, crossing her arms and turning away . “‘Cause things might get boring with you gone. Might have to drag you back to keep me sane from our bickering duo. All I would have left is silent fox who can outlast a rock in a quiet contest.”

Spike smiled and put his paw on her shoulder, making her freeze up. “You know I’ll leave one day, Aquilina, but I’ll come back to see you when it happens. You’re my friend, and one of my best ones too.” Peewee flew over to shoulder and nuzzled her as a sign of his affection as well.

“Despite almost castrating you all those years ago?” Aquilina asked, blushing at the memory.

“To be fair, I was grabbing your butt.” Spike shrugged as he walked past her and turned away with a grin. “And might I say, you were big bottomed at that age.” He ducked from a thrown dagger and ran for his life as Aquilina screamed at him. Peewee watched the two rush down the street with amusement before following them.

Author's Note

Here we are, the first chapter. It's been a long time since we've had anything AssassinationVerse from me on this site. Hopefully, you all haven't been waiting too long.

Path of the Tyrant will get its first chapter soon too, then the process of updates for each one will continue on until they are both done. Also, that art is just a place holder I made until I get an artist to make a real one. Hopefully soon.

As for where this takes place and what to expect? Well, it takes place ten years after Twilight's death in the series, and for this one expect to see a bit of a fantasy action sort of setting like Fairy Tail, but with more darker elements. Because, well, it's me.

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, as always please feel free to help out at the TV Tropes Page https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/TheAssassinationOfTwilightSparkle