The assassin.

I am an assassin. A hit man. A killer if you will. Though trained assassin has more of a ring to it don’t you think?

My job is to do whatever I’m paid to do and do it well. I do it more than well. I’m the best damn assassin in all kingdoms. Not just Equestria. I’m so good, that the princess herself knows nothing of me.

I’m highly trained in stealth tactics, armed combat, unarmed combat, aerial combat and long range weaponry. So I’m perfect for this job. I have a slight obsession with a strict training regime, though I don’t let that affect what I eat too much. I love fighting, but I won’t unless provoked.

‘But I’ll fight any mother fucker who tries to touch me.’

That’s Hunter, he’s another pony’s consciousness in my body.  I don’t know how he got there and he doesn’t know either, I was just a little filly when I got him. I can let him have control of my body when I will it and he can sometimes talk out loud. He’s a lot more aggressive then I am and he’s really protective of me for some reason. But I wouldn’t trade him for all the bits in Equestria.

Now you might wonder why I’m sitting in a quaint little bar in the quaint little town of Ponyville. The reason for that is I was hired to befriend the Elements of Harmony, gain their trust and then kill them. If I can kill the princess’ as well then I get a bonus. I’m a patient colt and I know that this job could take months, so I have to be prepared for the long haul. I have never failed and I will complete a job by any means necessary.

If mysterious ‘Mr D’ wishes not to tell me his name, then I don’t have a problem with that. If he wants me to slowly and painfully kill the Elements, then I have no problem with that. If he wants me to turn them against each other and make them fight to the death, then I have no problem with that.

You may think the Elements of Harmony and the princess’ are big names. They’re just another contract. I will kill them and fade away into the shadows like I always did. This mission only had one flaw. I didn’t have time to research like I usually did. Usually I would find out everything I could about the target, and then I would begin to stalk them and learn their ways. This time I have to be open and I won’t have time to research. This time will be different.

/

The barkeep slid the drink over to me. “You sure you can pay for those?” He asked, gesturing to the row of bottles in front of me.

“Trust me, I’ve got the bits. Besides, I’m not even a little tipsy yet.” I replied.

I raised the drink up to my eye for closer inspection.

‘Even I think I’m tired.’ Hunter yawned inside my head.

‘Yeah, I think we’ll head……..’ I paused, realising that I had not put any thought into what I would do when I got here.

‘You didn’t even think of buying a house did you Mr professional assassin?’

‘Shut up.’

‘Holy shit! You actually did!’ Hunter broke out into a laughing fit.

I sighed dejectedly and put the bottle back down.

“Thanks, here are the bits.” I told the barkeep, sliding the correct amount of bits to him.

I left the bar running my hands through my silvery hair. I stopped around a corner and curled my fingers around the pendant hanging from my neck.

“If your magic could work at any time now would be good.” I whispered to the pendant.

It didn’t have any real magic, but I believe it brings me great luck. I just walked after that, following no real road, I just walked.

I happened upon the home of the Element of Kindness.

‘Mr D’ had sent me some pictures of their homes. Matter-of-fact ‘Mr D’ said that the Element of Kindness was the only one he wanted me to kill painlessly. I shook the thoughts out of my mind

‘It’s not my job to think. I just do what I’m told.’ I reminded myself.

‘I hate this part of our job.’ Hunter commented, knowing what I was going to do next.

‘So do I. I agreed.

I pulled out my concealed blade. I slid the flat of the blade along my hand its metal gleaming in the moonlight.

‘Here goes.’

I spun the blade in my hands and pointed the tip of the blade just below my solar plexus (That space at the bottom of your ribs) and forced the blade through.

“FUCK!”  I shouted in pain as much as I shouted to rouse Kindness.

I pulled the blade out and cleaned it on my shirt, before hiding it again. Kindness opened her door to see me coughing and holding my new wound, blood pouring over my hands.

“Help me.” I pleaded weakly before letting myself succumb to the pain and drifting to the world of unconsciousness.

/

My vision slowly returned to me, I was surrounded by six mares and apparently in a bed. Six was a number I knew all too well and even before my vision completely cleared, I knew who they were.

“Are you okay?” A lavender unicorn asked.

“Do you have any measure of intelligence?” I spat back.

She looked confused and offended. “What?”

I pointed to my apparently bandaged wound. “I have a fucking hole in my stomach! Does it look like I’m okay!?”

“I guess not.” She replied sheepishly.

“Whatever, I’ll just get my stuff and get out of here then.” I stood up slowly and moved to gather my weapons, which had been left on the floor.

Step one in motion: Reverse psychology. Even I knew that I shouldn’t be walking with that kind of wound.

“NO!” The lavender unicorn grabbed my shoulder in protest.

‘She’s very gullible isn’t she?’

'Not the time Hunter.'

“You healed me, for that I am grateful do not think I am not, but I have things I need to do and I do not have the time to be here.”  I responded, shrugging her off.

“Why are you carrying around all those knives and stuff?” A cyan Pegasus asked.

“Protection.” I answered simply.

“From what?”

“Everything and anything.” I replied smugly.

I quickly gathered my weapons and put them in the various hiding places on my body. Only one thing was missing.

“Where’s my pendant?” I asked.

A orange earth pony stepped forward. “Ah held onto it for ya.” She handed it to me. I grabbed the pendant but also wrapped my hand around hers and pulled her close.

“If any of you ever touch my pendant again you will suffer a slow and painful death.” I whispered into her ear.

She looked shocked to say the least.

“Oh c’mon, I was just kidding. But in all seriousness, avoid touching it from now on. You could seriously hurt yourselves.” I joked dryly.

I may be a killer, but nopony deserved the pain that would be enacted on them if they put this pendant on.

‘Amen to that.’

“So, I shall take my leave. Thank you all for the hospitality.” I ended, walking up to the door. This time I wasn’t stopped. I took a couple steps, stretched out my wings and took off.

‘Time to see if we can find somewhere comfortable to sleep in.’ Hunter was quite bored I could tell.

‘Don’t worry, I’ve pushed them away and now they’ll only try harder. Tomorrow step two comes into play.’

Hunter’s voice was filled with trepidation. ‘I can’t wait.’

My flight was a little painful because of my wound, but I’ve had worse. Trust me on that one. I came across a small clearing surrounded by a cluster of small trees.

‘Easily defensible. Time to sleep.’ I imparted to Hunter, dropping down to land softly in a branch of a tree.

Sleep came easily and the peaceful embrace of my dreams welcomed me with open arms.