My Little Pony: Assassinations are Magic

Chapters

Chapter 1: Failure
Chapter 2: Injury
Chapter 4: Surprises and Orders
Chapter 5: Void
Chapter 6: Plans
Chapter 3: Travel

Chapter 1: Failure

The pony looked down from the rooftop he was stood upon. While the fact that he was on a rooftop did not surprise anypony, what was slightly confusing was the way he was balanced perfectly on the edge, not even trying. Also somewhat bizarre was the way he was dressed, almost entirely in white, a large hood covering most of his face, only a small bit of grey mane poking out from under the lip of the hood. What most did not notice was how he got up there, when he was naught but a simple Earth Pony. He had his ways.
His target wound their way through the streets, slipping past ponies of all shapes and sizes, a blue unicorn mare, wearing a large blue cape and pointed hat. Trixie Lulamoon. The pony on the roof flexed a muscle in his left foreleg, a blade emerging from underneath his sleeve. He slowly and stealthily moved across the roof, getting into the perfect position. There. She was beneath him. And before his mind had time to process what he was doing, the pony leapt from the roof, hidden blade pointed at the blue mare’s neck…
The market was always crowded, even on a slow day; he was bound to be seen. From his other wrist extended a blade with a hook in the middle, which latched onto the windowsill his hoof had just missed. He was on the roof of that building faster than Pinkie Pie could appear anywhere she needed. Undetected, save for a pigeon or two who flew away in terror immediately. He silently berated himself for his foolishness, how could he have been so stupid? His hookblade slid quietly into its sheath, but he kept his hidden blade out, activating the poison dart gun within its mechanism. He crept to the edge of the building again, to find that the mare had vanished into the crowd.

Trixie was in fact hiding at Twilight’s library. She had spotted the shadowy colt pouncing from the rooftop right at her before climbing up the roof and vanishing. She at once ran, into the place she thought she was least likely to be: a place of knowledge.
“Can I help you?” A bright voice echoed across the vast repository of books. Trixie turned and saw Twilight Sparkle walking towards her. Then stopping. Then backing slowly away. “What are you doing here Trixie?” The voice had lost its cheer.
“I need to get out of here; somepony’s trying to KILL me!” Twilight stopped in her tracks again. Trixie’s eyes were wide and frightened, she was breathing quickly and shallowly and, most obvious of all, she was referring to herself in the first person.
“What!? Who!?”
“Fucked if I know, but they look like a colt, dressed in white and with knives strapped to his forelegs!”
“Trixie, calm down.” The purple mare thought for a few seconds. She had heard of the Assassin Order before, a simple matter when living in a library. Exactly three books had references to the order, all mentioning the same group of ponies who used to operate in a faraway country a long time ago before the (now defunct) Templar order went to war with them. Both were wiped out with a pony codenamed ‘Desmond’ supposedly. They had all been described as dressed in white and having blades strapped to their forelegs.

The assassin flitted across the rooftops surrounding the marketplace, searching for his target. His vision was blue, everypony a silhouette of blue, every building a silhouette of blue. Just a silhouette however, meaning judging distance was a nightmare worthy of Nightmare Moon. However, he was used to this. Nopony was gold, his target was lost. He swore silently, blinking back into real vision just as a cyan and rainbow Pegasus mare shot past him. In the marketplace, an orange Earth mare with a large Stetson was selling apple products. Tarts, pies, juice, cider… His stomach rumbled quietly. He turned to head to a point where he could drop off the roof as unnoticed as possible. As he reached the edge, he saw a cart of hay being pulled by a large red Earth colt, humming quietly to himself. The assassin smiled, waited and leapt again, spreading his legs and landing in the hay without anypony noticing. He settled down for a long, slow ride through the crowds.
The cart had stopped exactly ten seconds later. The dark brown pony slipped out of the hay, straight into the forelegs of two police colts. Both looked very worried.
“Sir, are you okay?” One asked. The brown Earth pony nodded curtly.
“I was going for a rooftop stroll and must have tripped. I thank Celestia that this pony and his cart passed by at just the right time.” The assassin’s voice had a thick Italian accent and he spoke with the grace of a master spokesman. The cops were not impressed.
“A rooftop stroll? Forgive my scepticism, but not many Earth ponies do that.”
“Two words my friend. Pinkie Pie.”
The cops chuckled and shrugged. “You got us there. Okay sir, have a good day.” They strolled away nonchalantly. The assassin turned to the large pony that had ‘saved him’.
“Thank you, my friend. I am Ezio Auditore,” he said, putting a hoof on his heart and bowing his head. “I wish to perhaps know your name?”
“Ah’m Big Macintosh,” came the short reply. This pony was clearly not one for words.
“Again, thank you. Tell me, are you related to the mare on the apple stall?”
“Eeyup.”
“I thought so. You have the same eyes. Bright green and full of honesty.”
“That so?”
“Si,” Their short conversation was brought to a halt when Ezio sensed his target through the crowd. He at once tuned his vision into the blue of Eagle Sense. A golden colour pulsed from far away. “Excuse me Big Macintosh; I have something I require to do.” Without waiting for a parting word, the brown pony in white walked away and was swallowed by the gangs and gaggles of ponies.

Trixie and Twilight crept through the crowds, looking for Trixie’s caravan.
“The Great and Powerful Trixie is sure that she parked her caravan over here…” They had found a small clearing, somewhat less crowded by ponies than the market behind them, and there was a large, caravan shaped patch of air right where Trixie’s caravan once was.
“Well it’s not here now. Did you put any protective spells on it?”
“Well of course Trixie did! Why, she always puts at least three layers of hexes on before leaving!”
“Three layers of makeup and all.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing, nothing.”

Hidden blade at the ready, Ezio prepared to do his job. Once again, he checked the crumpled picture he had been given by his client. No doubt, that was the showpony. He activated the poison dart shooter and took careful aim. The silent weapon sliced through the air towards the cyan neck.

Chapter 2: Injury

Ezio cursed his luck as he sprinted through the crowds. He would fire just as the pony bent down to the ground, wouldn’t he? The shattered glass of the window the dart hit had caused Trixie and the mare with her to look up and see him. The purple mare’s eyes were full of fear. Normally this wouldn’t bother the master assassin, but something panged in his heart. She was an innocent; she didn’t deserve the trauma… What was he thinking? If they saw him, they died. Simple. Or was it? His mind had been all over after his first failure.

Twilight had been silently shaking for a minute before finally speaking. “That was… That was an assassin…”
“An assassin? What’s one of those?” Trixie was confused. Had she not heard the name before?
“Trixie, an assassin is somepony who is paid to kill a specific pony. For this, the pony seems to be you.”
Trixie almost fainted there and then. “Wha… Who would want to…? I…”
“Trixie,” began Twilight, trotting over as the mare began to sway. “Calm down. Have you upset someone recently, someone who would send a professional killer after you?”
Trixie slowly shook her head. “I don’t think so…”
“Trix. Tell me.”
“I… There might’ve been one colt… A rich, pretty influential guy. A prince apparently.”
“Blueblood?” risked Twilight, dreading the answer.
“That was him,” Trixie confirmed. “He asked Trixie to give him a private performance. She accepted, until she realised that it was a different performance he wanted. He wasn’t pleased, she remembers,” she grimaced. “If he is trying to kill her now…”
Twilight’s eyes widened. “We have to get you to Canterlot and tell him to call the assassin off!”
“Uh,” Trixie stammered. “‘We?’”
“Yes Trixie, we. I’m going with you, as are the rest of my friends. Hopefully.” All the same, she couldn’t be sure that Rainbow Dash would help. Hell, she’d probably side with the assassin. “Come on, let’s find them.” She galloped off, leaving a bemused showpony in her wake.

‘Time to call in a favour,’ thought Ezio as the trees of the Everfree Forest pressed against him. An assassin he may be, but he could do much more than be told who to kill. He located a tree shaped not unlike the symbol on his rump, turned left and walked right through a magically concealed entrance into the old assassin headquarters for this area. He waited for perhaps half a minute before the familiar buzzing of insectile wings greeted his peeled ears.
“Who dares disturb us?” The voice was grating against his sensitive eardrums, but the assassin ignored the pain and spoke.
“I am Ezio Auditore, the assassin who allowed you stay here. I require speaking to your queen, Changeling,” the professional called. “And I will not take no for an answer,” He added quietly, moving so that his sword caught the minimal light, refracting the polished steel colour into the multifaceted eyes of the creature before him. The thing bowed respectfully and turned away, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like ‘plothole,’ to Ezio’s trained ears. He grinned and called to the retreating Changeling, “I can see yours, clear as day.” The thing didn’t react openly, but its tail twitched ever so slightly, covering the target.

Twenty minutes later, Fluttershy had finally been coerced to leave her cottage; Rarity had finally found a scarf that matched her mane and Rainbow Dash had FINALLY decided that she may as well be doing something interesting instead of sleeping in (not that she was pleased of it), and now seven ponies set off to the train station. Rainbow Dash walked next to Trixie, keeping a suspicious eye on the mare beside her.
“You don’t trust Trixie, do you?” The cyan mare looked at the cyan mare. A single spark shot through the unicorns mind at the realisation of that similarity.
“Nope.” Rainbow’s tone was sharp.
“She thought so.” Rainbow mentally facehoofed. How can one pony continuously refer to herself in the third person? It irritated the crap out of her, it really did.
“Hm.” There was a silence.
“No… Hard feelings between us, right?” Trixie’s voice was quiet, timid to nigh-Fluttershy levels. Rainbow ignored her, what was the point of answering her? She didn’t have the time or the inclination.

The transaction complete, Ezio left with his brotherhood in tow. He had spoken with the few remaining assassins as well as Chrysalis, and they had all agreed without the slightest trace of humour at their masters failings. He had to admit, he was glad. In his ancestor’s times, no matter the rank, if you failed to kill somepony you were stripped to the bottom rank and had all your weapons taken away until the job was done properly.
The youngest recruit swung from tree to tree, bow across his back. Ezio liked the kid, young but not without experience. Good for ranged accuracy with that bow, but not overly skilled in hoof-to-hoof combat. Pretty much the opposite of Ezio himself, who favoured a closer combat focus.

It was Applejack who spoke first. “Hey,” she murmured to Rainbow, “fly on up there, Ah reckon we’re bein’ followed by some ponies.”
“I’m on it,” the Pegasus replied, flexing her wings once before springing into the air, sweeping her rose-tinted eyes around the area. She saw two things wrong with the scene. Firstly, there were several ponies dressed in white robes leaping from rooftop to rooftop towards the group at the station. Secondly, there was an arrow whipping through the air towards her face. At the last moment, she dropped, but not fast enough. The arrow thudded into her flank, right in the centre of her cutie mark. This hurts like a bitch, came her first thought. Then came her second. Holy buck, I’m going to die. And then her third. No, but I won’t be walking well for a while. And there was going to be a fourth one too, but she slammed into the ground, her entire brain going blank as it attempted to cope with the pain, but failed.

Chapter 4: Surprises and Orders

The atmosphere in the carriage with Rainbow Dash was palpable as Trixie re-entered, shivering slightly from the cold air of outside. The Pegasus looked up, and then flopped back onto the pillow, not caring. While this was to be expected, what wasn’t expected was the disappearance of the arrow, the surrounding area cleansed and covered in gauze and bandages. Rainbow Dash still felt small lances of pain whenever she walked, and was constantly reminded of being shot, the heavy bolt which sent her tumbling towards the ground with what felt like being hit by a sonic rainboom.
“Who removed the arrow and cleaned the wound?” enquired the showpony, concerned for the cyan pegasus’ wellbeing. Before anyone else could reply, Dash cut across her, her voice like a knife.
“What, you’d have preferred it if it stayed? If the wound got infected?” She spat, venom dripping from each word.
“N-no, Trixie merely-” Trixie stuttered, fear gripping her.
“Merely what? Huh? HUH?”
Trixie had backed away from Rainbow as far as she could, her rear colliding with the wall of the carriage. She slowly sat down and slid away, but Rainbow was adamant and followed her until the unicorn was in a corner, a predator quick to corner its prey. “Well? What does the GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie have to say about it!?” She was mocking Trixie now, and jeered at her in the same venom tipped voice.
Trixie burst into tears, horrified at the confrontation, wanting to slip away and hide herself from the raw anger that Rainbow emitted. “I-I-I just wanted to know if you were okay! I didn’t want this to happen!” With that, she pushed past Dash and fled the carriage.
“Dashie! That was not very nice,” scolded Pinkie Pie. “Yes, she was a big meanie when we first met her, but we’re trying to help her now! If you can’t get over the fact that you were hit accidentally, and yes Rainbow I know it was an accident, if you hadn’t have moved, the arrow would have missed you, then you have no reason to take it out on Trixie!”
The pink pony put her point so persuasively, that Dash sat down and rubbed the back of her head, feeling guilty at her anger, the pain still ever evident in her flank. “I guess the fact that it hit me in the flank upset me too…”
“Blame the writer for that one Dashie.”
“The who?” Rainbow was confused now. What in the hay was she talking about now?
“The writer.” Pinkie replied innocently, a small smile on her face.
“Uh…” Began Rainbow, but Twilight interrupted her.
“Don’t, Rainbow. It’s Pinkie that you’re speaking to here.” The lavender unicorn frowned slightly at her pink and cyan friends. She was highly annoyed at Rainbow’s outburst; even for her, this was a bit brash “And Rainbow Dash, I am disappointed as well. I honestly expected better than that. Yes, she made a fool of you the last time she was here, she made a fool of all of us, and I really hoped you would have accepted that like the rest of us and be done with it,” she paused, taking a deep breath before her next sentence. “I think you should go and see Trixie. I think you should apologise, and try to make amends. We all have, as far as I’m aware,” a quick glance around proved her point, as the Elements of Honesty, Generosity, Laughter and Kindness nodded in unison. “So you need to get this done,” she finished, proudly, giving a small resolute nod to Rainbow Dash, making it clear that this wasn’t a request.

Rainbow Dash limped into the food cart, spotting Trixie almost at once. The mare was sitting at a table, comfort eating her way through several large packs of hay fries, apple fritters, potato chips and Celestia knows what else. Sobs still wracked her as she chewed and swallowed loudly, and Rainbow was quick to notice that everypony else in the carriage was quietly leaving, the noises putting them off their own food. As she approached the table, Trixie glanced up from her food and flinched as she saw the Pegasus approaching.
“Trixie, look. I just came to apologise. I didn’t mean to yell at you, it wasn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have overreacted. I-” Rainbow’s words came tumbling out, but before long, she was cut off by the showmare.
“Rainbow Dash, I forgive you. I just hope you forgive me…” Trixie looked at the floor, then pulled a hipflask out from beneath her cape and took a swig. The liquid burned Rainbow Dash’s nose, and she was quick to turn away.
“Trixie, what is that?”
“Vodka,” The mare replied with a sigh, she was not proud of herself. “Since Twilight made a fool of me back at Ponyville, after the Ursa Minor incident, I’ve… been an alcoholic,” Another portion of the beverage was glugged back. “I just… can’t stop,” A third, and Trixie put the flask away with a shudder. “I just want to be left alone.” Trixie turned her head away from Rainbow Dash, ashamed of herself, still unable to meet her gaze.
Slowly, carefully, Rainbow reached under Trixie’s cape and pulled out the flask. The unicorn didn’t bother resisting her, sighing and lifting a fritter to her mouth. Dash opened the flask and slowly walked to a window. It opened without resistance, and she poured the clear alcohol out of the train; good riddance to that. She could swear that she saw a blur of white against the blue of the sky, but she couldn’t find it again after only a few seconds; what seemed like a ghostly apparition that was seemingly there for a few seconds had disappeared once more. Shrugging and deciding it was probably just a trick of the light, she shook the flask to get rid of the last few drops before taking the flask back and returning it to its owner.
“Thanks,” came the murmured reply from the desolate showmare. What happened next happened so fast that neither mare realised what was going on until it was done. The train reached a bump in the tracks, the impact knocking both mares in the food cart off balance. Trixie fell forwards, Rainbow backwards. Their faces bumped together, their lips locked in a kiss. Rainbow was the first to realise, and tried to spring away, but Trixie’s surprising weight kept her pinned down on the wooden slats of the floor. Seconds later, but seeming like hours to the Element of Loyalty, Trixie leapt away, her eyes wide and fearful and full of realisation of what just happened.
“Trixie,” began Rainbow Dash slowly. “Whatever happens...That is now a secret we are keeping forever. Okay?”
“Okay,” agreed the showmare. Rainbow turned to leave, limping out the carriage and closing the door quietly behind her, shocked by what had just happened. Trixie slowly sat down at the table again, wondering what just happened, and why she didn’t want it to be kept secret, the taste of Rainbow’s lips still burning against her own.

In the halls of Canterlot Castle, a white unicorn colt with a long, blonde mane trotted down towards the entrance of the royal dining room. He threw open the doors and at once spotted the pony being harassed by a pair of Royal Celestial Guards.
“Step aside guards! This stallion is here to see me,” Shouted Prince Blueblood. The guards glowered at the hooded and robed Earth Pony, but allowed him through to talk to the royal prince. Once they were out of earshot of anypony but themselves; the assassin put his right hoof over his heart and bowed, a sign of respect to the royal stallion.
“My prince, it is an honour to meet with you again at such short notice. I come with a warning. The target is on her way here, and with her are the Elements of Harmony. I sense that they want to interrogate you about my attempts on her life.”
“Wait. You said ‘attempts’. You haven’t killed her? The best of the order of assassins has failed in the task I paid him for?” The prince growled menacingly, causing Ezio to step in quickly.
“My prince! I believe I will be able to get her tonight, when the train arrives, if I am careful.” He never failed a client, and he had taken it upon himself to make sure that this Trixie met her end at the tip of his blade.
“Then do it. That mare must die for what she disallowed me. This meeting is over,” snapped the unicorn, turning away from the other colt. “You may leave through the back entrance, it’s closest to here,” he began glancing back. But the assassin had already vanished into the darkness, like a leaf on the wind, he was gone. As Blueblood turned again, he could swear he heard the quiet metallic clink of a blade dropping into position from its hidden holster.

Author's Note

Special Thanks to AxtontheMechanist for proofreading and editing, as well as getting me off my lazy butt to actually write something! Thanks man, you're good.

Alright, I SHOULD be writing again soon, but procrastination and Writer's Block are tough foes to slay.

Requiescat in Pace,
Fluttershy Auditore

Chapter 5: Void

The train stopped and the seven mares stepped out, their hooves knocking quietly against the wooden planks of the platform. Rainbow Dash noticed, to her increasing annoyance, that Trixie was walking somewhat closer to her than she was comfortable with. As surreptitiously as she could, Rainbow gently pushed Trixie away with her back leg and gave her a look that told her to stay away from the Pegasus, or she would not be happy.

High up on a building, Ezio prepared to do the job he was paid to do, ready to fulfil his duty; his eyes glinted dangerously, ready for the kill. Seeing his target nearby, surrounded by the Elements of Harmony, he raised a throwing knife, aiming for the throat… And then he stopped, gently lowering the weapon as his thoughts caught up with him, reason reigning in on his killer instincts. No matter what, Equestria would need defending, and accidentally killing an Element of Harmony while aiming for a different target would destroy every defence plan the princesses had procured, causing catastrophe and possibly... chaos. The very thought of Discord returning without the Elements to protect Equestria made him involuntarily shudder. No, now was not the time to strike; not yet, but soon. Smiling slightly, the assassin turned to the eight others perched alongside him on the roof of the building, eagles waiting for their leader’s commands. Five Changelings and three other assassins who were based in Canterlot looked at their master, awaiting orders.
“You three,” began the Florentail, gesturing to three of the Changelings. “You disguise yourselves and follow them wherever they go and tell me through these,” here he pulled three small microphones and a headset that Axton had set up out of a pouch at his waist. He passed the microphones to the Changelings who gingerly attached them to their throats, careful to make sure they remained hidden and concealed upon their bodies, so as not to attract attention. “You,” Ezio began again, gesturing to the final two Changelings and two assassins. “Head to Blueblood and stay by him. Succeed where I fail, if I fail. Finally, you,” he looked over at the lone assassin left, speaking in an authoritative tone. “Follow me. If things go badly, head to Blueblood’s group and tell them to prepare themselves.” All present company nodded and placed their right hooves on their hearts in the assassins salute before dispersing to their positions, one remaining with his master, eager to please, who turned back to follow his target and her entourage, determination burning in his heart like wildfire.

Twilight led the group through the busy streets of the capital on the mountain, pausing every now and then to look around for their pursuers, wary that they might come under attack at any moment. Trixie was at the centre of the small group, her normal cape and hat tucked away in a saddlebag, making her mildly more inconspicuous than normal, an attempt to hide from the assassins. Rainbow Dash walked behind the assassination target, still thinking over what had happened in the train with a pondering attitude buzzing around her brain like a parasprite. No matter how much she tried to push it away, the same nagging and unnerving thought kept returning, irritating her slightly. Had she enjoyed the kiss, secretly? No, no she hadn’t, definitely not. But had she? Wasn’t it a thrill to break normality, be unique, different... cool? To kiss those she thought of as an enemy? Fury rose inside her quickly and she glared forward. But fate was to torment her yet again, as she stared directly at Trixie’s flank, which swayed a little as the showmare walked in the middle of the group. Her wings threatening to extend without permission, she quickly glanced behind her under the hopeful pretence that she would see something to distract her, something unusual that would take her mind off of the showmare. A unicorn chatting to his friend, a couple Pegasi racing each other through the sky, a unicorn entering an alleyway, a flash of green light and an Earth pony walking out… ‘Hang on’, her thoughts turning to immediate alarm.
“There’s something wrong here,” Rainbow muttered discreetly to Rarity who was on her left. I think that pony there’s a Changeling.” Her eyes darted around inconspicuously, searching for any other would-be Changelings.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it darling,” murmured the fashionista. “Right now we’re heading to see the ‘Prince’.” Her tone sharpened harshly at the final word, and she fell silent again, thinking dark thoughts about that rude excuse for a prince.

“This is absurd!” squawked Blueblood indignantly, tossing his mane back in frustration. “I do not need defending!”
“We have our orders, and we are not going to disobey our Master for anypony,” growled Connor, still hacked off for having all his favourite weapons removed from him and assigned to babysitting the irritating unicorn and supposed heir to the throne. ‘Honestly’ He thought ‘This one whines like a little filly’. He continued with a harsher tone “Not even you. So, with all due respect, shush.” Blueblood muttered darkly, and then proceeded to rest his hoof over a necklace on a chain around his neck, trying to distract himself from this lowlife assassin.

As they approached the castle, Rainbow counted three supposed Changelings following them. No matter whom they seemed to be, there were always three ponies looking at them and talking amongst themselves, making her irritation (and her suspicion) rise even more over the duration of their journey. Maybe she was paranoid, but paranoia was useful in moderation, as Twilight once told her.
A shadow fell across the mare in the middle of the group, encompassing them in a threatening darkness. Everypony nearby looked up in a mixture of fear and curiosity as a white figure swooped down towards the small group…

Ezio leapt off the roof towards the new figure, a lion pouncing towards prey. They collided in the air, landing with the older pony beneath. Ezio gasped as the air was knocked from his lungs by the concrete beneath him and the figure on top of him, its weight almost cracking the Florentail’s ribs; the immense pressure sent lances of pain through his entire body. Almost at once, however, the figure leapt off him, as nimble as a cat and bent down to help the Master Assassin to his hooves.
“My apologies, Master. I did not mean to harm you,” spoke the white robed figure, a mare by the sound of her voice. She lowered her hood and spoke to the group, bowing low to Ezio before continuing. The Elements clustered around the target in a defensive position, ready for a tussle. “I am Aveline de Grandpré, an assassin. And I am here to tell you, Master, that we have been betrayed by none other than that pompous foal of a prince. The group with Blueblood; I believe I am the only one left and I count myself lucky to be alive, for if I had not survived, I would not be standing here now.”
“What do you mean? Are they-” Began Ezio, but the mare interrupted him before he could get another word in edgeways.
“Blueblood betrayed us. I do not know how, but he did. We are in danger in here, we must leave now. Our target is void. Connor... I am sorry, Master. I… I believe he is gone.” She bowed her head, silent once more, and sadness pulsing through her at the loss of her comrades.
“What do you mean,” shouted Trixie, annoyed at the title of being ‘void’. It sounded like some sort of insult! “That Trixie is ‘void’!?”
“She means,” began Ezio, fixing his hood, “that you are no longer a target. If Blueblood had indeed betrayed us, then we have no choice but to leave. Come, now, all of you. We have much to... discuss.” And with those words, the two assassins turned and ran, swift as eagles in flight, without a single backwards glance to see if their former target and her protectors were following them as he had demanded.

“Why did he do it?” muttered Ezio as they ran through the street, towards the train station, rage burning through his veins and his voice like sharpened steel as it cut through the air.
“It is not my place to say, Master, but…” Aveline swallowed nervously with fear in her voice. She worried that her Master might go into a fit of rage at what she was about to say. “I believe that Blueblood is a...” She said the last words in a fearful whisper “Templar.”

Author's Note

Many thanks to AxtontheMechanist for editing. Thanks to him, I wouldn't have quite so much imagery in my stories and... That's about it. :derpytongue2: But check him out, he's cool.

Requiescat in Pace
Fluttershy Auditore

Chapter 6: Plans

Hidden in an alleyway between two houses, three Assassins, three Changelings and seven normal pony mares stood facing each other. Ezio was thinking quietly, Aveline was conversing with Yusuf, the assassin pegasus that Ezio ordered to stick with him, and the Elements were guarding Trixie from sudden backstabs, an appropriate phrase considering their current company. Ezio shook his mane and stood.
“Aveline. Per favoure, tell me exactly what happened when Blueblood struck.” The assassin mare blinked and glanced away from Yusuf.
“Well, Master, we were hiding in the rafters of the Great Hall, watching the prince eat his dinner, when I perceived a noise. When I looked around… Several figures in white robes with a red cross had killed the others. I did not look closely, but I believe that Connor must have been among them. I escaped through a window, but I have to question, how did they know where we were? I believe that Blueblood told them.”
“How?” Ezio frowned. “How could he tell them? Did he-”
“He sent a letter beforehand. I do not know who to, but he sent one.”
“Ah,” The master assassin sighed as he felt a migraine coming on. “Then let us act as if he has betrayed us and is, in the very least, in contact with the Templars. Our next course of action is to find out more, investigate. Aveline, you must return to the castle. Disguise yourself as a worker there and infiltrate. Attempt to find out more, from word of mouth or otherwise. Take the Changelings, they will help.
“Yusuf, you must fly to our headquarters. Deliver the news and requisition as many of our order as you can. We must be prepared for a fight should it come to it.
“Elements, Trixie, I now ask you for your help.” Ezio looked Trixie dead in the eye. “I have no doubt that Prince Blueblood will be heavily guarded, so we need help. I ask you all to search Canterlot for Connor. Out of the group who was sent to protect Blueblood, he was the most likely to survive the attack. He has a tomahawk and a quiver of arrows, I have his bow. Return here after three hours, all of you. That applies to Yusuf and Aveline as well, three hours. I will remain here and think up our next course of action.”
The Elements of Harmony nodded, as did the showmare. The assassins placed their hooves over their hearts and left swiftly, the Changelings transforming and following the Earth Pony mare towards the castle. Twilight flicked her mane slightly.
“Okay girls, let’s go,” She turned to glance at Ezio. “We have to find this Connor. Meet you all back here in three.” Everypony left, except for a cyan mare.
“Assassin? You claim your name to be Ezio, correct?”
The assassin nodded silently.
“So, you’re the chump who tried to shoot Trixie back in Ponyville, yeah?”
Again, he nodded.
“I see,” murmured Rainbow Dash. “I have a question. How much were you paid to take her life?”
“One hundred and fifty-five Bits. Not a high fee for a typical life.”
“Is that how you see it? That a life can have value?”
“Si. Is that a problem?”
Rainbow did not answer, turning to leave. The rapidly lowering sun cast a shadow over the alleyway as the Pegasus took off, leaving the Master Assassin to his thoughts.

The knights stood surrounding Blueblood, their blades at their sides and their heads bowed before the Prince.
“All are dead, my lord,” One of them began. “Only three Changelings.”
“Wait,” Blueblood spoke, his brow furrowed. “There were only three Changelings? No ponies?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Then not all are dead. There were five, two ponies and three Changelings. I see now that you have failed me.”
All of the Templars at once realised what he meant and fell to their knees.
“No, my lord! Please! We will not fail you again!”
“Do not worry, Robert. I know you won’t.”
The prince summoned his magic, pulling Robert de Sable’s sword out from his hip. Before the Templar knight could react, the prince swung the blade into his left foreleg. Robert dropped to the ground, howling in pain as blood flowed from the wound that Blueblood had made.
“M-my lord! I am sorry! I am sorry!”
“I know. And I am too. I merely required knowing that you would never fail me again. After all, you cannot fail in your duties if you cannot even perform them.” The unicorn gently placed the blade back into its sheath at Robert’s hip. “Take him to the medical centre. Make sure he gets the treatment he deserves.” At once, two other ponies grabbed the suffering knight and dragged him away, his cries receding. Blueblood turned to the other knights.
“As for you, you are to search the city. By my guess, there should be three assassins roaming Canterlot. Find them and destroy them.” The Templars saluted and quickly left. Blueblood sat down on his chair and, ignoring the smell of iron that Robert left in his wake, began to write.
Master.
Everything is going by your plan. The assassins are in Canterlot, no doubt already planning a strike against me. I trust you to bring me to safety before they do. However, there is a complication. The Templars failed to kill everypony who was guarding me, two escaped. I have dispatched most of my force to locate them, but Robert de Sable has been injured by one and received a sword wound to the left foreleg. He is in the medical centre currently, receiving medical attention. I suggest removing him from the watch until it heals.
Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da Gloriam.
Blueblood.
Satisfied, the prince rolled up the letter and sealed it with a stamp. A red cross. He activated his horn and sent the letter, the magic dissolving the parchment and ink and sending the information flowing through an open window.

Author's Note

Thanks to AxtontheMechanist for proofreading, again. Cheers bud, dunno what I'd do without you.

Now, it is up to you lot. There are three groups I can focus on for the next chapter, Yusuf, heading back to the Assassins cave base, Aveline and her Changelings, finding information in Canterlot Castle, or the Elements and Trixie in their search for Connor. Post your votes in the comments for who you think should be focused on.

Requiescat in Pace
Fluttershy Auditore.

Chapter 3: Travel

The train jolted over the tracks on its way to Canterlot. Inside a carriage, six ponies looked over their bloodied and injured companion. Each face was a mixture of pain and upset. Even Trixie was worried as she finally tore her eyes away from the wooden shaft in the Pegasus’s flank, a stark reminder of what they were up against, and turned to the two other unicorns.
“Can’t we do anything to help? We have magic, can’t we-?”
“Shut up Trixie. I don’t need your sympathy,” snapped Rainbow. “The only thing you can do is buck off.” The unicorn stepped backwards, surprised, then slunk off sadly.
“I don’t suppose you’ll apologise to her later? Or now, perhaps?” whispered Pinkie Pie, surprising the others. After all, it was not often that the pink party pony took the voice of reason, or indeed a quieter voice than a tone that Twilight had dubbed ‘very loud’. “I mean, it just isn't nice to shout at people like that, she hasn't put that arrow there.”
“SHE DIDN'T, DID SHE!?” The Pegasus exploded in a fit of rage, directing her fury at Pinkie. “BECAUSE THOSE ASSASSINS WEREN'T AFTER HER!?” Her voice quietened to a deadly whisper. “Well let me tell you something. We are travelling to Canterlot with a mare who, in case you hadn't noticed, is being hunted down, and THEY DON’T CARE WHO GETS IN THEIR WAY!” With that, Rainbow turned away from them all, shaking and muttering darkly. Silence reigned in the carriage from then on, until a quiet thump on the roof drew Rarity’s attention.

Everypony in the cave was silent, brooding. Not even the Changelings disturbed the assassins as their master paced up and down the length of the cavern, head unhooded and face furious.
“One shot. We had ONE shot. And we messed it up. Idioti! All of you, idioti! Leave me,” Everypony took a look at somepony nearby, then fled. “Not you Connor!” The glimmer of a tomahawk blade flitted across the master’s vision as the final pony froze at the entrance. Ezio drew his sword, slashing at a nearby training dummy. Already covered in scars, the neck split perfectly in two as the blade cut cleanly through it. “You hurt an innocent, Connor. You know well that it is against the Tenants.”
“But Master-”
“ENOUGH! Give me your bow.” The dark brown Earth Pony glared at the lighter brown Earth Pony. The younger assassin glared at his master, then took the offending weapon off his body and put it in the older pony’s hoof. “Good. Now, go.” Connor left, growling quietly.
Why? Why did he keep failing? He was paid good money to kill the mare, and now she was on her way to Canterlot! Ezio sighed and turned away, heading to a small alcove in the rock. “Axton, I need to talk to you.”
“What?” A light brown colt looked up sleepily from his desk, his khaki mane held back from his eyes by a pair of mechanics goggles balancing on his horn. He stretched and turned, his cutie mark of two crossed wrenches and a blue star showing his expert knowledge of crossing magic and engineering. A small gemstone and cogs of various sizes were scattered over the unicorn’s workbench, remnants of the experiment he was working on at that time. “What is it?”
“I need my poison dart shooter looked at, I think the aim is off.”
A chuckle from the unicorn. “You missed? The master assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze missed?” The mechanic burst into a fit of giggles, slumping his head against the desk with mirth. Ezio did not react, knowing there was nothing he could do. Axton was one of the few ponies who could mix machines and magic so well, and the only one willing to work for the order. It was only he who had the privilege of laughing at the order without receiving a blade through the neck.
“Also, Axton, I need the ability to travel to Canterlot before the train that left ten minutes ago arrives there. Think you can handle that?”
“What did you just say?” The mechanic snapped to attention at once, mirth dispersed. “Canterlot?” He grimaced slightly. “Well… I’ve got this.” Axton turned away from Ezio, illuminating his horn to scan along the many cupboards and wall brackets adorning the stone. Something levitated off of the wall, held in the unicorns silvery white magic. A colour that reminded Ezio of steel, another credit to the mechanic.
“And what is this exactly-” began the assassin, but Axton cut across him.
“I’d been working on this for a while before I figured it out. I needed to study how they work before I could actually make them work.”
“That is wonderful, but what exactly are ‘they’?”
“Well, mechanical wings. You know… Err… What’s his name? Yusuf? The Pegasus? This wing harness’s based on Pegasus wings, plus magically and mechanically enhanced. They can go a lot faster than a train. Head out, you’ll get to Canterlot within two or three hours, just before the train arrives.”
The assassin took the lightweight, metallic gold device from the unicorn’s magic and slipped it onto his back. “Grazie, Axton. I shall try to return it in one piece.”
“You’d better,” began Axton, pulling his goggles over his eyes. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m a little busy.” He clicked the bones in his neck and lifted two cogs up, levitating a third and humming quietly. Ezio left the mechanic to unravel the secrets of his technology.

Trixie Lulamoon stood at the back of the caboose, quietly admiring the scenery as the train raced towards Canterlot. Her hat was in the carriage still, and her cape billowed slightly around her in the slipstream. Outwardly she projected the image of silent serenity. Inwardly, however, her mind was in turmoil. She hadn’t wanted the assassins after her, and she especially hadn’t wanted Rainbow Dash injured. How was it her fault? She wouldn’t wish this upon her worst enemy. She sighed and turned to enter the carriage again, then paused and turned back. There was something flying towards Canterlot, faster than anything she’d ever seen before. Something white and brown, but it was hard to get a closer look. Uninterested, she turned away and shut the door behind her. Just in time to unintentionally dodge a thrown knife that bounced off the slats that served as a floor for the caboose and clatter away on the railroad.