"Coco," Spike spoke "look, I know Suri wasn't the best person you worked, and I know you want to avoid her at all costs, but that Zeb you meet earlier was an assassin." Coco's eyes widened with her pupils shrinking.

"A-an Assassin?" She asked

"Yes, but not any type of assassin; she is going to kill Suri if we don't do something about this." Coco gasped

"I-I didn't know that! Oh my! I've killed Suri! I know I don't like her, but I don't want her dead! I-I-"

"Take deep breaths, Coco. Breath." Coco began to breath in & out heavily, rapidly, then slowed down. "There. Coco, we need to know where Suri is at; we're going to do our best to save her life from the assassin sent for her, but we need your help. Understand?" Coco nodded.

"Y-yes sir,  I-i understand, sir."

"Please, we need to know the things Suri's done, perhaps know ways we can get the assassin off guard."

"...Well... these are just rumors I've heard, but Suri's gone into the black market and has been hiring Shadowbolts as her protection. Canterlot has a low crime rate, but I'm not quite sure if there can exist something like this."

"Well statistics aren't always right, Coco. Where is Suri?"

"She's at the Dantius towers, Penthouse level one. There's a second one under construction next to it, and call me crazy, but that Zeb may use the second."

"Thanks for the info. Move out!" Spike followed Trixie & Strongheart, walking out to call a taxi.

"Wait!" They stopped. "This is a private party and I'm only invited. If the rumors are correct, then there's no chance that you'll be able to walk inside with a fight. I really dislike Suri, but please, the least I can do is take you there myself, help you out before any real danger comes."

"Aren't you worried of dying?"

"I am! When gunfire happens, I'm getting out!"

"Smart move. We can take care of ourselves while you escape. Let's move!"

"We'll go tonight, when everything's a bit more quieter. While we're waiting, want to see my new fashion lines? Rarity helped with them the last time she was here." Spike shrugged.

"I don't see why not."

After waiting for the sun to go down, Spike, Trixie, and Strongheart all got into Coco's personal ship as she drove them to where Suri was at. During their time together, Spike received a huge nostalgia throwback as he viewed Coco's dresses, feeling like Rarity's designs but also remaining like Coco's own designs. Trixie couldn't help but gawk at the dresses, though Strongheart didn't even care about, finding & eating whatever food was in Coco's fridge. They drove around for a bit, obeying all traffic laws, but still rushing.

"So... Spike?" Coco asked

"Yeah?" Spike replied

"If you save Suri's life, what are you going to do with this Assassin?"

"...Hopefully, the assassin will join me."

"Join your group? What are you doing, anyway?"

"We're going to stop Sombra and his Doppelganger army." Coco blinked and stared silently.

"That's... something."

"I know, it's nothing to parade about, but the galaxy is in danger and we're the only ones who can stop it."

"Hm... that sounds nice. ...Say Spike? If... If you don't make it to Suri... what are you going to do with the assassin then?"

"...They're still going to join us, but we're going to make sure they tell us who hired them and force them to pay for what they did to Suri."

"...we're here. Are you ready?"

"Let's do this." Coco parked her ship in front of the second tower, opening her door and letting them all out. "Thanks for the ride."

"Anytime for any friend of Rarity!" They heard a faint screaming coming right behind a glass door. Turning, they saw two humans gunned down by mechs.

"You might wanna get out of here."

"Done." Coco closed the doors and drove away.

"Finally!" Strongheart yelled "Action!!!" She pulled her shotgun out and charged through the windows, breaking it and began shooting at the mechs. Without saying anything else, Spike and Trixie pulled out their weapons and followed, shooting at the mechs Strongheart missed. With the mechs easily finished, they turned to their right, seeing a functioning door and a lone human next to it, bleeding & breathing weakly.

"Help." He wheezed.

"He's badly Hurt, Spike." Trixie spoke

"I can't feel my legs... my chest is killing me." Spike walked and leaned down to the human male.

"Who did this to you and why?" He asked

"We're just night workers. Suri... sent them after us... she sent the mechs to round us up, but we didn't hear. They just... started shooting."

"They just attacked you?"

"Yes... we were too slow. It was horrible; Everyone... screaming... the mercs said there was no time. Suri wanted us out of the way... immediately. Then... the dogs." He began to cough hard.

"He's not going to make it." Trixie commented.

"Who cares!" Strongheart replied "There's more like him."

"I can't breath... please... help me." He wheezed. Spike took the man's shirt off and applied some Medi-Gel on his burnt chest.

"Here," Spike spoke "This should ease the pain and keep you alive until help arrives."

"Thank you. That helps... a lot." He slowly began to stand right up.

"Easy there, take your time." Spike and the human stood up, though the human was slouching.

"Please, find the other workers, help them."

"We will. We need to get to the penthouse; have any suggestions?"

"...Since you saved me, take the service elevators to the upper floors. The bridge between the towers isn't finished, but if you're careful... you may want to look out for the mercs though, they're everywhere."

"So those rumors are true. How many mercs are there?"

"A lot. Dozens of them were wandering around here all day. You'll find more as you go."

"Noted. Why would Suri kill her own employees?"

"To her, we're expendable. But... I didn't think she'd be ruthless. My friends... coworkers... slaughtered. Many of them jumped off the ledge before the dogs got to them."

"That sounds awful. We'll do what we can, you find safety."

"Thank you so much, Draco."

"Please, call me Spike." The human froze, but slowly scooted his way behind some crates. Spike & the others entered the door the human stood next to.

"A waste of Medi-Gel." Strongheart commented.

"He may have a family." They entered the next room, where they saw many shadowbolts members lounging around. One of them saw the group. Spike pulled out his assault rifle.

"OH SHIT!!!" The Shadowbolt yelled before being gunned down. All the other Shadowbolts hastily grabbed their weapons and fired at the group. Trixie used her mage abilities, turning herself invisible & teleporting behind some Shadowbolts, snapping their necks before grabbing their own weapons and firing at their allies. It was quite amazing as how when Strongheart charged at their enemies, Trixie took out the ones shooting at her & Spike easily. If she wasn't a thief, then Trixie may have been an assassin herself. When all enemies were cleared, they made it to the elevator, to, upon arrival, two more Shadowbolts came out with a long Behemoth with them. Spike & Trixie took care of the two shadowbolts, but were surprised to see Strongheart wrestle the lone behemoth, not just on her own, but saw how strong she was, throwing the behemoth to the floor before stomping on it's throat. Before they entered, they heard a loud noise behind a door to their left. Trixie opened the door, revealing three more humans inside.

"Please!" One of them begged "Don't kill us! We'll go!"

"Wait," another spoke "they're not Shadowbolts! You're here to help us, right?"

"It's one reason I'm here." Spike replied "Come on out, it's safe."

"Thank you," the first spoke "We are in your debt."

"Maybe you can help me. I'm looking for someone; she's not a merc, but she's on her own."

"Well... whoever sealed us in here-"

"When she found us," the third spoke "I though we were dead! But she just closed the door and locked us in."

"Locke you in?" Trixie asked "Either she was protecting you or wanted you to starve to death."

"I choose the latter!" Strongheart added

"An assassin?" The first asked

"She must be here for Suri." the second added "I'm sure of it; she's got it coming! You treat people like this, it comes back and bites you in the ass!"

"Charming," Spike commented "I need to get to Suri's penthouse. What's the quickest way?"

"The Cargo elevator is the only way up now."

"They're still working up top," the first added "Watch your step, though; ome of the walls aren't finished and it's a long way down unless you can fly."

"Cold too; I hate working up there."

"I take it Suri's not your most favorite person?" Spike asked

"She's... a hard woman to work for." the first answered

"That's an understatement!" the third replied "She makes us work long hours, no overime, and this is what we get in payment!"

"She's unpleasant, to say the least."

"Why not just quit?" Spike asked

"We would if we could."

"What's stopping you?"

"Contracts."

"...Simple. Did you see who locked you in? Do you know where she might've gone?"

"Only that she's a Zeb and wore a brown cloak over her head." The second answered "We have no idea where she went, though."

"If she's after Suri," the first added "she'll be heading to the upper floors."

"Got it." Spike replied "How many workers were in this tower? Are there many more of you?"

"Not alive; we're lucky." the second answered

"Well, some got out before the dogs did." the third added "Maybe a few are hiding."

"Well we shouldn't be staying here too long," Spike said "it should be safe on the lower floors."

"I was thinking the same thing!" the first replied "Let's go everybody!" the humans left the room.

"Thank you," the third spoke, stopping near Spike "please, tell your assassin to aim for Suri's head 'cause she doesn't have a heart!"

"Got it." Spike replied. Spike's team entered the elevator and went up.

They stepped right out of the elevator, seeing a long Shadowbolt, surprisingly, a human, talking in his helmet while standing in front of a large, glass window.

"We don't need any reinforcements," he spoke "I'll take care of it. ... it's under control, I'll go down there myself." Spike pulled his pistol out.

"Turn around," he ordered "very slowly." The Shadowbolt turned around.

"Damn it." Spike walked to him

"Have you seen the assassin?"

"Why are you looking for her? You're not one of Suri's mercs. Who are you?"

"Answer my questions and I'll let you go."

"Look 'pal', even if I knew where she was, I wouldn't tell you." Spike leaned in.

"Not the answer I was looking for." He crossed his arms.

"I've got nothing more to say to you."

"How about 'goodbye'?"

"...What do you-" Spike pushed the man out of the window! He screamed as he fell to the floor below, falling silent as he became nothing more than a red speck from where they're at.

"Heh, badass!" Strongheart commented. They entered a larger room behind the elevator, accidentally activating all the mechs and alerting the mercs of their presence.

"I don't think you should've done that." Trixie commented

"Live and Learn." Spike replied. They quickly took care of the mercs in the room, but stopped as they heard banging behind another door. Trixie opened the door and Spike walked in, seeing three more humans inside. "Are you guys alright in here?" The human in the middle jumped up and pulled a pistol out.

"GET BACK!!!" He yelled "Get back! I'll shoot!"

"You don't have the guts!" Strongheart replied

"I don't want to hurt you!" Spike delivered a right hook across the human's face, knocking him out easily.

"Hurt me?" Spike asked with a scoff "I hardly felt a thing."

"Nolet!" The one on the left yelled, running to the knocked out human. "He's my brother! Why'd you do that?

"He was threatening to shoot me, I had to protect myself."

"Yes... I suppose that's right. Did you shot the Merc?"

"I'm sure I did in the fight."

"No, he was right there the whole time."

"Really? What happened exactly?"

"That Merc found us and shouted at us to move. We panicked, and he shouted more. I thought he was going to kill us, but then... his head exploded! Nelot took the Merc's gun, but we were too afraid to leave. Then you arrived."

"This assassin is doing a really good job," Trixie commented "She may make Sunset blush."

"How safe is the bridge outside?" Spike asked

"The bridge is stable," the human answered "but the wind's the real problem. If that doesn't throw you off, then the mercs will, and there's a lot!"

"Well I'm looking for someone; probably the same person who shot this merc."

"Nelot thought he saw someone following us, but he's been... on edge. I've only seen mercs."

"Is the bridge the only way into the penthouse in the other tower?"

"Sadly, it is."

"There are still mercs around here. You all better get to the lower levels."

"No need to tell me!" Nelot groaned and got up. "Come on, let's go! Thank you so much Mr..."  

"Spike. Just Spike." The humans eyes opened wide, but they continued their way out. The crew made their way to the bridge and saw the many Shadowbolts flying in the sky, firing at them. Both Spike & Trixie held on together to prevent the winds from blowing them, though Strongheart laughed as she charged and fired into the sky wildly, making a couple of Shadowbolts fall from the sky and either land on the bridge or fall to their deaths. Those that landed on the bridge were shot by Spike & Trixie, though a couple lost their balance and fell off the bridge by themselves.  

After getting to the other side of the bridge, they entered the room where Suri was inside. The room's windows were open, and the morning sun peeked through, showing Suri and some Shadowbolts around her. Suri looked as Coco described her: an woman in her middle age, wearing a pink sweater with light blue pants, scarf, high heels, and had purple hair.

"Spike?" She asked in surprise "But... you're dead."

"I got better." Spike replied

"And you're here to kill me."

"You really think I'm here to kill you?"

"Do you have another reason for destroying my tower? Decimating my security?"

"I'm just looking for someone."

"You expect me to believe THAT!? Is it bits? Is that what you want? Just tell me your price and we can make this go away."

"Sorry, I may be a Draco, but I'm not that greedy."

"WHAT!?!?!? I'll pay you double on who hired you! And I'll double that if you tell me who hired you!" Some 'thumps' were heard. "What was that!?"

"I heard something!" One of the Shadwobolts yelled

"Damn it! Check the other entrances!" She pointed at Spike "You! Stay Put!" Falling gracefully from the ceiling, most likely from an airduct, was the assassin. Though only falling, Spike saw the figure was very feminine looking, wearing a brown cloak all over her body & covering her face, showing only her eerie, yellow glowing eyes. She stood right up and snuck behind one of the guards, snapping his neck quickly & quietly! She grabbed the next guard and chopped him in the throat, crushing his throat and making him gag. She pulled the gun from the merc and shot at the last merc with a clean headshot! She then pulled out a knife, lunged at Suri, who turned, and sliced her throat. Suri held onto her bleeding throat, but stopped, and died. The hooded figure placed Suri's body on the table, crossing her arms, then began to pray.

"I'm keeping my eyes on her." Strongheart commented, a bit freaked out. Spike took a few steps forward.

"Ma'am?" Spike asked "I... I was hoping I could talk to you."

"Please," she spoke in a way too familiar voice "this wicked life was taken. I must pray for what isn't forsaken."

"You really think she deserved it? And have we meet before?"

"No, her sins are no greater than you or me, and we have meet, 'Spikey Wikey'."

"Spikey Wikey?" Trixie asked

"Hold on!" Spike exclaimed "Zecora!?" The Zeb removed her hood, showing a pale gray woman's head with darker stripes, a mohawk with lighter shades, and wearing both golden ear-rings and golden rings around her neck.

"It's been a long time," she proclaimed "Tell me, are you now disturbed for this crime?"

Profile

-Zecora was Ponyville's local Zeb that, for a time, was outcasted by the residents, but was accepted after Twilight & her friends learned a bit of her culture. Though accepted into the town, Zecora spent most of her days living in the Everfree Forest, living off the land's resources and gathering ingredients for specialized teas, brews, and potions needed to help her survive and help others in need. Spike and Zecora may not have had been friends with Zecora in their years, but they've been acquainted with each other, as Twilight seeked help from Zecora time to time.

Spike stared with his jaw opened & hanging low.

"Ah, greetings Trixie," Zecora spoke again, walking next to Spike "Have you learned your lesson from battling Twilie?"

"I knew you looked familiar." Trixie grumbled to herself.

"Zecora," Spike spoke, shaking his head "Why? Why didn't you tell us that you were an assassin?"

"You never asked me about my past," Zecora answered "just like how you were small and fat."

"...Fair enough, but you didn't have to kill her."

"I apologize, but it had to be done, or else the innocence of children would be gone.

"Wait... she was a Trafficker!? So you took her out on top-"

"So the ones below would fall like dominoes. A necessary evil one has to do to make sure the generation would be safe and new." Spike took a deep breath

"Well... you know why we're here?"

"You wish to speak to me, even if it's something one wouldn't glee.

"Yeah, look, innocent people are being abducted by Sombra & the Doppelgangers, and it's our job to stop them be going to Apis."

"... Stopping them is nearly suicidal, but this will defeat a greater evil."

"So you'll join me?"

"...This was my last job, and my body... will soon stop."

"You're dying!?"

"Low survival no longer concerns me, but everyone else, that I guarantee. The universe is dark, all I want is to leave a spark." Spike extend his hand.

"You won't die, but we're going to leave a spark, together." Zecora accepted his hand.

"I hope we will redeem, though it'll take me time to work with a team."

Big Mac and Spike stood in the briefing room as Zecora entered.

"Zecora," Big Mac spoke "I... I'm quite surprised at this and hope you'll be an asset to the team. But, I'll be watching my back."

"My arm is now Spike's," Zecora replied "wherever he tells me, I shall strike."

"I hope so!"

"Something wrong, Mac?" Spike asked

"I... I feel like I've been lied. Mah youngest sister was around you; it's almost as bad as leaving her with a tiger rather than a house cat."

"Please, do not cry," Zecora replied "And where should I unpack? I prefer someplace dry." The hologram of WOONA appeared.

"The life support plant on the crew deck is slightly more arid than the rest of the ship." WOONA answered.

"Ah, a hologram of Luna? Or, as I heard everyone call you, WOONA." She bowed then turned.

"...She's quite civil." WOONA disappeared.

"Mac," Spike turned to Big Mac "We need all the help we can get. Need I remind you on how I felt seeing you with FIST?" Big Mac huffed to himself.

"I guess y'er right." He replied, walking out.

What will we do next?

I. Get the final person: the Vigilante.

-Gilda

-Discord

-Twilight Sparkle (other)

II. Loyalty Missions.

-Big Mac

-Diamond Tiara

-The Doctor

-Sunset Shimmer

-Sonata Dusk

-Strongheart

-Garble

-Trixie

-Sweetie Belle

-Zecora.

III. Pick up the IFF.