A nuke stretching from the floor of the room reaching almost to the top of the ceiling was standing vertically next to an overenthusiastic Pinkie.

“I got it off the INTERNET!” said Pinkie.

“You can get stuff like THAT off the internet!?” surprised Rainbow dash.

“Well… I got the casing. I had to get my OWN materials to put into the nuke!” answered Pinkie.

“WHAT!? IT’S ACTIVE!?” We all shouted.

“YUP! Here let me show you!” she said pushing a button on the side of the nuke.

“NOOOO!” We all shouted as we jumped on Pinkie, but it was too late.

The nuke has been activated.

Come on! THEY’RE NOT EVEN ASSASSINS YET! WE WERE ALL SUPPOSED TO DO THE LEAP OF FAITH!
Why did I make her the pyro!? Why… why… WHY!

We all huddled together, trying to seek comfort in these last few seconds of our life. While Pinkie was jumping around us in a circle.

“3…2….1!” counted Pinkie.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

We were all dead.

At least until-

“SURPRISE!” shouted Pinkie from the carnage.

“What? How are we still alive?” I asked amazed that we weren’t vaporized from existence.

Then I noticed the cupcakes and cake mix decorating the entire room. Everything was covered in batter: the walls, the books, and the carpet.

NO! THE CARPET!

As well as everyone’s workstation (including Pinkies), the giant glass window, and worst of all. My desk.

NO! MY BEAUTIFUL DESK! WHY!?

“I call it the, SUPER AWESOME CUPCAKE NUKE OF FUN!” said Pinkie cheerfully.

“……..”

“DAMN IT PINKIE!” I shouted.

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Cupcakes… I should have known. Dear Celestia my back hurts from clearing up this mess. I’m glad we can finally put this mess behind us. Pinkie wouldn’t really bring a live nuke to our base.
HAHAhaha…ha….

Would she?

I looked around the room, which seemed to be back to the way it was before Pinkie’s “nuke” accident. Aside from the room smelling like a pastry factory I can finally be relieved that noticing worse can happen.

Yet...

A mob of 5 angry ponies were forming around Pinkie.

“Honestly Pinkie, what were you thinking!?” Applejack said to Pinkie.

“My mane could have been ruined!” shouted Rarity.

“That was so AWESOME!” said Rainbow Dash.

“You startled me…” said Fluttershy.

“Pinkie don’t you know how much cake you used? We can’t use Spike as a vacuum whenever you blow something up!” said Twilight.

“So…much…cake…*Burp*” said a plump Spike as he fell on his back and passed out.

“WHY PINKIE? WHY WHY WHY PINKIE PIE! BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA BLA Bla….”

Ok, this is getting out of hand. Again.

I pushed myself through the mob of anti-Pinkie ponies until I was in the middle of the mob with Pinkie.

“ENOUGH!” I shouted, startling the ponies as they all went quiet.

“Yes, I know that Pinkie pretended to blow up Ponyville with a nuclear device filled with cupcakes and baking materials. BUT! As assassins you all need to see this from different perspectives.”

“First, were we all surprised?” I asked the mob.

“Umm… sure, we were all surprised when Pinkie brought in that nuke.” Said Applejack.

“And therefore she completed her objective, just like an assassin would.” I said.

“What!? You can’t be serious!” said an annoyed Rainbow Dash.

“Which brings me to the next perspective; I assume no pony is physically hurt.”

The ponies looked at themselves checking for any signs of damage.

“Besides us covered in cake mix everyone is fine.” Answered Twilight.

“Which brings me to the last perspective I’ve chosen, we can use Pinkie’s errr… SACNOF (Super Awesome Cupcake Nuke Of Fun) as a weapon to distract the Templars in an upcoming contract I’m hoping to plan.”

“Assuming you can replace the cake mix with something a little more… hardening.” I turned to Pinkie.

“Wait a contract? That means-“started Applejack.

“Yes you’re all assassins now, basic specialist assassins but still assassins. We still need to do the ceremony. So everyone grab a robe and I’ll see you on the roof.” I said moving towards the roof exit.

---------------------------------------------

The 6 ponies are all lined up wearing their white assassin robes looking towards me at what they will eventually have to do.

“I’ve gathered you all up here for the last test of an assassin, the test of faith.” I said to them.

“Now before I do that, I am bound to recite the 150 tenants of our creed so this is also a test of patience.”

“150!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

*Ahem*

“TENANT 150: PLACE GARBAGE….”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“And Finally TENANT 1: NOTHING IS TRUE, EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED.” I ended.

Most ponies were either nodding off from this exhausting day and speech or like Rainbow Dash taking a snooze. Twilight on the other hand was completely focused on every word I said as she took notes.

“Now EVERYONE! Let’s say the last tenant TOGETHER!” I shouted trying to revamp the ponies that were nearly asleep.

“Nothing is *yawn* true, but everything is… *snore*”

Wow, how pathetic was that? Then again I did make them chase me around town and stab stuff for 6 hours. I should cut them some slack.

“That was GREAT! Now we can do the leap of faith ceremony!” I said waking all the ponies.

“It’s easy, all you need to do is jump of this perch,” I said pointing to a small wooden perch we made during the renovations.

“And land in that hay pile below.” I pointed to the hay at the very bottom of the clock tower.

“Finally, now are there any questions before we proceed?” I finished.

“Uh… Shadow? I know we’d all love to jump of the highest point in Ponyville and land in a pile of hay, but why?” asked Twilight.

“Excellent question Twilight! This is to show that we can count on you to protect the brotherhood and to trust us to catch you and back you up.” I explained.

“Hey! We all trust each other, don’t you trust us?” butted in Rainbow Dash.

“Of course, but this is procedure and we must follow the initiation to the list. Right Twilight?” I said gesturing to her notebook.

“He’s right it’s in the rules.” Tiredly answered Twilight to Rainbow Dash.

“Oh well….. RACE YOU TO THE BOTTOM!” shouted Rainbow Dash as she jumped of the perch.

“Hey wait for me!” exciting jumped Pinkie.

“As a lady I do have my standards for… jumping of buildings, but for the guild I’ll do it.” Said Rarity as she pranced her way off the perch.

“Wait! Where do I put my books and notes!” confused Twilight.

“Here Twilight let me take them off your hooves.” I said feeling the weight of the books and stacks of paper she handed to me.

Oof, how can she carry these around!? Is the Princess trying to kill her?

After Twilight did her jump, all that was left was Applejack and Fluttershy.

“I can’t… I’m…. scared.” Nervously said Fluttershy as she looked over the edge.

“Listen darling, it’s only one itty bitty jump. You fell down from worse.” Applejack comforted Fluttershy.

Fluttershy didn’t budge. However a certain assassin eagle had just woken up and noticed Fluttershy before he did his night hunting.

*Scree* said Ace.

“Oh, hello Ace how are you this night?” Fluttershy said to Ace.

“*Scree* Scee* Sceee* *SWACK*” answered Ace as he slowly flew backwards towards the perch.

“Oh… wow… You hate documents that much? It must be dreadful having to fly to Celestia back and forth all the time.” Said Fluttershy as she began moving too.

When Ace had Fluttershy where he wanted, he simply let out, “*Swehehe*” and flew off.

“Look down?” Fluttershy said looking below her.

She was directly off the perch and floating mid-air.

“Uh Oh…. AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEEE!” she shouted as she fell from the air and landed squarely in the perch.

Ace you brilliant genius. What would the guild do without you?

Applejack just simply nodded and jumped off the tower. I deposited Twilight’s stuff next to Spike below deck. I went back to the roof and performed the final leap of faith for the day.

*LEAP OF FAITH*

Another perfect landing. I looked around and saw that the ponies looked more confident than before they jumped, including Fluttershy.

“Ok girls, you don’t need to wear the robes in Ponyville. You can wear them when we go to a different town or city or for ceremonial purposes. So for tomorrow take the day off to rest and enjoy the no-nonsense training I offered.” I said to them.

After getting Spike up from the top floor and rolling him down the stairs, Rainbow Dash and Applejack offered to help Twilight with her Spike vacuum and her books.

“Uhhhh… it still hurts…..” mumbled Spike as they all departed.

I retired to my bed and let the wave of tiredness lull me to sleep.

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*CRASH*

Startled I woke up and silently crouched over to the noise, readying my hidden blade.

An intruder? Could it be a Templar? NO! Then it means I’ve failed in protecting this town. Just like how I failed to protect Ponitaly.

I inched over to Pinkie’s workstation and saw a blank outline shuffling through the cupboards.
I slipped on some cake I forget to clean up and landed with a thud on the floor.

The figure noticed me and walked towards my direction holding an object that looked like a cupcake.

The figure shouts, “HELLO! SHADOW! I’VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND YOU!”

“ARG! DAMN IT PINK-….. Dr. Mareio?”

“HO HO! YES IT IS ME! NUMBA 1 DOCTOR! YAHOO!” shouted Mareio.

I noticed the cupcake in his hand was actually a green mushroom.

“Um… Mareio what did you need from me?” I asked pulling myself up from the floor.

“Well, it is my job to stock the Assassins with high quality SHROOMS! Also do not forget I’ve been trying to find those ponies you seek.” He replied.

“YOU FOUND ONE!?” I shouted and he nodded. “YES!”

Finally, after so much time… I can complete the work I’ve failed to do before!

“YES! But… I still need to verify some things. Why don’t you go outside for a few hours and come back to me once I’m done sorting through these contracts.” He said patting me on the back and then pulling out about 50 sheets of paper from his back pocket.

“Ok then do your thing and I’ll see if I can help this town in some way.” I said leaving him to ponder the contracts.

I went to the roof and saw Ace talking with a red cardinal.

“Ooooh Ace made a whittle friend!” I said adorably.

*SCREE*

Ace drove his talons into the cardinal’s chest and ripped a hole out.

*SWACK* yelled the cardinal as it started to limp away.

Ace swoops down on top of the bird and finishes him off.

*SCRUNCK*

Oh my dear Celestia… THERE’S BLOOD EVERYWHERE!

Ace laughed, at least I thought he sounded like he did and presumed to feast on his trophy of the morning to stay full. At least until the afternoon…

I took a running leap off the tower and unfolded my wings as I glided down to Ponyville below me. I saw a metabolised Spike carrying a bunch of books from Twilight’s house as I headed towards him.

I feel a bit sore from yesterday; I can’t imagine how sore the others must be.

“Hey Spike need any help?” I asked as I landed next to him.

“Oh Shadow great timing! Twilight wants me to return these books from ponies all over Ponyville, but I think the cake last night didn’t sit too well inside me. Can you help return these books to the school and the train station?” asked Spike.

“Sure no problem Spike, it would be my pleasure.” I said taking 3 books from him and tucking them into my pockets.

I climbed and ran up Twilight’s tree until I reached the top.

Ok, I think that is the school house over there and the train station is on the other side. Piece of Harmony…

Oh crap. I forgot to tell them about the Pieces of Harmony.

Well, maybe before the 1st contract Dr. Mareio will give us.

From the tree I proportionally aimed myself towards the school house; until I was a little distance away then I would walk. I reached the door of the school and knocked.

A purplish cheery pony opened the door and said, “Yes can I help you, I’m trying to teach a class.” she pointed inside to the students who were wreaking havoc inside the classroom.

“I came to return these books, but I see that you have much bigger problems.” I said handing her 2 books.

“I know, but I don’t know why their acting like this today.” She said looking depressed and not cheerful anymore.

“Here let’s see if I can help.” I said as she let me inside.

“SILENZIO CHILDREN… silenzio.” I assertively stated.

The children quieted down as they heard my foreign language and interestingly looked at me with their big eyes.

“When I was your age, we always had a saying… Work hard and the rewards shall follow. Ignore the teacher and consequences can happen.” I calmly warned the children.

An orange filly with a purple mane with no cutie mark raised her hand. I motioned her to speak.

“Umm… who are you?” she asked.

“I am Shadow-mark da Ponitaly, but please call me Shadow.” I bowed.

“PONITALY! WOW!” said all the excited ponies.

I was bombarded with questions on who I was and how far Ponitaly is from Ponyville and why I speak slightly differently than the other ponies.

Until then I was saved by the teacher, “Students! Mr. Shadow, I’m sure he needs to head out to something important.”

“AWWWWWWWWWW!”

“Well I do have time for 1 more question.” I said pointing to a white filly, I recognized as Rarity’s sister.

“Thank you Shadow! How did you hurt your wing?” she said pointing to my slightly scared right wing.

“Ah…well… I was in a flying accident and I hurt my wing, maybe if I listened to my teacher then maybe I would be able to fly today.” I lied but not really lied.

“As I said before ignoring your teacher can bring consequences.” I said showing them my wing.

“I don’t think they’ll be a problem for a while.” I whispered to the teacher.

“Wow Shadow, thank you! But just who are you exactly?” she silently asked me.

“I’m a student as well as a teacher, Ms….?”

“Cheerlie! And do come back again soon Shadow, I’m sure these students can learn more about Ponitalian history.” She said to me as she ushered me towards the door.

“Well, Madonna Cheerlie. It would be my pleasure.” I said to her just before I left for the train station.

Quite an interesting teacher and those children were so cute. I can see why she’s so happy.

I approached the train station which was a small trot from the school. I went up to the forepony and handed him the book.

“Thank you kindly, sir!” he said.

I asked the forepony, “How far do the train tracks go?”

“They go pretty much ANYWHERE! From Canterlot to Manehatten you can reach any major destination.”

“Grazie.” I said to him before heading back to the hideout.

--------------------------------------------------

I saw Mareio looking at a map of Equestria with papers scattered everywhere on my desk.

“So Mareio did you find any-“

“GOOD NEWS! CELESTIA HAS APPROVED OUR CONTRACT! NOW WE CAN FINALLY DO WORK! Asides from my football, soccer, golf, go-kart, swimming, tennis, hockey, platforming, baseball and my mushroom cart and…”

“MAREIO! Who is the target what is the location?” I asked hoping to quiet him down.

“Well Shadow… you and the other assassins are going to…. MARIS!”

“French capital of the world?” I inquired.

Then it hit me. Maris…French…No it couldn’t be…

“YES! And your target is Je Suis!” excitingly said Mareio.

I thought we would go with someone easy, but then again no one is easy. But Je Suis? Without proper planning its suicide.

“Alright then, but get Ace and tell the other assassins to meet up here as soon as possible.” I told him.

“We’ll need all the help we can get.”