An Assassins Changeby ChillaxBronyChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2 Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 1An Assassins Change Chapter 1 Please note that this is my first story and I would appreciate any constructive response given. The night was cold, raining harshly upon his cowl and robes. The wind was gentle though. Gentle to the point of ticking each ponies skin and fur. Very few lights were on in ponies homes, which made this easier for this stallion to sneak upon his prey. His hidden blades were locked in bracers, an out stretching of his hoof and wrist would activate the blade. His bracers were on the outside of his robe, this, for him, made it easier too keep his robes from catching a loose nail or rock or branch. His target was a high class, rich, and overly dressed for everything kind of pony. A few lights went off in the distance, that measure of darkness will be the perfect place too execute his devious attack. Checking his blades, MetalHoof stops and goes behind a corner, making his hoof and leg one length. The blade shot out silently, not a sound came from the unsheathing of the deadly weapon. MetalHoof looked around the corner and saw the target getting closer to the near pitch black area. Sheathing his blade, MetalHoof started too walk again, this time a bit faster but not a single step was heard. The target was in the killing zone. MetalHoof went closer and closer until he was but a hoof away, his steps not making a vibration or sound still. MetalHoof rose his right leg and straightened it, the blade shot out and craved the kill. MetalHoof shot down his leg and stabbed the pony in the spine, rendering the pony of motion and ability too do anything. MetalHoof stabbed again, this time, a blow to the throat. The blood and gore washed out onto the ground, and the pony that was killed fell over, not able to do anything about the blood gushing out and not able too scream for help. MetalHoof dashed away, at one puddle, putting the blade into it and be ridding of the blood. His black robe now had a small splatter stain. Metal never liked his belongings too become dirty or remotely touched. But it was a thing he had come too live by, it was just excessive amounts of stains or something of the sort drew him insane. His bracers were also stained deeply, but he had many more in his home. An hour passed and MetalHoof felt a cold or maybe pneumonia coming along. ‘Damnit. Again with being sick, I need to move from canterlot, this place will kill me from disease not bloody guards.’ MetalHoof thought, gently closing the door behind him. His walls had pictures of each and every target killed. He was pleased with his works but he didn’t want to always be an assassin. He wanted too actually become a professor in anatomy. The body absolutely intrigued him and how, even though exhausted, the body could keep pressing forward, seeking that prize in the end. But that knowledge is what lead him too killing. MetalHoof walked slowly to the shower, he needed a near burning hot shower, he was freezing cold and required warmth. *Knock knock knock* The door banged. “Yeah hold on, I’ll be with you in a sec.” He called. Frowning that now he must wait too get a warm feeling in his body. MetalHoof opened the door. Two guards stood there looking at him. “Hello citizen. We are in need of your time.” One of the two said, his voice wasn’t very intimidating, his mother had a more frightening voice. “And what might I be able to do?” MetalHoof replied, letting the two in. This was his lobby, not his “office”. “Well it has become apparent that killings have risen lately.” The right guard said, his voice, now his could be dominating if he was taller and buffer. “And we are ordered to alert everypony in this district to be aware of the local assassin.” “Oh yes I have noticed, and I was thinking about leaving town anyways, for the capital city of Equestria it is sure violent.” MetalHoof played off the scenario like it was nothing. “That is a wise choice sir.” The first guard replied. “And just be sure too keep an eye out for any suspicious ponies late at night. The killer has been targeting the most random ponies. So be sure to be prepared.” “Oh yes sir. I’ll be sure to.” MetalHoof again played his role as a scared citizen perfectly. MetalHoof showed the guards to the door and let them out. After waving goodbye MetalHoof shut the door and went into the bathroom too finally begin a warm bath. MetalHoof entered the bathroom and cranked up the water heater nozzle, steam spewed out of the shower head and rained what may have been lava if you weren’t freezing cold, but the super hot pellets of water, when clashed into the freezing skin, made Metalhoof cringe with the feeling of being punctured or jabbed at with needles. This feeling quickly dissipated and soon he was onto cleaning himself. His mane covered his eyes. The two colors, graphite gray and coal black, shrouded his vision. His fur, was a weird shade of red that even he couldn’t describe., and his cutie mark was a surgeon's knife going through a skull and in that skull was a scroll. He had a tattoo up his front right leg. It has stripes like a zebra. This wasn’t just any tattoo though, this kind was made specifically to be with fur, so it would be like a zebras fur (except for the gray/ white base), with all the stripes and what not. Thirty minutes later MetalHoof stepped out of the shower and went into his room, where his drenched robe laid on top of a chair that really needed to be thrown away from water damage and consistently having things thrown at it. His bracers were no different from the robe. He quickly tossed them into the trash and put the blades onto his desk that had a stamp and a file. He stamped the file making it read “Success”. MetalHoof looked back too his bed, it looked inviting but he needed to make sure he actually had enough bits to leave. He wanted to leave the city of Canterlot too a nice settle town. Where nothing surprising happened. Where... He didn’t have to kill too make his way through life... MetalHoof closed the file and shoved it forward a bit and brought up his last one that he said he would do. Kill the richest pony in the richest part of town. A simple enough mission. But this required time that he had and money he didn’t have. MetalHoof looked back into his closet, a suit worth more than 15 missions was hung and looked a bit dusty. He quickly nudged it with a hoof and some dust flew off. ‘One last time.’ He thought and went too sleep. His mane flayed back and all of his belongings spread across his “office”. 'Just one more time...' Chapter 2 Chapter 2 An Assassins Change Chap. 2 MetalHoof woke up, his mane was covering his eyes, which he quickly blew away with a light *fwoosh*. Metal got up and went to his suit, it was still very much covered in dust. “Time to clean...” He looked around his room. “Everything...” He sighed. Picking up his suit and putting over the closet door and shifting items into corners of his room. An hour passed until Metal was done cleaning the room and the rest of the house. “Now then... Time to clean this thing.” He grabbed his suit on trotted off too the cleaners. “Hey there.” The front desk pony greeted. “Hello, just one item. And I need this done by tomorrow morning if it’s possible.” MetalHoof said, placing the whole thing on the counter while the desk pony was writing down the information. “Alrighty sir. We will have it tomorrow morning around... 7 am.” The desk pony noted and gave him a receipt. With that MetalHoof walked out and waved goodbye, the desk pony waved bye as well. A few minutes passed before MetalHoof saw what was his target. A blue stallion that had gold-trimmed everything. His hat had gold trim, his suit (pants included), his watch, and basically everything on him was goldened. MetalHoof got a good look at him. He could’ve just wrung his neck now but the job required him to be in the richest part of town. This was the common area. Where all ponies saw everything and sold anything. MetalHoof watch him closely, noting every strand hair, fur, scars, eye color, mane color, style of the watch, everything about pony MetalHoof implanted into his memory. Then the pony started too leave, his entourage of grocery carriers followed him closely. MetalHoof walked back to his house. It was one story, with no basement, but it was long enough too where he could put in some items and furniture. He walked in and gazed at what he would be leaving behind. An old piece of crap desk that had been with him for years. An old couch that was ruined from wear and tear but didn’t have a single stain. The kitchen was lame though. Just a simple oven and microwave with a few cabinets around it. No fridge but a pantry that had tons of pastas, energy bars, protein shake mix, and some beans. MetalHoof continued into his personal room. The walls had pictures of targets eliminated and in the center of the left wall was a map of Canterlot, a red mark on a certain spot on the map indicated where the killing took place. MetalHoof went over too the new file, and saw a package full of bits. He only gave the spare key too his contractors. If his contractor defiled his trust then more than hell would break loose upon the contractors home and family. Well he didn’t kill the wife and kids but he did kill the contractor and left multiple images of the torture in the families home and left notes about what had happened and what the contractor had done and hired him too do. MetalHoof looked to his garbage. He needed too burn it. And so he did. The evidence was in plain sight and he didn’t want any guards showing up at his doorstep. After the burning MetalHoof looked at his robe from the night before. He felt it and noticed it was a bit damp. The chair was rotten from water damage and consistent damaging. He kept gazing around his room, he could unpack it where ever he settled down. Tomorrow he would pack and then move somewhere. He heard about a small town called ponyville. Sounded like a nice place too go, and appeared too be really friendly. MetalHoof smiled and went too his bed it was only the middle of the day but he didn’t want to do anything. He couldn’t perform magic and he couldn’t fly so he couldn’t do really cool stunts or teleport too exciting places. Thus MetalHoof walked back outside and saw a wanted sign on his outer wall. It was on him. 10,000 bits for the capture or killing of the canterlot assassin. He could only chuckle at the overly large fine. On the back was the list of ponies that died within the last month. 35 ponies were murdered and left out in the streets. He still had a funny face, he knew it was a bad thing but jeeze 35? He only killed 34 of them. The last one was a robbery gone wrong for a group of bank robbers. He knew that because he was the one who watched the whole thing. Walking away from it all, MetalHoof decided to go to a restaurant of something too ease his mind of his work and area change. He found one that looked decent. Went inside and got a table for one. After being seated his waitress came around the corner. “Hello sir, and welcome too Pony Carino’s. What can I get for you today?” The waitress greeted. She was cute, MetalHoof thought, he could tell she found him attractive but he could also tell she wasn’t what he was looking for in a mare. “Hello to you to. Can I just get a fresh Teal Moon and a ginatonic.” MetalHoof answered the mares question. “Sure thing. Do you want too order your food now or later?” The waitress wrote down the order and looked back up. “Can I get a few minutes too look at the menu? I just got here.” “Sure. Do you want to know todays specials?” “No thanks.” “Alrighty then. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” With the order written down the waitress left into the kitchen too deliver the order. MetalHoof looked into the menu, the specials weren’t really special, they were just the most frequent things that were bought so far. All he wanted was something that could perk him up a bit. Maybe some hay fries, some nice apple slices and a sandwich would do. This kind of meal was exciting to him because he hadn’t tasted real food in months due too being an assassin and all and having too basically munch on pastas, protein bars, energy bars, protein shakes and beans. A few minutes later the waitress came by with his drinks. “Here ya go mister.” She placed them down and took out her notepad. “Now what will you have for today?” “Can I get some hay fries, apple slices and a sandwich?” “You sure can. Now what kind of sandwich would you like?” The waitress asked after writing down the beginning of the order. “Surprise me.” Metal said flatly. “Alright. It’ll just be a little bit.” The waitress replied and went off into the kitchen, putting her notepad in her uniform pocket The table over was holding a birthday party. From the look of it, a colt just turned 8. MetalHoof chuckled and took a swig of his Teal Moon. With the ending of the song, the colt blew out the candles and everypony cheered. MetalHoof again chuckled and looked into his bit bag. He had a few hundred bits with him. He took out 20 and put them into a smaller cloth wrap. He poked one the singers. “Hey give this to the lucky kid.” The singer took the bag and nodded, handing the wrap too the newly crowned 8 year old. He heard the colt gasp and cheer in excitement. “Thank you sir.” The colt thanked the singer. “It wasn’t me man, it was the guy right behind me.” The singer pointed to MetalHoof. “Oh!” The colt saw MetalHoof and hollered, “Thanks mister!” MetalHoof smiled and nodded too the kid. “Happy birthday little man.” A few more minutes passed and the waitress came over with his food. “Here you are again.” She smiled. “Thanks.” MetalHoof straightened up for the waitress to place down his food. “And can I get another Moon?” He asked, shaking his empty bottle. “Yep. You sure can.” The waitress rose up from the delivery and went off into the kitchen in a rush and was back only in a few seconds. “Heres your moon. Enjoy” She smiled again and left. MetalHoof looked at his food, it looked delicious and took a bit into his sandwich. The flavors exploding in his mouth. So much better than protein shakes and bars. After an hour of eating and gazing around the restaurant to see what was hung up on the walls. MetalHoof paid his bill and left the restaurant. At the same time the guard was knocking on doors around Metals neighborhood. When they reached Metals house they entered. First was the lobby, seeing nothing suspicious they entered the “office”. As the guards entered, they saw all of the photos and mappings of killings and sights of the dead bodies and their jaws dropped. Seeing the new job, a guard read the file and noticed the killing was on the richest pony in Canterlot. After more searching they hadn’t found any weapons or assassin like clothings. The found a few clean pairs of bracers, a pono hoodie, some shorts, and a few torn robes, but that was it mostly. MetalHoof came around the street corner only to see a large group of guards surrounding his home. He had to leave tonight or tomorrow He kept walking by, he always kept his blades with him, he wasn’t dumb. And he kept a few smoke bombs just in case. These were neatly tucked in his saddlebags. He came in front of his home and splashed the place with smoke bombs and ran inside, quickly disposing of the guards in his home. He ran into his room and gathered his things. An extra bag that held 2 pairs of bracers. He grabbed his checkered shorts, a pono hoodie that was a deep purple, but it looked good on him. He also grabbed the files and all the bits he could muster. The bombs outside were now dissipating. MetalHoof quickly sprinted out of his home and into the wilds of Canterlot. After an hour of running, Metal reached a hotel. He entered and was greeted. Luckily none of the guards saw his face when he ran into his home. “Hello.” Metal looked at the greeter and straightened up. “Hello. Room for one please. Names MetalHoof.” The greeter flipped through a few pages and added his name into the book. “Alright. That’ll be 30 bits.” he hoofed over 30 bits and gathered the key. “Enjoy your stay sir.” Chapter 3An Assassins Change Chap 3 MetalHoof woke up in a hotel room. He had just gotten there yesterday from running away from the guards. He got up and left the hotel. but he still had his things in his room. MetalHoof reached the cleaners and walked in. “Hello. Here for your suit sir?” The same pony from the day before asked. “Yes ma’am.” Metalhoof smiled. “Okay, that will be 15 bits.” MetalHoof placed down the money “I’ll be right back sir.” The pony left into the back. A minute passed and the pony was at the front desk and placed down the suit. “Here ya go.” “Thanks” MetalHoof said as he grabbed his suit and left. “DAMMIT!” Shining Armor yelled. “Why the hell can we not catch this guy huh?” He looked too his guards that weren’t currently on duty. “Sir he is faster than Rainbow Dash herself. And he is much more cunning.” A guard replied. “I don’t give two shits if he is faster than her! I want this pony dead. NOW!” Shining stomped his hoof on the desk, causing it too nearly crack. “Do we have any idea what he looks like?!” “No sir.” The same guard from before spoke aloud. “Bucking damnit!” Shining thru the desk over. “Nopony leaves this city until that menace is gone for good. Do you hear me?” All the guards rose. “Yes sir.” All saluted. MetalHoof kept moving along the streets of Canterlot. Noticing a large amount of guards patrolling the city. ‘Looks like they're out too get me.’ He chuckled too himself, he knew every guards price. At the hotel he was preparing for his final job. The suit looked quite outstanding on him. His watch matched perfectly and his tie was a good touch of color. Thirty minutes later MetalHoof was in the richest part of town. All the nobles, councilmen and big business owners walked around, going in and out of overly priced stores and restaurants. Another 20 minutes later MetalHoof saw his target, the gold trimmed pony was in plain sight but his mane was different. This can’t be him. MetalHoof kept searching and searching but turns out that must’ve been him. MetalHoof stalked the rich pony too a party that was at the ponies own home. MetalHoof was stopped at the door by two personal guards. “Halt. Name?” The right guard asked. “MetalHoof Longeye” He responded, his last name was the one listed in the mission description. “Hm... Ah yes here you are. You may enter.” The left guard opened the door and watched MetalHoof enter the large home. MetalHoof walked in and saw that hundreds of ponies had shown up to this party, all richer than almost everypony is Equestria. He saw the target and moved through the crowd at a slow pace. Saying “Excuse me” or “Pardon me” every time he nudged a pony too move out of his way. “Sir we have gotten an anonymous tip!” A Canterlot guard informed as he ran too Shining Armor. “Good who is this assassin?” Shining responded quickly. “No name sir but the tip giver gave a superb description. Down too the pattern of his mane. And his current location.” “Go on...” Shining grinned, happy to now bring down the killer of Canterlot and the taker of many souls. The house was enormous, it was littered with ponies from corner too corner. MetalHoof was about too make his move until he heard the house's doors crash open. He saw Shining Armor through the thick of it all. Him wearing the purple royal armor that was granted too him when he became captain. MetalHoof looked back too his target, he was right next too him. ‘Now!’ MetalHoof thought and released his blade, slicing open the rich ponies throat. Blood gushed over several other ponies nearby, his suit cuffs were now stained by the open wound and making the wound not be able to recover, he made a second gash right above it, more blood splattered out into manes, coats, suits, the floor, and into some cups and chalices. This all happened so fast that the guards hadn’t yet realized what had happened. MetalHoof took this as an advantage and headed towards the nearest window. Jumped out and landed on the ground with a hard thud. The guards followed him down nearly every alley.MetalHoof was now on the run for a lifetime, and he enjoyed it. He ran too his hotel, along the way, he had lost the large group of guards. Entering the hotel, he ran too his room and gathered his things and stuffed them all into his saddlebags. His clothes, money, spare bracers, and his maps of Canterlot and it’s inner workings. He waited until night. He would leave then, he also had too visit his contractor. Which turns out, was the reason the guards found him. Metal didn’t take to kindly to that. Not kindly at all. “Damnit, damnit, DAMNIT!” Shining yelled and telekinetically threw a desk across the building and caused it break, and had made a large hole in the hole. “Has any pony left the city today?” “No sir.” Shinings assistant responded. “Good this city is on lockdown until we find him. No one even comes within 10 miles of the city alright. If he has somehow escaped alert every major city, Manehattan, Chipago, Fillydelphia, and Las Pegasus.” “Yes sir.” The assistant responded. “Want me too alert them anyways sir?” “Yes. Do that now and don’t forget too include his details.” Shining Armor insisted. “Right away sir.” The assistant went outside. Shining could over hear part of the commotion. “You two, Fly too Manehattan and FillyDelphia. You fly got Las Pegasus. You take Chipago.” It was night now and MetalHoof was making his way through the streets, he was wearing his purple pono and his checkered shorts. He was nearing the cities waterfall, there he would escape the city. His “meeting” with his hirer was quite an exciting one. The letter to the stallions family was sincere. He honestly didn’t want too kill him but the rules are “You compromise my appearance and name and you die horribly”. He also left a hundred bits for the family, just so it wasn’t a complete jackass move. MetalHoof ran too the waterfall. jumped into it, the waters force carried him with the current. He landed smoothly at the bottom, a near impossible feat but he made it. He quickly got out the river and a rested on the bank. Taking off his hoodie and checkered shorts. He looked through his saddlebags and made sure everything was in there. He was only missing a few bits but that was all. Metalhoof got onto the road after somewhat drying off, and walked away from canterlot, avoiding any guards passing by.. Miles later he reached a sign that read “Ponyville East 49 Miles”. He stared at the distance. Not too bad. He picked up his pace and ran too down the path too ponyville. Chapter 4An Assassins Change Chap 4 It was a least 3 am when MetalHoof reached Ponyville. It was a small town, he liked that. He wandered the town for a short time and realized he needed some sleep. There wasn’t a motel or hotel around so he just kept walking. After 25 minutes of walking MetalHoof came across a gate that lead to a “Sweet Apple Acres”. Seemed nice enough to him. MetalHoof opened the gate, stepped in, and closed it as quietly as he could. Left too explore the vast expanse of apple trees. It was nearing 4 am and MetalHoof needed even more sleep, his legs were giving out from under him and his vision was slightly blurring. He found an inviting tree that looked like it would suit him. He placed down his saddlebags and slept under the night sky. It was morning, vibrantly bright and three ponies stood around MetalHoof, one was orange, one was red, and the other was yellow. “What do we do sis?” The red one spoke with a deep voice. “Ah dunno Mac, but we need too do something.” The orange one replied, pondering on what too do. The yellow one nudged Metalhoof. MetalHoof’s eyes shot open and he sprang too his feet, ready for a threat. “Whoa slow down there cowboy, we ain’t gonna cause ya any harm, ya hear.” The orange one stated, her blonde mane swayed with her head movement. MetalHoof settled down. “Alright, who are you?” He asked. “We should be asking you the same thing, since you are on our property.” The red one monotonically replied. “Well the names MetalHoof. Literally just MetalHoof.” MetalHoof said, his eyes had bags under them and he yawned. “Th’names Big Mac, this here is Applejack” He pointed too the orange mare. “And this is AppleBloom.” he pointed too the yellow filly. “Nice too meet ya MetalHoof.” Applejack greeted and shook MetalHoof’s hoof. “Nice too meet you to Applejack.” “Glad too meetcha Mr. Hoof.” AppleBloom said cheerfully. “Good too meet you as well AppleBloom.” MetalHoof smiled. He was disguised as a friendly pony, he was still trying too make sure they didn’t know who he really was. “Well MetalHoof, it’s good meet you but ah’m afraid you’ll have too leave this here estate. It’s apple bucking season and we need to steer clear from distractions.” Big Mac again monotonically said. “Don’t have too tell me twice sir. Which ways the gate?” MetalHoof exited the area and proceeded to PonyVille. He saw a number of buildings that seemed important. A tree house, that was made in a tree. MetalHoof saw a busy corner cafe or restaurant, the town hall and such things that seemed important too him. MetalHoof entered the corner cafe and was greeted by a pink pony. “Hey there! Welcome too SugarCube Corner.” “Table for one.” MetalHoof stated. He proceeded too his designated table, opened the menu, ordered his food and drinks and sat around, taking in his surroundings. The place was very colourful and vibrant. After an hour of just sitting around the pink pony was in his face. “Hey!” “Hi.” MetalHoof bluntly said. “Are you new around here?” The pink pony asked. “Yep. Moved in last night.” MetalHoof replied with a straight stare. “Ooooh okay. Well I’m gonna throw you a welcome party!!” The pony said, pulling a cannon out of nowhere and was about to pull the string. “No. You’re not. I don’t mean too be an ass but seriously, I don’t want a party.” ‘especially not now’ He thought. The pink ponies mane was still super curly and fluffed up. “Okie Dokie Lokie! Maybe later?” “Sure. Why not.” MetalHoof was still had a straight face and looked down at his food, a few crumbs were left and he was still hungry. “Can I get some more cake?” “Yeparoony!” The pink one said and left for the kitchen. She returned no time later and MetalHoof ate his cake, payed the bill and left too explore the rest of Ponyville. MetalHoof noted a path that lead too a forest. He was a bit curious as too where it lead too and went down the dirt road. After a few minutes he arrived to a cottage resting next too the forest. A beautiful voice was whistling, humming, and singing with birds following suit when she ended. MetalHoof walked to the sound and peered around a tree to see what was going on. His assumptions were correct and he watched a pegasus sing to the birds in a harmony. She gave some of the birds tips on whether or not heighten their pitch or lower it and moved her hooves in a conductor like fashion. ‘That is the most beautiful mare I have ever laid eyes on’. MetalHoof thought. Her yellow coat matched her pink mane and tail. Her cutie mark was 3 butterflies set up in a triangular formation. MetalHoof accidently lost balance and fell onto the ground, making a thump on a ground. The pegasus heard it and the birds scattered. The pegasus quickly went to Metals side. “Oh my goodness. Do you need any help?” “No I’m quite alright. The names MetalHoof.” MetalHoof greeted and stuck out his right leg, which had his tattoo. The mare backed away a few inches. “Sorry, didn’t mean too frighten you.” He chuckled a little bit and rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh sir. You have some glass stuck in your coat.” The mare pointed out, there was some small fragments of glass left from his last encounter. “Huh? Oh yeah, that’s quite a story.” MetalHoof laughed a little and gazed at the glass. ‘How do I still have glass stuck in my fur?! Such an atrocity’. “Here let me help you with that.” The mare quickly got a first aid kit and some tweezers. “Now hold still.” She said and pulled hard enough on the glass that it took out some hairs. “Ow” MetalHoof sighed. Ready for the next tugging. She pulled again and more hairs came out, and this went on for a few more pulls. “Thanks” MetalHoof said. “Oh it’s not a problem at all. Names Fluttershy by the way.” Fluttershy finally greeted herself. “Nice too meet you Fluttershy. As I said I’m MetalHoof.” The two shook hooves. “Well Mr. Hoof if you ever need any animal care please come here. I’m uhh... what you would call an animal expert.” Fluttershy explained. “Alrighty. And thanks again for pulling out the glass, I didn’t know I had any left.” “Hey Fluttershy!” Another pegasus yelled, her cyan fur and rainbow mane and tail blended together quite nicely. “Oh hey Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said. MetalHoof just stood there, not really knowing too do. Watching the two communicate. “I think Tank might be a bit sick Fluttershy, he hasn’t been very active as he used too be.” Rainbow Dash informed, holding up tank. “Well it could be because of joint pain, age, his health could be varied on many different platforms.” Metalhoof said. His knowledge of the body swerving into his mind. “How’d you know that?” Fluttershy asked. Her mind saying “Oh my gosh he’s smart and muscular, and oh so kind, well as far as I know. Plus he’s kind of handsome.” “Well at Canterlot University, I majored in Anatomy, with two minors in biology and medicine. Well just a fraction of knowledge in medicine. Not really enough too consider it a minor. Basic knowledge is what I would call it.” MetalHoof replied, his mind jumping from fact too fact about the body. “pfft. Egghead.” Rainbow Dash injected. “Well you don’t have too be so rude about it.” MetalHoof joked. “Yeah, well. I’m just not the super smarty pants type. Plus I’m Equestrias fastest flyer.” Rainbow Dash bragged with her head held high. “But that doesn’t mean you’re the fastest overall in Equestria.” MetalHoof pointed out. ‘Oh dear, someponies challenging Rainbow Dash. Again. Better get some popcorn’ Fluttershy thought. “Bring it little earth pony!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Right here, right now.” She got prepared for the race. Her tone was almost exact to Fat Colt Slims song “right here, right now.” “Come at me sis!” MetalHoof taunted, getting on the starting line. “Alright.” Started Fluttershy. “Race too the twisted oak and back.” She got in front of the two raising her hooves, then dropping them. The two shot off with incredible speed. MetalHoof was a few inches ahead of Rainbow Dash, it was a short distance too the tree. He touched it and ran back. As he turned around, Rainbow had just touched the tree. The two were almost neck and neck, Metal was still in the lead though, his assassin job had made him better than anypony else. Fluttershy, at the finish line, held out her front hooves, first one too touch won the race. Then Metal touched her hoof first, by a half second difference. Metal skidded too a stop and turned around. Seeing Rainbow Dash gasping for air, he trotted over and smiled at her. “I won. Now don’t be so bummed about it.” “Whatever man, I had a late start!” “No. I was faster than you.” MetalHoof pointed out. “Yeah whatever, so Fluttershy can you fix Tank the tortoise?” Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy but Fluttershy was looking at MetalHoof, his coat and mane looked so perfect together and she very much liked how he was built and his character wasn’t so bad. Rainbow noticed how she looked at him. “Hey Fluttershy, eyes this way please.” Rainbow turned Fluttershys head too face hers. “What? Oh yeah sorry. I’ll find some medicine for Tank.” Fluttershy walked into her cottage and went searching for the correct herbs and recipes. “Don’t you dare hurt Fluttershy you hear me?” Rainbow Dash told Metal with a stern voice and was an inch from his face. “I hear ya, I hear ya.” Said MetalHoof, Rainbow Dash backed up a bit. “I wouldn’t dream about hurting a mare so kind and gentle like her. It sickens me when I see it happen.” “Yeah, it’s awful but it happens.” Rainbow Dash said, she noticed the tattoos. “What’s with the tats?” “What these? It’s nothing much, I just liked how it looked and I decided too get em put on.” Metal responded and shook his right leg. “But I thought tattoos were on the skin, not fur.” Rainbow queried. “These aren’t normal though.These sit on the fur instead. It takes longer for them to dry but this way I can shave the fur and it’ll be gone. But I love them too much too have them removed.” Fluttershy walked out of her cottage with the herbs and recipes. “Here you are Dash. Just follow the instructions on the sheet and you’ll be fine.” “Thanks Fluttershy. Anyways, remember what I said Metal.” And then Rainbow Dash flew off with Tank in her legs. “So how’d you and Rainbow get along?” Fluttershy asked. “Not exactly the best of first impressions but I think we got off on a good conversation.” MetalHoof responded. ‘Not really’. “Yeah, shes like that sometimes.” Fluttershy shuffled closer to Metals side and looked in the same direction as him. MetalHoof looked at her for split second. She was beautiful, even though her name was contradictory to how she was acting around him. “So Fluttershy, know any places I can stay tonight? I don’t have anywhere too stay.” “Um... well I do have one room open but its full of feed, you wouldn’t want too sleep in there... Unless you wanted to...” Fluttershy opened up the option, her shying away with her mane covering one eye. “hehe yeah I don’t really want to interrupt you and your animals. Is there a place you know I can stay at?” “You could try Twilights house but I don’t know if she has any open rooms.” Fluttershy raised a hoof too her chin. “Theres Applejacks barn, they always have the top rooms open. umm... The Cakes might have room, thats Pinkies Pies parents.” “Oh that pink one Sugarblock corner right?” “Sugar Cube Corner too be exact.” “Ah, my bad, I only arrived in town really early this morning and I just got out from a really long trip.” “It’s quite alright. But I know Rarity doesn’t have any rooms. Umm... and Rainbow Dash lives up in the clouds, so you couldn’t really stay up there.” Fluttershy finished her list of friends available rooms. “Well it seems like only AppleJack has any open rooms.” MetalHoof chuckled, he wanted too stay with Fluttershy but that would be a bit weird. “Yep.” Fluttershy rubbed a hoof along the ground. “Well I guess I’ll be off then.” MetalHoof rubbed his neck. “But hey, I heard you singing with your birds earlier.” “Oh really?” Fluttershy was excited. “Yeah it sounded amazing.” Fluttershy blushed deeply and MetalHoof started a walk. “Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow maybe?” Fluttershy only got redder. “Maybe, just maybe.” MetalHoof left for Applejacks barn, luckily they had a bed too spare, his entire day had been consumed from eating, exploring, meeting with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. He had also been to the market which was very social and kind. He still wanted to see the famous boutique that was in Ponyville. He had somehow managed to escape the pink ponies party, reportedly it had something too do with a “fourth wall”, only ponies who can break it, can avoid others who can break it. Whatever it meant, he wasn’t too sure. He had also not visited the library/ tree home, it sounded like a remarkable feat and whoever created it deserved his respect. As he laid in his temporary bed he thought about Fluttershy. ‘She was so beautiful, I can’t believe I was even in front of her without bowing.’ MetalHoof chuckled. ‘Tomorrow maybe. Just maybe.’ He thought again and went too sleep. His mind replaying the same story that happened only moments ago. His dreams played out multiple ways the entire meeting could’ve gone, like if he said the wrong things or he said the more charming words. But in his heart, he felt like he had spoken the right words. Chapter 5An Assassins Change Chap 5 A/N: Hey guys, Thanks for viewing and liking the story so far! I greatly appreciate it! Sorry for the late chapter compared to the others, I’ve been busy for a while. But here is chapter 5. Oh yeah and the 4th wall thing, just don’t bother with it, I was bored... MetalHoof woke up from his sleep. Only amazing dreams were dreamt and now, he was hungry and his neck was aching. MetalHoof trotted around Ponyville, searching for something appetizing, something out of the ordinary... He came up to a small stand which had a great deal of assorted foods like celery, carrots, apples (of course), and what looked like banana bread. “Hello” the stand worker greeted, her eyes seemed to kind of trail over MetalHoof. “Names Parasol, what can I get ya?” Metalhoof caught her eyes trailing him, he shrugged it off and replied “Just an apple or two.” “Alright darlin’, here you go.” She replied putting the apples up on the stand. “That’ll be four bits dear.” Metalhoof placed down the payment and trotted away too a nearby bench. MetalHoof sat down and took a bite of an apple. Surely not a delicacy but it was good enough. He began thinking to himself about what he would do now that he was a refuge of crime. He knew he wanted to teach, to tell the young minds of the world what lies beneath skin and fur. Sure it was a gross and disgusting thing but for whatever reason, it drew everypony to see it. As he walked around the small world of Ponyville he noticed a school house, it looked it was for the young ones. Metalhoof stopped, put his hoof up too his chin and pondered if there was a school for the older ponies. If so what if there wasn’t a class for it, he would probably just get weird looks and slackers for students. ‘Nah, I’ll be right in the center of a cool class. Who doesn’t want to dissect things?’ He lowered his hoof and proceeded on with his day. Not truly caring of what was happening around him. After a what felt like a few minutes, which was actually almost an hour, MetalHoof had reached across town and ended up by the start of the trail to Fluttershy’s cottage. ‘Might as well pay a visit.’ He thought and started his short lived trek too Fluttershy’s home. Shining Armour sat in his home, threw his helmet across the house and heard a loud *thunk* when the helm had made its landing. He wasn’t mad or angry, just disappointed in himself. ‘How can I be so stupid... How can the captain of the guard not find one pony.’ He slumped back in his chair and closed his eyes. “Not. One. Pony.” His voice penetrated the room silently. Cadance was with Celestia and Luna, conducting princess stuff. Probably trying too find Luna a stallion or likewise too Celestia. In either case he didn’t care, he only concentrated on his failure so far and that was all he needed too process in his mind. *Knock* “What?!” he yelled at the door. “Shining. It’s me Twilight.” A lavender unicorn opened the door and peered in. He slumped back down. “He Twili. What’s up?” He really didn’t want any company. “Well I heard you were having a bad day so I came over, teleported more like, but nonetheless I am here and what has my BBBFF in a bad mood?” Twilight explained and sat in a chair across from Shining Armour. Shining rose and leaned forward. “I can’t catch an assassin. And so far for the past few days, I’ve failed.” He paused and breathed deeply. “I’m so disappointed in myself.” “Oh. I’m sorry too hear that Armour. Has he struck in the last few days?” “Afraid not. But we know that he didn’t kill for fun. He must’ve been looking for a way out of something or nonetheless he was an assassin, you know. Gets paid big bits for taking a life” He sighed. “Well lets please change the subject. What else has been going on here in Canterlot?” Twilight changed the subject. “Umm... The three princesses are out and about looking for a stallion too meet Lunas high standards.” Shining added a little sarcasm to “high standards”. “Ooh. I wonder how that’ll go.” She responded. “Hopefully its not some scumbag steve.” MetalHoof had tread across the path too the lovely Fluttershy’s home. He reached the front door and knocked. Fluttershy opened the door slowly. “Oh hello MetalHoof.” She whispered. “Hey Fluttershy. I was just dropping by. I accidently went into my own little world when going across town and in the end, I wound up at the start of the road too your home here.” MetalHoof responded, at first rubbing the back of his neck then settling down. “Oh that’s quite alright.” Fluttershy was still behind the door, only looking through a crack. “So... umm... Hows your day been?” Fluttershy cracked the door open a bit more. “Oh thank you for asking. Well um.. my bunny Angel has been upset lately, he didn’t like the way I prepared his meal.” Metalhoof stifled a laugh. “So your bunny, knows his culinaries?” “You have no idea.” Fluttershy smiled. She opened the door widely. “Do you want too come inside?” “I’d rather not. I’m looking for a place to actually live, and not in someponies spare.” Metalhoof shrugged. “Oh that’s quite alright. I understand what you mean.” Fluttershy said, her face no longer blocked by her mane. He smiled. “I’m sure you do, but is there someplace other than the schoolhouse. Like a high school or something.” MetalHoof asked. “Oh sorry, I’m afraid there isn’t. Around here it’s just us farmers, and hard workers. So once you get out of school you umm... Go right to work.” She responded. “Ah. I see.” Metalhoof paused. “Whelp, I guess I need too be off. I’m sure you’re busy.” “Oh no not at all. I’m actually quite free at the moment.” Fluttershy inquired. “You sure? I don’t want too waste your time. I’m not too fun of a pony anyways.” He chuckled, he hasn’t had a real “interesting” chat with anypony for a long time. A/N: Sorry for the really, REALLY late chapter, like i said in the description, I have no clue where i’m gonna go with this one. But I will eventually come too a conclusion with the story. Just not sure when. Chapter 6An Assassins Change Chap 6 “So let me get this straight. You, and four of your other friends all got your cutie marks when Rainbow Dash created a sonic rainboom?” Metalhoof questioned. His right eyebrow formed into a sharp angle. “Basically. I mean if she hadn’t then maybe my cutie mark would’ve been something different or I might’ve found out my talent in a different way.” Fluttershy explained. She paused for a minute. Metalhoof was also blanking out and entered his own realm. “Damnit Metalhoof. Why in the fuck would you go off and... ‘experiment’ with these animals?” Metalhoof’s father yelled in question. There was a pause between the two. “And now look. Your fucking cutie mark is a skull with a knife through it and what?” His father was flinging his legs around like crazy. “That scroll right in the jaw is your knowledge of the body?” “Y-y-yes s-sir.” Metalhoof was crying a bit. His father was both mad and disappointed in him. “Son... I don’t even know what to do with you anymore.” The father looked down and sighed in grief. “What would your mother think huh?” His father chuckled with a hint of disbelief and raised his head. “Metalhoof...” Metalhoof still didn’t look up. ‘Crap. He just used my real name. I’m in deep now.’ “Yes daddy?” “I don’t know what I’ll do with you. You always have this interest in cutting things open. You know absolutely everything about what inside each and every pony. And you always find a way to disobey me.” Metals father turned around and faced his room. “Look at us. We’re metalworkers. Not surgeons or born killers.” The front door opens. “Dearies I’m home!” Metalhoofs mother called. The father had went too meet with his wife. “Honey, Metalhoof has earned his cutie mark.” His eyes held a worried expression. A giant smile rushed across the mothers face. “Oh boy, let momma see!” Metalhoof raised himself and twisted his body to show his cutie mark. “Oh!” She said surprised. She had not expected such a different cutie mark from what the family had. She took a close look at her sons mark. “Well... it’s very ‘Unique’.” Metalhoof sighed. “Just say it will ya?” There was a brief but lingering pause. “Dad’s already called me out on it.” Metalhoof looked down and sighed again, for the possibly millionth time this day. “Well... I’m not saying it’s bad but... Just don’t your abilities get out of hoof, understand?” His mother said with a kind voice. Though she wasn’t exactly happy with it, she was still proud her son found his special talent. *TIME FLASHES FORWARD 10 YEARS* Metalhoof stared at what he had just done. He had just murdered an innocent pony. Blood pouring out of the lifeless body that was just sliced open, the jugular was draining gallons a minute. Multiple gashes spread across the neck, and each had a rough inside rupture. Metalhoof kept staring at the lifeless figure. He stepped back a pace and dropped his jaw. “No... No. No damnit. No!” He yelled but nopony heard him. Both lucky and unlucky for him. Good he wasn’t heard. Bad that he had just committed murder. *TIME AGAIN FLASHES. ONLY BY 1 HOUR* “Well done. Well done indeed.” His contractor said with a sinister smile. He leaned back and magically lifted the cigar away from his mouth. “Now. Want more?” “Just one. I need the money for the holidays.” Metalhoof explained. “Good.” Something was brushing Metalhoofs face. He lifted his hoof too meet it. Feeling the hoof he turned his head too the figure. “Metalhoof. You okay?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes in genuine curiosity and concern for her new friend (and crush). Metalhoof didn’t answer. His mind was still processing what was going on in the outside world. “Huh?” His eyes widened. “Oh yeah... just.” He looked down, gently moving Fluttershy’s hoof away. “... Peachy keen.” His past had finally caught with him. The one thing that had kept him from living the one life he wanted. Even though being an assassin had its perks and great rewards, the past was something that held him captive too the vines and suction cups of slaughtering ponies that were wanted dead by others. Fluttershy kept looking at him in concern. She knew nothing of this ponies past nor did she really even know who he really was. But she had too try too ease some of the pain down. Metalhoof on the other hoof was switching between lives. His mind juggling the hundreds of thousands of memories that he had accumulated over his life. The outside world, he appeared too just be broken but had the facial expression of being just bored out of his mind. Fluttershy acted quickly. She embraced Metalhoof in a tight hug. He didn’t budge. “Metalhoof?” She cried softly. *No response.* Metalhoofs first day in anatomy. He sat there, at his desk, impatiently shifting around. The teacher entered the room. “Hello students! My name is Mr. Mohs.” He greeted while writing his name on the board. “Hello Mr. Mohs”. The class chanted back. “Ah. Well it seems I have a well institutionalized class this year.” Mr. (or Dr.) Mohs smiled and leaned against his desk. “Well I’ll begin introductions.” He got up and moved to the front of the class. “As you know, I’m Mr. Mohs. You may also call me Dr. Mohs if you like. And lets begin with music shall we. I like some good ol’ fashioned classical music. You know like Mozart or Lindsey Stirling. Even though she is more modern and classical.” Dr. Mohs scanned the room too see if there was anypony not paying attention. He didn’t see anypony drifting away. ‘very good’ he thought. “Now lets move onto the rest of the class.” He picked up a clipboard. “Lets begin with you Metalhoof.” Metalhoof rose. “Hello, I’m Metalhoof.” “Hi Metalhoof”. The class responded kindly. “Umm.. I’m not too sure about what kind of music I like specifically but I guess a range of anything really best describes it,” He explained in the best words that popped right into his young mind. Dr. Mohs smiled “Well I think that can just about match the rest of the class.” He chuckled. “You may have your seat now.” And so Metalhoof proceeded too sit. *Time flashes forward 40 minutes* The entire class period so far had consisted of ponies telling their favorite bands, foods, spare-time activities, families, pets, and why they decided too take the class. Once the last answer was spoken Dr. Mohs rose up from leaning on his desk and trotted too the center of the front of the classroom, or “laboratory” as he called it. “Well then everypony. I hope you have found some common ground with your new classmates.” The class agreed with a few nods. “Good. Now since we only have... say thirty minutes of class left. Chit chat and create commotion with hopefully some new friends and neighbors.” The entire class shifted, each pony finding a face to talk with. Mohs smiled. “Don’t chat just yet.” A loud ‘aww” sounded from every student. Except Metalhoof. Mohs chuckled lightly. “Well, near the last, say ten minutes of class, I’ll be passing out the years schedule. No dates but just a list of the units we will review and go over.” Mohs paused. “And for you fun ones. There is also a list of animals that we will be splicing open.” The majority of girls ‘eww’d’, while guys high hoofed and cheered. “And don’t forget, there will also be a final at the end of this semester. And only the top student of the class may have the privilege of going with me on a field trip.” He announced. “Now you may talk.” He sat down behind his desk as he made the final announcement. Then everypony talked and chatted among the fellow classmates. Metalhoof on the other hand was curious about the semester final and the field trip. He trotted up too the teachers desk. “Excuse me.” Metalhoof said politely. “Yes my young pupil.” “Are you going to tell about the field trip at the end of class or is a secret?” Metalhoof asked secretly. “Oh. Aren’t you the curious one. Well it is a secret my young pupil.” Dr. Mohs whispered silently. Metalhoof pulled up a chair. “Well this year. We’re going too visit a convention of sorts.” He again whispered as silently as he could. Metalhoof leaned in closer. “So at this convention, me and my fellow colleagues are going too put our greatest students too the test. Last year didn’t go so well. Ol’ Gibbons got me beat pretty bad.” Mohs smiled jokingly. Clearly he had many friends. “But this year, I see amazing potential too win.” “But what’s the challenge this year?” Metalhoof asked gently but genuinely curious. “Well Sir Morgagni has decided that this year, the best student of each teacher’s class will perform a diagnostic on a body that will be given too us from the local morgue.” Mohs explained. Metalhoofs eyes shot open. ‘I’m gonna the best student. Evar!’ “Oh my. It’s almost time too go.” Dr. Mohs rose from behind his desk. “Alright students!” Then each student swivelled their heads too see Dr. Mohs. “Here are your schedules for the year.” Again every student “awwd”. “Metalhoof? Please wake up.” Fluttershy cried. Metalhoof had fallen asleep on the couch and was stone cold. Fluttershy had snuggled up too him a bit. “Metalhoof. C’mon wake up.” She again cried. Metalhoof was still dreaming but the dreams kept growing blacker and blacker. After a few minutes, a light had shone through it all. Eventually he had awoken to him sleeping on a couch and a figure snuggled up too him. He didn’t move but he felt... tears? He looked down. “Oh. Hey Fluttershy.” He said softly. His voice perked up her ears. “MetalHoof! You’re awake. Oh gosh I thought I had almost lost you.” She hugged him deeply. He returned it kindly. “Umm.. Okay.” Metalhoof chuckled. Time slowed once again. Fluttershy raised her head and Metalhoof looked down. The two stared into each other. ‘No. Metalhoof. This isn’t right you just met her.’ His mind exclaimed. “So? She beautiful and kind. Do it man. Just do it. Or I’ll call you a wimp.” Metalhoof didn’t want too be called a wimp by himself. ‘Fluttershy don’t do it.’ Her mind crawled into life. ‘You met him only a few days ago and now, you want too be with him?’ “Yes” Her heart confirmed aloud. The two came closer. Muzzles almost touching. *SLAM!* The front door had shot open. In the doorway was a gray pegasus mare with blonde mane and tail. With bubbles for a cutie mark. She held a portable cannon in her left hoof. She was also standing on her hind legs. “Ditzy.. Um.. What are doing here?” Fluttershy shied. The cannon had a giant muffin in the barrel. Ditzy raised the weapon and took aim. Fluttershy scurried away. “EAT MUFFINS BEEEEEEYUUUTCH!!!!” Ditzy pronounced and fired at Metalhoof. He was unlucky enough too get hit right in the ball sac. Poor man he is. Metalhoof also flew out the window, his body soaring into the Everfree forest. Ditzy lowered the portable cannon. “All clear ma’am.”. And she took off.
Chapter 1An Assassins Change Chapter 1 Please note that this is my first story and I would appreciate any constructive response given. The night was cold, raining harshly upon his cowl and robes. The wind was gentle though. Gentle to the point of ticking each ponies skin and fur. Very few lights were on in ponies homes, which made this easier for this stallion to sneak upon his prey. His hidden blades were locked in bracers, an out stretching of his hoof and wrist would activate the blade. His bracers were on the outside of his robe, this, for him, made it easier too keep his robes from catching a loose nail or rock or branch. His target was a high class, rich, and overly dressed for everything kind of pony. A few lights went off in the distance, that measure of darkness will be the perfect place too execute his devious attack. Checking his blades, MetalHoof stops and goes behind a corner, making his hoof and leg one length. The blade shot out silently, not a sound came from the unsheathing of the deadly weapon. MetalHoof looked around the corner and saw the target getting closer to the near pitch black area. Sheathing his blade, MetalHoof started too walk again, this time a bit faster but not a single step was heard. The target was in the killing zone. MetalHoof went closer and closer until he was but a hoof away, his steps not making a vibration or sound still. MetalHoof rose his right leg and straightened it, the blade shot out and craved the kill. MetalHoof shot down his leg and stabbed the pony in the spine, rendering the pony of motion and ability too do anything. MetalHoof stabbed again, this time, a blow to the throat. The blood and gore washed out onto the ground, and the pony that was killed fell over, not able to do anything about the blood gushing out and not able too scream for help. MetalHoof dashed away, at one puddle, putting the blade into it and be ridding of the blood. His black robe now had a small splatter stain. Metal never liked his belongings too become dirty or remotely touched. But it was a thing he had come too live by, it was just excessive amounts of stains or something of the sort drew him insane. His bracers were also stained deeply, but he had many more in his home. An hour passed and MetalHoof felt a cold or maybe pneumonia coming along. ‘Damnit. Again with being sick, I need to move from canterlot, this place will kill me from disease not bloody guards.’ MetalHoof thought, gently closing the door behind him. His walls had pictures of each and every target killed. He was pleased with his works but he didn’t want to always be an assassin. He wanted too actually become a professor in anatomy. The body absolutely intrigued him and how, even though exhausted, the body could keep pressing forward, seeking that prize in the end. But that knowledge is what lead him too killing. MetalHoof walked slowly to the shower, he needed a near burning hot shower, he was freezing cold and required warmth. *Knock knock knock* The door banged. “Yeah hold on, I’ll be with you in a sec.” He called. Frowning that now he must wait too get a warm feeling in his body. MetalHoof opened the door. Two guards stood there looking at him. “Hello citizen. We are in need of your time.” One of the two said, his voice wasn’t very intimidating, his mother had a more frightening voice. “And what might I be able to do?” MetalHoof replied, letting the two in. This was his lobby, not his “office”. “Well it has become apparent that killings have risen lately.” The right guard said, his voice, now his could be dominating if he was taller and buffer. “And we are ordered to alert everypony in this district to be aware of the local assassin.” “Oh yes I have noticed, and I was thinking about leaving town anyways, for the capital city of Equestria it is sure violent.” MetalHoof played off the scenario like it was nothing. “That is a wise choice sir.” The first guard replied. “And just be sure too keep an eye out for any suspicious ponies late at night. The killer has been targeting the most random ponies. So be sure to be prepared.” “Oh yes sir. I’ll be sure to.” MetalHoof again played his role as a scared citizen perfectly. MetalHoof showed the guards to the door and let them out. After waving goodbye MetalHoof shut the door and went into the bathroom too finally begin a warm bath. MetalHoof entered the bathroom and cranked up the water heater nozzle, steam spewed out of the shower head and rained what may have been lava if you weren’t freezing cold, but the super hot pellets of water, when clashed into the freezing skin, made Metalhoof cringe with the feeling of being punctured or jabbed at with needles. This feeling quickly dissipated and soon he was onto cleaning himself. His mane covered his eyes. The two colors, graphite gray and coal black, shrouded his vision. His fur, was a weird shade of red that even he couldn’t describe., and his cutie mark was a surgeon's knife going through a skull and in that skull was a scroll. He had a tattoo up his front right leg. It has stripes like a zebra. This wasn’t just any tattoo though, this kind was made specifically to be with fur, so it would be like a zebras fur (except for the gray/ white base), with all the stripes and what not. Thirty minutes later MetalHoof stepped out of the shower and went into his room, where his drenched robe laid on top of a chair that really needed to be thrown away from water damage and consistently having things thrown at it. His bracers were no different from the robe. He quickly tossed them into the trash and put the blades onto his desk that had a stamp and a file. He stamped the file making it read “Success”. MetalHoof looked back too his bed, it looked inviting but he needed to make sure he actually had enough bits to leave. He wanted to leave the city of Canterlot too a nice settle town. Where nothing surprising happened. Where... He didn’t have to kill too make his way through life... MetalHoof closed the file and shoved it forward a bit and brought up his last one that he said he would do. Kill the richest pony in the richest part of town. A simple enough mission. But this required time that he had and money he didn’t have. MetalHoof looked back into his closet, a suit worth more than 15 missions was hung and looked a bit dusty. He quickly nudged it with a hoof and some dust flew off. ‘One last time.’ He thought and went too sleep. His mane flayed back and all of his belongings spread across his “office”. 'Just one more time...'
Chapter 2 Chapter 2 An Assassins Change Chap. 2 MetalHoof woke up, his mane was covering his eyes, which he quickly blew away with a light *fwoosh*. Metal got up and went to his suit, it was still very much covered in dust. “Time to clean...” He looked around his room. “Everything...” He sighed. Picking up his suit and putting over the closet door and shifting items into corners of his room. An hour passed until Metal was done cleaning the room and the rest of the house. “Now then... Time to clean this thing.” He grabbed his suit on trotted off too the cleaners. “Hey there.” The front desk pony greeted. “Hello, just one item. And I need this done by tomorrow morning if it’s possible.” MetalHoof said, placing the whole thing on the counter while the desk pony was writing down the information. “Alrighty sir. We will have it tomorrow morning around... 7 am.” The desk pony noted and gave him a receipt. With that MetalHoof walked out and waved goodbye, the desk pony waved bye as well. A few minutes passed before MetalHoof saw what was his target. A blue stallion that had gold-trimmed everything. His hat had gold trim, his suit (pants included), his watch, and basically everything on him was goldened. MetalHoof got a good look at him. He could’ve just wrung his neck now but the job required him to be in the richest part of town. This was the common area. Where all ponies saw everything and sold anything. MetalHoof watch him closely, noting every strand hair, fur, scars, eye color, mane color, style of the watch, everything about pony MetalHoof implanted into his memory. Then the pony started too leave, his entourage of grocery carriers followed him closely. MetalHoof walked back to his house. It was one story, with no basement, but it was long enough too where he could put in some items and furniture. He walked in and gazed at what he would be leaving behind. An old piece of crap desk that had been with him for years. An old couch that was ruined from wear and tear but didn’t have a single stain. The kitchen was lame though. Just a simple oven and microwave with a few cabinets around it. No fridge but a pantry that had tons of pastas, energy bars, protein shake mix, and some beans. MetalHoof continued into his personal room. The walls had pictures of targets eliminated and in the center of the left wall was a map of Canterlot, a red mark on a certain spot on the map indicated where the killing took place. MetalHoof went over too the new file, and saw a package full of bits. He only gave the spare key too his contractors. If his contractor defiled his trust then more than hell would break loose upon the contractors home and family. Well he didn’t kill the wife and kids but he did kill the contractor and left multiple images of the torture in the families home and left notes about what had happened and what the contractor had done and hired him too do. MetalHoof looked to his garbage. He needed too burn it. And so he did. The evidence was in plain sight and he didn’t want any guards showing up at his doorstep. After the burning MetalHoof looked at his robe from the night before. He felt it and noticed it was a bit damp. The chair was rotten from water damage and consistent damaging. He kept gazing around his room, he could unpack it where ever he settled down. Tomorrow he would pack and then move somewhere. He heard about a small town called ponyville. Sounded like a nice place too go, and appeared too be really friendly. MetalHoof smiled and went too his bed it was only the middle of the day but he didn’t want to do anything. He couldn’t perform magic and he couldn’t fly so he couldn’t do really cool stunts or teleport too exciting places. Thus MetalHoof walked back outside and saw a wanted sign on his outer wall. It was on him. 10,000 bits for the capture or killing of the canterlot assassin. He could only chuckle at the overly large fine. On the back was the list of ponies that died within the last month. 35 ponies were murdered and left out in the streets. He still had a funny face, he knew it was a bad thing but jeeze 35? He only killed 34 of them. The last one was a robbery gone wrong for a group of bank robbers. He knew that because he was the one who watched the whole thing. Walking away from it all, MetalHoof decided to go to a restaurant of something too ease his mind of his work and area change. He found one that looked decent. Went inside and got a table for one. After being seated his waitress came around the corner. “Hello sir, and welcome too Pony Carino’s. What can I get for you today?” The waitress greeted. She was cute, MetalHoof thought, he could tell she found him attractive but he could also tell she wasn’t what he was looking for in a mare. “Hello to you to. Can I just get a fresh Teal Moon and a ginatonic.” MetalHoof answered the mares question. “Sure thing. Do you want too order your food now or later?” The waitress wrote down the order and looked back up. “Can I get a few minutes too look at the menu? I just got here.” “Sure. Do you want to know todays specials?” “No thanks.” “Alrighty then. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” With the order written down the waitress left into the kitchen too deliver the order. MetalHoof looked into the menu, the specials weren’t really special, they were just the most frequent things that were bought so far. All he wanted was something that could perk him up a bit. Maybe some hay fries, some nice apple slices and a sandwich would do. This kind of meal was exciting to him because he hadn’t tasted real food in months due too being an assassin and all and having too basically munch on pastas, protein bars, energy bars, protein shakes and beans. A few minutes later the waitress came by with his drinks. “Here ya go mister.” She placed them down and took out her notepad. “Now what will you have for today?” “Can I get some hay fries, apple slices and a sandwich?” “You sure can. Now what kind of sandwich would you like?” The waitress asked after writing down the beginning of the order. “Surprise me.” Metal said flatly. “Alright. It’ll just be a little bit.” The waitress replied and went off into the kitchen, putting her notepad in her uniform pocket The table over was holding a birthday party. From the look of it, a colt just turned 8. MetalHoof chuckled and took a swig of his Teal Moon. With the ending of the song, the colt blew out the candles and everypony cheered. MetalHoof again chuckled and looked into his bit bag. He had a few hundred bits with him. He took out 20 and put them into a smaller cloth wrap. He poked one the singers. “Hey give this to the lucky kid.” The singer took the bag and nodded, handing the wrap too the newly crowned 8 year old. He heard the colt gasp and cheer in excitement. “Thank you sir.” The colt thanked the singer. “It wasn’t me man, it was the guy right behind me.” The singer pointed to MetalHoof. “Oh!” The colt saw MetalHoof and hollered, “Thanks mister!” MetalHoof smiled and nodded too the kid. “Happy birthday little man.” A few more minutes passed and the waitress came over with his food. “Here you are again.” She smiled. “Thanks.” MetalHoof straightened up for the waitress to place down his food. “And can I get another Moon?” He asked, shaking his empty bottle. “Yep. You sure can.” The waitress rose up from the delivery and went off into the kitchen in a rush and was back only in a few seconds. “Heres your moon. Enjoy” She smiled again and left. MetalHoof looked at his food, it looked delicious and took a bit into his sandwich. The flavors exploding in his mouth. So much better than protein shakes and bars. After an hour of eating and gazing around the restaurant to see what was hung up on the walls. MetalHoof paid his bill and left the restaurant. At the same time the guard was knocking on doors around Metals neighborhood. When they reached Metals house they entered. First was the lobby, seeing nothing suspicious they entered the “office”. As the guards entered, they saw all of the photos and mappings of killings and sights of the dead bodies and their jaws dropped. Seeing the new job, a guard read the file and noticed the killing was on the richest pony in Canterlot. After more searching they hadn’t found any weapons or assassin like clothings. The found a few clean pairs of bracers, a pono hoodie, some shorts, and a few torn robes, but that was it mostly. MetalHoof came around the street corner only to see a large group of guards surrounding his home. He had to leave tonight or tomorrow He kept walking by, he always kept his blades with him, he wasn’t dumb. And he kept a few smoke bombs just in case. These were neatly tucked in his saddlebags. He came in front of his home and splashed the place with smoke bombs and ran inside, quickly disposing of the guards in his home. He ran into his room and gathered his things. An extra bag that held 2 pairs of bracers. He grabbed his checkered shorts, a pono hoodie that was a deep purple, but it looked good on him. He also grabbed the files and all the bits he could muster. The bombs outside were now dissipating. MetalHoof quickly sprinted out of his home and into the wilds of Canterlot. After an hour of running, Metal reached a hotel. He entered and was greeted. Luckily none of the guards saw his face when he ran into his home. “Hello.” Metal looked at the greeter and straightened up. “Hello. Room for one please. Names MetalHoof.” The greeter flipped through a few pages and added his name into the book. “Alright. That’ll be 30 bits.” he hoofed over 30 bits and gathered the key. “Enjoy your stay sir.”
Chapter 3An Assassins Change Chap 3 MetalHoof woke up in a hotel room. He had just gotten there yesterday from running away from the guards. He got up and left the hotel. but he still had his things in his room. MetalHoof reached the cleaners and walked in. “Hello. Here for your suit sir?” The same pony from the day before asked. “Yes ma’am.” Metalhoof smiled. “Okay, that will be 15 bits.” MetalHoof placed down the money “I’ll be right back sir.” The pony left into the back. A minute passed and the pony was at the front desk and placed down the suit. “Here ya go.” “Thanks” MetalHoof said as he grabbed his suit and left. “DAMMIT!” Shining Armor yelled. “Why the hell can we not catch this guy huh?” He looked too his guards that weren’t currently on duty. “Sir he is faster than Rainbow Dash herself. And he is much more cunning.” A guard replied. “I don’t give two shits if he is faster than her! I want this pony dead. NOW!” Shining stomped his hoof on the desk, causing it too nearly crack. “Do we have any idea what he looks like?!” “No sir.” The same guard from before spoke aloud. “Bucking damnit!” Shining thru the desk over. “Nopony leaves this city until that menace is gone for good. Do you hear me?” All the guards rose. “Yes sir.” All saluted. MetalHoof kept moving along the streets of Canterlot. Noticing a large amount of guards patrolling the city. ‘Looks like they're out too get me.’ He chuckled too himself, he knew every guards price. At the hotel he was preparing for his final job. The suit looked quite outstanding on him. His watch matched perfectly and his tie was a good touch of color. Thirty minutes later MetalHoof was in the richest part of town. All the nobles, councilmen and big business owners walked around, going in and out of overly priced stores and restaurants. Another 20 minutes later MetalHoof saw his target, the gold trimmed pony was in plain sight but his mane was different. This can’t be him. MetalHoof kept searching and searching but turns out that must’ve been him. MetalHoof stalked the rich pony too a party that was at the ponies own home. MetalHoof was stopped at the door by two personal guards. “Halt. Name?” The right guard asked. “MetalHoof Longeye” He responded, his last name was the one listed in the mission description. “Hm... Ah yes here you are. You may enter.” The left guard opened the door and watched MetalHoof enter the large home. MetalHoof walked in and saw that hundreds of ponies had shown up to this party, all richer than almost everypony is Equestria. He saw the target and moved through the crowd at a slow pace. Saying “Excuse me” or “Pardon me” every time he nudged a pony too move out of his way. “Sir we have gotten an anonymous tip!” A Canterlot guard informed as he ran too Shining Armor. “Good who is this assassin?” Shining responded quickly. “No name sir but the tip giver gave a superb description. Down too the pattern of his mane. And his current location.” “Go on...” Shining grinned, happy to now bring down the killer of Canterlot and the taker of many souls. The house was enormous, it was littered with ponies from corner too corner. MetalHoof was about too make his move until he heard the house's doors crash open. He saw Shining Armor through the thick of it all. Him wearing the purple royal armor that was granted too him when he became captain. MetalHoof looked back too his target, he was right next too him. ‘Now!’ MetalHoof thought and released his blade, slicing open the rich ponies throat. Blood gushed over several other ponies nearby, his suit cuffs were now stained by the open wound and making the wound not be able to recover, he made a second gash right above it, more blood splattered out into manes, coats, suits, the floor, and into some cups and chalices. This all happened so fast that the guards hadn’t yet realized what had happened. MetalHoof took this as an advantage and headed towards the nearest window. Jumped out and landed on the ground with a hard thud. The guards followed him down nearly every alley.MetalHoof was now on the run for a lifetime, and he enjoyed it. He ran too his hotel, along the way, he had lost the large group of guards. Entering the hotel, he ran too his room and gathered his things and stuffed them all into his saddlebags. His clothes, money, spare bracers, and his maps of Canterlot and it’s inner workings. He waited until night. He would leave then, he also had too visit his contractor. Which turns out, was the reason the guards found him. Metal didn’t take to kindly to that. Not kindly at all. “Damnit, damnit, DAMNIT!” Shining yelled and telekinetically threw a desk across the building and caused it break, and had made a large hole in the hole. “Has any pony left the city today?” “No sir.” Shinings assistant responded. “Good this city is on lockdown until we find him. No one even comes within 10 miles of the city alright. If he has somehow escaped alert every major city, Manehattan, Chipago, Fillydelphia, and Las Pegasus.” “Yes sir.” The assistant responded. “Want me too alert them anyways sir?” “Yes. Do that now and don’t forget too include his details.” Shining Armor insisted. “Right away sir.” The assistant went outside. Shining could over hear part of the commotion. “You two, Fly too Manehattan and FillyDelphia. You fly got Las Pegasus. You take Chipago.” It was night now and MetalHoof was making his way through the streets, he was wearing his purple pono and his checkered shorts. He was nearing the cities waterfall, there he would escape the city. His “meeting” with his hirer was quite an exciting one. The letter to the stallions family was sincere. He honestly didn’t want too kill him but the rules are “You compromise my appearance and name and you die horribly”. He also left a hundred bits for the family, just so it wasn’t a complete jackass move. MetalHoof ran too the waterfall. jumped into it, the waters force carried him with the current. He landed smoothly at the bottom, a near impossible feat but he made it. He quickly got out the river and a rested on the bank. Taking off his hoodie and checkered shorts. He looked through his saddlebags and made sure everything was in there. He was only missing a few bits but that was all. Metalhoof got onto the road after somewhat drying off, and walked away from canterlot, avoiding any guards passing by.. Miles later he reached a sign that read “Ponyville East 49 Miles”. He stared at the distance. Not too bad. He picked up his pace and ran too down the path too ponyville.
Chapter 4An Assassins Change Chap 4 It was a least 3 am when MetalHoof reached Ponyville. It was a small town, he liked that. He wandered the town for a short time and realized he needed some sleep. There wasn’t a motel or hotel around so he just kept walking. After 25 minutes of walking MetalHoof came across a gate that lead to a “Sweet Apple Acres”. Seemed nice enough to him. MetalHoof opened the gate, stepped in, and closed it as quietly as he could. Left too explore the vast expanse of apple trees. It was nearing 4 am and MetalHoof needed even more sleep, his legs were giving out from under him and his vision was slightly blurring. He found an inviting tree that looked like it would suit him. He placed down his saddlebags and slept under the night sky. It was morning, vibrantly bright and three ponies stood around MetalHoof, one was orange, one was red, and the other was yellow. “What do we do sis?” The red one spoke with a deep voice. “Ah dunno Mac, but we need too do something.” The orange one replied, pondering on what too do. The yellow one nudged Metalhoof. MetalHoof’s eyes shot open and he sprang too his feet, ready for a threat. “Whoa slow down there cowboy, we ain’t gonna cause ya any harm, ya hear.” The orange one stated, her blonde mane swayed with her head movement. MetalHoof settled down. “Alright, who are you?” He asked. “We should be asking you the same thing, since you are on our property.” The red one monotonically replied. “Well the names MetalHoof. Literally just MetalHoof.” MetalHoof said, his eyes had bags under them and he yawned. “Th’names Big Mac, this here is Applejack” He pointed too the orange mare. “And this is AppleBloom.” he pointed too the yellow filly. “Nice too meet ya MetalHoof.” Applejack greeted and shook MetalHoof’s hoof. “Nice too meet you to Applejack.” “Glad too meetcha Mr. Hoof.” AppleBloom said cheerfully. “Good too meet you as well AppleBloom.” MetalHoof smiled. He was disguised as a friendly pony, he was still trying too make sure they didn’t know who he really was. “Well MetalHoof, it’s good meet you but ah’m afraid you’ll have too leave this here estate. It’s apple bucking season and we need to steer clear from distractions.” Big Mac again monotonically said. “Don’t have too tell me twice sir. Which ways the gate?” MetalHoof exited the area and proceeded to PonyVille. He saw a number of buildings that seemed important. A tree house, that was made in a tree. MetalHoof saw a busy corner cafe or restaurant, the town hall and such things that seemed important too him. MetalHoof entered the corner cafe and was greeted by a pink pony. “Hey there! Welcome too SugarCube Corner.” “Table for one.” MetalHoof stated. He proceeded too his designated table, opened the menu, ordered his food and drinks and sat around, taking in his surroundings. The place was very colourful and vibrant. After an hour of just sitting around the pink pony was in his face. “Hey!” “Hi.” MetalHoof bluntly said. “Are you new around here?” The pink pony asked. “Yep. Moved in last night.” MetalHoof replied with a straight stare. “Ooooh okay. Well I’m gonna throw you a welcome party!!” The pony said, pulling a cannon out of nowhere and was about to pull the string. “No. You’re not. I don’t mean too be an ass but seriously, I don’t want a party.” ‘especially not now’ He thought. The pink ponies mane was still super curly and fluffed up. “Okie Dokie Lokie! Maybe later?” “Sure. Why not.” MetalHoof was still had a straight face and looked down at his food, a few crumbs were left and he was still hungry. “Can I get some more cake?” “Yeparoony!” The pink one said and left for the kitchen. She returned no time later and MetalHoof ate his cake, payed the bill and left too explore the rest of Ponyville. MetalHoof noted a path that lead too a forest. He was a bit curious as too where it lead too and went down the dirt road. After a few minutes he arrived to a cottage resting next too the forest. A beautiful voice was whistling, humming, and singing with birds following suit when she ended. MetalHoof walked to the sound and peered around a tree to see what was going on. His assumptions were correct and he watched a pegasus sing to the birds in a harmony. She gave some of the birds tips on whether or not heighten their pitch or lower it and moved her hooves in a conductor like fashion. ‘That is the most beautiful mare I have ever laid eyes on’. MetalHoof thought. Her yellow coat matched her pink mane and tail. Her cutie mark was 3 butterflies set up in a triangular formation. MetalHoof accidently lost balance and fell onto the ground, making a thump on a ground. The pegasus heard it and the birds scattered. The pegasus quickly went to Metals side. “Oh my goodness. Do you need any help?” “No I’m quite alright. The names MetalHoof.” MetalHoof greeted and stuck out his right leg, which had his tattoo. The mare backed away a few inches. “Sorry, didn’t mean too frighten you.” He chuckled a little bit and rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh sir. You have some glass stuck in your coat.” The mare pointed out, there was some small fragments of glass left from his last encounter. “Huh? Oh yeah, that’s quite a story.” MetalHoof laughed a little and gazed at the glass. ‘How do I still have glass stuck in my fur?! Such an atrocity’. “Here let me help you with that.” The mare quickly got a first aid kit and some tweezers. “Now hold still.” She said and pulled hard enough on the glass that it took out some hairs. “Ow” MetalHoof sighed. Ready for the next tugging. She pulled again and more hairs came out, and this went on for a few more pulls. “Thanks” MetalHoof said. “Oh it’s not a problem at all. Names Fluttershy by the way.” Fluttershy finally greeted herself. “Nice too meet you Fluttershy. As I said I’m MetalHoof.” The two shook hooves. “Well Mr. Hoof if you ever need any animal care please come here. I’m uhh... what you would call an animal expert.” Fluttershy explained. “Alrighty. And thanks again for pulling out the glass, I didn’t know I had any left.” “Hey Fluttershy!” Another pegasus yelled, her cyan fur and rainbow mane and tail blended together quite nicely. “Oh hey Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said. MetalHoof just stood there, not really knowing too do. Watching the two communicate. “I think Tank might be a bit sick Fluttershy, he hasn’t been very active as he used too be.” Rainbow Dash informed, holding up tank. “Well it could be because of joint pain, age, his health could be varied on many different platforms.” Metalhoof said. His knowledge of the body swerving into his mind. “How’d you know that?” Fluttershy asked. Her mind saying “Oh my gosh he’s smart and muscular, and oh so kind, well as far as I know. Plus he’s kind of handsome.” “Well at Canterlot University, I majored in Anatomy, with two minors in biology and medicine. Well just a fraction of knowledge in medicine. Not really enough too consider it a minor. Basic knowledge is what I would call it.” MetalHoof replied, his mind jumping from fact too fact about the body. “pfft. Egghead.” Rainbow Dash injected. “Well you don’t have too be so rude about it.” MetalHoof joked. “Yeah, well. I’m just not the super smarty pants type. Plus I’m Equestrias fastest flyer.” Rainbow Dash bragged with her head held high. “But that doesn’t mean you’re the fastest overall in Equestria.” MetalHoof pointed out. ‘Oh dear, someponies challenging Rainbow Dash. Again. Better get some popcorn’ Fluttershy thought. “Bring it little earth pony!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Right here, right now.” She got prepared for the race. Her tone was almost exact to Fat Colt Slims song “right here, right now.” “Come at me sis!” MetalHoof taunted, getting on the starting line. “Alright.” Started Fluttershy. “Race too the twisted oak and back.” She got in front of the two raising her hooves, then dropping them. The two shot off with incredible speed. MetalHoof was a few inches ahead of Rainbow Dash, it was a short distance too the tree. He touched it and ran back. As he turned around, Rainbow had just touched the tree. The two were almost neck and neck, Metal was still in the lead though, his assassin job had made him better than anypony else. Fluttershy, at the finish line, held out her front hooves, first one too touch won the race. Then Metal touched her hoof first, by a half second difference. Metal skidded too a stop and turned around. Seeing Rainbow Dash gasping for air, he trotted over and smiled at her. “I won. Now don’t be so bummed about it.” “Whatever man, I had a late start!” “No. I was faster than you.” MetalHoof pointed out. “Yeah whatever, so Fluttershy can you fix Tank the tortoise?” Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy but Fluttershy was looking at MetalHoof, his coat and mane looked so perfect together and she very much liked how he was built and his character wasn’t so bad. Rainbow noticed how she looked at him. “Hey Fluttershy, eyes this way please.” Rainbow turned Fluttershys head too face hers. “What? Oh yeah sorry. I’ll find some medicine for Tank.” Fluttershy walked into her cottage and went searching for the correct herbs and recipes. “Don’t you dare hurt Fluttershy you hear me?” Rainbow Dash told Metal with a stern voice and was an inch from his face. “I hear ya, I hear ya.” Said MetalHoof, Rainbow Dash backed up a bit. “I wouldn’t dream about hurting a mare so kind and gentle like her. It sickens me when I see it happen.” “Yeah, it’s awful but it happens.” Rainbow Dash said, she noticed the tattoos. “What’s with the tats?” “What these? It’s nothing much, I just liked how it looked and I decided too get em put on.” Metal responded and shook his right leg. “But I thought tattoos were on the skin, not fur.” Rainbow queried. “These aren’t normal though.These sit on the fur instead. It takes longer for them to dry but this way I can shave the fur and it’ll be gone. But I love them too much too have them removed.” Fluttershy walked out of her cottage with the herbs and recipes. “Here you are Dash. Just follow the instructions on the sheet and you’ll be fine.” “Thanks Fluttershy. Anyways, remember what I said Metal.” And then Rainbow Dash flew off with Tank in her legs. “So how’d you and Rainbow get along?” Fluttershy asked. “Not exactly the best of first impressions but I think we got off on a good conversation.” MetalHoof responded. ‘Not really’. “Yeah, shes like that sometimes.” Fluttershy shuffled closer to Metals side and looked in the same direction as him. MetalHoof looked at her for split second. She was beautiful, even though her name was contradictory to how she was acting around him. “So Fluttershy, know any places I can stay tonight? I don’t have anywhere too stay.” “Um... well I do have one room open but its full of feed, you wouldn’t want too sleep in there... Unless you wanted to...” Fluttershy opened up the option, her shying away with her mane covering one eye. “hehe yeah I don’t really want to interrupt you and your animals. Is there a place you know I can stay at?” “You could try Twilights house but I don’t know if she has any open rooms.” Fluttershy raised a hoof too her chin. “Theres Applejacks barn, they always have the top rooms open. umm... The Cakes might have room, thats Pinkies Pies parents.” “Oh that pink one Sugarblock corner right?” “Sugar Cube Corner too be exact.” “Ah, my bad, I only arrived in town really early this morning and I just got out from a really long trip.” “It’s quite alright. But I know Rarity doesn’t have any rooms. Umm... and Rainbow Dash lives up in the clouds, so you couldn’t really stay up there.” Fluttershy finished her list of friends available rooms. “Well it seems like only AppleJack has any open rooms.” MetalHoof chuckled, he wanted too stay with Fluttershy but that would be a bit weird. “Yep.” Fluttershy rubbed a hoof along the ground. “Well I guess I’ll be off then.” MetalHoof rubbed his neck. “But hey, I heard you singing with your birds earlier.” “Oh really?” Fluttershy was excited. “Yeah it sounded amazing.” Fluttershy blushed deeply and MetalHoof started a walk. “Anyways, I’ll see you tomorrow maybe?” Fluttershy only got redder. “Maybe, just maybe.” MetalHoof left for Applejacks barn, luckily they had a bed too spare, his entire day had been consumed from eating, exploring, meeting with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. He had also been to the market which was very social and kind. He still wanted to see the famous boutique that was in Ponyville. He had somehow managed to escape the pink ponies party, reportedly it had something too do with a “fourth wall”, only ponies who can break it, can avoid others who can break it. Whatever it meant, he wasn’t too sure. He had also not visited the library/ tree home, it sounded like a remarkable feat and whoever created it deserved his respect. As he laid in his temporary bed he thought about Fluttershy. ‘She was so beautiful, I can’t believe I was even in front of her without bowing.’ MetalHoof chuckled. ‘Tomorrow maybe. Just maybe.’ He thought again and went too sleep. His mind replaying the same story that happened only moments ago. His dreams played out multiple ways the entire meeting could’ve gone, like if he said the wrong things or he said the more charming words. But in his heart, he felt like he had spoken the right words.
Chapter 5An Assassins Change Chap 5 A/N: Hey guys, Thanks for viewing and liking the story so far! I greatly appreciate it! Sorry for the late chapter compared to the others, I’ve been busy for a while. But here is chapter 5. Oh yeah and the 4th wall thing, just don’t bother with it, I was bored... MetalHoof woke up from his sleep. Only amazing dreams were dreamt and now, he was hungry and his neck was aching. MetalHoof trotted around Ponyville, searching for something appetizing, something out of the ordinary... He came up to a small stand which had a great deal of assorted foods like celery, carrots, apples (of course), and what looked like banana bread. “Hello” the stand worker greeted, her eyes seemed to kind of trail over MetalHoof. “Names Parasol, what can I get ya?” Metalhoof caught her eyes trailing him, he shrugged it off and replied “Just an apple or two.” “Alright darlin’, here you go.” She replied putting the apples up on the stand. “That’ll be four bits dear.” Metalhoof placed down the payment and trotted away too a nearby bench. MetalHoof sat down and took a bite of an apple. Surely not a delicacy but it was good enough. He began thinking to himself about what he would do now that he was a refuge of crime. He knew he wanted to teach, to tell the young minds of the world what lies beneath skin and fur. Sure it was a gross and disgusting thing but for whatever reason, it drew everypony to see it. As he walked around the small world of Ponyville he noticed a school house, it looked it was for the young ones. Metalhoof stopped, put his hoof up too his chin and pondered if there was a school for the older ponies. If so what if there wasn’t a class for it, he would probably just get weird looks and slackers for students. ‘Nah, I’ll be right in the center of a cool class. Who doesn’t want to dissect things?’ He lowered his hoof and proceeded on with his day. Not truly caring of what was happening around him. After a what felt like a few minutes, which was actually almost an hour, MetalHoof had reached across town and ended up by the start of the trail to Fluttershy’s cottage. ‘Might as well pay a visit.’ He thought and started his short lived trek too Fluttershy’s home. Shining Armour sat in his home, threw his helmet across the house and heard a loud *thunk* when the helm had made its landing. He wasn’t mad or angry, just disappointed in himself. ‘How can I be so stupid... How can the captain of the guard not find one pony.’ He slumped back in his chair and closed his eyes. “Not. One. Pony.” His voice penetrated the room silently. Cadance was with Celestia and Luna, conducting princess stuff. Probably trying too find Luna a stallion or likewise too Celestia. In either case he didn’t care, he only concentrated on his failure so far and that was all he needed too process in his mind. *Knock* “What?!” he yelled at the door. “Shining. It’s me Twilight.” A lavender unicorn opened the door and peered in. He slumped back down. “He Twili. What’s up?” He really didn’t want any company. “Well I heard you were having a bad day so I came over, teleported more like, but nonetheless I am here and what has my BBBFF in a bad mood?” Twilight explained and sat in a chair across from Shining Armour. Shining rose and leaned forward. “I can’t catch an assassin. And so far for the past few days, I’ve failed.” He paused and breathed deeply. “I’m so disappointed in myself.” “Oh. I’m sorry too hear that Armour. Has he struck in the last few days?” “Afraid not. But we know that he didn’t kill for fun. He must’ve been looking for a way out of something or nonetheless he was an assassin, you know. Gets paid big bits for taking a life” He sighed. “Well lets please change the subject. What else has been going on here in Canterlot?” Twilight changed the subject. “Umm... The three princesses are out and about looking for a stallion too meet Lunas high standards.” Shining added a little sarcasm to “high standards”. “Ooh. I wonder how that’ll go.” She responded. “Hopefully its not some scumbag steve.” MetalHoof had tread across the path too the lovely Fluttershy’s home. He reached the front door and knocked. Fluttershy opened the door slowly. “Oh hello MetalHoof.” She whispered. “Hey Fluttershy. I was just dropping by. I accidently went into my own little world when going across town and in the end, I wound up at the start of the road too your home here.” MetalHoof responded, at first rubbing the back of his neck then settling down. “Oh that’s quite alright.” Fluttershy was still behind the door, only looking through a crack. “So... umm... Hows your day been?” Fluttershy cracked the door open a bit more. “Oh thank you for asking. Well um.. my bunny Angel has been upset lately, he didn’t like the way I prepared his meal.” Metalhoof stifled a laugh. “So your bunny, knows his culinaries?” “You have no idea.” Fluttershy smiled. She opened the door widely. “Do you want too come inside?” “I’d rather not. I’m looking for a place to actually live, and not in someponies spare.” Metalhoof shrugged. “Oh that’s quite alright. I understand what you mean.” Fluttershy said, her face no longer blocked by her mane. He smiled. “I’m sure you do, but is there someplace other than the schoolhouse. Like a high school or something.” MetalHoof asked. “Oh sorry, I’m afraid there isn’t. Around here it’s just us farmers, and hard workers. So once you get out of school you umm... Go right to work.” She responded. “Ah. I see.” Metalhoof paused. “Whelp, I guess I need too be off. I’m sure you’re busy.” “Oh no not at all. I’m actually quite free at the moment.” Fluttershy inquired. “You sure? I don’t want too waste your time. I’m not too fun of a pony anyways.” He chuckled, he hasn’t had a real “interesting” chat with anypony for a long time. A/N: Sorry for the really, REALLY late chapter, like i said in the description, I have no clue where i’m gonna go with this one. But I will eventually come too a conclusion with the story. Just not sure when.
Chapter 6An Assassins Change Chap 6 “So let me get this straight. You, and four of your other friends all got your cutie marks when Rainbow Dash created a sonic rainboom?” Metalhoof questioned. His right eyebrow formed into a sharp angle. “Basically. I mean if she hadn’t then maybe my cutie mark would’ve been something different or I might’ve found out my talent in a different way.” Fluttershy explained. She paused for a minute. Metalhoof was also blanking out and entered his own realm. “Damnit Metalhoof. Why in the fuck would you go off and... ‘experiment’ with these animals?” Metalhoof’s father yelled in question. There was a pause between the two. “And now look. Your fucking cutie mark is a skull with a knife through it and what?” His father was flinging his legs around like crazy. “That scroll right in the jaw is your knowledge of the body?” “Y-y-yes s-sir.” Metalhoof was crying a bit. His father was both mad and disappointed in him. “Son... I don’t even know what to do with you anymore.” The father looked down and sighed in grief. “What would your mother think huh?” His father chuckled with a hint of disbelief and raised his head. “Metalhoof...” Metalhoof still didn’t look up. ‘Crap. He just used my real name. I’m in deep now.’ “Yes daddy?” “I don’t know what I’ll do with you. You always have this interest in cutting things open. You know absolutely everything about what inside each and every pony. And you always find a way to disobey me.” Metals father turned around and faced his room. “Look at us. We’re metalworkers. Not surgeons or born killers.” The front door opens. “Dearies I’m home!” Metalhoofs mother called. The father had went too meet with his wife. “Honey, Metalhoof has earned his cutie mark.” His eyes held a worried expression. A giant smile rushed across the mothers face. “Oh boy, let momma see!” Metalhoof raised himself and twisted his body to show his cutie mark. “Oh!” She said surprised. She had not expected such a different cutie mark from what the family had. She took a close look at her sons mark. “Well... it’s very ‘Unique’.” Metalhoof sighed. “Just say it will ya?” There was a brief but lingering pause. “Dad’s already called me out on it.” Metalhoof looked down and sighed again, for the possibly millionth time this day. “Well... I’m not saying it’s bad but... Just don’t your abilities get out of hoof, understand?” His mother said with a kind voice. Though she wasn’t exactly happy with it, she was still proud her son found his special talent. *TIME FLASHES FORWARD 10 YEARS* Metalhoof stared at what he had just done. He had just murdered an innocent pony. Blood pouring out of the lifeless body that was just sliced open, the jugular was draining gallons a minute. Multiple gashes spread across the neck, and each had a rough inside rupture. Metalhoof kept staring at the lifeless figure. He stepped back a pace and dropped his jaw. “No... No. No damnit. No!” He yelled but nopony heard him. Both lucky and unlucky for him. Good he wasn’t heard. Bad that he had just committed murder. *TIME AGAIN FLASHES. ONLY BY 1 HOUR* “Well done. Well done indeed.” His contractor said with a sinister smile. He leaned back and magically lifted the cigar away from his mouth. “Now. Want more?” “Just one. I need the money for the holidays.” Metalhoof explained. “Good.” Something was brushing Metalhoofs face. He lifted his hoof too meet it. Feeling the hoof he turned his head too the figure. “Metalhoof. You okay?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes in genuine curiosity and concern for her new friend (and crush). Metalhoof didn’t answer. His mind was still processing what was going on in the outside world. “Huh?” His eyes widened. “Oh yeah... just.” He looked down, gently moving Fluttershy’s hoof away. “... Peachy keen.” His past had finally caught with him. The one thing that had kept him from living the one life he wanted. Even though being an assassin had its perks and great rewards, the past was something that held him captive too the vines and suction cups of slaughtering ponies that were wanted dead by others. Fluttershy kept looking at him in concern. She knew nothing of this ponies past nor did she really even know who he really was. But she had too try too ease some of the pain down. Metalhoof on the other hoof was switching between lives. His mind juggling the hundreds of thousands of memories that he had accumulated over his life. The outside world, he appeared too just be broken but had the facial expression of being just bored out of his mind. Fluttershy acted quickly. She embraced Metalhoof in a tight hug. He didn’t budge. “Metalhoof?” She cried softly. *No response.* Metalhoofs first day in anatomy. He sat there, at his desk, impatiently shifting around. The teacher entered the room. “Hello students! My name is Mr. Mohs.” He greeted while writing his name on the board. “Hello Mr. Mohs”. The class chanted back. “Ah. Well it seems I have a well institutionalized class this year.” Mr. (or Dr.) Mohs smiled and leaned against his desk. “Well I’ll begin introductions.” He got up and moved to the front of the class. “As you know, I’m Mr. Mohs. You may also call me Dr. Mohs if you like. And lets begin with music shall we. I like some good ol’ fashioned classical music. You know like Mozart or Lindsey Stirling. Even though she is more modern and classical.” Dr. Mohs scanned the room too see if there was anypony not paying attention. He didn’t see anypony drifting away. ‘very good’ he thought. “Now lets move onto the rest of the class.” He picked up a clipboard. “Lets begin with you Metalhoof.” Metalhoof rose. “Hello, I’m Metalhoof.” “Hi Metalhoof”. The class responded kindly. “Umm.. I’m not too sure about what kind of music I like specifically but I guess a range of anything really best describes it,” He explained in the best words that popped right into his young mind. Dr. Mohs smiled “Well I think that can just about match the rest of the class.” He chuckled. “You may have your seat now.” And so Metalhoof proceeded too sit. *Time flashes forward 40 minutes* The entire class period so far had consisted of ponies telling their favorite bands, foods, spare-time activities, families, pets, and why they decided too take the class. Once the last answer was spoken Dr. Mohs rose up from leaning on his desk and trotted too the center of the front of the classroom, or “laboratory” as he called it. “Well then everypony. I hope you have found some common ground with your new classmates.” The class agreed with a few nods. “Good. Now since we only have... say thirty minutes of class left. Chit chat and create commotion with hopefully some new friends and neighbors.” The entire class shifted, each pony finding a face to talk with. Mohs smiled. “Don’t chat just yet.” A loud ‘aww” sounded from every student. Except Metalhoof. Mohs chuckled lightly. “Well, near the last, say ten minutes of class, I’ll be passing out the years schedule. No dates but just a list of the units we will review and go over.” Mohs paused. “And for you fun ones. There is also a list of animals that we will be splicing open.” The majority of girls ‘eww’d’, while guys high hoofed and cheered. “And don’t forget, there will also be a final at the end of this semester. And only the top student of the class may have the privilege of going with me on a field trip.” He announced. “Now you may talk.” He sat down behind his desk as he made the final announcement. Then everypony talked and chatted among the fellow classmates. Metalhoof on the other hand was curious about the semester final and the field trip. He trotted up too the teachers desk. “Excuse me.” Metalhoof said politely. “Yes my young pupil.” “Are you going to tell about the field trip at the end of class or is a secret?” Metalhoof asked secretly. “Oh. Aren’t you the curious one. Well it is a secret my young pupil.” Dr. Mohs whispered silently. Metalhoof pulled up a chair. “Well this year. We’re going too visit a convention of sorts.” He again whispered as silently as he could. Metalhoof leaned in closer. “So at this convention, me and my fellow colleagues are going too put our greatest students too the test. Last year didn’t go so well. Ol’ Gibbons got me beat pretty bad.” Mohs smiled jokingly. Clearly he had many friends. “But this year, I see amazing potential too win.” “But what’s the challenge this year?” Metalhoof asked gently but genuinely curious. “Well Sir Morgagni has decided that this year, the best student of each teacher’s class will perform a diagnostic on a body that will be given too us from the local morgue.” Mohs explained. Metalhoofs eyes shot open. ‘I’m gonna the best student. Evar!’ “Oh my. It’s almost time too go.” Dr. Mohs rose from behind his desk. “Alright students!” Then each student swivelled their heads too see Dr. Mohs. “Here are your schedules for the year.” Again every student “awwd”. “Metalhoof? Please wake up.” Fluttershy cried. Metalhoof had fallen asleep on the couch and was stone cold. Fluttershy had snuggled up too him a bit. “Metalhoof. C’mon wake up.” She again cried. Metalhoof was still dreaming but the dreams kept growing blacker and blacker. After a few minutes, a light had shone through it all. Eventually he had awoken to him sleeping on a couch and a figure snuggled up too him. He didn’t move but he felt... tears? He looked down. “Oh. Hey Fluttershy.” He said softly. His voice perked up her ears. “MetalHoof! You’re awake. Oh gosh I thought I had almost lost you.” She hugged him deeply. He returned it kindly. “Umm.. Okay.” Metalhoof chuckled. Time slowed once again. Fluttershy raised her head and Metalhoof looked down. The two stared into each other. ‘No. Metalhoof. This isn’t right you just met her.’ His mind exclaimed. “So? She beautiful and kind. Do it man. Just do it. Or I’ll call you a wimp.” Metalhoof didn’t want too be called a wimp by himself. ‘Fluttershy don’t do it.’ Her mind crawled into life. ‘You met him only a few days ago and now, you want too be with him?’ “Yes” Her heart confirmed aloud. The two came closer. Muzzles almost touching. *SLAM!* The front door had shot open. In the doorway was a gray pegasus mare with blonde mane and tail. With bubbles for a cutie mark. She held a portable cannon in her left hoof. She was also standing on her hind legs. “Ditzy.. Um.. What are doing here?” Fluttershy shied. The cannon had a giant muffin in the barrel. Ditzy raised the weapon and took aim. Fluttershy scurried away. “EAT MUFFINS BEEEEEEYUUUTCH!!!!” Ditzy pronounced and fired at Metalhoof. He was unlucky enough too get hit right in the ball sac. Poor man he is. Metalhoof also flew out the window, his body soaring into the Everfree forest. Ditzy lowered the portable cannon. “All clear ma’am.”. And she took off.
