Several hours after leaving Ponyville, Dark Haze, John, and Applejack found themselves in Canterlot just at the entrance to the Catacombs. However, a neon sign that read, ‘Entrance to Canterlot Templar base. Trespassers will be caught and subjected to illegal experiments,’ had raised an important question.

“How has nobody questioned their activities? That sign makes it blatantly clear their up to no good,” John admitted.

“I'm thinking that these uppity Canterlot folk just think it's a joke,” Applejack said. “Or it's true that the Princess is too trusting.”

John just raised an eyebrow to her before he said “We did tell you that earlier but you and Twilight didn't want to believe that was the case.”

“It's just hard to believe that somepony that you thought was without fault made mistakes,” Applejack said.

“Everyone makes mistakes, but you forget history is written by the victor,” John said before groaning as he looked to his pistol and muttered “And this thing is nothing but a trinket now.”

“What about the other one?”

“You mean the revolver? It’s empty it was a bluff.” John admitted.

“So I wasn’t in danger of being killed.”

“Not with that gun… my blades are another matter.” John replied.

“The threat was empty concerning the gun thing, but not on bodily harm.”

“I’m not very trusting of those who participate in attempted murder or kidnappings,” John replied.

“To be fair his reasoning is fair, I did assist in committing a crime,” Dark Haze agreed.

“Anyway, let's just get in there and get Applebloom back,” Applejack said. “Anything we should know before we enter?”

“That right now from how you're dressed you’ll be killed before you reach the door,” Dark Haze admitted.

“So we need disguises?”

“And hope they don’t see your face, A lot of the templars know how you look, they literally have posters of you that read kill on sight in there.”

“What do you suggest then?”

“The obvious one is don’t use the front door, as for how we can get in… there is a old sewage entrance at the side of the complex that leads towards the prison cells, but I have no idea where they’ll bring you out in the prison itself.”

“Better idea than the front door, though. Lead the way.”

“Okay, just don’t expect much from it,” Dark Haze replied before he lead them around the side of the cliff face before they saw an open sewage grate above them the hatch on the ground with a note on it that read ‘I’ve got your backs. SH’.

“Who’s SH?” Applejack asked.

“Hell if I know,” John replied.

“A very close ally of mine,” Dark Haze replied with a smile.

“Can you be more specific?” John asked.

“Not right now.”

“I agree, save Applebloom now, questions later.” Applejack then entered the sewer.

“If this ally of your tries to kill any of the order, I don’t care for what reason you're both dead on the spot, understand.” John warned.

“Completely,” Dark Haze replied as he climbed into the sewage grate as John followed swiftly behind him.

Once the two were in, they saw Applejack just finishing the beheading of a Templar guard with her axes. Once the body fell to the ground, she said, “Þú ert dauður!”

“I’m guessin it wasn’t clear,” John sighed as he walked next to her.

“Eeyup,” she answered. “I kept the fight as quiet as possible, so I'm sure no one heard us fight.”

“Let's hope so, to much resistance will cause a lot of problems,” John admitted before he activated his Eagle Vision before he said “We have three guards ahead of us and another that looks to be climbing down a ladder.”

“I'll take the ladder one, you two take the others,” Applejack said before carefully sneaking forward. “I'll help you once the one on the ladder is dead.”

“Okay, and try to avoid being seen,” John requested.

Applejack nodded and carefully crept through the shadows until she reached the ladder. Once the guard got off the ladder, she grabbed him and pulled him into the shadows, and with the sound of a hidden blade, he was dead.

As this was happening both Dark Haze and John silently moved to flank two of the three guards, however before they could so anything one in the centre began to move sporadicallyswinging his sword as he sliced the throat of the guard to his right before suddenly stabbing the other in the chest before they both fell to the floor dead.

“What just happened?” John asked as he walked next to the central guards corpse as he found a small needle in his neck before he said “maybe someone poisoned him?”

“Who are you?” Applejack asked threateningly. “You that SH that was on that note?” No reply was heard as Applejack’s voice echoed around the sewers. She relaxed her stance and put one of her axes on her belt. “Well, whoever that was that was, at least we may be on the same side.”

“Lets hope thats the case and they didn’t just miss one of us,” John said hopefully.

“What do you think Haze?” Applejack asked.

“I can’t be sure exactly, but I can tell you this. The poison that was used isn’t made by Templars, so whoever used it has some other motive for being down here.”

“Then let's hope that person doesn't turn on us.” Applejack began climbing the ladder out of the room with John and Dark Haze following swiftly behind her.

“Okay, the ash and unsalvageable wood has been cleaned up. The good wood is properly stored. Now what?” Sam said to Big Mac.

“Now, we wait for Chance-A-Lot,” he answered.

“Who?”

“A lot of ponies just call him Carmel.”

“Oh.”

Seconds later a pony that had light amber coat and brown tail and mane ran towards them only for him to crash into the sign causing it to fall to the ground towards the group.

Sam looked back and forth between Big Mac and the fallen sign and pony. “Is that the guy?”

“Eeyup!”

The pony then stood up and groaned as he saw the group as he walked over to them and said “Sorry for damaging the sign… again.” He then noticed the lack of a house before he asked Big Mac “Should I ask what happened to the house, and why exactly you're wearing that getup? You going to a fancy dress party or something?”

“Actually, I'm just dressed and ready for any unwelcome guests since the last ones took down the house,” Big Mac joked.

“Is that person next to you welcome?” Caramel asked nervously.

Big Mac looked at Sam with a somewhat confused smirk. “He's not dangerous...mostly.”

“That really inspires confidence,” Caramel replied nervously looking at Sam.

“And you hitting the sign does?” Sam asked.

Carmel looked at the fallen sign before he said “I guess you’ve got me there.”

“It's okay. You're not the only one that's accident prone. I accidentally stuck my shoulder with one of my sickles.”

“And people think I’m a danger to myself,” Caramel chuckled.

Big Mac sighed. “While it's nice that you're getting along, let's see about getting the frame up for the house.” He tossed a hammer to Carmel and Sam, Carmel missing it and it hitting him on his hoof.

“Son of a…” Caramel said in annoyance before stopping as he said “I’m fine, don’t worry,” as he picked the hammer back up.”

“Alright, I just hope that-” An explosion was then heard in the distance towards town. “I need to learn to not talk.”

“What kind of Hornets nest have you kicked now?” Caramel asked nervously.

“Let's just say, my parents had friends, who had enemies, who apparently resort to questionable methods to try and rule the world or something,” Big Mac answered. He then ran to the barn. “Be right back!”

“What are you getting?” Caramel asked.

His answer came when Big Mac came back with a shield and a flail. “We're heading into town to see what's going on. You're gonna need this.” He handed the items over to him.

“Are you crazy! Why would I need these, there's no chance I’m fighting.”

“No offense, but your name is Chance-A-Lot,” Sam pointed out. “You have more of a chance of fighting for your life than I do of suddenly turning into a duck.”

“Seriously there's a difference between getting lucky in avoiding getting crushed by signs and facing someone who trying to destroy the town!”

“From our recent experience, they don't do it on purpose. They have a target in mind, but innocent people will get caught in the crossfire...and they won't care.”

“Even less of a reason for us to intervene,” Caramel argued, “I don’t know who you think I am, but I’m not a soldier.”

Suddenly, Caramel was snagged by a sickle and pulled to Sam. “So, let me get this straight. You are willing to let others get hurt rather than yourself?”

“I left this life when the Brotherhood fell so yes I am!” Caramel shouted before he realised what he had said. “Umm…”

Big Mac calmly walked up to Caramel and gave him a deadpan stare. Without warning, he charged Caramel, picked him up, threw him into a tree, and slammed his knee into nose. “Then I should tell you that you should have recognized Assassin armor when you saw it! The Brotherhood is being rebuilt, and we need whatever veterans we can get!”

“Then you don’t need me,” Caramel argued, “I was thrown out before I even was trained.”

“Then I can train you!” Sam said. “If I'm correct, they threw you out for your clutziness. I'm a bit of a clutz myself, so you can learn from me! Now get your rump in gear before I get it in gear for you! Innocent blood will be on your hands if you do nothing!”

“And the same will happen if I do, The Templars know of my past and will murder my family if I rejoin you! I will not risk their lives again,” Caramel retorted.

“Then give me their address and I'll get them to safety!” Sam shouted. “But you must realize, there are two forces in this world. Things to act and things to be acted upon. Are you going to pony up and be a proper stallion, or lay down and be a doormat? Because I can shave you and let the Templars make a rug out of your hair.”

“Unless you can get my pregnant wife out their catacombs I’ll be a frickin doormat to keep them safe!”

“You're in luck then,” Big Mac said. “Applebloom was just kidnapped by the Templars, and we sent a rescue team. I'm sure they'll free anyone else that is there.”

“Well until they are safe, i’m not joining back up and that's that!” Caramel argued.

“Well, since you put it that way-” Sam's fist suddenly lashed out and knocked Caramel out. “Sweet dreams. Your wife will be with you when you wake up.” He then dragged him to the barn. Then Big Mac and Sam began running to town.

As Big Mac and Sam reached town, they saw a pillar of smoke rising from the center of town. They hurried to the location of the fire, and they found Sugar Cube Corner up in flames, with a flat maned Pinkie Pie and a very pregnant Mrs. Cake staring at the burning building.

Surrounding the two, were a bunch of Templar soldiers, one of which was a Lawbringer.

“What's wrong? Not going to try and save your husband,” The Lawbringer chuckled as he mocked Pinkie and Mrs Cake, “You're just leaving him to burn alive and listen to his screams. Why don’t you do something? You thought it was a good idea to mess with us now? How does it feel?”

“I've got a bad feeling about this situation,” Sam muttered in fear.

“Why's that?” Big Mac asked, a hint of fear hidden in his voice.

The Lawbringer then smirked at Mrs Cake as he scratched the tip of his poleaxe against her chest leaving a light scratch along it, “What’re you going to do Pink Paint Sniffer, you gonna stop me?”

“Stop it,” Pinkie muttered under her breath.

“What's that, you want one of my guys to have their way with the bitch, you really must have no respect her the widow,” The lawbringer mocked again as one of the templars walked behind Miss Cake.

“I think we should step in.” Big Mac moved to intervene, but Sam held him back.

“I think Pinkie can handle this,” Sam said. “Or should I say, Pinkamena.”

“Pinkie,” Miss Cake said shakily in fear.

“What wrong Paint Sniffer, don’t care,” The Lawbringer mocked once more.

“I told you to stop it,” Pinkie repeated as she looked up towards the Lawbringer before quickly gripping something tightly in her hands before quickly bringing her hand towards the Templar who was behind Mrs Cake as she stabbed a knife into the Templars neck before quickly grabbing his sword as he died and pointed it towards the Lawbringer.

“Okay, NOW we can help,” Sam said as he pulled out his katana. He then raised his voice. “Pinkamena! Sic ‘em!”

Pinkie only nodded before she said “Mrs Cake you need to get away from here,” as she thrusted the stolen blade forward into and exposed part of the Lawbringer armour as the other templars backed away slowly leaving Mrs Cake with enough room to slowly move towards Big Mac and Sam.

Once she was in the clear, Big Mac and Sam charged into the Templar horde while Pinkie kept hacking, slashing, and stabbing at the Lawbringer. Unbeknownst to the three fighting the Templars, the fire from the bakery started to spread. Sam noticed this first. “Mac! Get the townspeople and get a fire brigade going!” Mac nodded and went towards Town Hall to do that. In that brief moment a Templar tried to attack him from behind, but Sam sidestepped the strike and kicked him into the fire. “Osoi!”

After a few minutes of fighting, the Templars were either dead or dying. The Lawbringer was among the dying.

Pinkie was standing over the dying Lawbringer the sword she has been using stabbed into his abdomen as kept moving it slightly causing the Lawbringer to scream out in pain each time, “Come In say it, I dare you! What am I!”

The Lawbringer just stayed quiet shaking in fear at the crazed mare.

“Come on where's your voice now, say something,” Pinkie said again whilst twisting the sword again as the Lawbringer cried out weakly.

Sam whistled in a dog calling fashion and yelled, “Pinkamena! Stand down!” Only for her to ignore him as she continued twisting the blade as the Lawbringer died still screaming till his last breath even then she failed to cease her attack.

Sam launched a sickle at her to snap her back to her senses. It caught her shoulder and pulled her to him. “Why are you stopping me, that monster deserves to die slowly! Let me go!” Pinkie shouted still too blinded by anger to realise what she’d done.

“He’s already dead!” Sam shouted before thumping her a few times with the blunt sides of his sickles. “I can understand you’re mad, but if you are to use it, don’t be blinded by it!”

“Like Tartarus he is!” argued as she got free and kicked the corpse before pulling the sword sideways from the dead body and stabbing it into the cadavers neck as she said “Now he’s dead.” before walking away her hair still flat and lifeless.

“You done?” Sam asked.

“Well being I can’t throw him into the fire while he’s still alive, I guess,” Pinkie replied coldly.

“Okay, now that you are calm, relatively speaking, can you tell us what they were here for?” Mac asked.

“How should I know, they just came in, began shouting nonsense, then set the place on fire for no reason,” Pinkie argued.

“What were you doing when they came in?” Sam asked.

“Well I greeted them like any other customer, then they said something about a something of Eden before shouting then setting the place on fire.”

Sam paced a bit before turning to her. “Did they mention anything about Assassins or Templars?”

“Aren’t Templars those people who kidnap families and use them for weird experiments?” Pinkie inquired.

“That is more than likely them,” Mac answered. “What about Assassins?

“What are they?”

“Opposites of the Templars,” Sam answered. “And you’re looking at two of them.”

“Your Assassin’s?” Pinkie said looking towards Big Mac, “Since when?”

“Since we learned of our family’s secret past, which was just earlier today,” Mac answered.

“In fact, we have plenty of open spots for new recruits,” Sam told her. “What do you say? Want a chance to fight these guys?”

“What do I get if I do?” Pinkie asked barely looking at Sam.

“Not only a chance to get back at them for killing your employer’s husband, but a means to defend her,” Sam said.

“As of now, Mrs. Cake and her future foals are under Assassin protection,” Mac said, planting his axe into the ground like a flag.

“And what about you? What do you get from me joining?”

“A new member for the fight, and a friend to watch our backs.”

“What else it seems like I’m getting the better deal here, what do you really want?”’

“To stop the Templars from taking over the world by taking everyone’s freedom and/or lives.”

Pinkie then just sighed before she said “Okay… but where are you hiding out… and why was there smoke near Sweet Apple Acres?”

“The farm was attacked earlier, the house was burnt down, and Applebloom was kidnapped,” Mac said. “But for now, saving Applebloom is being taken care of. We need to see about finding the Piece of Eden that the Templars were after and check your other friends. There may be other pieces that are related to your friends and the Templars will be wanting to ‘talk’ to them.’

“What would we know about these things?”

“All we know is that they be related to the Elements of Harmony. Collectively, they are called Harmony of Eden. We have found Honesty of Eden already,” Sam told her.

“And what does that even do?”

“We haven’t determined that yet,” Mac said. “But if the Templars are after them, then they aren’t good.”

“Well do you have idea where you should even be looking for them? Or even how to find them?”

“Maybe talking with your parents may give some clues,” Sam said. “After all, Applejack’s and Mac’s parents knew of Honesty of Eden, so maybe your parents may know of Laughter of Eden.”

“But emergency family reunions will have to wait,” Mac said. “We need to check on your friends. Pinkamena, go check on Fluttershy. Sam and I will check Rarity and Rainbow.”

“You really think I should see Fluttershy while being covered in blood?”

“The combination of your flat hair and the blood will show her how serious the situation is,” Sam said. “Once you are done checking on her, take her to the barn at the farm. Take Mrs. Cake with you.”

“I’ll have to find Mrs. Cake first, I have no idea where she went.”

“We’ll keep an eye out for her then,” Mac said. “Now, let’s go.”

Author's Notes:

It's not dead, I tell you!