Ezio vs Harmony

Chapters

Assassination #2
Realization
The Meeting
The Package
The List
The Trial (and Error)
The Last Job
The Creation
The Onslaught
The Explanation
The Other Side
The Counterattack: Part 2
The Trial: Turnabout Assassin
The Trial: Turnabout Assassin Part 2
Reality
Memories
Assassination #1
The Counterattack: Part 1

Assassination #2

The papers were rolling like crazy. Every since some pony in Ponyville murdered Pinkie Pie, the local papers got all over the matter like dogs fighting over a piece of meat. "Unidentified Pony Kills Local Partier: Local Law Enforcement Baffled!" It made for good business for the papers, but for everypony else it was a disaster.

"And I thought laughin' made ponies live longer." said Applejack solemnly as she read the news. "Seems it didn't turn out that way. Celestia bless her soul."

""Who would do such a thing?" asked Rarity. "And why Pinkie Pie?"

"Oh my... I better keep my animals safe if there's a --*eep!*-- killer about!" whispered Fluttershy.

"I really feel bad. I don't think I ever said anything nice about Pinkie, now I kinda wish I had." said Rainbow Dash.

"We gotta find out what happened." said Applejack. "Sugarcube Corner ain't far from here. We should check out the scene of the crime if we want to know the truth."

They walked to Sugarcube Corner to see the place taped off by the guards. They saw Mr. and Mrs. Cake standing outside. Mrs. Cake was crying.

"Pinkie never hurt anypony! Why would somepony do this?" she weeped.

"Look, honey, things might not seem to be good, but we have to look on the bright side. There has to be some silver lining to all this." said Mr. Cake.

His words did little to comfort his wife. "Pinkie's DEAD! Where's the bright side of that!?" she shouted at him. She immediately fell prey to her real feelings and began crying again.

A tan pony in a blue suit walked out of Sugarcube Corner.

"There you are investigator! Tell us what happened to our Pinkie Pie!!" Mrs. Cake shouted at him.

"I'm afraid I don't know." replied the investigator calmly. "All we know is that she was stabbed to death. One stab to the lungs. Whoever did this knew what they were doing: Nopony around here is saying anything about seeing a pony enter the house. However, we did find the culprit's hoofprints nearly everywhere. We'll catch him, ma'am. I promise you that."

"My poor Pinkie..." was all Mrs. Cake could say.

The four ponies stood nearby, listening in on the talk.

"Stabbed to death?" asked Applejack. "How many ponies go around doin' that?"

"None that we know of, apparently." said the investigator, overhearing her. "We don't have the autopsy report yet." He turned and thanked the mailcarrier as he opened the enevelope." But now here it is. Name: Pinkiemenia Dianne Pie. Cause of Death: suffocation. Hm. Estimated time of Death: 9:47 last night. Rupture wound in right lung. Supposedly she died after the culprit stabbed her, both from a lack of oxygen in her system and blood loss. We also have the results of the hoof print scan right here..."

His face tightened and he frowned.

"I thought we'd be able to find the killer in the system. It seems whoever killed Pinkie isn't a registered citizen of Equestria."

He turned to Mrs. and Mr. Cake. "I'm sorry, but we can't pinpoint who killed your assistant. At least, not yet. We'll find him soon. He couldn't have gotten far. We'll check all the train stations to see if anypony suspicious entered onto one of those. As for now, we'll have to leave the situation the way it is."

He turned to leave. "All right, show's over. Time to pack up and move on to the next crime scene." he called to the guards.

"Next crime scene? What else happened here in Ponyville while we were all asleep?" asked Applejack.

The investigator didn't answer. He simply kept going on his way.

Applejack watched him walk away, shaking her head at him as he did so. She walked up to Mrs. Cake.

"Mrs Cake," she said, "we have to see what happened up there. Is it okay if we take a look?'

Mrs. Cake nodded, still sobbing away.

Applejack and co. entered Sugarcube Corner. They saw a red stain that ran down the stairs. Curious to see where exactly it came from, Applejack slowly ascended the stairs. What she found made her gasp.

Pinkie Pie was standing up at the top of the stairs. Her side was cut, adn was bleeding horribly. However, it seemed that the pony was still alive...

Something wasn't right about this picture, and Applejack knew it.

"P-Pinkie...? But yer... that's ain't--"

"You didn't save me, Applejack."

"Pinkie I--"

"You didn't save me, APPLEJACK." repeated Pinkie, louder than before.

Applejack watched in horror as her friend's eyes began to bleed. Her voice wasn't right. It sounded as if she spoke in dissonant tones.

"YOU DIDN'T SAVE ME, APPLEJACK!!!" screamed the deformed pony.

Pinkie lunged at her. Applejack shouted in shock as she turned away and closed her eyes. When she reopened them, Pinkie was gone.

"Applejack!" yelled Rainbow from the bottom of the stairs, "Are you okay?!"

Applejack took a moment to collect herself. It was all fake, some sort of delusion....

"I'm fine!" she called back to her. She walked back down the stairs. When she got back to the group, her friends all had concerned looks on their faces.

"Applejack, what did you see up there?" asked Fluttershy, worried.

"Somethin' I don't wanna see again. C'mon girls. We're leavin'."

*****************************************************************************************

Ezio had taken refuge in the forest that night. He knew that nopony would go in there due to its dangerous atmosphere. He had taken some time this morning to plan a little more for his next assassination. His last performance was sloppy and rushed. He needed to take his time, use what little resources he had availible to him, and focus. Information was key.

He had crossed off Pinkie Pie's name from the list. She was dead, of course, but for some reason thoughts of her still lingered in Ezio's mind. Out of all the things she could've said to him, why choose those lines? "Please, don't hurt my friends." She obviously didn't know what he was planning here if she said that, otherwise she would not have used her last moments to tell him to do some thing he simply was going to do whether she allowed it or not. "You have to know..."

Know what? He had to find out what she was going to say. That's why he'd need to discuss the matter with his next target before he killed her.

Whatever move he made next would have a big impact on Ponyville no matter whom he chose. He decided that if he could get rid of the second earth pony, then he'd only need to focus on the special nature of the others later. He had received more information than last time for this pony:

Full Name: Applejack A. Apple

Occupations: Company owner, Farmhand

Time: 12:00AM to 3:00AM, Sunday

Location: Sweet Apple Acres

Requirements: Information on target. Assassination only, any form.

Potential Hazards: Ambush.

Ambush, he thought, well isn't that nice. They were probably refering to her huge family ganging up and fighting him. Apparently, death of this pony required infomation about her. He wondered why, but shook his questioning away. It wasn't right to question an assignment. He only had three days until his extremely small window of opportunity was open. The timing of the assassination was not preferable in Ezio's opinion, but he would make it work somehow.

All he needed to do right now was to gather up all the information he could on this pony before then. That would require both of the two things: stealth and blending in.

He sighed knowing that blending in meant one thing. He usually could blend in anywhere in Italia, but his attire would not be suitable for this case. Damn these nudists, he thought. He would stash his clothes somewhere safe in these woods, assuming he knew where to find them again.

With these smaller installations of policy, his job got two times harder than before. Stashing the clothes wasn't easy. He ran into Timberwolves, which chased him around for a while before he climbed a tree to escape them. When he was up in the tree, there were birds that would happily pull apart his clothes to add it to their nests. This is one of the reasons why Ezio hated nature so much: You simply cannot hide from something that is all around you. After three hours of searching, he found a place in a strangely uninhabited part of the woods and stashed his clothes under one of the trees there.

Done with that annoying task, he moved on with the plan and went to town to gather any information he could on this Applejack figure. He was surprised at what little success he had. Nopony talked about about anypony unless it was brought up as a major part of the conversation, and most of the conversations in this town were about trivial things, making major things minor and vice versa. Ezio couldn't just go in and ask somepony about all this in public because of all the suspicion the town already had. Just when he was beginning to run out of leads, he heard somepony's voice.

"Yes, Applejack did come here a little while ago, why?"

He looked over and saw a familiar place: Sugarcube Corner. Standing in front of the place were three ponies. One was a blue mare with a pink mane, another a yellow colt with an orange mane, and finally a tan colt with a black mane. The tan colt was wearing a navy blue suit, and was the only pony actually dressed in the entire town.

"We're wondering about her. You should know that most murderers return to the crime scene within a 24-hour time span. We've got a feeling that it was her who killed your assistant." sadi the suited pony.

That pony was going to ask them about his target. Perfect, he thought, he'll provide all the information that I'll need.

"Let's talk about this inside your house, shall we?"

And of course it can't be that easy, he thought. Why can't it ever be easy?

He decided to answer the door to the knocking opportunity, metaphorically speaking. One of the side windows was slightly opened, just enough for him to hear the ponies inside.

"Applejack was her friend! Why would she kill her?" asked the blue pony with doubt.

"That's what I'm here to find out. How much do you know about this 'Applejack'?" prompted the suited pony.

"Well, she's a farmhand at Sweet Apple Acres, she's won an award for the most dependable pony in Ponyville--"

"What about her personality?"

"She's an honest, hard-working pony. She does have this one grudge against somepony named Rarity, now that I think about it--"

"Let's stay on topic, please. We can discuss the small things later."

"She's never hurt anypony as far as I know. She just works for most of the week. She's very competitive. Every hour she has off from work she spends with her friends or at competitions of some sort."

"How long has she known Pinkie Pie?"

"Years, sir. They've been friends ever since they were fillies."

"You said she was competitive. Did Pinkie ever stop her from winning before?"

"No."

"What about anything she was going to compete for? Did Pinkie plan to stop her from winning anything like that?"

"No! Pinkie wouldn't ever try to do that to any of her friends!"

"Calm down, Mrs. Cake. I'm here to find the killer, not to ruin Pinkie's former image."

"Sorry about that. She just wouldn't do that."

"Is there anything else you think I should know? I thought you had something you were trying to say before."

"Yes, Applejack has a fairly big grudge against somepony named Rarity. I don't know if that helps you, but I thought you should know that."

"Thank you for your time, Mrs. Cake. I'll be going to meet with this 'Applejack' next. I'd like you to know that everything you've said here, good or bad, will not be mentioned in this next discussion. I'll be leaving now."

The suited pony left Sugarcube Corner. Ezio didn't get much from that conversation with the blue pony. However, now he knew more about Applejack's personality than before. He decided to tail this suited pony and find out what he was going to ask Applejack.

*****************************************************************************************

Applejack and her family were just about to sit down and have dinner when she heard a knock at her door.

"I'll get it." she said. "Y'all can start eatin' without me. This won't take too long."

She was assuming that it was some salescolt at the door, one that she'd be able to turn away quickly and resume her meal with her family.

She opened the door to a suited pony.

"If yer gonna try to get me with one of them fancy sales pitches, ya can leave now."

The pony standing outside her door became annoyed.

"I'm not a salescolt, I'm an investigator, and I have some questions for you."

Applejack stepped outside and shut the door behind her.

"Oh, it's you again. Didn't notice. All ya ponies in those fancy suits look like salescolts to me."

Ignoring her remark, the tan pony spoke. "I need to know where you were at 9:47 last night."

Applejack recognized the time from when he said it before. "You trying to accuse me of somethin' here?"

"How about you answer the question first, then I'll talk to you about the reason."

"Have it your way, Mr. Fancy Suit. At the time of the murder yer avoidin' talkin' about, I was gettin' done buckin' the apples off the trees fer the day. I was tired from all the work, so I walked home and went to bed at around ten."

"Do you have anypony to back up what you've just said?"

"Mah family."

"I assumed that much. how about anypony outside of relatives?"

"No sir-ee."

"Then I'm afraid that this talk will last a tad longer. What was your opinion on the pony Pinkie Pie?"

"She was mah friend. If she was still livin', she'd tell ya that herself."

"I don't want to talk about the hypotheticals of your 'friend's' opinion on you. Let's stay focused here, please."

"She was mah friend, and that's all there is to it."

"Did she agrivate you at any time near the murder?"

"No, she didn't."

"Were you going to attend any competitive events after the time of the murder?"

"Nah. There's no big competitions comin' up."

"Did she ever get in the way of you winning a competition near the time of death?"

"Nope. Haven't gone to anythin' like that for months."

"Did she--"

"Ima stop ya right there, mister. I didn't kill nopony, ya hear? Pinkie was mah friend! Why in the world would I want teh kill her?"

"That's what I'm trying to find out here."

"Look, buddy, your search is a lost cause here. I know that ya said the killer ain't anypony from Equestria, right? I'm from Equestria, sir, so all you can just suck up your pride and get the hell off mah land."

The suited pony was baffled by how right she was. He grimaced.

"All right, Ms. Applejack, you win. I'll leave. However, if I find any indication that you were there at the scene of the crime, I will have you arrested and sent to Canterlot for your punishment, issued by princess Celestia herself."

With that, the suited pony slowly walked away.

Ezio took note of the pony's appearance. All that apple-bucking gave her muscular hind legs, while her front didn't seem as strong. Her reaction time was very quick, and that would be a problem when the time came to kill her. She was accused of murder right now...

That's when the idea struck him. It was a dangerous idea, but a good one all the same. He took out a feather pen and paper and began to write a letter.

Ms. Applejack,

If you want to find out who really killed Pinkie Pie, meet me in the barn at 12:00AM, this Sunday. I'll be waiting nearby with the evidence. DON'T BRING ANYPONY ELSE WITH YOU.

It was a simple letter, but somehow it had a great effect on ponies. You simply say that you know who did it, and they will believe you and meet exactly when and where they're instructed to. Applejack was probably under a great deal of stress at the moment, and given that murder was a capital offense in Equestria, that means she could be banished. If she didn't accept this, then she might never see her family again, and if the time sentence was long eough, she would die on some place far away from society. He waited for her to go back inside, then he slipped the note under the front door and galloped off.

*****************************************************************************************

Applejack woke up in the middle of the night abruptly. She thought she had heard--

Applejaaaaaaack...

That voice. It sounded like Pinkie's voice. She got out of bed, lit a candle, and tried to find the source of the calling.

Applejaaaaaaack...

There it was again. It sounded like it was coming from the front door. She picked up the candle with her teeth and made her way down the stairs.

Applejaaaaaaack... Where aaaaare yoooooou...

Applejack moved faster and faster down the stairs, throught the hall, and finally the front door.

She saw Pinkie again. She was facing away from her this time, and she looked okay.

"Pinkie...? Is that you...?"

Pinkie turned to face her, and Applejack saw her face. Her eyes were missing.

Applejack... you didn't save me...

"No... you're not real... you can't be real..."

Applejack... you didn't save me...

"No... you go away... you don't belong here..."

YOU DIDN'T SAVE ME!!!!

Pinkie screamed and caused Applejack to drop her candle. She quickly picked it up again and looked to where Pinkie was before. There was nothing there, but she noticed a paper on the floor. She picked it up and read it.

Ms. Applejack,

If you want to find out who really killed Pinkie Pie, meet me in the barn at 12:00AM, this Sunday. I'll be waiting nearby with the evidence. DON'T BRING ANYPONY ELSE WITH YOU.

Was this what Pinkie wanted her to see? This letter?

"Don't worry, Pinkie." she whispered to herself. "Even though I didn't get a chance to save ya, I'm gonna take this chance to avenge ya."

She took the note to her room and hid it in her drawer. Only she needed to know about this. And she was gonna be there when the time came.

*****************************************************************************************

The days passed by quickly. Ezio found little success in finding more information, and the inspector found no evidence that proved Applejack was at the scene of the crime (other than after the murder). Saturday rolled around and Ezio planned his assassination. He would need to do some talking without revealing who he really was. It probably wouldn't take long for Applejack to notice his accent and question it. He could try to mask it, but he was horrible at speaking in any other accent other than his own.

He thought of the potential dangers of an ambush. Even though you can tell them to go alone, it doesn't mean that they will. That was always the case with Ezio when it came to things like this. If he was ambushed, he would not let Applejack escape, no matter the cost. She was the target, after all. All others could be dealt with afterwards.

He wished he knew the time. It was really dark outside, the moon was fairly high in the sky, and the town was quiet. He could only assume that it was time. He hoped that the country pony understood what he ment by 12AM, as a lot of ponies didn't really know how to tell time in this town from what he had seen.

Finally, Applejack opened the door to barn. She held a lantern in her teeth. She appeared to have nopony else with her.

Ezio kept to the shadows to haev his identity be protected from the beams of light created by the lantern.

"Hello? Are you here? Somepony?" she said, a little quiet as to not wake anypony.

"You wanted to know who killed Pinkie." said Ezio.

Applejack jumped a little at the sound of his voice. "Yeh, that's right. Why don't ya tell me now, and we can get this all over with."

She looked more frightened than Ezio expected her to be. Perhaps the "tough" farmpony was afraid of the dark.

"He's a peculiar one, the pony who did this." he said. "One of the best where he comes from."

He wondered why Applejack wasn't questioning him by now. Maybe she was simply too afraid to do so, given the look on her face. Ezio continued his little speech, ignoring her lack of interjection.

"He came in through the window that night, and waited for her to approach. when she got close enough, the pony stabbed her in her side and let her slowly and painfully die. He even got to hear her last words: 'Don't hurt my friends. You must know...'"

Applejack finally spoke up. "How did you know what her last words were? It's not like you were--"

That's when she added it all up. Ezio realized this, but he would not be the one to make the first move.

"Did... Did you kill... Pinkie...?"

Ezio hesitated and considered his options. If he told her that he did it, then he might have more of a chance to get an answer for what Pinkie was going to say, but on the other hand he might get her angry and receive no information at all.

If he said no, then she might not believe his story and pass off everything he said, or she might see right through his lies and attack.

He needed the information, no matter how trivial it might be. So much for not revealing who he was. He went with the first option.

"Yes. I killed your friend, Pinkie Pie. Does that make you feel better? Knowing that the murderer is standing right in front of you?"

Applejack simply stared. Not at him, but at something behind him. He checked around and saw nopony in the direct vicinity. He decided this was his time to get that answer.

"Applejack, I want to know what your friend was going to say back there. 'You need to know...' Do you know what she was going to say?"

"Why don't ya ask her yerself?"

Ezio was surprised at her response.

"She's dead. You know this. Don't play me for a fool, Applejack."

"No, she's right there. Can't ya see her?"

Ezio looked around. He had no idea what she was talking about. He realized that he wouldn't get his answer if he denied the existence of Pinkie right now. He'd have to play along.

"Oh, you mean there." he said, looking in the same general area. "Yes, I see her. However, I can't hear her... Perhaps you'd like to tell me what she is saying?"

"She says 'You have to know... We're not bad ponies...'"

She paused for a brief second and continued.

"'...and you're making a big mistake.'"

Ezio doubted that, but at least he knew --or at least was led to believe by this crazed pony-- is that what Pinkie said was trivial. If he was making such a big mistake, then why was everything going so well?

Ezio prepped his blade. This pony would be useless to him in a matter of seconds.

"There's one more thing..." said Applejack. "'The library holds all the answers.' I think that's all. She's leavin' now, as you can see."

Ezio wasn't paying attention to the invisible Pinkie anymore. He had his eyes focused on Applejack.

He made his advance slow as to make it seem less threatening.

"That's all I need." he said.

"Hold on there, par'ner. Don't think you're gettin' off the hook so quickly. Ya killed Pinkie, and I promised her I'd avenge her. You're goin' down."

That's when Ezio noticed somethng off about the barn. Applejack was slowly inching towards the door...

He continued his advance. If she was planning something, he'd play into it and see how it would go.

"If revenge is what you want, then fight me, you coward."

"I've got some different plans." she replied with a smile. She kicked a nearby support beam and the barn began to shake.

"Go to hell." she said, and ran off out the door. Ezio rushed forward and tried to escape, but the door was blocked by something.

"Merda." he said. The barn was going to fall right on top of him if he didn't get out soon.

He looked around for a way out. There was a hatch on the roof of the barn he could use to escape, but he'd have to be quick.

He galloped up the conveniently placed stairs, which fell down as soon as his hoof lifted off of them. He dashed across the length of the barn and made it to the hatch. It was blocked off by something heavy from the outside. Ezio kicked at it again and again, the barn crumbling all around him. With one last kick out of desperation, the hatch opened and Ezio jumped out as the entire barn fell to pieces behind him. Applejack didn't have the sense to run off before, and was standing nearby the broken building.

"Shoot!" she said, and ran off as fast as she could. Ezio followed in close pursuit. She may be strong, but Ezio knew that ment little for what endurance she might have. It looked like she was using all her strength to run, but he could hear the inconsistancy in the beating of her hooves against the ground. She was tiring out easily, and Ezio planned his next maneuver with that knowledge in mind. She made a right turn to try to throw him off. Ezio sped up and turned early, causing the distance between him and his target to decrease. He ran into her, tackling her to the ground. His hoof raised, releasing the blade, and Applejack closed her eyes and looked away.

Ezio brought the blade down into her neck. He watched as Applejack struggled to breathe.

"Any last words, Templar? You had better make them quick." growled Ezio.

Applejack continued to wheeze, short and quick little puffs of air. "You really are making a mistake.... Pinkie was right... she was right..."

Applejack said no more, her body limp like Pinkie's was before. Ezio removed the blade and set it back in it's holder. Applejack was dead, and he had gained some important information. The library. The place where Pinkie, or Applejack (he couldn't tell which one of these ponies really supplied the information), told him to go.

He began to walk away, but stopped and said one thing.

"Requiescat in pace."

Then he strode off to find the library.

*****************************************************************************************

Trixie finally found the dead body of Applejack. It was hard to keep up with these ponies when you can't see them in the darkness. She smiled her evil smile again. This Assassin must really know what he's doing to survive that trap and kill the target in record time. Two down, four to go. At this rate, the Assassin will have them all killed in less than two weeks. She smiled with what felt like never-ending satisfaction and walked away.

*****************************************************************************************

The investigator sighed. How was he ever going to solve this mystery if there were no witnesses, suspects, or even any anonymous tips? The thought was what was keeping him up to these very late hours of the night. What evidence they had was insufficient to accuse anypony of the crime. That's when he heard somepony knock on his door.

He opened it up to see a guard.

"What seems to be the problem, sir?" he asked the guard.

"We've got another. Sompony said they heard screaming around 1:00 this morning. This is what we found."

He passed him an envelope. His eyes passed over the pictures inside.

"Send in another team to evaluate what happened here. I want full reports by noon. Any evidence we find here might help us track down a murderer of a similiar case."

The guard nodded and ran off to deliver the orders.

Well there goes my previous idea, as if it wasn't debuffed enough, he thought. He didn't want to see this anymore. He had to get some sleep and think this over in the morning over a cup of coffee. He placed the file on his desk and walked to his bed. Tomorrow, I'll find who did this... he thought. Yeah... it'll all add up tomorrow.

He turned out the light and went to sleep.

Realization

It was quiet. The night drew around Ezio like a dark cloak. He was in no rush, but yet he ran. He knew that whatever Applejack saw wasn't Pinkie.... no, it couldn't have been. She was dead. There was no denying that. However, he just got a vital piece of information: the library holds all the answers. Honestly, he should've gone there first. Everything is always at the library.

The library held the one thing he'd need: a background of these Templars. He always knew what to say about his targets in his hometown, but this foreign place was just that. Foreign. If he could know more, then it would help him in all of these next assassinations. He arrived at the library, and he threw the door open.

So. Many. Books.

Ezio didn't even know where to start. If he wanted to know everything he could, he would read all of them, but there were just... so... many...

"How does one even go about obtaining this many books?" he asked himself.

He picked up the closest one and read the title: "A Unicorn's Guide to Teleportation".

If he knew his houses right, this would be Twilight's, so... things were going to be a lot harder if she knew how to teleport.

He searched for a book that might give him a good idea of the personal life of these ponies. He found a photo album and quickly peered through its contents. He was surprised to see that there were only pictures from town, not anywhere else. He saw a picture of what looked like a young Twilight and the Princess Celestia. So she also had a mentor, and of course it's the very Princess herself.

Things were looking quite impossible for future Ezio.

He looked through the book some more and found multiple pictures of the six possessors of the Elements of Harmony. It figures that they would be closely connected. He wondered why there were no pictures of anything... incriminating. Not a single thing that linked them to the Templars. He wondered if Derpy (or was it Ditzy?) had this information. If so, then the answers he need were elsewhere. He needed to know all the personal things about them: their lives, their family, their goals. Everything.

That's when he found the one thing he had hoped he would never have to read. He sighed as he picked it up and put it in his bag. It would have plenty of info, but....

He put the other books back in their places. No need to leave the place a mess. He closed the door silently behind him and trotted off.

*****************************************************************************************

Trixie watched as Ezio left the library. She wanted to try to stop him, but now was not the time.

He was getting a little too close to the truth, but so far, he didn't really seem to know it. Or care, for the matter. He was just another loyal Assassin: killing all he needed to and never questioning it.

She would keep an eye on him for now. Any suspicious movement, and she would show him the real power of the Templars.

*****************************************************************************************

The investigator woke up that morning feeling like crap. His biggest lead to the murder was dead. He sighed, pulled off the covers and got into his suit. His little lie from last night was in the back of his mind, calming him only a little when he became doubtful of solving the mystery. He began to make some breakfast when he heard a knock on his door. Probably just the investigation squad.

He opened the door.

"Sir! We've found more hoofprints near the site, sir. We think we've got an idea of who we're looking for here."

The investigator was wide awake now.

"Yes? And who is it?"

"It's not a specific pony, but we have an idea of where he came from. Italia. He must've crossed the border sometime this week, and started his killings as soon as he arrived."

"Interesting. I'll be sure to get the guards notified."

"They already know, sir."

"Even better. Let me know when you find him. I need to be the one to interrogate this guy."

"Yes, sir."

The guard left and the investigator closed the door. When he turned around, he saw a hooded pony standing behind him.

"Looking for someone?" he asked.

"Who are you?! What are you doing in my hou--"

The investigator was cut off by the pain in his front legs. He looked down to see that the pony in front of him had stabbed through them. He yelled in pain.

"You give up on this case right now, and I'll let you live. You don't, and I think you know just what will happen to you. You're a logical colt, make the logical decision."

The investigator writhed in pain n the ground. He looked up at the attacker.

"You're right. I am a logical colt. And there's only one logical decision."

The investigator looked at the door.

"I'm still on the case."

Guards burst through the door.

"Halt! You're under arrest! Hooves against the wall, NOW!"

The attacker saw he was outmatched by all the guards: there were at least 10 of them, and one of him. These guards were unicorns, and obviously that made him scared.

"You win this time, Mr. Wright, but in the end, I will succeed."

The attacker dropped a smoke bomb.

The guards coughed and waved the smoke away.

"Situation 1-7-8! Lost sight on the target! TRACK HIM DOWN!!"

The guards ran off and some paramedics entered the scene. They put the investigator on a stretcher and carried him off.

*****************************************************************************************

That was ridiculous.

Ezio had stupidly gone in without a plan to kill the investigator. A very bad idea. However, it should've worked. The investigator wasn't protected, and he was one of the easiest targets here. However, somebody must've known he was there and called for the guards. Those guards were still searching around, and would be for a while. He could hide until they gave up looking for him. He just needed the right place to do so. Far away was preferable, a place very overlooked and ignored, possibly like the pony living in that place...

He noticed a small cottage near the outskirts of town. He realized it was right next to the forest, so he wouldn't have trouble stashing his clothes so he would look normal. The reason he didn't want to stay in the woods was mostly because giant wooden wolves that wanted to kill him were there. If he wanted to be ribbons for the next celebration, he would go in the woods. He quickly and quietly stashed his clothes and went up to the cottage.

Perhaps the cottage was abandoned. He tried the door.

It wouldn't budge.

On the other hand, maybe it wasn't so abandoned...

Ezio knew the guards would be here soon. They checked every house, and they must've already cleared out the majority of the town by now. He didn't have much time to get into this house...

Well, there were two options: one, turn himself over to the guards (something he'd never do unless it was absolutely necessary) and two, get into this house one way or another.

He saw an old dead branch of a tree from the forest hanging low nearby. It was gonna hurt, but at least he'd get inside...

Maybe...

He had no time to question it. He rushed up to the branch, bit onto it, and pulled as hard as he could. Honestly, that was probably the one thing he shouldn't have done. Not only was the branch dead, but the entire tree was rotting, and it fell directly in his direction. Ezio sprung to the left of it, but his leg got caught.

And damn, did it hurt.

"Help!" he yelled.

A yellow pony with a pink mane dashed out of the house and pulled him out of the self-created mess. Ezio was slightly satisfied that his plan worked, and mostly in pain because of what he did. He was lucky that the tree didn't crush him, or even cripple him for the matter. The wound he had taken wasn't serious, but it wasn't just a simple fix either.

The yellow pony saw his wounded leg.

"Oh, no! Are you hurt? Here, you've got to get inside the house right away!"

The pony helped him up and they walked to the house together.

*****************************************************************************************

Mr. Wright woke up in a hospital. His forelegs ached, probably because they had just sustained two giant puncture wounds. He looked around to see the nurse nearby.

"How long was I out?" he asked.

The nurse jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Oh! You're awake! You've been out for only a half hour, sir."

"A half hour?"

"That's right, sir."

"Who knew this would happen?"

"Somebody named Maya, apparently. She was the pony who called in for this attack."

"Figures."

"It's funny though. She called in five minutes before the attack happened."

"That's Maya for you. Always ahead of the game."

"Hm."

"So... how long am I going have to heal?"

"Depends on your recovery. It could take anywhere from a month to four months."

"Darn. I was hoping I could get back to the investigation."

"Investigation? What investigation?"

"Well..."

*****************************************************************************************

"Oh, I knew that tree going to fall soon, but not this soon! I should've put up a sign at the very least!"

"It's not your fault. Please, stop crying!"

It had been like this for a half hour. Ezio was trying to comfort this clearly sorry mare. His words did little to help the situation.

"Sir, I am so sorry! I don't know what I was thinking!"

"You've apologized more than you need to. You did nothing wrong! You can't control when a tree falls! Besides, you've already patched my wound! Everything is okay!"

"I'm sorry!"

Why was it so hard for me to comfort her? he questioned in his mind. All she says is that she is sorry!

"I forgive you."

"I'm-- what was that?"

"I. Forgive. You."

"But sir I--"

"Look, you've been apologizing a lot. The least I can do is forgive you if that is what you truly want to hear, and from the sound of it, you do. You are forgiven."

The mare was silent for a moment. Ezio didn't know why. Maybe he upset her. Maybe he hurt her feelings. Maybe--

Before he could come up with more ideas as to what happened, the mare hugged him.

"I'M SORRY!" she cried.

Well, it seems this is going to last a little while longer.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced." Ezio said quietly, trying to change the subject, "I mean, I don't really know your name."

"It's..." she mumbled something inaudible.

"What was that? I'm sorry, I just couldn't hear you."

"It's... Fluttershy." she said in a little more than a whisper.

Ezio felt his heart skip a beat as shock ran over him. This shy mare was one of the holders of the Elements of Harmony! But she saved him, right? She's bad, right? That's what all Templars were!

Ezio shook himself out of his trance.

"I.. I thank you for all you've done. I have to leave. There's a... uh... something back in town I have to check on! Thanks! Bye now!"

Ezio ran out of the house. God, he hoped he hadn't hurt her feelings like that. Not that he believed in God.

No time for thinking about atheism! He needed answers! There was no way, NO POSSIBLE WAY, that she was a Templar!

He ran into the library (silently as he could, since it was a library) and tore down the books from the shelves. The answer he was looking for was here, but not in it's books. Not in everything they had for him, in all their contents.

After he removed the books, he pushed the bookcase aside. Impossible. What he saw was impossible.

The wall behind the bookcase was written on with blood.

It read one thing.

You're making a big mistake.

*****************************************************************************************

Trixie saw him enter the library. He had already been there before, why would he go back?

She heard noises from inside the place. He must be wrecking everything inside. Trixie smiled that this little, angry Assassin would go so low as to vandalize the place. She wondered if that was all he was there to do.

She moved in closer and peered through the window.

"I've killed them. I... ended their lives. Their lives! The ones with meaning! They had families! Friends! And it was all a hoax! some trick to make me kill innocent ponies! I swear I will find those who tricked me, and I will KILL THEM!"

Trixie didn't like the sound of that. Perhaps it was time. She ran off to tell the guards who was the killer.

*****************************************************************************************

Ezio was enraged. Fooled! Most likely some Templar, wishing the mess with his mind! He hated himself for his deeds. The Elements couldn't be used without all the holders present! If he had killed one, the Templars would have already won! Now that he has done more than enough, they will probably seek to kill him now.

"There he is! Assassin!"

Ezio turned around to see a guard. Never had he been so afraid to see one before. He had no weapons at the moment, so he had to flee this fight.

The guard saw him attempt to take off.

"Oh, no you don't!"

He created a magical wall surrounding them.

"Ezio Auditore da Firenze! You are charged with the murder of the ones known as Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Your sentence is death by execution. Have you anything to say in your defense, before I kill you?"

"One thing."

"That is?"

"Your tail is on fire."

The guard fell for the distraction. Ezio rushed him, knocking him to the ground. He saw the magical wall disappear, and with that he made his escape.

Unfortunately, he had gone from the pan and into the fire. More guards awaited him outside, all with weapons. Ezio was thankful that none of them were unicorns. He ran up to the first, lept, and kicked him in the face. He dodged the next, rolling past him. The next swung out a spear, but Ezio got down just in time. He snapped the attacker's neck. He picked up the spear and sliced the next guard in the side. He took that guard's sword and used it to deflect another oncoming sword on his left. He flipped the guard around and stabbed him in the back. Why use your own weapons when you can use the enemy's, right? There were still more guards all around him. He was surrounded.

"Give up Assassin! You have nowhere to run!"

Ezio didn't see a way out of this one. It seemed like all was lost...

That's when Mr. Wright appeared on the scene.

"HOLD IT!" he shouted.

"Sir! I didn't see you there--"

"This man is innocent! He was framed!"

"What?"

"Ezio Auditore is the culprit, right? He comes from Italia, correct? This pony is neither one of those things! Speak for us and I wil prove your innocence!"

"I am not the person you are looking for." Ezio lied. His voice... it was different. He spoke with some sort of a lack of accent. Like an Equestrian.

"See? Ezio is known to have a strong accent, one he cannot mask! Tell me, if this is the culprit, then why doesn't he sound like the culprit?"

"But.. he killed a guard! Snapped his neck! He attempted to escape capture because of it!"

"OBJECTION! That guard is still alive. He only slapped him in the face, and it cricked his neck. He wounded a lot of them, but he did not kill anypony here. Exactly what I'd expect from a scared pony who wants no trouble with the law."

Ezio was surprised that guard was still alive. He had full intentions to kill him, as well as teh others he stabbed. How in the world did they survive? Luckily, they didn't know that.

"Well... it seems he got away again. We'll do a thorough search of the town, make sure we we didn't miss any place. GUARDS! FAN OUT!"

The guards left. Ezio turned to Mr.Wright.

"Why did you--"

"Ezio, I know that what you did was wrong. I know you... ended... those ponies' lives, but I also know you weren't behind the killings. You were taking orders from somepony, weren't you?"

"Yes, but I know they are the enemy now. I thought somepony from my group had found out about some pretty evil powers in this place, and I was sent to kill them."

"Now, I'm letting you off the hook this time for one reason and one reason only: the ponies you killed can be brought back."

"Surely you must be joking. Dead ponies are dead, and that is that."

"One: my name is Phoenix, not Shirley. Two: that's not true. you can bring them back from the dead."

"Tell me."

"I have some powerful connections, and so long as you aren't hunting her, she can help."

"Who?"

"You'll see. I scheduled a train for you to meet her. She'll be waiting for you. Also, I picked up these in the woods."

Phoenix handed Ezio some clothes. They were the ones Ezio hid earlier.

"I'm pretty sure she'll want to have you clothed."

"You're not coming with me?"

"No, my friend, I will stay here to confirm that you are missing. And to find out who put you up to this."

"A question, Phoenix. Do you know of my group?"

"I know of their good intentions, and that is all I need to know."

"One more thing before I leave. How do you know me? And why have I never heard of you?"

"Well, that would require breaking down a certain wall, and I don't think it would be good if that wall came down. I mean, you already killed Pinkie Pie, so I'm not entirely sure that would be the greatest idea anyway."

The two were silent for a moment, and Phoenix could see that his explanation flew right over Ezio's head.

"You'd better get going. Train's leaving soon."

"...Thank you. Be safe."

"You as well, Ezio."

Ezio ran off and Phoenix shook his head at him. "Never seen a stranger pony."

*****************************************************************************************

The Meeting

The strange man Ezio had met in Ponyville was just that. Strange. First Ezio threatens his life, and then he saves Ezio from the guards. He was feeling very bad about just about everything he had done in that small town. The train bumped and rattled, causing him to jump, startled, thinking that this god-forsaken piece of metal would derail at any moment. However, the train kept going as usual and eventually reached it's destination: Canterlot. As Ezio got off the train, he vowed he would be walking home instead of using this damned thing.

Before any other thoughts could come to mind, Ezio was tackled by guards, hoofcuffed, and was pinned against the ground. Somepony walked over to him.

"Ezio, for the crimes you have committed in Ponyville, you shall be tried for murder in a court of law. You're lucky you're alive, otherwise your fate in Ponyville would be much worse."

A female's voice, it sounded like. With this kind of authority, he wondered if it was who he thought it was...

"Guards! Take this pony and put him behind bars. I don't want him escaping."

"Yes, your highness!"

Well, it was definitely a princess, but he wondered which one. Luna? From what he knew, she'd only be here if it was nighttime. Celestia? Maybe. What if it was...?

"I have some powerful connections, and so long as you aren't hunting her, she can help."

Was this a setup? Did this Phoenix turn him over to Princess Twilight? Why else would he say "so long as you aren't hunting her"? And how in the world is this helping if that wasn't so?

Ezio was dragged all the way to the prison, where he was put in a small, well-kept cell. Ezio was surprised at the sanitation of the place. It was practically shining. Perhaps if the trial wasn't for a long time, he could enjoy the last few days of trying to escape this place.

He wondered how long it would take to cut through the inch-thick bars of metal that trapped him in this place.

His train of thought was lost when the door swung open, and some guards walked in.

"Ezio, is it? The Princess has granted you a full pardon. You'd best be thankful; she had to get through a lot of obstacles to get you out of here." one said. "You're free to go."

Apparently, getting through lots of obstacles only took four whole minutes. Ezio din't have time to make comments on the situation, since his window of opportunity was closing. He stepped out of the cell and passed the guards on his way out. Freedom never felt so strangely meaningless. He stepped out of the prison, and he looked upon the city. Tall heights, lots of mislaid bricks, it was like this world was made for him to climb. He saw an eagle flying above. Perhaps he could get a better view from where it was...

However, Ezio was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Out of all the places you look-- Ezio! There you are!"

He turned around to see Phoenix.

"What!? But you said-- I didn't-- explain this situation before I go insane trying to figure it out!"

"Well, Ezio, I knew that with all the problems you caused, my message would be moving much slower compared to your train ride, and that is why you had to go to jail. My mistake. Luckily, there was another train I could take to get out here just in time."

"But you couldn't have gotten here this fast if the train was moving at the same speed."

"Well, not exactly. I mean, I had you take the more 'scenic' route."

Ezio was disappointed in the fact that he was given second-class travel.

"However! Here I am and here you are."

"Other than making sure I don't die, why are you here?"

"Well, I wanted to introduce you to the Princess, but I was a tad late on that one. Heh."

"..."

Ezio didn't really like the sound of meeting the Princess again, but he knew that she was the one Phoenix was talking about earlier.

"Look, Ezio. You did some pretty... unforgivable stuff, and now you have to confront the person who is effected by them and take responsibility. You have to meet with her so you can help bring them back!"

"I'd like to, but you didn't keep your promise. You said you'd be back in Ponyville, searching for the one who set me up."

"True, but I saved your life, so bear with me. I'm going to take you to the castle. Whatever happens in there is your business; I want no part in this. The last time I got tied to a crime, it nearly cost me everything here..."

"Fine. Show me the way."

"Alright."

They began to walk to the castle, a bit slow for Ezio's pace, but he didn't care.

"It'll be pretty obvious when we get there... the castle's the biggest structure in Equestria. It wasn't built in a day! No, it was more like a few years, I think..."

Ezio felt the air around him get cold. They had just passed under the shadow of the tallest towers of the castle. They continued to walk past the main gate to a side door in.

"Special entrance. Let me handle the guard inside. He can be kinda a hard-ass when it comes to unexpected visits."

He opened the door.

"Salvador! Buddy! How's it going?"

"STATE YOUR NAME AND PURPOSE."

"Oh, c'mon, Salvs! You know me! It's Phoenix! Phoenix Wright!"

"PURPOSE?"

"I've got a guest here to meet with the Princess. He's gonna set some things ri--"

"NO GUESTS. THE PRINCESS TWILIGHT IS... BUSY."

"With what?"

"A... a... *sigh* Why do ya always haveta do that? Celestia damn it... go on in."

Phoenix waved Ezio over. He followed him through the ground and to the door to the trone room.

"Careful. Any number of Princesses could be in there right now, and this situation has only been known to Princess Twilight. If Celestia or Luna or any other finds out about this, you will most likely be sentenced to death without a trial, meaning I can't protect you."

"I don't need your protection."

"You wish. Go in, I think It's just her in there, but like I said--"

"I know. Careful. Got it."

"Go on in."

Ezio slowly nudged open the door and walked in. He saw nopony in the room.

It was a trap, it had to be. Why else would Wright not follow? Why else would it be in a small room such as this? Why else--

"Ezio. I've been expecting you."

"And here I am. I want you to know I am here to help."

"Wright really got into that head of yours, hm? Not surprising; I always knew he was quite the one for convincing. I'm speaking to you through a special system: you can hear me, and I can hear you. Nopony else. We're protected here."

"How do I know it's you?"

The Princess appeared in a flash of light in front of him.

"There's your proof, Ezio. I had a lot planned for you today: some imprisonment, some execution, a little of this, a little of that. I wouldn't believe you would escape those, until Wright contacted me."

Ezio thought of how much that pony had helped him. Too much for his liking.

"I heard you wanted to help bring back my friends. You know, the ones you murdered? Heard LOTS about that from him and the investigation team. I'm not happy with you, Ezio."

"I can tell why."

"You'll have to do a lot for me if you don't want to die. Firstly, I require some magical implements, some of which I have already received. However, one of the packages containing what I need went missing during its arrival, and seems to be in the hooves of those in the town of Fillysburg. You will retrieve the item from where it was lost and return to me immediately."

"What of the other... things... you will need?"

"We'll speak of that later. For now, head out to the Wilferen Forest. It will lead you to the outskirts of Fillysburg, right where the package was lost."

"I'll take my leave then."

"Oh, and one more thing. The outskirts of town are known to be filled with murderers, and some of them are just of like you. Do me a favor and don't die."

"I'll do what I can."

"You may leave now, Ezio."

Ezio exited the room and trotted off to the woods. When he left, Phoenix entered the room. Twilight was crying.

"Princess! Are you all right?"

"I'm-I'm fine. It's horrid how I have to treat him. I know he killed them, but... that can be fixed! You told me to be stern and cross with him; I was both. It doesn't feel right! I don't want to treat him this way."

"Look, you have to do this as a line of defense. He'll feel pressured to do the right thing now, and it will be with your attitude towards him that he does it. You have to keep this up for a little while longer. Don't let him off the hook until it's absolutely necessary."

"Alright... I will."

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

The Package

Ezio felt his way through the woods. Why in the world was it so dark here?? And why did everything feel so wet???

It had been about three hours since he left the castle, and now here he was, trudging through the woods (if it wasn't a bog by now), trying to find the other side to Fillysburg. It was just so dark, and every tree he hit his face on enraged him to the point of giving up. But if he went back empty-handed, who knows what would happen.

And so here he was, a mad traveler with an internal struggle to stop and go. One part wanted him to die, to turn back and be executed like he should be, another wanted him to live, for he had so much more of his life to live, and only so much time before the curtains of death enclose upon him. After all, with his brother and father dead, he was the last one to pass on the Auditore name. And it would not end here like so many others.

His hooves pushed through the wet place, wearing him out, and eventually he felt his way to a dry spot to rest. There was no sign of getting out of here... not one...

Ezio...

He jumped at his name. Who was it? Who else was out here?

Don't look Ezio... let your senses guide you...

Well, that was stupid information. He had to feel his way through to here anyway, why tell him to use his senses now?

C'mon Ezio... You can do this. Fight through it!

What? What he heard was strange. It didn't sound like this voice was leading him anywhere... He tried to find the source.

Don't you give up now! C'mon! EZIO!

The last word screamed in Ezio's ears. He got up, ran through vines that whipped at his face, hurdled over logs he didn't know were there, and stopped when light started to blind him.

What was this voice? It killed him inside to not know who it was... those screams...

He wondered if they were existing for the here and now...

No, that couldn't be the purpose, right? He let his thoughts get the best of him and paused in place to think this all over.

The voice was female, he knew that. He felt like he just barely knew it. It was from sometime... no, someplace... he couldn't put his hoof on it, but that didn't seem right. This message, whatever it was, was either too late, to early, or possibly just a trick of the mind.

He returned to reality and saw a great chasm.

Ezio!

The voice shocked him. It was like somepony stern, again female, was yelling at him.

It's Princess Twilight. I've set up a telepathic connection for us to communicate, and for me to track your progress. What you're looking at is the Fillysburg Gulch. The place was made after multiple mining operations went viral here. The ground may be unstable, so watch your step.

Oh good. Now his brain was tortured by the sound of his potential threat. Wondrous.

He moved down the steep slope to the Gulch.

The package is somewhere in there. Find it.

Yeah, I know. Let me do my work in peace. he thought back. There was no reply, so he assumed that his thoughts weren't transferred.

He stepped on a rock, and it moved under his hooves. He quickly got off, and the rock slid down, falling into the Gulch. Ezio heard it hit the rock walls three times before it landed with a CRASH. The princess wasn't kidding about it being unstable.

He took his time to get over to a nearby ladder. Any quick movements might cause a rock slide, and that would put him in danger.

He started his descent into the darkness. The farther he went, the closer he heard the voices below.

"Look, buddy, the package is ours!"

"You are mistaken / This package belongs to us / Step back or you die."

""Yeah, yeah, all big man talk over there! Try me, pal!"

"Very well."

Ezio heard some gurgling sounds and the first voice was gone. Whoever had the package was dangerous, and Ezio hoped he didn't have to fight him.

"Unless there are more / I believe I have a package / It's contents are mine."

Ezio reached the bottom of the ladder. He rushed at the voice, eventually hitting the source, knocking him to the ground.

"What the--?!" shouted the pony.

"The package belongs to the Princess! How dare you try to take it as your own!" yelled Ezio.

Ezio got a better look at this pony. He wore a helmet that covered his face, and a black sneaking suit covered him from neck down. Ezio had landed a few feet away from the pony, and now wondered if this... thing... was a pony at all.

"The Princess, you say? / I doubt that, you lying fiend / You want it as well."

"I speak the truth: The Princess gave me orders to come to this place and find the package she lost!"

"How can one find out? / It's impossible to know / What if you speak lies?"

"If you don't believe me, that's your fault. I'm taking that package to the Princess, whether you like it or not."

"Let's duel, you and I / For the package that fell here / I know who is more skilled."

"Very well."

The strange pony that stood before Ezio took out a sword of some kind that he had never seen before. He took out his own Falchion sword.

Neither one moved. Or so it seemed. The figure in front of Ezio disappeared, and Ezio realized he had been tricked, and jumped as soon as he saw it disappear.

His intuition made him do the right thing. The strange pony had reappeared behind him and struck his side, instead of his back, where the pony had aimed... the small cut bled slightly. Ezio saw the glow of his horn, which explains the disappearance.

"Magic of Deception! You cheat, bastardo!"

Ezio knew that under that helmet, that pony must be smiling, as Ezio dived to the side again after the second time the pony tried to trick him.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Believe me, coward, I have no shame."

That was good phrase. He should quote that for posterity.

Ezio continued to dodge the attacker and his Deception magic. Ezio saw, as he reappeared for the last time, that his horn had fizzled out, running out of magic. This pony was not a naturally adept unicorn.

"Give up! You've got nowhere to run."

"My skills are sharp, fool / As is my sword, you should know / Your death approaches."

Ezio and the other pony circled, waiting for the other to to strike first. Ezio had no time for this waiting. He swung his Falchion at the unicorn, who jumped back to avoid it. Ezio hated this waiting game.

"C'mon! I don't have all day!" he taunted.

"Have the need to kill / I wonder why it is so / I am upset now."

The unicorn swung to the side. Ezio blocked his sword and kicked him in the face.

"Lucky as you are / you merely broke my shields and / now I laugh at you."

Ezio made his next hit hurt. He swung from the right, but then turned it around and cross-struck from the left.

The unicorn fell for the ploy. He blocked to Ezio's right, and got hit by the cross-strike.

He fell to the ground.

"Dammit..."

Ezio looked down upon the foe he had defeated.

"No! This cannot be / My skills were sharp and now have / been dulled by you. Ugh!"

Ezio walked to the package and prepared to bring it back to Canterlot.

Let me get that for you.

The package lifted off the ground and disappeared in a flash of light. Ezio looked behind him at the fallen enemy. He sighed.

"C'mon, up on your feet now."

"What?"

"You heard me."

Ezio helped the pony up.

"It makes no sense--"

"I know. But you don't deserve this fate. Now go, before it's too late."

Ezio felt himself rise. In a flash, he was sucked through space back to the castle, right in front of the Princess.

"I see the package is safe?" he asked, seeing the open package nearby. "What was in that, anyway?"

"That's not important. You did your job, as I asked you to. You shall do no more and no less than that. Besides, I already have a new mission for you that you should be focusing on."

"And what is that mission?"

"I will assign it later, for you look terrible and smell of something rotten. I will allow you to take a few hours to get yourself in order. Then, I will tell you."

Ezio, slightly thankful, slightly not, exited the room. A guard stood outside.

"So you're Ezio, huh? Princess told me to take you to your temporary chambers here in the castle. Follow me."

**************************************************************************************

Trixie knew it.

This Assassin had gotten the truth, but still he did not have the truth. He found out about the Templar scheme, and that damned Mr. Wrong was on to her. She shook the thought of capture away. The Assassin just needed more evidence... more faked evidence.

Trixie thought a letter wouldn't work, since Twilight would see it first before it gets to him. She needed another way...

She'd find it soon enough. She heard a knock at her door and she opened the window. It was time to run again. She pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and jumped out. She was met with no resistance other than the feet against the ground. She ran away, hearing the guards break into the house behind her.

**************************************************************************************

Ezio hated this room.

The entire thing was painted pink. Pink! Oh, how he despised that color. It goes well with absolutely nothing. Nothing at all! Pink... who does that?

"Do you like it? I made it the same color as your murder."

Ezio saw that Princess Twilight walked in.

"What?"

"Remember a little somepony named Pinkie Pie that you killed? Because I do! Don't tell me you've forgotten about it."

Ezio stayed silent.

"Your time is up. It's time for your next mission. It will take some time, but I'm sure you can do it."

Ezio wasn't looking forward to this.

*************************************************************

Mr. Wright and the guards burst into the house. The guards rushed in every direction. They searched through everything: pots, pans, closets, all the way down to under the last speck of dust.

"She isn't here, sir."

"Damn. I thought that we might actually catch her. Find her, she couldn't have gone far."

"You heard the colt! Fan out!"

The guards ran off into the woods. Mr. Wright shook his head. They wouldn't find her here, she's probably teleporting away right now. He knew it wasn't right. He knew that Trixie wouldn't truly wan to do this... right?

He didn't know anymore. The guards came back to him.

"She got away, sir."

"That's fine. We will check the next area in an hour. I wan to bring in the investigation squad for that house. Your work is done for now."

"Sir, yes, sir!"

Wright wanted to know the truth. He wanted to know if this was the, no, her ultimate revenge.

The List

Ezio had freshened up in the pink room. He knew what it ment, but... really? He was never going to get this color out of his head after this. The Princess was waiting for him.

"The reason I came here was to inform you of your next mission." she explained. "This one is easy. I have plenty of things I need done here in town. I have made a list of them for you. When you've completed the tasks, return to me."

"Just so long as you stay out of my head this time." said Ezio rudely.

The Princess didn't respond to him. She put a parchment down on the nearby table and left the room. Ezio sat down on the pink couch and read the list. There were 10 things that needed to be done.

A metal thing fell from the list paper. Ezio picked it up. It was a badge of some sort it had "#621311518" on it. Ezio didn't understand it. He looked at the list to see if it corresponded. Ah, there it was, #7, he would need it then. He tucked the badge into his pocket.

He looked at #1 on the list: Pick up the newspaper.

Pick up the newspaper?! Just who did this goddamn Princess think he was giving him such a trivial task?!

It could be worse, he thought. Like making you go back to that giant hole in the ground.

He walked out side of the castle walls and picked up a newspaper. It was then and there he thought this wasn't so trivial.

It showed a picture of him, and a caption above saying "The Equestria Killer is About!".

In disbelief, he read some of the article.

"A killer, presumably from another country, has come to Equestria and has started a killing spree, starting with Ponyville citizens Pinkie Pie and Applejack. Hide your loved ones, get a form of defense, and do not, I repeat, do not leave your homes unless escorted by another pony. It is known that the killer is very, very dangerous."

Merda.

He ran and hide in the nearest barrel he could find. The guards... they would be after him if they recognized him. Lucky for him, ponies in Canterlot wore some of the strangest stuff; what's one more added to the mix?

He looked around before exiting the barrel. He looked over the next list item.

2. Listen in on the conversation between the two guards near the town square.

She needed things is what she said. Perhaps she ment information.

Ezio walked at the pace of a passing crowd. He followed them to the center of town and saw the two guards. He ducked out of the crowd onto a nearby bench.

"I'm telling you, some strange things have been going on with the Princess. Why would she station guards everywhere ni the city if she wasn't paranoid?" said the first guard.

"She has her reasons. I'd suggest you stop questioning her rule, otherwise you'll get in big trouble."

"I just dunno..."

"Shush! Here comes Shining Armor!"

Ezio spotted the Captain of the Royal guard, otherwise known as that name.

"How goes the guarding?" asked the Captain.

"Fine sir, just fine." said the first.

"Yeah, the guarding is going good." said the other, with a lack of grammar.

"First of all, it goes well, not good, and second is that I heard the killer was around here. I will be taking up this post; you will go to the Eastern end of town. I want to see if what I heard was true."

Today was not Ezio's day. guards were looking for him, and now the Captain, standing only 30 hooves (conversion: feet, for humans) away, might find him.

He blended into another group of ponies that were walking by and took out the list.

3. Run

"There he is! Get him!"

Ezio started to run. He had to escape these guards, and doing that was never easy. He dashed up a building and climbed up the misplaced bricks.

"Get down from there!"

Ezio heard rocks hurdling at an amazing speed towards him. Most of them missed, but one of them got a god hit on Ezio's front-right hoof. He lost his grip, but regained it and climbed to the top of the building.

However, the Pegasus Guard found him and continued the chase. Ezio jumped from building to building, avoiding the guards and their rocks. Why did they always have to be so stubborn, these guards?

He needed to get these flying guards away. He saw some loose roof tiles and kicked those up at them.

Two of the guards got hit, one in the wing, the other in the face. Ouch. There were still two others following.

Ezio dove off a building and into a friendly hay bale below. The guards didn't see him go in, and lost sight of him.

"Where did he go? Look for him!"

The guards searched everywhere... except the obvious bale of hay sitting in the street.

"Urgh... he got away! This isn't over! Get back to your positions: he couldn't have gotten far!"

"Yes, sir!"

Ezio heard them all gallop away. Ezio wondered why she would do this. She told him to outright run! He heard that she planned this! he looked at the list.

4. Let go of your emotions.

...

REALLY?! Now she wants forgiveness?? That won't happen anytime soon!... If it weren't for the fact that Ezio would die if he didn't do what she said. He let it go for now, but vowed she would get what was coming to her when the time came.

5. Get some fruit from one of the local vendors

Well, that's a nice, yet strange, change. He exited the hay bale. He realized there were fruit vendors everywhere, particularly in the...

town... square...

Damn, he thought, that's where the Captain is.

Would he dare go back? Or would it be better if he just gave up on all this now?

Well, so long as he had the choice of fruit, he was going to keep this plan going. He snuck past the guards and went up to some fruit vendors.

"Fresh oranges! Get your fresh oranges!"

No, that wouldn't do....

"Lemons here! Best in town!"

Closer, but not it...

"Pomegranates! Best in all of Equestria!"

Bingo. That would work perfectly. The only problem here was that Ezio didn't have any usable currency. Lucky for him, the fruit vendors weren't very good at keeping an eye on their products. Ezio made away with several pomegranates for later.

He looked at the next item on the list.

6. Go to the Cafe Canterlot. Speak with the colt at table 17.

Interesting. A meeting. Or maybe nothing like one, and she just wanted him to talk to a random person. It didn't matter either way. He wandered the streets looking for this Cafe. He found it a while later, in the corner of town.

He entered the place, hoping that if it was a meeting with somepony that he didn't miss it. He walked up to table 17.

"I was told I had to talk to you."

"Well, you really took your time getting here. Have a seat."

Ezio sat on the other side of the table.

"So, you are the great Ezio Auditore. Well, I have to say... I expected more. Anyway, There's something you need, but I need to get something first."

Ezio followed the list. #7. Trade the badge for the key.

He took out the shiny badge with"#621311518" printed on it.

The other pony took out a golden key. The key looked far too big to fit in any lock Ezio had ever seen, so it must just be for show. Either way, the Princess wanted it, so he really didn't care whether the thing worked or not.

They traded items slowly, making sure one or the other wouldn't suddenly back out of the trade with the given item. Ezio retrieved the key and put it in his saddlebag.

He looked at the list to make sure he had done all he had to with this colt.

8. Kill the colt at table 14.

So after murdering ponies she cared about, now she wanted him to kill just for the heck of it? Strange, very strange, thought Ezio. As he thought this, he walked by table 14, stabbed the colt who was sitting there through the neck, and promptly left the cafe. He heard the screams behind him as he exited.

He took another look at the list.

9. Return to the castle

Finally, Ezio had been waiting for his break from the town and its guards. He blended in with the nearest crowd and moved toward the castle's secret entrance.

That's when he saw that every guard in Canterlot was standing in front of the entrance he intended to go through. Well, damn.

Ezio hoped they didn't notice him. He kept his head low in the crowd, but not too low as to hinder his sight. He searched for a way to get pst them without any problems occurring. He saw none.

What now? He thought. Maybe he could wait them out. He took a seat on the nearest bench and kept one eye on the guards. He waited there for at least an hour. The day was ending, as he saw the sun lower in the sky. He wondered what would happen if he walked up to the guards and talked to them. Perhaps they would let him through, trusting him as the other guard in the castle.

It was his only choice. These guards certainly weren't going anywhere, and he needed to go somewhere, and this was the only way through this impasse. He walked up to them.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"Look, buddy, they ask the same question as soon as I go through that door, so don't waste my time."

"Only those who have importance to the Princesses are allowed to enter here!"

"What if I had something she needed?"

"Like what?"

He took out the key from his saddlebag.

The guards stood up straight.

"Mr. Arrio! I didn't recognize you! Please, come right on in. The Princess has been waiting."

Ezio knew not of this Mr. Arrio, but went along with this. He entered the same way Phoenix had.

"HALT! STATE YOUR NAME AND PURPOSE."

"My name is Arrio. Mr. Arrio to you. I have important things for the Princess." he repeated. Why have two sets of guards if they both did the same thing?

"Go on through, the Prin--"

"I know already."

Ezio continued through the second door, leading to the inside of the castle walls.

He took a last look at the list.

10. Return the items to me. Let no other pony inside the castle see them.

That would be easy. He went through the castle, the key was in his saddlebag. No worries there. The fruits... he didn't think anybody would notice them.

He checked to make sure it was still there. It was. Paranoia had strange timing, for Ezio at the very least. He opened the door to the throne room, seeing only Princess Twilight sitting there. Ezio wondered why he had never seen the other Princesses in their own castle. It didn't matter, he thought, and opened the door a little more to see exactly who he was wondering about.

Princess Celestia was standing a few hooves away from Twilight. She had a concerned look on her face.

"Twilight, I know you fear for your friends, but the guards can't be everywhere. It causes ponies to panic. I believe you should stop with this."

"Sorry, I didn't think of that. I guess it would do that... I'll get the guards back to their regular schedules. I'm sorry."

Celestia sighed. "It's alright. You fear for your friends safety, and that is why you have guards with them at all times. It can't get out of hand, though."

"Yes, it can't." she said. That's when she spotted the Assassin just outside the door. She held in her surprise, and gave him look that said "Get out of here, you idiot!" Ezio backed out of the room and went to his own room. The pink still bothered him, but that was the point. Manipulating one's feelings with their surroundings was just something he was not going to go with here.

He waited for the Princesses to finish with their talk. A guard opened the door some time later.

"The Princess will see you now."

Ezio entered the throne room again. It was just Princess Twilight this time.

"Well, you've been busy, Princess. Increasing notoriety for me, putting the guards all over the place, and let's not forget your little newspaper article."

"I had to make sure you can do the next ask I have planned for you. It will be dangerous, and you can't die yet."

"Are you trying to say that I will sometime soon?"

"It's possible, Ezio."

"From what I heard, that same senario won't be played out again. If that didn't kill me, nothing will."

The Princess said nothing to counter this.

Ezio continued. "So what is this dangerous job?"

"We'll speak of it in the morning, as Celestia has just lowered the sun, so you should get rest in the meantime."

"Very well. What's with this Mr. Arrio?"

"Just use that name when you see guards in the city. They know the name Mr. Arrio as an important figure, not to be disturbed. You just have to act a little less dark and a little more assertive."

"Not a problem. You wanted this key?"

"Yes, give it here."

Ezio handed it over.

"This will help with the revival of your friends?"

"I have an idea that it might. Thank you."

"Oh, and before I forget: I got you some fruit. You should try it. It's interesting."

"... Oh, yes, that. You actually did that?"

"It said on the list to do so."

"Very well. Thank you. I'm sure I'll enjoy them."

And I think I'll enjoy watching you choke on them. Ezio thought.

"Well, off to bed with you. You have a big day tomorrow."

************************************************************************************************

Phoenix found all the evidence he needed.

The investigation team did a spectacular job finding hoofprints near the murder locations, and they matched up with the ones at the house, not to mention that there was a strand of blue hair in both places, left on accident by none other than the great and manipulative Trixie.

He had everything he needed. Except the pony he needed to bring to justice. The guards were useless; Trixie always got away from them. He needed a plan to lure her out of her hiding place and right into the courtrooms.

He had an idea. A bad idea, but an idea all the same. He began a letter to the Princess, and another to the one named Trixie.

************************************************************************************

"UGH!" growled Princess Twilight as she spat out the fruit Ezio retrieved. How in the name of Celestia did one fruit have that bad of a taste?? she thought, wiping off of her tongue in an attempt to get rid of the taste. She vowed that she would do everything in her power to rid of this fruit as soon as possible. So gross....

To take her mind off of this, she needed something to read. It took her mind off of a lot of things. Having read all the books in the Canterlot library (somehow), and she needed some new material.

"Spike! Did we get any mail? Spike?"

Gone again. Where was that dragon when you needed him? She decided to just summon whatever mail she had. A small pile of letters fell to the ground in front of her. She opened them up one by one. A letter from Mayor Mare on the new dam, a letter from Rainbow Dash about something or other (she skipped that one for the moment), and a letter from...

She opened the last letter immediately. She knew that he was good, but not this good at what he did. She couldn't believe her eyes. What was written here was unbelievable. She tucked the letter somewhere safe and hidden, and sat to think about what she had just read. this could change everything.

************************************************************************************

Trixie hated the mail system. So boring, reading every little thing somepony wants to say. However, it was useful for communication. She used her magic to summon all of the messages for her, particularly the ones from Him. She had some new orders to follow now that the Assassin went rogue... sort of. She opened up her mail from Him. The new orders were strange ones, but she followed them. This Assassin was going down. She laughed her evil laugh, and then realized another letter had materialized in front of her. It had been sent from inside Equestria. She opened it to read the words of the one named Phoenix Wright. It read simply:

Trixie,

If you want a rematch, meet me in the courtrooms of Canterlot in three days' time. Be there, or never get a chance like this again.

Mr. Wright

P.S. You can't run forever.

Well then, Mr. Wrong, you shall have your rematch, she thought, and this time the Great and Powerful Trixie shall win out.

The Trial (and Error)

Ezio woke up the next morning to a bright, sunny day. It all seemed so perfect: the lavender smell in the air, the feeling of the warm morning sun on Ezio's face, the blue sky outside his window, the singing coming from the bathroom--

Ezio paused. Singing...?

...

WHAT THE HELL?? he thought. THERE'S NOPONY ELSE IN THIS ROOM!

He quickly got into his clothes and snuck up to the bathroom door. It made a slight creak as he opened it. He saw sompony's silhouette in the shower and heard the pony humming away like no tomorrow.

"Hmmmmmmm Hm Hm! La-lala-lalaaaa..."

Ok, now Ezio was worried. That was a mare in there, and he knew it.

He threw himself back from the door, putting his back to the wall.

Let's see... being the way I am, there are two things that could've happened here, Ezio thought. Either I got drunk and very lucky last night, or this is a really big misunderstanding.

He ruled out the choices, but with his lifestyle, he wouldn't be surprised if it was either one of these things. Preferably the first, but the second was good enough. Was there even alcohol in the castle...?

No time to think. He heard the mare turn off the shower and open the curtain. He had a few moments to react before that pony exited the bathroom. He chose the one place nopony ever looks.

The mare, followed by lots of steam, exited the bathroom and went under Ezio, who had positioned himself on the ceiling.

Ezio realized that he was in great danger. If he didn't leave soon, he might be in a serious situation here. That pony...

He waited for her to go into the bedroom. He got down from the ceiling and prepared to go out of the window while there was still time--

"Ezio?"

Merda.

He turned around. "Hi, Derpy!" he said in nervous laughter. "Wonderful day we're having!"

"Ezio, why are you here? You should be in the dungeons!" exclaimed Derpy.

Now Ezio was confused. Dungeons? As in, prisoner? Metaphorically, he was one, but wasn't treated as such.

"Whatever do you mean, Derpy?"

"Well, the trial got bumped up to today..."

"I'm sorry, 'trial'?"

"Yeah. Ezio vs. Harmony is what they're calling it. You should've been cleaner with your work! Shame on you, Ezio!"

"Ok, I have to ask three things: One, what are you doing here? Two, they're putting me on trial? Three, WHAT?? MY WORK WAS CLEAN!"

"IF IT WAS SO CLEAN, THEN WHY DID YOU GET CAUGHT?!"

"I DON'T KNOW!"

The ponies stared into each other's eyes with rage. That rage subsided when Derpy turned away.

"Look, you're in trouble, ok? You're lucky you have Mr. Wright defending you, otherwise... I don't think you'd get out of this alive or on this planet."

"'Or on this planet'?"

"Ezio, you could be banished to the moon! Murder is a capital crime in Equestria! Just like in all places!"

"The moon?"

"You heard me. THE. MOON."

Ezio stopped talking. There were only two things that could shut Ezio clam up like this: big potential threats and Derpy Hooves, and both of them were present at the moment.

"The trial is in an hour. You have half that to get dressed into something suitable." she said, looking at his Assassin wear. "Also, hide your blades in a secure place; when they search this room they'll be looking for them."

Derpy left the room.

Ezio kicked over a chair. Derpy was only serious when talking to him and when she was under pressure. Given the situation, Ezio assumed it was both.

He could here her now, crying outside his door. For some reason, she really cared about him, and every time they fought she got emotional. Ezio couldn't help but feel bad for here, and he had no way to comfort her, even though he tried every time.

"Derpy... we're going to be fine, ok? You'll see. This will all blow over like--"

"No... no it won't!"

Ezio heard the mare run away from the door.

He knew this was a vicious cycle that he would never end. He lived with it, day by day, but it chipped away at his self-worth like a bad sculpter making a statue. He decided he needed to follow what Derpy said. He took off his assassin uniform and put on the suit and tie Derpy had left out for him. she obviously had no foresight, for the note on the clothes said "Do your best out there!" with several X's and O's. Eio placed the note aside and got into the suit. He didn't like it: his chest was a little too big for it, and the sleeves only reached hlafway the length he was used to.

He went with it. A guard came around soon after he had stashed his blades and told him to follow. No questions. Ezio proceded to the trial.

On one side sat Phoenix Wright. The other, a blue pony that Ezio had never seen before. There was the judge too, with a long beard and a stern look on his face.

"Is the defense ready?" asked the Judge.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"And the prosecution?"

"Indeed."

"Court is now in order. Defendent, please come up to the stand."

Ezio knew he had to go. He didn't like this one bit. It was just so strange to be in a place of law and order with a background like his.

"State your name and occupation."

Ezio had done this many times before.

"My name is Ezio Auditore da Fillyenze. My occupation: a landlord."

"A what?" asked the Judge.

"A landlord, Your Honor."

"Well then, Mr. Auditore, you are being charged with two accounts of first degree murder. How do you plead?"

Ezio turned his eyes to Phoenix. He had all the answers here. Phoenix shook his head.

"Not Guilty." replied Ezio.

Phoenix was trying to win this? Could he not just let what should happen just happen?

"Very well. The Prosecution may now make its opening statement."

"Thank you. The prosecution would to start out by saying this is just another lost cause dragged out by Mr. Wrong. As always. Now, onto the case. Ezio killed two ponies of Ponyville last week, both by means of stabbing. He had no relation to these two ponies. The first, named "Pinkie Pie", died last Wednesday at around 11 PM, from what the autopsy shows, at Sugarcube Corner. The other, Applejack, died Friday night, at around 12 AM, nearby Sweet Apple Acres." explained Trixie.

"I'd like to ask a few questions." said Phoenix.

"Fire away, Mr. Wrong."

"Firstly, You said the murders happened at night, both of them. Who called in for these attacks?"

"The first was called in the following day by the owners of Sugarcube Corner, Mr. and Mrs. Cake."

"And the other?"

"That was called in the following day as well, by the victim's family."

"Do you have evidence of the murder weapon?"

"No, we couldn't find anything of the sort. We can only assume he still has it."

"The places Ezio have been have been cleared out, and there was no such weapon, as given by this warrant report. Right now, I don't think this is looking to be in your favor: you can neither prove my client was there, nor that he had the murder weapon.

"Ah, but we do. You should know that you and your investigation team found hoofprints of matching identity in each crime scene. You say they were from somepony that wasn't from here, given they weren't in any of the records."

"True, but Ezio was already a citizen at that time, given this signed document of citizenship. The date given was a day before any of this happened."

"I want to check that signature."

"The prosecution has a right to check over the client's signature, Mr. Wright." said the Judge.

"Very well."

Ezio was given a paper and pencil. He didn't exactly see why this flimsy piece of wood sufficed for a pen. He much preferred the quill. He signed his name in the same dramatic manner anyway.

The document and the written signature was scanned by a unicorn standing nearby.

"They match up really well here. No distinct differences are found." he said, passing the papers back to the defense.

"So if those really were his hoofprints..."

Ezio could swear he heard "Take that!", but he wasn't sure.

"He would've been caught long ago!"

Trixie made a worried face.

"Anything else for proof, though? I want to see this whole thing through before jumping to conclusions."

"No, I... I don't have anything left. There were no witnesses."

"OBJECTION!"

The courtroom fell silent.

"Mr. Wright?" said the Judge, his voice wavering a little, "You do realize what you are saying with that statement?"

"Yes I do, Your Honor." replied Phoenix. "The Prosecution is withholding information from the court! There was a witness... the prosecutor herself!"

"What?!" shouted Trixie. "I had nothing to do with the crime!"

"OBJECTION!" said Phoenix. "You had everything to do with this crime! The investigation team found locks of your mane nearby the both crime scenes. They were both dated by their decay, and it shows that they were detached, for a lack of a better word, at the time of each murder!"

"But-- I--"

"Face it, Trixie! You were there, and I'm still not done here! Not only did you witness the crime, but you are the murderer!"

The courtroom blew up in conversation.

"Order in the court! ORDER IN THE COURT!" shouted the Judge, banging his gavel. "Mr. Wright! This is a huge accusation! Do you even have proof?"

"Yes I do."

He pulled out a paper, and tapped it with the back of his hoof.

"This is a forged letter from the murderer. It clearly is trying to convince Ezio here to kill these ponies. He denied with a letter of his own, saying he was not going to do it. This letter was forged with traceable magic which leads back to none other than Trixie!"

The court room was silent.

"Trixie left this country to go live in the country Ezio came from. The hoofprints weren't verified because she hadn't re-registered within the year. She is the one who killed these ponies!"

The courtroom bustled again.

"Order! Order!" shouted the Judge, smacking his gavel against the podium.

"The Prosecution would like to have your facts checked!" said Trixie quickly. "Those cannot be my hoofprints!"

"Mr. Wright, you are required to have this checked."

"Not a problem. We already have the hoofprint from the area, saved as an inversion."

"Inversion?"

"Yes. We took some gel, poured it into the indentation of the hoofprint on the ground, and wait for it to dry. We then have the inverted hoofprint saved on the hardened material."

"So then you can recreate it with that? Then go ahead."

The unicorn stepped forward again. He started making the hoofprints, one from the inversion, one from Trixie. He compared the two hoofprints.

"These... I'd like to say they match, but it is very hard to tell. We'll need to take a brief resting period before we can verify any of this. Your Honor?"

"Court is dismissed until further notice."

Ezio and Phoenix left through one door. Ezio didn't want to say anything at the moment, given all those who could hear him.

"Phoenix, we have to talk--"

"Not here, Ezio. Follow me."

Phoenix led them to a room Ezio had never seen. Phoenix closed the door behind them.

"Now, this isn't going to make a whole lot of sense, but just bear with me. The Princess wants you here, and she wants you alive. I am to make sure of this. To do that, I had to pull some strings. The hoofprints from the crime scene were magically altered to fit Trixie's. I wouldn't be surprised on what the verdict will be when the prosecution is on trial. Now, I know you and I don't see eye to eye here. Speak now of your disagreements."

"You go into that courtroom and give them lies. You go and say that the evidence provided by the prosecution isn't valid to used against me, but you know it is. I may not like the way you are going about it, Wright, but I trust you. Do what you have to, for the Princess."

Phoenix knew Ezio could see his logic. After all, he was the most logical person in that courtroom.

"Alright. Now, you had better prepare wat you're going to say to the mare waiting for you."

"What?"

Ezio looked over at Phoenix.

"How did you--"

"I'm required to know everything about you Ezio. EVERYTHING. Where you live, where you came form, who you know, what you know... I know all that as well as you do."

"You--"

"Hold it! I know what you're going to say, and I know it's wrong, but... I let you keep some things to yourself. It was either this or something even more important to you."

Ezio opened his mouth to say something, but slowly closed it.

"Very well." is all that came out as he did so.

"Good."

A guard entered the room.

"It seems there's been a slight change of schedule. You'll find out. Get to the courtroom."

Phoenix looked worried. Perhaps they had seen through his false evidence.

They re-entered the courtroom. Phoenix took his place behind the defense podium.

"It seems there's a bit more than meets the eye here." said the Judge. "We have a little something her that questions your logic, Mr. Wright."

He pulled out a newspaper.

"As you can see, the pony pictured in this photo called 'The Equestria Killer' looks a lot like your client. What do you have to say to this, Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix thought for a moment. Ezio knew he hadn't planned for everything. This must be his kryptonite: unexpected new evidence.

He looked up at the Judge.

"HOLD IT! Just how does that look like my client? It looks like an average pony to me."

"True, but look here." said Trixie. "There's a clear scar on the depicted pony's mouth. Ezio, you can stop trying to hide the fact that it exists now."

Ezio removed his hoof from over his mouth. "What? I was just surprised at the new evidence, that's all." The scar was present.

"Whatever Mr. Auditore was doing doesn't matter. So it has one thing in common with him. That is still coincidental evidence, and not enough to prove that my client actually killed anypony." said Phoenix. "This picture is purely generic, as it should say at the bottom of that page."

The Judge looked at it. "So it does, Mr. Wright. The evidence is invalid for this case. I think that I'm ready to pass down my verdict now."

Ezio saw it. The light at the end of tunnel was here.

"The defendant is..."

Phoenix knew what to expect, but this could go either way when Judge is the judge.

"Not Guilty."

Phoenix knew it. There was moment of relief for him.

"However," interrupted Judge, "Trixie, as a pardon by the Princess, will go free. There is no way to prove that she did or didn't commit the crime due to some shaky evidence from the defense, lacking any better term. Court adjourned!"

He brought down his gavel.

Phoenix had done it. Nobody was going to jail, being executed, or even being sent to the moon. Today was a good day, thought Ezio.

Ezio left the courtroom. Somehow, Phoenix had made the blame nonexistent. The Princess did a majority of the work, though, changing hoofprints and creating false data. Either she had big plans for Ezio's death, or she simply wanted him to do the jobs she had for him, or perhaps the least possible answer: she cared. She cared about one pony's life, and she wished to express that...

... to the colt who killed her friends. Not likely.

Ezio returned to his room, where Derpy was waiting.

"Oh, good. You're not dead."

"Hello to you too, Derpy."

"You know, if it wasn't for the Princess, you'd be dead now."

"Look, I--"

Derpy put a hoof over his mouth.

"But the important thing is that you're alive."

Ezio let the moment sink in, whilst trying to figure out what exactly the moment was about. Any number of things could come from what Derpy had said.

"Ezio, I'm sorry you were tricked into killing them, but..."

She sighed. "When will you ever stop causing trouble, really?"

Ezio wanted to say something back, but realized how incredibly rude that would be at the given moment. He still didn't get what was happening here, anyway, and the best way to learn is to listen.

"Ezio? Are you listening?"

"Yes, it's just... I don't know what to say to you. Everything I say... is just never right. I can't keep up this... lie. This false idea that I know what to do, what to say, who to be around you."

"Just be yourself, Ezio."

"I wish I could be."

"Ezio, don't you get all down in the gutters now. Cheer up! I mean, you made it out all right!"

"But you didn't think I would. You doubted me."

"I doubted your luck, not you, Ezio."

"Luck? Who needs that?"

"Exactly."

Well, perhaps this would add up, as soon as he got done putting all these clues into place.

"Ezio?"

"Yeah?"

"A question."

"Go on."

"Do you really think the Princess is going to kill you?"

"Where's this coming from?"

"You're depressed. You can't be feeling happy, that's for sure. You don't trust the Princess. Add those together, and you are expecting the worst from her."

Derpy always could read him like a book, yet he couldn't understand her. It's funny how the world works.

"Derpy?"

"Yes?"

"A question."

"Fire away."

"What do you think I should do?"

"What?"

"I don't trust the Princess, true. I think she might kill me in the end, true. So what should I do: Stay, and repay my debt, then most likely die, or go, and stay alive?"

The question was a hard one: Moral and dangerous, or immoral and safe?

"Ezio, you have to stay until your job here is done. We'll get some ponies to get you out of any tight situations that you might get into after that. You won't die here, ever."

"Thanks, Derpy."

The conversation couldn't end here: Ezio still hadn't failed to comfort her again. That's how it always worked, right?

"Hey, Derpy. You never really told me why you came to see me, anyway."

"That's where it gets complicated."

"Tell me all about it."

"Well..."

***************************************************************************************

"Well, I guess Our work is done here, Princess. He's out of the pan, and into the fire. I have a feeling he might not be able to perform the tasks you want him to."

"Well, it's the last thing before the resurrections, -- it sounds so weird when I put it like that -- so he had better be up to the job. Speaking of that, good job on the case. You really showed 'em out there, huh?"

"Well, I wouldn't put it like that. I mean, I'm great, but--"

"Also far too modest. Be happy! This is a good thing!"

"Heh, you wish. I basically had to lie through the whole thing because of the situation."

"You did what you had to in order to keep him alive. He's the only one who can do the next job, no other can. You know that."

"True, but I can't help but feel bad about accusing Trixie."

"Look, Phoenix, feeling bad for her is like feeling bad for a hawk that attacks innocent mice, if that was ever a real life senario. You wouldn't feel bad for her if you knew what I already have known. Besides, you remember when you accused Fluttershy of being a killer? You felt bad about that, but in the end it helped get more time for the trial."

"This is different."

"I assure you, she'll be fine. I gave her a full pardon, so the only thing that is getting hurt here is her pride."

"It's just too bad."

"I think that we're done here. Ezio's going to be here soon."

The door clicked open.

"Very soon."

Ezio entered the room.

"Well, I think i've heard a little too much about muffins, but I'm still ready for aaaaaaanything you have to throw at me."

"I'm sorry, muffins?" asked the Princess.

"It's a long story. One I don't think I'll mention ever again."

"Okay, you and your muffins can be secretive."

"Oh, right, I was supposed to ask you, Mr Wright, if you if found the one who fooled me into killing Her Royalty's friends."

"You were looking at her in the courtroom. The prosecutor was the one who fooled you into killing those ponies."

"Really? The one with the assertive attitude? Huh. Maybe I shoulda known, but... I didn't. Too bad for her, you know? I'm gonna need my revenge once I've got it all planned out. Speaking of which, any ideas?"

The Princess was silent. Ezio had never been like this before.

"I'll take that as a 'no'. If you think of something, let me know. I'll think of something when I'm out on that mission. Uh... what's the mission again?"

Twilight then noticed Ezio's eyes.

"Ezio... are you drunk right now?"

Ezio wobbled a bit. "I dunno, maybe I had enough for that."

"Enough of what exactly??"

"It's a long story. Remember when I said something about those muffins?"

"Are you saying somepony had you eat spiked... muffins...?"

"Maybe, I dunno. Feels the same, I think. I mean, alcohol in muffins... you'd think it'd be cooked out of 'em right? Modern marvels, I tell you."

"Ezio, you'd better go lie down for a bit." suggested Phoenix. "Ezio?"

"At a time like this? I dun think suuu..."

Ezio was clearly slurring his words. Whatever kind of drink he had, it sure was strong.

"Ima go check on... uh... somethin'... I dunno. I'll be back, dun you worry!"

Ezio walked into the wall, then outside the door.

"Phoenix?"

"Yeah?"

"Do me a favor and make sure he doesn't get farther than his room. I don't want it to look like we have drunkards in the castle."

"I will."

"Also, one more thing..."

"Yeah?"

"Make sure he's not with anypony... strange, okay?"

"Got it."

Phoenix left the room. The Princess knew Ezio had met up with one of her favorite ponies. The problem was, now she knew more about the muffin-loving pegasus than she really wanted to, and she might need to act upon it. And not in a good way.

She tucked the thought to the back of her mind. She needed to go over explaining Ezio's next mission, anyway, and there was that letter from Rainbow that she never opened... There were a lot of things that she needed to do. Ezio would be sober in the next few hours hopefully, and that's when he would get to work.

She sat down, pulled out the letter from Rainbow Dash and read it.

And that's when she realized she had made a very grave mistake.

The Last Job

Ezio had done it again.

He woke up after being in his drunken stupor. Whatever the hell was in those muffins sure was strong. Damn, the hangover was bad.

Derpy had left him a letter. It could contain any number of things, so he tore it open to find out immediately. You can never be too safe.

The letter read:

Ezio,

I have to get back to my job of mail-carrying. Boss says I took a liiittle too much time off the clock. I'll see you soon, though!

XOXO

Derpy

Well, Derpy was gone for the moment, the day wasn't over, and Ezio just got over his hangover (He has really high tolerance). He got up, got out of this damned suit, picked up his blades, and got re-dressed into his Assassin wear.

He went into the throne room, which turned out to be some very bad timing. The Princess, or the sobbing mess he could call the Princess, was sitting next to an open letter on the ground.

"Is now a bad time?" he asked, prepared to run if she shouted at him.

"I couldn't stop her, Ezio."

"What? Explain this situation."

"Rainbow Dash... she's..."

Ezio thought he knew where this was going.

"I swear I have nothing to do with--"

"Don't worry, I know it couldn't be you. It was her."

"Her?"

"She... she sent me this letter. It's talking about some pretty depressing things, like that she can't take it anymore, she can't live with herself. I think she's not feeling all too great right now..."

"... I wish I knew what to say, but I honestly don't. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful here, after all I've done..."

"No, you don't need to say anything, Ezio." said the Princess, standing up, "You have a job that has been long belated."

"Just tell me what I need to do. You keep saying it's dangerous, why is that?"

"One word: dragons."

Ezio just stared. That was what she thought was so dangerous?

He burst out in laughter.

"Dragons? Jeez, It's been a long time. Hahaha! Oh, we had some good times. My group and the Dragons have a pact. We give them more gems than they know what to do with, and they provide sufficient defense for our outposts. Oh, it'll be nice to see them again. We used to go around to Templar camps and just bur--"

He realized the Princess didn't care, given the look on her face.

"Ahem... sorry. What I mean is that won't be a problem."

"So it seems. Anyway, what you will need to get from them is a few of their scales. There's more things left to collect after that, so you have to hurry back. No time for idle chit-chat. Go. Now."

Ezio did as he was told.

Convincing dragons was always easy because they always wanted the same things: gems. particularly cut gemstones. Ezio was surprised that you could just dig up gemstones here. Back in Italia, you actually had to cut the darn things yourself. It actually made no sense that these pre-cut gemstones were just lying around in Equestria. He didn't care, though: it just made his job that much easier.

Collecting things was one of his least favorite parts of tasks like these. However, he couldn't wait to meet those dragons.

I don't think you'll like the dragons in Equestria. They don't like ponies in general, so this is going to be a hard bargain.

Dammit, I told you never to contact me like this!

Firstly, I can and I will contact you in whatever manner I please. Secondly, at least you can talk to me this time. Thirdly, apologize about your behavior.

Oh well EXCUUUUUUUSE me, Princess. Soooo sorry.

That may be the first time he had ever spoken to the Princess like any other pony.

Just go there and do the trade. It might take you a while to get to their den.

He continued his collecting until his saddlebags were full of gems. He started his journey to the Dragon's Den. It took him about three whole minutes. Long and arduous? Hardly.

"Hey! Pony! Stop right there!"

Dragons surrounded Ezio, staring at him with angry eyes.

"Get out of here! This is dragon territory!" shouted one.

The rest started shouting similar things.

"Gentlemen, please. I have a proposition for you."

"Oh yeah? What's that? Rob more of our land away from us?"

"No, no. I'm a pony of Italia. I'm here to take your land."

"Then what are you here to do?" asked one, calmly.

"I have need of some of your scales. 10 will do. And in exchange..."

He dumped the gemstones onto the ground.

"You get all these."

"Hm... you make a tempting trade here, pony. All right, we'll go through with this."

"Wondrous."

They accepted the trade? Good. Now, I'll need five red scales and five orange ones. See if you can't get that amount.

"I require some certain color of scales, if you will. 5 red and 5 orange."

"What? Why do you need those colors?"

Don't tell them. Try to avoid that unless you have to say it.

"That doesn't matter, the only thing that matters is the fact tat I need them. Sorry, but if I explained, it might waste your time for eating those gems."

"True. Alright, this had better be your last request, though."

The dragon ripped five red scales from his friend and five orange from another. "That will teach you to steal from my gem pile again. Now take your share of gems."

Well, for big, mighty beings, they sure had a way of showing it. These materialistic dragons always made Ezio roll his eyes.

And so he did.

Big. Mistake.

"Hey! That pony was lookin' at you sideways, Crunk!"

"What?! Nopony looks at me that way!"

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You rolled your eyes and you know it. You think we're stupid, don't you?"

"You're just like all the rest!"

The dragons started shouting at Ezio, who kept his composure.

Dammit, you just had to piss them off, didn't you?

Don't worry, I've got this.

"Hey, I didn't mean anything by it, ok? Can't you just let it go?"

"Oh, no. I've put up with you ponies long enough. If you want your scales here, you're gonna have to fight me, one on one."

"And if I win?"

"Then you get your scales, but if you lose, I'm gonna dance around in your chest cavity. Got it?"

Ezio, as he and all the Assassins were taught, didn't fear death.

"Bring it." said Ezio.

The dragon charged at him. He stood at least 7 hooves tall, maybe even 8, and he was pretty muscular. Ezio dodged his charge, but the dragon was still fast enough to trip Ezio with his tail. Ezio fell to the ground, and the dragons laughed. He spat some blood at the ground and got back up. He really did underestimate them.

God dammit, Ezio! See, this is what you get for being a such a goddamn idiot!

Princess Twilight really set Ezio off with that one. "I'm not done with you yet, bastardo!"

Ezio ran at the foe. He dodged the creature's claws, and sliced the dragon's underbelly. The problem with that: The dragon was falling over onto him. Ezio ran out from under him and watched as he fell face first on the ground.

"Jeez... man... why didn't you say... you would cut me if I did't give these?"

"Who goes around telling people he's going to stab them before he does it, hm?"

"Nopony, I guess... Look, just take the damn scales and leave me alone."

Ezio wondered if it was really that easy to just outright destroy a dragon's self-confidence.

"You must be joking."

"I'm not."

"That's a lie! I can see what happens when I pick up those scales: you and every dragon here lunges."

"Okay, buddy... we might not be the nicest things on this planet, but that... that doesn't mean that we don't bluff when we say we're gonna eat ya... just take them." he shoved the scales into Eio's bag and put it on Ezio's back.

"How...? Look, this all seems like some kind of trap."

"I can see it in your eyes, buddy: you don't trust the Princess. We don't trust the Princess. Between you and I, there's no difference as to our stance on this world."

Ezio was shocked. How did he know? Holy shit, I really do underestimate their intelligence, he thought.

"Alright. I will leave. Before I go, I have only one thing to say: you dragons will get the equality you deserve, be it tomorrow or in a hundred years, I swear."

The dragons nodded and Ezio turned to the entrance.

That was too easy, he thought. Everypony should know what really happened there. All you have to do is get a little too close, and they give up.

He felt bad for all those who didn't understand.

Well... uh... good job... I guess.

I'm not entirely sure if I deserved that thanks.

Look, you almost have everything. There's just one more thing I need.

Tell me what it is

Ezio, I need you to steal something for me.

And why must I resort to petty theft for this?

Because you can't get it otherwise... just head to the Burned Forest. There's... something there that I think only you can retrieve.

Which way?

You can see it just past the sunset.

Ezio looked over, shielding his eyes from the radiance of the sun. There were some blackened tree stumps over about a mile away. Ezio hurried over there. The trip only took him 6 minutes. He saw the sun disappearing behind the horizon, even so.

In this place, it's always night, and not even Luna knows why. However, there's a rumor that a great magic lies within. If you find it, your task is complete.

So you want me to, quite literally, take a shot in the dark and say this rumor is true?

Yeah, basically. I know you'll find it. Only you can do it.

Ezio moved slowly into the dark. The Princess was right about him. Even though all was dark, he closed his eyes, and saw the world through Eagle vision. He only had one thought:

OH. MY. GOD.

This new world had a golden aura about it, the whole place beautifully covered in amber light that danced through the non-existant treetops. Ezio had no time to enjoy this sight, or lack thereof, and kept moving. He saw something glowing light blue in the distance...

It looked like a shining, blue ball of light. Ezio picked it up and the world around him turned blood red. The leaves fell from the trees, and he could see in this imaginary world that they had started on fire.

"What are you doing?! No! The forest! Please, put it back! PUT IT BACK!"

It was the voice of a filly, eyes filled with tears. Ezio put it back and the fires stopped, the leaves falling upwards, back into place.

"Why would you do that?"

"I had no idea... why did that happen, anyway?"

"I don't know. Every time, they never put it back, but you did. They wanted it for the power, they wanted it for everything it had to offer. But then there's you."

Ezio had an idea about what was going on here.

"Tell me... how long has it been since the forest burned down?"

"Well, a few seconds ago--"

"No. When did it permanently, completely brun down?"

"Never. That never happened."

"You're in denial."

"What?"

Ezio turned and faced the landscape.

"This world is a lie. Everything looks peaceful, intact, alive. But it is not so in reality. This world you are in, son,must be trapped in time. The only way to fix that is for that" he pointed to the ball of light "to be taken from here. It's time to face reality. It's time for you to see the truth!"

Ezio took the ball and ran.

"Wait! NO! COME BACK!"

Ezio didn't listen. The trees were burning again, this time a lot faster than before. Each tree Ezio passed burned up behind him.

He yelled as he jumped out of the forest. He opened his eyes.

What the hell.... Ezio! What the hell just happened?? We lost contact there!

Princess, do me a favor.

Yeah?

Don't send anypony in there ever again.

Why?

Ezio didn't respond. He started his way back to the castle.

Because I remember that day...

************************************************************************************

"PAPA! MAMA! THE FOREST IS BURNING!" called Ezio's older brother, a seven-year-old filly.

"What?!" yelled his father rushing out to see the sight. "Where's Ezio? Where is he?!"

"He's trapped in the forest! I can't get him out!"

Ezio's father ran to the woods.

"Ezio! EZIO!"

"PAPA!"

He saw Ezio stuck under a tree branch that had fallen, still burning.

"HELP!"

Ezio's father rushed into the blazing fire, horn casting as much heat resistance magic as it could. He got to the tree branch and lifted it off. He put Ezio on his back and ran out again. The trees collapsed behind him, and the whole forest began to fall apart.

"Ezio! Ezio, are you all right?"

The four-year-old colt was crying.

"Ezio, it's okay. You're not in any trouble. You're safe."

****************************************************************************

I had run away from home, and some of the Pazzi colts were chasing me. They used their magic to start the fire the burned down that forest. I remember it too well, but... that was back in Italia. Why would I see that here in Equestria?

Strange things happen Ezio, especially when magic is involved. There's no explaining why you saw that, but at least you got that item I wanted you to grab.

Ezio was still holding the ball in his pack. He took it out.

It was a black orb, with little black shadows floating around it. Was this really the same thing he had picked up in the forest?

Well, my work here is done. It's time for you to save your friends from death, right?

As soon as you get back to the castle.

Ezio dashed like never before. He was so close to freedom now, he could taste it. So close...

********************************************************************************

Twilight put a flower down on the grave. She should've read the letter sooner. Rainbow Dash had sent it only hours before she...

...

Twilight didn't want to think about it. Besides, she'd be back before she knew it, right?

Right?

She didn't want to think about that either. It was just a mistake, a fixable mistake...

One that cost Rainbow her life...

Twilight had no more time. Ezio would be back at the castle soon. She'd need to be there before then. So, she teleported away, leaving only her feelings behind.

The Creation

Ezio kept looking over the Princess's shoulder while she worked. This was intriguing... she had taken the things Ezio retrieved and was putting them together.

The orb was the first part. She put the scales over it, covering the it, leaving a hole at the top. She put the key inside the hole. The last thing she took out was from the package. Ezio saw that it was filled with pure silver. No wonder that unicorn wanted it earlier...

She manipulated the silver to cover the creation. It looked like a silver ball, one Ezio thought he recognized. She lifted it up and it started to glow.

"This is the fruit of your labor, Ezio. The orb for magic channeling, the scales for it's enhancement, the key for knowledge, and the silver to keep it all together... It's time."

Ezio realized what this was. He couldn't let the Princess do what she going to do.

"NO!" he shouted, knocking over the Princess. He covered the Orb with the nearest thing he could find: the royal banners.

"Ezio, what are you doing??"

"Princess, what are you thinking?? You can't use something like this!"

"Of course I can! Even those without magic can still use this."

"I know, but it's too powerful, even for you! Anypony who looks into the Apple becomes corrupted by its power!"

"The... Apple?"

"Yes. You, with all you had me gather, have made an exact replica of the Apple of Eden, with power only one can only imagine!"

"Meaning I can bring back my friends! Now, away with you! I have work to do."

She threw Ezio off it with her magic, and lifted it once again. She teleported away.

"Damn it! She has no idea, does she? This entire country... no, the whole world will suffer the consequences!"

He ran off to the one place he knew she would be.

Ponyville. He had to get there before it was too late. The train? Too slow. Flying? No...

Wait. There was one way. It'd be a stretch, but... he'd make it work.

***************************************************************************************

The Princess appeared in front of Rainbow Dash's grave.

"You mad a mistake, that's all Rainbow. Now I'm gonna fix it."

She looked into the Apple. Knowledge rushed through her head. Ones of magic, revival, and most importantly, resurrection. She had all she needed to know now...

... but she couldn't look away. The knowledge kept flowing. The knowledge of the origin of ponies, the creation of their world, everything flowed into her head. She saw things she couldn't possibly understand. Her mind was aching...

Finally, the flow stopped. She knew... everything. Understood everything. Could create anything...

She turned towards the grave. Her eyes glowed. She felt her power flow into the corpse six feet underground.

She had done it. Rainbow was alive. At least, she thought so.

But not for long. She was basically buried alive. Twilight raised the dirt off the grave, revealing the box underneath.

She quickly opened it.

"Twilight? What the hell is going on here??"

"Look, it's a long story, but right now the important thing is that you're alive."

"Whadda you mean by that?"

"Why don't you fly up here and take a look?"

Rainbow raised her wings up and got up off the ground to see the gravestone Twilight was looking at. Realizing it was her own, she shuddered.

"Twilight, what the hell is this? I'm obviously not dead. I mean, I'm talking to you right now!"

"I'll explain everything later. Maybe you'll understand after I show you."

Twilight started walking towards the cemetery. She was going to bring back her friends, and they would be happy again...

Right?

************************************************************************************

Ezio got to the highest tower. If he had planned this correctly, the angle of descent should be enough to keep him moving fast enough to get to Ponyville and stop what he knew was inevitable. He was lucky that his friend Leonardo was a unicorn, or else none of this would be possible.

He set the Gliding Machine above him, holding onto the bar connected to it, and jumped.

He had never felt like this before. With Ponyville being miles away, he had to be moving incredibly fast. A little too fast than he was used to. It was... kind of thrilling. Ponyville was still on the horizon, but he was coming up to it quickly. Now, if only he knew how to land this thing...

**************************************************************************

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... hold up for a second. You're saying you just raise ponies from the dead now???" asked Rainbow in disbelief.

"It's not that simple, but yes, I can."

"Well then why not bring back all the ponies?"

"That might not be the best idea. I mean, what if I bring back some psycho or something?"

"Yeah, I guess that's true."

Twilight opened the cemetery gate ahead of them, and she stepped in slowly.

"All right, if anything bad happens, you get somepony immediately, okay, Rainbow?"

"Gotcha."

She gave Twilight a short salute. The unicorn rolled her eyes. At least when you bring ponies back from the dead they still act the same. It better than the alternative.

She walked up to the tow graves. she wondered if she should try to bring them back both at the same time. She decided not to take the risk of failing, and decided Applejack should be resurrected first.

She felt the power again, coursing through her veins. She transferred that to the body below. She removed the dirt, and opened the casket.

"*cough* *cough* My Celestia, it's dusty in here. Where the hay am I?"

"Applejack, it may be confusing and seem impossible, but you have to see this for yourself."

Applejack got up and out of the hole in the ground. she saw her name on the gravestone,just as Rainbow did.

Why was that always the first thing they focus on? Twilight wondered.

"What the... Twi, you'd best explain this right now."

"I kinda brought you back from the dead."

"Say what now?"

"Bringing. You. Back. From--"

"Alright, alright I got it. It's just... how?"

"I had a little help using that orb up there."

"Orb? You mean that shiny ball o' light?" She looked at it.

"I wouldn't stare too long at it if I was you."

"Right, right." she said, not looking away. Twilight had to physically turn her head away from the floating ball of light.

"Yeah, you were going into a trance there. Can't really have that happen."

"Well, now I've seen everything." she said.

"Not quite."

She turned to Pinkie's grave.

"I still have to bring her back."

"Yeah, I gotta say, I feel awful strange to be alive again. Even so, can't be surprised that you solved that problem, too."

The Princess was too busy moving the dirt off of the grave. She opened the casket and confetti flew out.

"Yay! Hey guys! Check out this awesome box! I don't know where it came from but now it's here and I was in it, so I was like 'what if it's a surprise?' and I AM SO GLAD TO SEE YOU WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!"

The question was implied, but Pinkie had a hard time fitting it in with the rest of the statement. "What do you mean where have we been?"

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell... I remember something about dying or something, but then I woke up in a cotton candy world and everything was puffy and delicious and the world tasted like sugar and I was so happy but then I saw you weren't there and then I was sad and then the world didn't seem so great but then I saw this really cool light and I walked out of it and BAM! Here I am!"

Apparently the afterlife tasted like sugar. Weird. That's all Twilight really took out of that.

"Well, get up here." said Twilight. The groundskeeper wouldn't be happy if he saw that the cemetery was missing huge parts of the land, so Twilight covered the graves again (after Pinkie got out of course.)

"Well, out of making magic enhancers and cheating death, I think today is a good day."

"My shoulders are cold!" shouted Pinkie "That means somebody new is here! Yay!"

"PRINCESS!"

Twilight turned to see Ezio, flying down in some sort of contraption.

"What the--"

"MOVE!"

Twilight did as told to and stepped out of the way of the way. Ezio and the contraption crashed about 10 yards away.

Ezio climbed out of the rubble. He was scratched and bruised a bit, but other than that he was fine.

He took some deep breaths. "Well, that was unexpected."

Applejack and Pinkie Pie were just about ready to run. Twilight saw them getting ready.

"Wait! He won't hurt you."

Ezio took a few steps forward and fell to the ground. The Princess walked up to him.

"Uh, Ezio? You alright?"

"Fine. I have to say though, that the pegasi are getting ruder and ruder every time I see them."

"Twilight!" called Rainbow Dash. "I saw that guy flying down here. I took out the wing on his little machine and he fell. Looks like he learned his lesson."

"Merda. My back will never be the same." groaned Ezio.

"Rainbow! Why didn't you just ask him what he was doing?" questioned Twilight.

"Whoops. Didn't think of that." replied Rainbow Dash with a guilty smile.

Twilight sighed. "All right, Ezio, whatever catastrophe you thought would happen didn't occur, so you came down to Ponyville for nothing."

"Nonono! You misunderstand! You have all your friends alive now, right?"

"Yes, why?"

"Then what will you do with that?" He pointed at the orb of light.

"Look, I know you think this thing will cause problems--"

"If in the wrong hands, it will! Fires and chaos, and the end as we know it!"

Twilight knew he was right. Such a power could be used for such acts.

"Look, Ezio. I know what I'm doing, okay? I'll keep it somewhere safe."

"You had better or else--"

"Hold that thought, Ezio. I have some friends that you have to apologize to."

He turned to Applejack and Pinkie Pie. He sighed.

"Look, what I did was wrong. I broke the Creed, and killed you innocent ponies. I was fooled into doing so. IF I had to do it all again, I wouldn't have done anything to you. I am truly sorry."

Pinkie jumped up and down. "Yay! Ezio's a good guy!"

Applejack, however, was not as forgiving. "I will kill you if you kill me again."

"Fair enough." replied Ezio. "Not that will ever happen."

"So everything works out then, right?" asked Rainbow. "I mean, there's nothing left to do, is there?"

"Actually, there's one thing." said Twilight, turning to Ezio. "I've been mean. Cruel, even. It was all for protection, but I don't think that will be necessary anymore. Not with the the new situation. I want to say that I am sorry for treating you like... well... crap. I hope you didn't take it personally."

"That's fine. Apology accepted."

"Yay! I think it's time for a party!" shouted Pinkie happily.

"Yeah, I'm actually with Pinkie on this one." agreed Applejack.

"Not quite."

The new voice made everypony turn around. Behind them stood Trixie, holding the golden orb in front of her.

"You really should've kept a closer eye on this. It's really interesting to look at, but I'm not here to just stare. The Apple's mine! All mine! HAHAHA!"

"Trixie, NO!" shouted Twilight.

The blue pony looked into the orb. Her menacing look turned into a look of fear. Her eyes went bloodshot, and she saw everything... and more. How to destroy, how to end the world, how to finish off everypony...

"He needs this. I will give it to Him and I will have finally paid off my debt. I have to thank you idiots for getting it for me."

She let out more laughter. Twilight didn't know what to do. Nopony did. Except one.

"Slow down, compadre."

Ezio stepped forward.

"HAHAHA! Look here! An earth pony challenging a unicorn? And one with this much power??? HAHAHA!"

Ezio smiled. "Oh, you Templars never change, do you?"

Ezio pulled out his Apple. It's light shone brighter than the sun.

"BEHOLD! 'TIS THE TRUE POWER OF THE APPLE!"

Trixie smirked. "A little light? That's all you got?"

Ezio smiled. "Not just me."

Trixie saw Ezio split into six other ponies, all looking different. They all bore the mark of the Assassins.

"What?! What is this madness?!" yelled Trixie.

"You say I challenged you. Now will you accept or not?"

"Very well, Ezio. Let's fight."

Ezio put the Apple on his belt. He pulled out his sword while Trixie launched her first attack at him, an incendiary spell.

The fire from the spell was redirected into a nearby tree.

"Get out of here, Princess!" shouted Ezio. "Before it's too late!"

Twilight and her friends ran off.

Ezio and the other six ponies rushed at Trixie, and she charged at them. Ezio jumped and swung his sword, which just barely missed the neck of the blue unicorn. The other six scored a hit on the her sides, causing her to fall. She cast a repulsion spell and sent Ezio and the other six flying in every direction.

Ezio got up and threw a knife. Trixie planned to stop it, but her magic failed to control the projectile, and it hit her in the front left leg. She pulled it out with much effort, and healed the wound.

"Give up, Assassin! You can't kill me!"

Ezio didn't respond. He kept fighting, throwing a smoke bomb in her face, causing her to wince and start coughing. She let her guard down. Ezio struck a hit with his sword, each of the other six ran through the cloud of smoke and cut away at Trixie, who was rapidly healing up her wounds like no other. She drew in a tornado and swept both the smoke and the attackers away. She set out an ice burst and froze one of the attackers in place, Ezio saw him get frozen and smashed the ice with a kick.

"There's nothing you can do to stop me! NOTHING!" shouted Trixie, mad with power.

Ezio saw some figures running up to the cemetery entrance.

"Who said I had to stop you?"

Trixie turned to see Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, all wearing their Elements of Harmony.

"Now!" shouted Twilight, and the Elements activated. A rainbow shot out from them, and it circled around Trixie.

"NO! YOU CANNOT STOP ME! I AM INVINCIBLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!"

The rainbow stopped swirling and was receding back into the Elements.

"What?! But that's not possible!" shouted Twilight in surprise.

"Hahaha! Not even your Elements will help you here, Twilight Snarkle. I'm bringing this to Him, and the debt will be repaid! And I will kill ALL of these god-forsaken Assassins!"

Ezio ran up to stop her, but she teleported away.

"NO! God DAMMIT Trixie! I'm gonna KILL you! Do you hear me?!"

Ezio was breathing heavily. His friends, everypony he knows... They're defenseless against that kind of power.

He thought of the first thing they would do. Executions? No, too obvious, too public... Assassination? Of Assassins? It didn't make sense. An attack? Most likely.

He thought of all the places they might want to strike. Florence, Venice, or maybe even...

No... not there... anywhere but there...

"Monteriggioni." he whispered.

"Ezio!" yelled Twilight, running up to him, "What in the hay just happened???"

"The power of the Apple is rivaled only by its own, it seems. There's no other power that can stop it."

"More powerful than the Elements? There's no way."

"You saw it with your own two eyes. Your power was completely useless against her."

"Well, what can we do?"

"You? Nothing. Me? Save my people. I need to get back to Italia, as soon as I can."

"You think they'll do something with that immediately?"

"If not sooner. Princess--"

"Enough with that, call me Twilight."

"Very well. Twilight, can you teleport me to Monteriggioni?"

"I don't know where that is, so I'm afraid I can't."

"Any fast forms of travel?"

"Only one that I can think of... but I don't know if it would be sufficient."

"The train?"

"Yeah, that's it."

"Not fast enough. I need something that could get me there in a matter of minutes."

"Hey, you guys?" piped Rainbow Dash. "I think I have an idea."

She looked towards the crashed machine nearby.

"You can't be serious. That thing is in no condition to fly after what you did to it." said Ezio.

"I don't need it to fly, just to stay in the air." she said. Ezio wondered where she was going with this. "And I'll need some rope to make it work."

*********************************************************************************

Trixie appeared in His room.

"I told you to tell me of your arrivals before you just barg in here." He said.

"Oh, I think you'll pardon me after you see this."

She pulled out the copy of the Apple.

"Hm. Perhaps I will. You've done an exceptional job, Trixie."

That's when Trixie realized there was a newfound feeling of cold steel in her side.

"However, your services will no longer be needed."

He removed the dagger from her side. She grunted in pain.

"But... the debt..."

"Repaid in full. With your life."

"You bastard... you planned this, didn't you?"

"Possibly."

Trixie silently sat there.

"And you walked right into it." He continued.

Trixie healed her wounds with her remaining magic. He didn't notice

"You can't be serious. You tricked the Great and Powerful Trixie?!"

"Of course. You had connections, ones I would like to use to take over more than this little country. After this place is mine, Equestria will fall next, then another and another until the whole world is... under the enlightenment of our, I mean, my rule."

"That's not going to happen."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Because you won't be there to see it!"

She charged her horn with as much power as possible. She had only one thought running through her head:

NOPONY TRICKS TRIXIE!

***********************************************************************************

"I know I said fast, but THIS IS TOO FAST!"

Ezio held on for dear life as the cyan pony ahead flew faster.

"Just hold on, Ezio! We're almost there!" she shouted back at him.

Ezio knew that didn't know if they were close or not, but he just wanted to believe that this would end soon.

Her great idea: attach the fastest flier in all of Equestria to a broken flying machine.

Brilliant, he thought sarcastically, but then realized that he never used that word. He wondered where it came from.

No time to think. He saw his city, his pride and joy sitting down below.

"There it is! We're here!"

Rainbow landed smoothly on the ground. The machine and Ezio, not so much. As soon as the pegasus stopped flying, the machine crashed to the ground again (as if it wasn't crashing enough today.)

"Hey, Ezio? I don't really see what you needed to come here for. I mean, it seems pretty peaceful at the moment." She winced in pain. "My wings would disagree with peace. Owowow... wing cramps are the worst, I tell you!"

Ezio climbed out from the wreckage. He looked at it and thought: Leonardo is going to kill me when he sees this.

So there was no attack. Not yet, at the very least, and possibly not here.

"They haven't started their attack. That leaves us time to prepare. Good."

He ran up to the Villa. His uncle stepped out.

"Ezio! There you are! You finally came back--"

"Bad news, Uncle. The Templars are going to attack Monteriggioni, and they have an Apple!"

"What should I care if they have fruit or not?"

"Nonono... It's like the one I have. You know? Silver? Full of destructive magic?"

"Oh, that Apple. Wait, you lost it to them?!"

"NO. NO. NO. They.. or I.. or... Urgh, it's a long story, but there's another Apple. They have another just like mine."

"So we still have ours? Then what do we have to fear?"

"Everything. She could do any number of things to this place if she attacked with that kind of power... We have to prepare!"

"Well, we just got some things called cannons up on the walls... perhaps you could help the others out with those. If all else fails, we'll need to take out as many troops as we can with them. Have you seen what those things can do? It's honestly the most amazing bit I've ever seen!"

"I'll take your word for it... I guess. We'll need everypony and everything we can get."

"You really think they'll attack here?"

"I've never been so sure, Uncle."

"Look, Ezio. The sun is going down. They won't attack during the night: they're not sneaky enough to pull a surprise attack then. Why don't we rest and wait until morning?"

"Make sure your ponies are ready for anything they send at us, and I mean anything."

"I have full faith in them. Now, you must get some rest; you look tired."

"Alright, but we have a guest."

"Another mare? Ezio, I swear, you just can't stop with your charming figure, can you?"

"It's not that kind of guest, Uncle." replied Ezio, embarrassed. "She's just stranded here for the moment. Wing cramp."

"That's what you say, but--"

"Uncle, you had better stop before I have to make you."

"By doing what? Proving me right? Then I'll stop accusing and start laughing."

"Ugh... what does it take to convince you of these things? She'll stay in the guest room. Come on, Rainbow. Time to rest before tomorrow's battle."

"Yes, sir!" she said with a salute, which she quickly laughed off. "You sound like some kind of commander, Ezio."

"I'm not surprised." he said. "Now, enough of this nonsense. Your wings need rest, and so does the town. The guest room is through the corridor on the left, up the stairs, and to the right. You can't miss it. Good-night, Rainbow."

Ezio walked off, his Uncle following him inside the Villa. Rainbow was apprehensive, but she had no reason not to trust them... for now. She walked in and followed the instructions to the room. She laid down and went to sleep.

It was going to be a big day tomorrow.

The Onslaught

Dreams are funny little things. Some predict the future. Some show you what you need to know now. Some scare the living shit out of you.

Others get disturbed by a giant cannonball flying through the walls.

Ezio got up quickly and saw the damage. The siege had started right at daybreak, exactly when nopony would be prepared. He jumped out of his bed as another round flew through the Villa, breaking the walls, making the place fall apart. He saw his armor had gotten hit by one of the rounds.

Merda, how was he going to stop them without that? He wished he had placed them elsewhere. He searched through the broken pieces and retrieved the satchel with the Apple. He rushed out of his room, down the stairs, and outside.

He saw his town panicking, everypony rushing around. He saw the Templars moving in on the city. Cannon rounds flew everywhere, destroying almost everything in their path. Retaliation seemed hopeless.

Ezio shook his head out of his trance and thought of a plan. Those... cannons... he needed to find those. He saw some ponies standing up on the wall, they looked like they were using them. Ezio climbed up to them.

The ponies using them had been killed. So far, this was not looking good. Ezio took control of the machine and tried to figure out how it worked. So you load this, light this... and...

He pulled the shot mechanism back and the cannonball shot out, taking down an incoming group of Templars. Whatever the hell this was, it sure was effective. He spotted similar mechanisms on wheels down with the rest of the Templar invaders.

He reloaded the cannon and fired at the enemy. the shot took out the nearest cannon, but the rest now noticed him. They fired their shots, but missed. Ezio kept this going, knocking out the enemy cannons one by one. A shot rang out and hit the wall below Ezio, causing the cannon to fall down.

He looked around for another, but then realized something.

Uncle. Where was he? He had to find him. Obviously, he had evacuated as many ponies as he could, but... as for himself...

Ezio needed to find him, but more cannons were still firing at Monteriggioni. He got to the nearest cannon and destroyed them before they could do any more damage. He planned to reload the weapon, but noticed he has out of cannonballs to do so.

He stepped down from the cannon and ran to find his uncle. He hoped he was okay...

He ran across the rooftops, searching for him on the ground. That's when he heard his name being called.

"Ezio! Looking for somepony?"

It was a taunting voice, one that made Ezio cringe. He looked to its source.

A Templar, seemingly the leader of this raid, had Ezio's uncle under his hoof, and some kind of metal object in his mouth.

Ezio didn't know what he was going to do, but he didn't care. He rushed forward and let his hidden blade show--

if... he... had... one...

Dammit! he thought. I left it back at the Villa!

There was no time for anymore of his thoughts. He heard a sound of some strange arrow, like maybe a tiny cannon. He saw his uncle, blood flowing out from his head. Another shot rang out, hitting Ezio in the chest.

He winced in pain and fell from the building he stood on. He closed his eyes and blacked out.

The shooter flipped the weapon around and put it back in his bag. "The Assassins are no more! HAHAHA!"

That's when he saw a cyan pegasus swoop down and catch Ezio before he landed. He stared at her as she flew away.

There was no hope for them. They should know that by now. Why would she save a dying pony...?

He looked away. "Clear the city. Kill everypony you see. Burn this damned rathole to the ground." he instructed his troops.

******************************************************************************

Ezio awoke in a house. The ceiling looked nice, but he didn't really think staring at it would do him any good. He shifted into a sitting position and immediately regretted it.

He yelped and threw himself back onto the bed he had been on. His chest was burning in pain.

He looked down at the wound. Somepony had cleaned it and patched it up. However, it seemed that he would need some time to recover.

He though of how he got the wound. Some strange mechanism that colt was holding... what was that, anyway? Ezio related it the cannon in his mind and decided that a hoofcannon would be the proper term for such an instrument.

As for the cleaning and patching of the wound, he would need to find out when the owner of the home returned to tend to his wound. He thought of who it might be. Somepony with experience, precision, and a medical background...

He didn't know anypony like that. Unless...

Impossible.

He wanted to get up and run out of this place. He had to escape. Certain doom awaited him outside the door.

He got up, gritting his teeth as the burning pain came back. He walked slowly up to the door and peered through the crack.

He didn't see anypony. Good, he thought. Makes my life easier.

Just as he got to the doorway to the outside world, to freedom, he heard it.

"Ezio, what are you doing out of bed?"

He turned around with a sheepish look on his face. "Twice in one week, huh?"

He knew the house he was in. It was Derpy's. He had known that from the evidence strewn about the place, as well as the fact that Derpy was one of the Assassin's best healers. In fact, that's how they met: Ezio had gotten hit by a brick to the face, leaving it cut and bleeding. Derpy was the only one around at the time, so Ezio got... repaired by her, to put it simply. It was awkwardness at first sight. The situation had gotten slightly better over he last few years, but Ezio knew that Derpy didn't know how to be better at this sort of social interaction.

The two realized they had been standing in the same place saying nothing to one another for the past few seconds, making the whole situation much more awkward.

Ezio tried to mask his pain. Derpy could always see right through his bluffing.

"C'mon, Ezio, I know you're not healing that quickly. Back in the bed with you."

Ezio sighed and went back into the room, with Derpy close behind. Ezio hated it when there was no time for dressing in the morning, which means if he was hit in the chest--

"So, what stupid act did you try to do this time?" asked Derpy. She was always so serious when it came to medical talk.

However, her question tipped Ezio over the edge. His feelings at the time were angry, but the pain in his chest made him have to be sarcastic. Medical stuff is weird like that.

"Oh nothing much, just trying to save my town, that's all. Thanks for asking."

"WHAT?!"

It seemed that medical talk was now over.

"Monteriggioni was attacked. Everypony there is either dead or worse."

"'Or worse?'"

"I'm assuming some of them are being tortured or enslaved."

"Ezio, I... I had no idea..."

Ezio winced and stumbled. Derpy helped him up and onto the bed.

"Get some rest." she said. "We'll sort this out in the morning."

"A question." Ezio said. "What exactly caused this wound?"

"I had to dig out what hit you. Apparently, this" she held up a container with a tiny ball of metal inside "got lodged into your chest. I think that it must've been moving very fast to do so much damage."

Well, thought Ezio, I was spot on with the hoofcannon name.

"That little ball did a lot of damage. You should be thankful it missed everything vital."

Ezio thought of his uncle. That colt couldn't have missed at a range like that.

"Derpy... my uncle didn't make it."

"I'm sorry, Ezio. I really am."

"The Assassins have no leader..."

"You're wrong there."

Ezio shot up, winced, and fell back down onto the bed. Why did he think he could still do such things?

"What?" he asked, weaker than he intended it to sound.

"Your uncle is dead. It's horrible, but he told me that if anything happened to him, that you would be the one to take charge."

"When did he tell you this?"

"I stay connected to the group from here, Ezio. It helps that I'm a mailmare."

"And yet I received nothing..."

"Wait, what?" she asked, looking up from her work to face him.

"I got nothing from you. No mail, no news, not even a postcard."

"That can't be right. I sent you letters every week. I remember delivering them myself." she began placing the materials back onto the counter.

"Really? I wonder what happened."

"Well, I didn't deliver them straight to you. I gave them to your uncle to give to you."

"And he knew to do that?"

"Yes, he did. So that must mean--"

"He kept them away from me or simply never got around to getting them to me. I knew him well, he always had time to spare..."

"I hope he didn't read them himself... I mean, he probably wanted to protect you, right? He probably would've done that..."

"What do you mean?"

No response.

"Derpy, what did you write? Derpy?"

Derpy started blushing. "N-nothing, really... um..."

Ezio didn't know what to say. He simply started to chuckle. Derpy heard him.

"Hey! It wan't-- I ment to--"

"I think I know exactly what was in those letters now." he said between laughs.

"No! It wasn't anything like that! I swear! Ezio!"

Ezio was dying with laughter. He stopped when the wound on his chest started to hurt because of it. He showed the pain on his face and stopped.

"Get some sleep." she said with hints of embarrassment. "I'll be back to check on you in an hour or two."

She shut the door behind her. Ezio did as she said, even with the current thought running through his head.

His thought process was cut off when he heard the Princess in his head again.

Ezio! Are you okay? Your not hurt, are you?

I wish I could say that I wasn't.

What happened? Did Trixie attack?

No. Somepony else lead the invasion. I don't know who he is.

That doesn't make sense. Trixie should've been there. She should've--

The Princess trailed off.

Princess? Is something wrong?

Ezio... it's Trixie. She just teleported in here... and she doesn't look good. And that Apple... she doesn't have it.

It could be a trap! Don't fall for it!

... She doesn't know about the invasion, Ezio. She wasn't there, was she?

No, she wasn't.

Then I think I have to help her, or she might die.

She's the enemy!

She's misunderstood by you. I'll talk later. I'm going to need you here tomorrow morning, as soon as you can be here. Bring the Apple. If you think she might attack, and we will need some form of defense. In the meantime, rest up.

The voice was gone, and Ezio was tired. Sending telepathic messages was harder to do when you can't use any magic of your own to do it with, if that made any sense. He stayed immobile and soon fell to sleep... with one eye open, just in case.

The Explanation

Ezio woke up to the sound of the door opening. He knew it was Derpy, who was entering the room to check on him.

"All right, Ezio, I mixed a little potion together to help you feel better. Drink up."

She passed him a vial of red liquid. Ezio gulped it down, and his face cringed at the following aftertaste. The potion made his chest stop burning at the very least, enough for him to finally be able to sit up without extreme pain. Derpy had learned how to make these from another one of the Assassins: Zecora. Ezio could've stayed with her at her home back in the woods near Ponyville... if she didn't already have company from somepony in town.

"That should keep you going for the rest of the day. If you experience any pain after that or some strange side-effects, be sure to come back here and let me fix you up, okay?"

"Yeah, can't thank you enough."

"I have some recruit's clothes here for you... that's all we had left after most of the reserves were attacked. Sorry."

"That's fine, I can always buy some more at some point." he said, putting them on. There was only one hidden blade, but he could make due with it.

"Also, don't do anything too crazy out there. You may not feel pain, but that doesn't mean that you won't reopen that wound of yours."

"Gotcha."

"So what will you do now, Ezio?"

"I got a message from the Princess to go to the castle. I'll be going now."

"You're sure you don't want to stay a bit longer?" Derpy had a sad look on her face.

"Unless you'll tell me what was in those letters you sent, I think I'll take my leave."

Derpy blushed. "If that's the case, then you can just get out now." she joked.

"All right, all right, I'm going. You don't have to be so mean rejecting me like this, Derpy." countered Ezio.

"Why are you so good at that?" asked Derpy, in an attempt to steal away with the last word.

"It's my job." replied Ezio, going out the door.

That's when he realized it.

He had just had a friendly, natural conversation with Derpy Hooves.

No drama.

No emotion.

Nothing bad happened.

Huh.

He was so mesmerized by that fact that he almost fell down the stairs that lead down from the treehouse to the ground. Or was it the other way around? He could care less. He walked to Canterlot, which took about a grand total of 5 minutes, He noticed that the guards weren't about, just as Celestia had told Twilight to reduce the number. Well, not void of them, there was the occasional odd look at him from one standing on a street corner, but that was it.

He got through the security (still asking the same questions in both checkpoints) using his fake name and went up to the throne room.

Bad. Timing.

He quickly ducked away from the door. Princess Luna was standing behind it. What was she doing there?

He realized it was a throne room and that she was supposed to be there. He facehooved at the fact and decided to check the room he had stayed in previously. It was empty. Now he began to worry. Just where was this Princess?

Princess! Where are you?

No response. The telepathic communication was magic, after all. He always hated being an earth pony. There were just so many benefits from being a pegasi or unicorn, and in the Princess's case, both.

Now was not the time for self pity! He'd simply have to check the rest of the castle. It's the small things that go wrong that cause problems.

He knew she had to be in her chambers if she wasn't anywhere else. However, he didn't know where those chambers were. He knew it had to be one of these towers.

He searched the tallest one first. You can't just rule one out because of height because it didn't make sense to do so.

That's when he wished he hadn't.

Celestia, for whatever reason, had chosen Twilight as her favorite student.

And she built a creepy little shrine in the back of the room to indicate that. There were pictures of Princess Twilight as a unicorn flly all the way up to becoming an alicorn. The only thing that was wierd about these pictures is that they were all of her... ehem... flank.

Weird as hell. At least he knew this wasn't Twilight's room. Nopony makes a shrine for oneself. It'd just be wrong.

He turned around and hoped that Celestia wasn't going back to her chambers at this exact moment. She was not. He moved on to the next tower.

The room was dark, as if somepony liked having an artificial night. He thought it might be Luna's but one can never be too sure. He entered the room and saw... nothing. It was pitch black, so how was he supposed to tell what was in it? He stepped further in and felt his hooves step in something he could couldn't put his hoof on. Figuratively speaking, of course. He raised his hoof from the... he didn't even have a name for it... stuff and found out exactly what is was. Sticky, a sweet smell...

He had put his hoof into some jelly that had spilled on the floor. He had been in the place long enough for his night vision to kick in, and saw the jar nearby. How careless of Luna. He could tell it was her room now because of one thing: everything was old, and looked as if it had been untouched for some time, even though Luna used this room every day (besides the last one thousand years or so), just as anypony would assume.

He prepared to leave when he heard her coming up the stairs. Ezio scrambled to find a hiding place in the dark, and found only a potted plant to hide behind. Luna opened the door and stepped inside. Ezio cursed under his breath as he heard the door close again. He kept an eye on Luna, making sure he didn't get into her line of sight. He slowly inched over to the door.

"I can hear you, you know. You can't hide from me."

Ezio froze in his tracks. He was screwed now. As soon as Luna finds out why he is here, he'd be dead...

But that was before, right? When he was still marked as a killer and nothing else, that's when this would be troublesome, right?

"Found me again, sister."

That's when he realized Luna wasn't talking to him.

"What were you doing this time?"

"I was making sure your room had proper lighting. And as you can see, there no longer is any light. Just the way you like it."

"Well thank you, sister. That still doesn't explain what you're doing rummaging through my things."

"Well, I... uh... wanted to reacquaint myself with my sister's interests!"

Ezio saw his chance to leave and took it. Celestia, who had been in the room as well for some reason, was the center of attention right now, meaning he could slip away if he was quick. He heard the two raising their voices, and quickly slipped out the door. He didn't want to know what was going on in there, but he didn't really want to. Besides, he had to check Twilight's tower and find that last Princess, which was the whole point of doing this in the first place.

He checked the last tower. Twilight was there.

"Finally." he said. "I found you. What the hell is going on? Why weren't you at the regular meeting place?"

"Ezio... They know."

"What?"

"The Princesses know, Ezio. They know of the killing, the murder that has been happening. Yet they do nothing! It doesn't make sense! I mean, if I could find out you were behind it, then why couldn't they find out?"

"Princess, where is this all coming from?"

"I don't know! It's just making me so frustrated that I can't figure it out!"

"Don't we have some things to sort out with Tri--"

"Dammit, Ezio, listen to me!"

This rage she had... it was so sudden, unexpected. Where was it all coming from?

"Just listen." she said. "I find out Pinkie's dead. I send in the best investigator I know. The Princesses just ignore the situation. Then Applejack dies, and they just turn a blind eye to all this? I even had a whole court case for this! It doesn't make sense! It can't make sense! I mean, they have to know, right? They have to!"

Ezio was shocked. She was right in every way. He wondered why he hadn't been killed yet as well, as he should've a long while back.

That's when the two alicorns entered the room.

"Finally she starts with the questions. Took her long enough." said Luna.

"I wouldn't be so rude about it, sister. I mean, she's still young, after all." replied Celestia.

Ezio was so confused, he couldn't even start to piece together the puzzle that had just been put in front of him.

"Luna? Celestia? What is going on?" asked Twilight.

"My dearest Twilight Sparkle. My faithful student. I know you're confused right now, but I can explain everything now."

"Why would you let them die? Why would you not do anything?"

"Because... we were fooled as well."

The room fell silent.

"Trixie served under Him for a long time. He is what kept us from getting involved."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Ezio, your town was destroyed. Many ponies died. If we get involved, He could do the same to us."

"Hold on." said Twilight. "You had no reason to fear Him until now. Why couldn't you do anything earlier?"

"Like I said, we were fooled. He told us something that made us worry. That He held the power to destroy all of Equestria."

"And you just believed him?"

"He showed us places full of death. We saw it as a reason to fear his power."

"What were these places?" said Ezio, finally entering the conversation.

"The places.. I think they were called Fillyenze, Venice, Rome--"

"Those... were the places that the Assassins attacked."

"What?"

"The death you saw there... It was caused by me and the other Assassins. We hoped to rid of Templar influence in Italia. He showed you the destruction we had caused. You are right, Princesses, he has played you for fools. And now he doesn't need to with the Apple he has acquired. Now he really is a threat." he explained.

"When we heard of the killings in Equestria, we were hesitant to respond to them. We feared that if we got in too far, we may have a war on our hands." said Luna.

"But what about me making Ezio go through the trouble of making that Apple?" inquired Twilight.

"I'm assuming that was part of their plans as well. they expected that you would find a way to bring them back, and you did." said Ezio. "It all makes sense. He planned this the whole time. He destroyed Monteriggioni. He kept everypony in check. Now the only question is..."

He paused for effect.

"Who is He?"

The Other Side

"But sir, wouldn't it have made more sense for the Princesses to outright attack if they saw us as a threat? And what of the deaths of the representatives of the Elements? How could they simply ignore that?"

The pony sighed. This is the choice of payment that his servant wanted. Information. Well, it was better than throwing florins at him. The hard work that got him that money was not to be wasted on one of his followers.

He began his explanation. "The deaths will make them want to intervene, but I had warned them that the same 'powers' used here would be used in Equestria, killing more than just those Element holders. The best part was, it was true! They didn't even know that the thing killing those ponies was the same power I was referring to: the Assassins. The people of Equestria are a peaceful people, and they don't like anything getting in the way of that peace. Yet that very peace has been shattered before. Discord. Chrysalis. Sombra. Each of these powers were so very close to their victory of complete control, but only I have truly taken control."

"And how is that, sir?"

"Because I have what they care about more than anything. If they even try to stop me, I will destroy it. It's very simple, you see. The word I use for it is blackmail."

"They care so much about this... thing, you say? So much as to let ponies die to try to keep it safe?"

"Now you get the idea! They want it kept safe and sound, and I get to mess with them in whatever way I please! Hahaha!"

"I don't believe it. I just don't."

"Oh? Is that so, my servant?"

"Something like that would have to mean the world to them! I mean, the Elements have kept Equestria safe for who knows how long! Why would they just let one of the representatives die and risk losing the very peace they hope to keep, right?"

"I'll have you know that the representatives can be and will be replaced naturally, even if one of them dies. Besides, there is another thing that they could save themselves with."

"And what's that?"

"Friendship."

"Run that by me again, sir?"

"Friendship, my servant. Somehow,they transferred the least likely of things into a very powerful magic. They could defend themselves with that."

"But could they not also attack us with that?"

"True, they could. If they wanted what they hold dear destroyed. You see, I have them cornered on all sides. They have nothing they could use to defeat me and keep what is precious to them safe. That is why I will finally be able to destroy them, in any way I choose. All I had to wait for was the correct power to do it with."

"You mean the Apple, sir?"

"Of course I mean the Apple, you idiot! Nopony knows a greater power than that."

"And if they find something better?"

"They will not, I assure you. There is nothing in the entire world that is more powerful than it is."

"Then why do you fear the power of Friendship so much?"

"I never said I did."

"But you said they'd use it to defend against you."

"That does not mean it will work. I will crush their Friendship like a bug under my hoof."

"If you can kill them now, then why wait?"

"Because, my servant, I seek world unity under one faith. I want them to accept this faith. If they cannot, then I will destroy them."

"Then why would you kill the representatives? I don't get that part of it."

"Because that is what caused them to get me the power I needed to destroy them. Can't hold a false threat over their heads forever."

"It seems like a solid plan, sir, but... what of the other Apple?"

He hesitated.

"Sir?"

"Its power may keep them safe for now. That was the one part I thought would not be a problem. You see, I expected Twilight to work alone to revive her friends, but that damned Mr. Wright got in the way and made Ezio do all the work. Because of his intervention, we cannot have them dead or under our belief."

"It seems we've reached an impasse. They have a power to counter yours, and yet they also cannot do anything about you. But why not destroy that thing you say they hold dear if they use it?"

"Because if I do, then we will have lost our upper hand if they survive. Then, there will be no blackmail to get in their way. They may suffer emotionally, but we will suffer much more than that if we allow them to live after we destroy it. They will attack us with a power I can only imagine: the Elements of Harmony combined with the Apple, and that may overturn our own Apple's power, and thus end our quest to unify the world. I wish never to see that day. That is why having this blackmail is so important."

"Interesting. What is this thing they hold dear, anyway? This thing you 'blackmail' them with?"

"That... hehehe... is the very power that has allowed those Princesses to live as long as they have. I cannot say I know exactly what it is, but I know one thing."

"And what is that?"

"I can destroy it, and if I do... they will die, and I will rule supreme!"

"But wouldn't that 'Twilight' pony bring them back to life?"

"You misunderstand her magic. What she did with the Apple is not what you think. She didn't bring her friends back from the dead, she simply changed the events that lead to it. Sort of. It's complicated. The point is she cannot bring them back, even with the Apple."

"Then why not destroy the item that is allowing them to live right now and get it over with?"

"Well, that would be rude! I mean, just going off and ending somepony's life, just because we feel like it? What are we, Assassins? That would go against our very beliefs!... Except when who we are killing are Assassins, of course. Then, it is justified."

"And are the Princesses not Assassins?"

"I'm afraid so. Even though they are allied with them does not mean they will not change their ways and join us. I wish not to kill them for that reason."

"And you think that they will?"

"It is a possibility I'd like to keep open for them. Besides, it'd be a shame to kill such fine beings. Think of it! The oldest alicorns in existence, joining us! The whole world will be ripe for the taking if we can get their help!"

"Do they know of this plan?"

"I should assume so. Their insight over the years should lead them to my plan. However, that will not stop me! I can change their minds. All we have to do is make the Assassins look... unfavorable. Then, they will not want to be allied with them. If they choose to stay allied with them after seeing the as we do, I will destroy them, as they will be the equivalent to the Assassins."

"If they know of the plan, then how could you ever convert them?"

"If they want to live, they'll join me. If they don't, then they know the consequences. They may not be willing to convert, but they will find it necessary for the peace of their lands, which I am assuming they will want to keep."

"I see. They control their future with this one decision."

"Now you see what they have to do to survive. They just have to make a simple decision. Yet they still haven't decided. It frustrates me that I cannot move their decision along, but I know they don't have any other option but accept our faith."

"So we wait?"

"Yes, my servant. We are to wait for their decision."

"Just one last question, sir. Of all the places you could take, why Equestria? Why not expand elsewhere?"

"It is God's will. Do not question it."

"I'm sorry, sir. I won't question it again."

"Good. Now, leave me be. I need some time to prepare for my speech."

"Yes, sir."

*****************************************************************************************

"That's him? You are sure?" asked Ezio.

"Yes. He is the one Trixie served under. He made this a problem. He is Rodrigo Borgia." replied Celestia.

"That bastard! I could've stopped him before, and I didn't! Oh, what a fool I was!" stated Ezio with an angry tone.

"Ezio, what do you mean you could've stopped him?" asked Twilight.

"Let me explain. The Borgia have been the enemy of the Assassins for longer than I can remember, and they were the ones who killed most of my family. The death you saw in those cities was my work, as well as the other Assassins'. We had taken out some of their minor leaders, then we started moving up their chain of command, until finally I was sent to kill Rodrigo himself. He almost made off with the Apple, but I stopped him. I had him right where I could end his life but... I didn't kill him. I realized that killing him would not bring back my family. I had forgotten that it wasn't all about me, though, and I can see that now more than ever. He deserved death then, and I could've given it to him. But I didn't, and now everypony else is suffering the consequences of my actions."

"Ezio, it's not your fault." said Twilight. "You didn't have a clear conscience at the time. Now you do. It's time to bring him down, once and for all. Do you know where he is right now?"

"Lucky for us, he never leaves his place in Rome. I'm sure I can find him there. And as soon as I get to him, his death will be quick."

"I would say that sounds wonderful, but... it seems you are lacking that same ability. You're wounded right now. Your group has almost been wiped out. Not to mention it, but you seem to have lost some of your previous equipment." Luna said to him.

"You are right. We can't take him down right away. We need a plan to counter his, but it seems he has us covered from all sides."

"Not quite." said Twilight. "You have the true Apple, right? We can stop him with that!"

Ezio shook his head. "No, it won't be that easy, now that he has a copy of it. I mean, when he was trying to get mine, he was going to use it to--"

He suddenly stopped talking and a worried look appeared on his face.

"Is something the matter?" asked Celestia.

"He was going to use the Apple to open the Vault! The one he said his God was in! If he has one now, he could release that power upon us!" exclaimed Ezio.

"Hold on." said Twilight. "I know what you are talking about, and there are two reasons we don't need to worry about that. One, what lies in the Vault is not what he thinks. There is no almighty power stowed within, not the kind he could use to destroy us, at least. Two, even if there was, he can't open it without the original Apple. No copy of it will perform the same actions as the one you have here."

"That's a relief." said Ezio. "How do you know this?"

"Trixie told me everything she knew about the Templars. Kinda useful when you're trying to take 'em out."

"All right, but we still don't have a plan." said Luna.

"I think we do now." said Ezio. The princesses looked at him quizzically."Alright, so here's what I'm thinking..."

******************************************************************************

"Sir, what exactly happened to that Trixie pony?"

"I can't say, my servant. She rushed me only to teleport somewhere even I can't trace. I wouldn't be surprised if she had shared her knowledge with the enemy by now. She is a traitor to many ponies, after all."

"How much does she know?"

"Too much, that's for sure. You know what? Add her to that list of ponies I want dead in the next week."

"You don't have a list like that, sir."

"Then make one, and put her name on it, along with that Ezio pony. I heard he survived the attack on Monteriggioni, and I don't want him alive any longer than he should be."

"Very well. How did the speech go?"

"These ponies are so gullible, they probably believed everything I told them. I'm not surprised if they start putting their new-found beliefs into action."

"I see. Making some changes in society, sir?"

Rodrigo smiled. "One step at a time, my servant. One step at a time."

The Counterattack: Part 2

There was little time to think. Ezio watched as his work paid off, watching as a nearby wall disappeared. It revealed a pathway.

Ezio saw it. Rodrigo saw it.

They both dashed to the opening.

"NO! THIS IS MY DESTINY! I AM THE PROPHET!" roared Rodrigo.

Ezio stopped in his tracks, right in front of the opening. "You really believe that, don't you?"

"OF COURSE!" he shouted. "I am the Pope. I had the staff, the power... this is my purpose! This is my destiny!!!"

"If you think that, then let's fight and see if your 'destiny' is really yours. No weapons..." Ezio threw his sword aside. "No special powers..." He took off the hidden blade gauntlet. "No ancient relics..." He threw away his knife belt. "Just you and me... pony to pony. Show me what your made of, old colt."

"Very well."

Ezio held all the cards here. Hoof-to-hoof combat was one of his specialties, just like a lot of other things... which probably shouldn't be mentioned at the moment. Fighting Rodrigo would be simple. Rodrigo swung out with his left, but Ezio saw it coming from a mile away. He blocked it easily and punched Rodrigo in the nose. This punch-block-punch session lasted longer than Ezio anticipated. Rodrigo hadn't even scored a hit yet. Ezio decided to speed this up a bit. He saw Rodrigo swing and miss with his right, for Ezio had ducked under the attack. He swiftly turned around, shifted his weight to his front legs, and kicked Rodrigo in the side of his head with his back legs. The damage done was enough to render the colt unconscious.

"So much for being the Prophet." said Ezio. "Couldn't even put up a fight against me."

"What's that pathway?" asked Twilight, walking up to it.

"I knew it." said Celestia. "This is the place."

"The place for what exactly?" asked Ezio.

"The pathway is open... for you, Ezio. It is for you and you alone."

"Very well." he said. "I'm going now. Don't miss me if I do not return soon."

He slowly made his way down the new pathway. It was lit by strange lights on the floor, walls, and ceiling. Ezio reached the back of the room, only to find a dead end, with seemingly nothing there.

He heard a female voice..."You've come a long way, Ezio. Gone through so much... yet you didn't do enough."

He could've sworn that he had heard it before... wait a minute...

The Forest! How could he forget? This was the voice!... Well, sort of. It seemed to be the same... perhaps it was a trick, an illusion to make him trust this new entity.

"Who are you? I demand you show yourself!"

"I have watched you and your travels... everything you ever cared about, destroyed... dreams crushed, hopes lost... but you rise up from the ashes to take revenge on those who caused it. You had much success... you killed many ponies... and you did it all with your pent-up rage you have."

"I fight for the justice of the people, not for myself."

"That's what you say... but you are lying to yourself. You have to know, this isn't about you."

"What do you mean?" asked Ezio, interested in what this other topic had to be.

That's when a pony made of light appeared before him.

"You should know that I am the one that you call 'Minerva'."

"Minerva... as in, the god?

"The world is in great danger. The scorching heat of fires and destructive forces will be the downfall of humanity. We, who tried to stop it ourselves, are gone. We, the ones who came before, are trying to warn you of this great disaster, so that it may never happen again. Your ancient scriptures of Gods and other great deities... it is true, we are those things. You may not understand now, perhaps you never will, but hear this warning: the end is coming."

"What can I do? Tell me what is required." Ezio said, believing what he was told. How could he argue against it?

"You? Hahaha! Ezio... like I said, this is not about you."

"What do you mean?" he asked, very confused. He thought she had already covered this.

"Your time has long since passed, Ezio... It's your turn now, Desmond."

The pony started to disappear.

"Wait! WAIT!!!" shouted Ezio, but it was all in vain. The figure was gone, and Ezio stood staring at the wall.

*****************************************************************************

"Ezio! There you are! We were getting worried!" exclaimed Luna. Ezio pulled his hood over his head and walked by them. He collected his belongings, which were on the ground next to Rodrigo. Nopony seemed to notice the wall reappearing, covering the path Ezio walked into.

"Ezio?" asked Twilight. "I-Is something wrong?"

"No... no, nothing at all. We have to leave before the guards find out what happened here."

"I don't think there's time..." said Twilight, looking at the stairs. The four could hear the galloping hooves getting closer.

"Can't you just teleport us out?" Ezio asked Celestia.

"No. This place holds a magic that blocks my entrance or exit."

Hm, Ezio thought, should've known Rodrigo wouldn't let just anypony in here, even with magic.

"Then we'll fight our way out. I'll get the staff and Apple--"

He was cut short at the sound of gears grinding together. The staff, with the Apple, started to sink into the floor. Ezio rushed over and tried to pull them up, but it was no use. In seconds, both the relics had disappeared into a hole in the ground, which was then was sealed over by a metal cover.

"No... we needed those!"

"Ezio, they are not important right now!"

Priorities... what funny things they are. Ezio hated when things went wrong... but he hated the Templars even more. They were going to pay... that was his goal from the beginning: to rid of the Templars, every last one of them. Ezio dashed up the stairs to see the first guards of the bunch approaching. He sliced through their throats with one swing of his hidden blade. He threw some knives at the next few that came running into the room, and when he ran out of those, he unsheathed his sword.

He sliced all over the place in an expert fashion, cutting his way through the seemingly endless amount of guards. The princesses followed close behind him, aiding him with their magic. When they reached the entrance, Celestia teleported them out.

When they returned, they found themselves back in the castle.

"Ezio... what happened in the Vault? Tell us." demanded Twilight. "Your manner is very different than from when we saw you earlier."

"It. Is. Nothing. Understand?"

Ezio stomped off. The three exchanged glances.

"I think it is time, Luna." said Celestia plainly.

"I agree." she responded. "Are we ready to start our siege?"

"Siege? What siege?" asked Twilight quizzically.

"We've been waiting for Rodrigo's defenses to drop. Ezio seems to have done his job in both reducing their power, their moral, and their numbers. It's time we get these ponies off the map."

"Clestia, you can't be serio--"

"I assure you, my faithful student, I am serious. The Templars are a threat, and when there is something threatening my kingdom, I destroy it. That is that."

"But Princess--"

"HOLD IT!"

The sound of the voice echoed through the room. They turned to see Phoenix standing next to the doors.

"Mr. Wright? What are you--"

"I said HOLD IT! You can't attack the Templars! Ever!"

"What?? Speak, Wright! Explain yourself!" demanded Luna.

"The Templars, they are EVERYWHERE! If we attack Rodrigo, then his forces from Espania will flank us! There is another leader of the Templars! THOMAS TORQUEMADA!"

"What?! That cannot be!"

"Think about it, Princess! No single colt can lead an huge group like that on his own! He has others... others that threaten us!"

"He has a point." added Twilight. "If this is true, we can't just attack and win. The only thing we can do and should now..."

"... is keep them from invading Equestria. They lost their one chance to take over, as I've heard. You took out their defenses! You dwindled their numbers! They won't attack us anytime in the future if they've learned their lesson!"

"... I see. Very well, Wright, we will not attack." responded Celestia.

"Good. Now, may I say what I was going to say?" asked Phoenix.

"You had something to say?" asked Twilight.

"Of course! I don't just show up at convenient times to stop your arguing! I have independent thoughts and actions, too!"

"Oh, right, that. I forgot. Hehe." Twilight said nervously.

Phoenix shook his head. "Forgot... how can you...? Never mind! I have to tell you something important!"

"Just spit it out already!" shouted Luna.

"The Judge wants us to reconvene at the court. Due to some... investigations... they are starting to question the verdict of Ezio vs. Harmony. We need solid proof that Ezio didn't kill those ponies, and we need it now!"

The room was silent for several seconds.

"What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No... it's just that... he did kill those ponies, Phoenix." spoke Twilight. "I kinda gave you... false... evidence..."

"... you... gave me... false... evidence...?"

"Uh... yeah... a little..."

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!?!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't think he would make it out of that in one piece if I didn't do anything!"

"Princess! He may have been responsible before, but you've only made the situation worse!"

"How?!"

"Ugh... see, if you had just pardoned him before, he'd be off the hook! Now that you have given false evidence, you can no longer pardon him if we lose!"

"Oh, no..."

"Also, why didn't you say he was guilty! I can't defend that kind of criminal!"

"Look, I knew if I didn't say he was innocent, you wouldn't take the case!"

"That is no excuse!"

"Phoenix, c'mon! You have to help him!"

"Even though he's guilty?"

Twilight opened her mouth to speak, but closed it slowly, as there was nothing left to say. Phoenix wasn't going to take the case. She knew it.

"Fine. Just give up on him. As if I care!" her rage shouted. It certainly wasn't her own thoughts being spoken there.

She stomped off. Phoenix felt bad on the inside, but did not show it on the outside. He walked out the door, closing it silently behind him. Things were going to be harsh in the courtroom tomorrow, especially if Ezio didn't get a defense attorney to lighten the consequences of his actions... and the worst part...

Trixie was prosecuting again... probably as a counterattack against him. Part of him wanted to save Ezio from his certain doom, in any way he could, but... another part wanted him to pay for his crimes.

He'd have to think it all over tonight, and decide in the morning. Right now, he din't want to think about anything...

***************************************************************************

Ezio pondered what Minerva meant by what she said that day.

Your time has long since passed, Ezio... It's your turn now, Desmond.

Who was this Desmond, and why was he important? I there a reason Ezio had never heard of him? And what did she mean by "your time has passed"? He figured he had at least another few decades before his time was up... that couldn't be what she meant...

It made no sense, not one bit of it. That's when he started to sort it out in his head. Perhaps it was not a message for him. She talked to this Desmond pony as if he was watching or something... maybe, just maybe, he was the one to receive the message.

Maybe I was just the way to get the message to him, Desmond... yes, that must be it! he thought. I don't know why or how, but it must've been the reason for what he saw: to pass the message on!

It really wasn't about him... it wasn't even about Desmond. It was about the message, and that was all. Ezio found comfort in this fact.

He looked out the window to see it was pitch black outside. He got ready for bed, and when he finally rested his head down, he immediately fell asleep.

***********************************************************************************

"How many did we lose?"

Rodrigo asked the question, looking at all the dead bodies being dragged across the floor. A unicorn stood next to him, levitating a list in front of him.

"Quite a bit, sir. The Assassin took out a third of our defenses in one go."

"Then let's bring them back." said Rodrigo, pulling out the fake Apple. "Apple! Revive them!"

... Nothing happened.

"What's going on here? The Apple is powerless?"

He noticed that the Apple lost its glow.

"Get the Head of the Unicorn Core. I want answers!"

"I'm actually him, sir."

"Great! Now tell me, what is wrong with this Apple?"

"...It seems its power is depleted."

"What?!"

"Sir, have you ever heard the phrase 'a candle that burns twice as bright lasts half as long'?"

"You're not saying--"

"The power of the Apple was far beyond that of the regular one. But it seems its power is gone after all that use of it. That's that."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

"I'm sorry sir, there's no fixing it either."

"You... you shall be hanged!"

"W-Whaaaat?!"

"If you can't fix it, it will cost you your life!"

"Hold on, hold on! Maybe there's a way... uh... I'll find a way!"

"That's better. Now GET TO WORK!"

"YES, SIR!"

The unicorn dashed away as fast as he could. Rodrigo looked at the bodies again.

"Get rid of these corpses! They serve no purpose to me anymore! Besides, the smell of something rotten."

He left the remaining guards to their work. He didn't care for the dead, anyway.

********************************************************************************

Nopony understands. They don't understand the hate, the fighting, all the problems... they brought it all on themselves. It's their own fault everything is happening this way, that the world turned out to be so cruel... yet there was nothing that could be done to save it, to redeem it...

In the end, all will end in the fires of destruction, and none of it would've mattered anyway...

The Trial: Turnabout Assassin

Got to run... got to hide... can't stop moving... can't stop running... no... no...

"No!" Ezio shouted, waking himself up. He could not describe just how much he hated lucid nightmares. He shoved the covers away and went to go take a long, soothing bath to calm himself down.

He got the water running and thought about what he had to do today... when he realized he didn't HAVE anything he had to do today. He was no longer under command of the princesses, no longer killing Equestrians... he should be gone by now, really, yet he stayed at this place as if it was his home. Maybe that's what it was now.

He stopped the water and his thoughts and sank into the tub. It had been too long since the last time he got a chance to relax. So peaceful...

His ear twitched as he heard the door open to his room. He should've known to lock the door, but... it probably didn't matter, anyway.

"Who's there?" he called.

"Ezio! It's Phoenix. I just thought I'd let you know: you're being put on trial again today!"

"WHAT?!"

He jumped out of the tub, ran across the room, and opened a cabinet, where he put the suit from the first trial. It probably could use some washing, but for now it would have to do. He quickly threw it on and went out to meet Phoenix.

"On trial? Again? Explain!" was all he could say.

"Look, Ezio. Now's not the time to freak out--"

"THEN WHEN IS?!"

"Ezio! Get a hold of yourself! You're on trial again, and that's that! Now, I have some questions I have to ask you before the trial."

"All right... fine. Ask away."

"Let's start with what happened."

"C'mon, you already know!" Ezio shouted. "No need for me to add anything in."

"Just tell me what happened... both times."

"I was sent to go kill both the victims, Pinkie Pie and Applejack."

"You were 'sent' to kill them?"

"Yes. A got a letter in the mail. Here, take a look."

"... accused of being Templars. Hm. I think I've seen this before."

"The thing is, they weren't Templars. It was a trick."

"Now, the Princess already told me you did it, but I want to hear it from you: did you kill these ponies, Ezio?"

"... Yes. I did. I stabbed those two to death."

"Truly?"

"I had a reason to believe that they were the enemy. I wouldn't have killed them if they were innocents."

"Enemies?"

"The Templars. They rule with an iron fist, crushing out all those who stand in their way... except for a my group."

"Your group?"

"The Assassins. We have survived hundreds of years of Templar rule, surviving in the shadows, slowly taking out their leaders one by one. However, they sometimes find us, and kill us as soon as they can. It's a feud that's been going on since... nopony knows. Too long, most likely. One of our groups will win out in the end."

There was a moment of silence between the two.

"Phoenix?"

"Yeah?"

"You will defend me, right?"

Phoenix hesitated for a moment.

"Of course, Ezio."

"Thank you."

"... On one condition."

"Name it."

"I'm doing this for the Princess, not for you. If she changes her mind... I may not be able to defend you at all."

"I'll take that risk."

"Oh, and before I forget... you're not hiding anything from me, are you Ezio?"

"Of course not. I have to trust you. You know that."

Phoenix saw those familiar locks and chains of lies. There were five.

"I don't think you understood the question, Ezio."

"I understand it. I have nothing to hide from you."

"I don't believe you, Ezio."

"What?"

"You're hiding something, and I think I know what it is."

"Really? If you know, then why don't you humor me with this thing I'm apparently hiding?"

"I will. I have all the proof I need right here."

"Go ahead. Try me."

"You said that you don't know how the feud started, right?"

"Correct."

"Then why wouldn't you question why you fight the Templars?"

"They're bad people! They kill others!"

"Don't you do the same?"

"Of course!..."

"Then you must have another reason to fight them, right?"

"So what?! What does it matter to you?"

"It's personal, isn't it?"

"Yeah! It doesn't matter, though."

Phoenix saw one of the locks break.

"Ezio, what did the Templars do to you that was personal?"

"... They attacked my group! They destroyed my town! It was a safe haven until they started their attack!"

"Sounds personal... but that's not what I'm looking for."

"What?!"

"You see Ezio, you care about your town, but it runs deeper than that, doesn't it?"

"That... that's none of your business!"

Phoenix saw another lock break.

"No, Ezio. It is my business."

"How?! It doesn't have anything to do with you!"

"A lot of things about you don't relate to me... except this. It relates to the crime here, doesn't it?"

"NO! No it doesn't!"

Phoenix saw another lock break.

"Yes, yes it does! You outright attacked the representatives of the Elements of Harmony... not because they threatened your group, but because of your own selfish needs!"

"How dare you!"

"You wanted the power for yourself!"

Another lock broke. So close...

"All right, fine! I did want that power! Who wouldn't want it?!"

"It's true anypony would want it, but you needed it for something... something personal."

"Really! Then, Mr. Lawyer, why don't you tell me what it is, with evidence!"

"That's easy."

Phoenix produced the letter Ezio gave him.

"THAT's you proof??? Ha! I knew you had nothing!"

"No, Ezio. This is everything. Ezio, is your entire family in this group, the Assassins?"

"Yes! Of course! We stay together! Separate, we fall apart!"

"Then it seems you've fallen apart already."

"Wright... you'd best explain yourself."

"This letter is written to you... from your uncle."

"So what?"

"If your entire family was in on this... wouldn't it be your father that would lead the group?"

Ezio put a shocked look on his face, then narrowed his brow and looked angry again.

"Don't you DARE... talk.. about... my... father..."

"Ezio... you said they find the Assassins sometimes. That they kill them."

Ezio didn't respond.

"The killed him, didn't they, Ezio? The Templars killed your father?"

"... I've got nothing left to hide now, do I?"

Th final lock broke, and the chains disappeared.

Ezio sighed. "Here's the truth... the whole truth. Years ago, before I even knew of the Assassins, much less partaking in their actions against the Templars, my father and my brothers were arrested for reasons unknown to me. My father, in his jailed state, passed me a letter to give to a man he trusted... one he thought could help."

"'Thought' could help?"

"The man I gave the letter to was to defend him that day. Defend my family. He... he betrayed them. He did nothing to defend them. He let them hang... my father, my two brothers... one of those brothers, my younger one, that had nothing to do with the Assassins. From that day forward, I swore revenge on those who took my family from me... I put on the Assassin armor and joined the fight against the Templars. I had an escape from all the internal torture, but..."

"But what?"

"I've said too much already."

"Ezio, please. Just ell me the rest."

"... I kept myself sane by killing the Templars... but my mother had no such outlet. She was driven to mourning for her husband and sons. She never left her room... for years, even. If Monteriggioni had not been attacked, she'd still be there..."

"You did help her get out of that, right?"

"She's safe, with my sister in Roma."

"Ezio, I had no idea--"

"Don't you start feeling bad for me. You have to focus on defending my case in court today."

"Speaking of which, the trial starts in five minutes. We'd better get moving."

*****************

The courtroom was bustling. Many ponies had come to see the trial today... even more than last time. Ezio was a little nervous as to why they were all here.

Ezio went to the defendant's stand.

The Judge's hit his gavel on the desk.

"Court is now in session! The re-trial for Ezio vs Harmony may begin. Is the defense ready?"

"Yes, your honor."

"And the prosecution."

"Trixie doesn't see a reason why it shouldn't be ready."

Phoenix felt like slapping himself in the face. Why... always... third... person...

"Very well! Would the prosecution call up it's first witness?"

"Your Honor, the prosecution calls the Great and Powerful Trixie to the stand!"

"Um... Ms. Trixie, is that not yourself?"

"Yes. Trixie is the only witness Trixie could find... and the only one Trixie needs."

"Okay... would Ms. Trixie take the stand?"

Ezio watched the only witness Phoenix had to work with walk up to the stand. He hoped the Phoenix knew what he was doing here.

"Would the witness please testify what she saw for the court?"

"Of course."

---Witness Testimony--

"I was walking down the road that night, just casually, when I heard somebody else nearby.

I turned the corner, and I saw him! The defendant, climbing into the window of Sugarcube Corner!

I knew he must be up to no good. I got a little closer, but had to hide when he came back out the window.

I knew he killed Pinkie Pie by the blood on his clothes. Had I known this would happen, I would've stopped it..."

"Hm... All right, Mr. Wright, you may start your cross-examination now."

Phoenix looked focused... very focused. Ezio didn't want to break his concentration here.

"I was walking down the road that night, just casually, when I heard somebody else nearby."

Hold it!

"You heard somebody else?"

Objection!

"Grasping already, Wright? Just let Trixie go on with her testimony, and you'll know who Trixie's talking about!"

"I"m not... grasping..." Phoenix had a semi-anger, semi-embarrassed look on his face.

I turned the corner, and I saw him! The defendant, climbing into the window of Sugarcube Corner!

Hold it!

"Where were you standing?"

"I stood on the corner nearby, opposite of Sugarcube Corner."

"Continue..."

I knew he must be up to no good. I got a little closer, but had to hide when he came back out the window.

Hold it!

"You hid?"

"Yes."

"Why did you feel the need to hide?"

"Because..."

I knew he killed Pinkie Pie by the blood on his clothes. Had I known this would happen, I would've stopped it..."

Hold it!

"You say you saw Pinkie Pie's blood on his clothes?"

"That's right!"

"Trixie, how did you know that the blood was Pinkie Pie's blood?"

"I, uh... i-it was in the last trial! That's when I heard about it."

"And you didn't know Pinkie Pie was the one killed before then?"

"Yes! Exactly!"

Phoenix thought for a moment.

Objection!

"Your Honor, that is a lie!"

"Is it? Really?"

"Of course! And I have evidence to prove it!"

"Heh heh heh..."

Phoenix looked at Trixie, the one who laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Mr. Wrong... you're not suggesting that that letter from the last trial is your evidence?"

"It is."

"Too bad, Mr. Wrong. All evidence from the last trial has been confirmed to be either forged or faulty."

"W-WHAT?!"

"You can't use any of it!"

Phoenix didn't know what to say.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Wright, but the witne-- I mean, prosecution, is right! All evidence from that trial is now disregarded and not able to be used in court."

"Very well..." Phoenix said, and Ezio shot him a negative look. "I have other evidence proving this!"

"Well, what is it?"

"The witness's own testimony!"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"She knew that Pinkie was the one killed because... of the last trial, obviously."

"Then how is this contradicting the testimony?"

"Because, Your Honor, of where the witness was standing... or should I say 'hiding'?"

"Elaborate on this, Wright."

"She says that when Ezio left out the window, she hid. If she hid, then... she couldn't have seen the blood on Ezio's clothes!"

"Mr. Wright is right, Trixie. The court orders you to change your testimony to explain this!"

"Easy. Just listen to this."

---How I Saw the Blood--

"You see, when Trixie hid, it was in a very specific spot.

There were some bales of hay nearby, so Trixie ducked into one of them.

Trixie looked out from the straws around me and saw Ezio and his blood-stained clothes!

The defendant is guilty! He killed Pinkie Pie!"

"Bales of hay?" asked the Judge.

"Yes. There were some nearby, like I said. The investigation team even got them in the picture here."

(Picture of Sugarcube Corner added to evidence.)

"Mr. Wright, your cross-examination?"

"Of course, Your Honor."

"You see, when Trixie hid, it was in a very specific spot.

There were some bales of hay nearby, so Trixie ducked into one of them.

Hold it!

"You say you jumped into a bale of hay, like the ones in this photo?"

"Yes, of course."

"That contradicts this evidence!"

"Explain, Wright. Show us on the photo where this contradiction is."

"It's right... here!"

"The bales of hay?"

Phoenix shook his head. "Look closer. What's that on the hay there?"

"Why that... that's blood!"

"Precisely! So, I ask, if the witness truly hid in this bale of hay... then why is there blood on that hay?"

"Interesting deduction! Trixie! Do you have an explanation for this?"

"Um... well... yes! Yes, I do!"

"Please add the explanation to your testimony."

"The murderer walked by the hay bales and accidentally rubbed some of the blood on that hay!"

Hold it!

"How did he manage to do that?"

"He brushed by it."

Objection!

"Look at where the blood is on the hay in the picture, Trixie. It's on top of the hay!"

"So?"

"The killer couldn't have left that blood there because the blood would've been on the sides of the hay, not the top!"

"Very interesting, Mr. Wright! ...What does it mean though?" asked the Judge.

"I'm glad you asked. Here's what I think happened that night. Trixie waits at Sugarcube Corner for Pinkie Pie. When she gets home... Trixie stabs her, a fatal wound. It doesn't kill her immediately, so she tries to go up the stairs to her room to the phone that was sitting on the side table next to her bed. Then another pony, or possibly Trixie again, stabbed here in her dying state. Upon leaving the place, she hides in the hay as to not be caught, leaving blood on it!"

"That's very interesting, Mr. Wright. Do you have some other proof that these events happened?"

"I do. There was a trail of blood on the stairs leading to the body. We thought it had run downstairs from the body, but now I see that cannot be. The blood must have run up the stairs as Pinkie was going to her room."

"Very interesting..."

Ezio was just watching the whole thing go down. this was actually very interesting... Trixie dealing the killing blow before he did? It was entirely possible...

"Tsk. Tsk." Trixie clicked her tongue at him.

"Something wrong, Ms. Trixie?" asked the Judge.

"Of course! It may be true that there was blood on the hay, but... how do you know whose blood it is?"

"Mr. Wright?"

"The investigation team seemed to miss the detail... I'm sorry to say that we need to have that blood sample checked."

"Very well. We'l take a fifteen minute break to have that blood sampled and identified. Court is adjourned for the time being!"

The gavel fell and everypony left the courtroom.

"Wright!" Ezio whispered sharply. He waved Phoenix over to a room. He closed the door behind them.

"You said you knew that the evidence was faked!"

"Quiet! They might hear us..."

"Well? Explain!"

"Ezio, you and I know that, and that is the only thing that is keeping us safe. If we are found out about this knowledge, the court session will end, and you will be hanged!"

"Fine, fine... so you lied to the Princess as well?"

"Yes, I had to. If she knew, then any interrogator could break her to get that information."

"All right. You got a plan here?"

"Not really... I'm just sort of winging it. I didn't know that the trial would be so soon, otherwise I would have some better evidence."

"Merda, you think you can win like that??"

"Probably. I dunno. I just know that if we lose, it's all over."

"Very well..."

They left the room again.

"It seems that it will be a bit before we get back in the courtroom."

"Ezio! There you are!"

Wright saw the Assassin freeze up and almost trip over his own hooves. "Derpy?!"

The grey pony trotted up to him. "Of course it's me! Where else would I be at a time like this?"

"I don't know... home? Taking care of wounded ponies?"

"Ezio! You thought I wouldn't be here for you?"

"No, I just thought you'd be there for others."

"But why would I want to do that?"

"It's your job...?"

"Ezio, my business can wait for you. I mean, just look at this trial! The suspense, the action! All the turnabouts! It went from certain doom to... well... not-so-certain doom!"

Because that's reassuring, Ezio thought.

"Besides," she continued, "I need to make sure your wound doesn't open up under the pressure of the situation! Stress raises your blood pressure, you know!"

Aaaaaand now it's a medical concern. Great.

"Oh, yeah, and good job in there, Mr. Wrong!"

"It's actually Mr. Wright. Trixie just likes making fun of my name."

"Oh. Sorry. My bad. Anyway, you make sure Ezio gets out of this all right, okay? Promise me you will!"

"All right, I promise nothing bad will happen to Ezio."

Derpy put on a big smile. "Thanks, Mr. Wright."

"Court will now reconvene!" called the baliff.

"Well, looks like that blood sample got through testing quickly. It was nice meeting you... Derpy, wasn't it?"

"Derpy? Who's Derpy? My name is--"

"Let's just go." Ezio interrupted, knowing exactly where that conversation would be heading in the next few minutes.

*****************

The gavel fell, and the courtroom silenced.

"Court is now in session. The results from the blood sample, Mr. Wright?"

"It seems that it came out to... Pinkie Pie, Your Honor."

"Pinkie Pie?"

"That's right. So I ask the witness... why was there Pinkie's blood on the hay in which she hid in?"

"Yes, why was there blood, Ms. Trixie? Please testify on this matter."

"I don't need to."

"Excuse me?"

"You see, the blood of Pinkie Pie was there... but how can you prove it was there when I was in that hay?"

"Easy." said Ezio. "The time of death of Pinkie Pie was near the time of 11 PM that night. Only a few minutes from that time the blood would've dried, making it impossible for it to get on anything in the area other than what it had previously had been on. If you watched Ezio leave the place without going into the hay, then it must be you who left that blood there!"

"Well... I... I... you cannot prove it was me! There's no blood on my clothes, see?"

"Only an idiot would wear the same clothes as they had duing the murder, especially with the victim's blood on it, Trixie. Of course there's no blood... on those clothes. However, there may be traces of blood on your coat!... and not the clothing type, just to clarify."

"Well-- I--"

"I say that the witness be tested for traces of blood!"

"How do you propose to go about that?"

Phoenix pulled out a bottle. "This spray should reveal any traces of blood, even if it was washed away."

"The court will see this through." replied the Judge.

"What?! This is an invasion of privacy! I deny the test!"

"You do realize that if you deny the testing, you acknowledge the fact that there was blood on your coat, Ms Trixie?"

"... Urgh! Fine! Test me!"

...

The spray was used on her coat... and it came out positive.

"There! See? Trixie was involved in this crime!"

"Hold on!" shouted Trixie. "You-you can't prove that I had that blood on me on the day of the murder!"

"Wrong, Trixie. When other time would you have traces of the victim's blood on your coat?"

"I... uh... urrgh..."

"Trixie, there is significant evidence that the murder had something to do with you, making you, one way or another, an alibi." stated the Judge.

"Wait! WAIT!" yelled Trixie. "I can explain! I didn't want to say this before, but now it seems I have to."

"Trixie, are you saying you withheld information from the court???" asked the Judge, surprised.

"Yes, but I swear it was for good reason! Let me tell you how I got this blood on me!"

"Very well. The witness will testify, accurately, how she got the blood on her coat."

---The Blood in my Coat--

The explanation is quite clear on this subject.

I didn't want to say it before, but it seems I have to now.

I went into Sugarcube Corner that night... after the murder.

I wanted to see what had happened in there, to see if I could still help Pinkie Pie.

I stepped in some of the blood on my way up the stairs, and that's how I got the blood on my coat.

"You entered the place of the murder?!"

"Yes. I didn't want to say it before because I knew Mr. Wright would use that to tie me to the crime, but it is the opposite."

"I see... Mr. Wright, you may start your cross-examination."

"Yes, Your Honor."

The explanation is quite clear on this subject.

I didn't want to say it before, but it seems I have to now.

I went into Sugarcube Corner that night... after the murder.

I wanted to see what had happened in there, to see if I could still help Pinkie Pie.

Hold it!

"From what I know, you held a grudge against Pinkie Pie and her friends. Why would you feel the need to help her?"

"I didn't know that it was Pinkie Pie... and even so, I wouldn't let an innocent pony just die!"

Phoenix contemplated for a moment.

"Very well. Continue."

I stepped in some of the blood on my way up the stairs, and that's how I got the blood on my coat.

Hold it!

"You stepped in the blood?"

"Yes, I did."

"Let me ask you a question, Trixie. When did you enter Sugarcube Corner after murder?"

"It was at... 11:08 if I remember."

"That's quite precise." commented the Judge.

"There was a clock on the side table next to Pinkie's bed. That's the time it read."

"Is that really the time you saw, Trixie?" asked Phoenix.

"Yes, of course!"

"I hate to say it, but..."

Objection!

"What?!" yelled Trixie.

"You say you saw the time, and it read 11:08... and that was the time you got the blood on your hooves. But that cannot be!"

"What do you mean, Wright?" asked the Judge.

"By that time... the blood would've already dried!"

"That is quite the contradiction! Trixie, explain this!"

"I-- uh-- urgh-- URGH!"

"You can't explain it, Trixie?" asked Wright. "Well luckily, I already have. You went into Sugarcube Corner that night and killed Pinkie Pie!"

"NO! NONONONO!!!!"

"Admit it! You did this!"

"DAMN YOU, WRIGHT! HE DID IT! HE KILLED HER! GIVE HIM DEATH! DEATH, I SAY!"

"ORDER! I WILL HAVE ORDER!" the Judge shouted, hitting his gavel against the desk again and again.

Silence.

"Trixie, tell the court truly... did you kill Pinkie Pie?"

"... Yeah, I did it! I'm not sorry for it, either!"

"Very well. I think I'm ready to give my verdict now... the court finds Mr. Ezio Auditore--"

Objection!

"What... Ms. Trixie?"

"I may have killed Pinkie Pie... but what about Applejack?!"

"This is true.. Ezio was also charged with this crime as well."

"The defense sees no reason to continue, Your Honor."

"Why is that?"

"Because there is no longer a prosecution."

"Whatever do you mean, Wright?"

"The one and only witness, Ms. Trixie, has been found guilty of this murder. She can no longer be a prosecutor under the current condition. Thus, the case... is over, due to the resting of the prosecution."

"Mr. Wright, as always, you are right. The trial is over. There is no longer the prosecution for this case, thus the trial ends here. Now as I was saying... I find the defendant to be..."

The Trial: Turnabout Assassin Part 2

Objection!

"How come I can never give my verdict in peace?" asked the Judge.

"Because I cannot allow this pony to walk free! He is guilty, and I am here to prove that!"

The voice came from a pony in a red suit, with white frills at the collar.

"E-Edgeworth???" Wright asked. Ezio noticed he didn't look so good, seeing that pony who just burst into the room.

"Wright. Figures you would be here. Judge! I demand that I take up the prosecution for this case!"

"I was ready to hand down my verdict, and now this?"

"True, but you only solved one of the crimes! Have you forgotten about the murder of Applejack?"

"Well... I thought with the circumstances, Trixie was just as guilty for that as well as this... but I see that I cannot assume this now. I will allow a fifteen minute break for the prosecution to put its case together."

Phoenix had a serious look on his face as the ponies left the courtroom.

*************************************************************

"Ezio, we may be in trouble here." Phoenix told him.

"Why?" Ezio asked.

"Edgeworth is the Chief Prosecutor. He does anything to get the guilty verdict. Anything."

"That doesn't sound good."

"It isn't. So I want you to know that any evidence provided by Edgeworth is most likely forged. The only uncertainty is how and why he's here..."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Edgeworth only prosecutes for cases in which he knows the defendant is guilty. I only defend those I know are not guilty. He always gets his guilty verdict. I almost always get my not guilty verdict. right now, the odds of us winning are stacked against those same odds of us losing."

"Sounds like there is not much hope. The next murder couldn't have been Trixie... he'll find me guilty of that one. Unless you have an idea?"

"A bad one, but it's my only choice right now."

"Court will reconvene now!" the baliff called.

*************************************************************

The Judges gavel fell, and the courtroom was silenced.

"Court is back in session to complete the trial of Ezio vs Harmony. Has the prosecution made its case in the time given?"

"Yes your Honor. You see, the murder, as depicted in the previous trial for this case, was incomplete. I will give a full description of what happened that night. The facts are simple: The victim, Applejack, was murdered on the night of the 26th last month, at around 12:00 AM. She died of a stab wound, but the murder weapon was never found. we can only assume that the defendant, Ezio, still is in possession of this weapon. i have a witness and evidence to start piecing together the details of that night."

Ezio almost cringed. This guy was telling it as it was right now... if that continued, then this case would be over in no time.

"We found a peculiar note that was in the victim's room. It clearly stated this:

'Ms. Applejack,

If you want to find out who really killed Pinkie Pie, meet me in the barn at 12:00AM, this Sunday. I'll be waiting nearby with the evidence. DON'T BRING ANYPONY ELSE WITH YOU.'

We can assume two things from this: one, that the one who wrote this note knew who the murder was, and that they wanted to see Applejack alone. Thus... it was the murderer who wrote this note!"

"I'd like to have that note checked, Your Honor!" Wright said sternly.

"Very well. The handwriting on the note will be checked to see if it matches with the defendant's."

Ezio was passed a paper ad pencil again.

"Honestly, don't you people use quills?" he asked them, but after receiving the negitive look from Phoenix, he used the pencil anyway.

The two notes wer passed to the unicorn, the same one from the last trial. he looked over the two notes.

"The handwriting matches up, Your Honor. It seems that the defendant did wite the note."

"Hm. I see. That would lead us to believe Ezio convinced the victim to go to the barn that night to kill her. I see." stated the Judge

"Precisely. thus, Ezio is clearly the killer!"

Objection!

"Your Honor,this note proves nothing about who the killer is!"

"What do you mean, Wright?"

"Take a look at this letter."

"That's the one from before, right?"

"Precisely. This was made to look like it was writen by Ezio's Uncle, but really it was from Trixie! How do we know that this letter isn't like the note mentioned here?"

"Mr. Wright has a point."

Objection!

"This letter never had any traces of magic on it. Thus, it had to be the defendant!"

"So you accept that the defendant wrote this?" asked Wright.

"Of course!" said Edgeworth confidently. That confidence faded and a look of shock appeared on his face. Phoenix walked him right into a trap.

"You see, you say the defendant wrote this... but can you prove it was pertaining to the night of the murder?"

Edgeworth composed himself again. "Well... I don't need to prove anything here. You prove that it doesn't pertain to the day!"

"Easy. The note says the time... but it never specifies the date!"

"Agh!" shouted Edgeworth.

"Thus, you can say it was written by Ezio, but you cannot use it to prove that he was the murderer!"

"It seems that the defense has the evidence to support that the letter holds no relevence as to proving Ezio's guilt." stated the Judge.

"But... it says he knew the murderer!" Edgeworth nearly shouted. He was clearly grasping.

"If he knew the murderer, then we can use the last case as an example here. Trixie killed Pinkie Pie! Ezio knew this, so he as going to tell Applejack! As you should know, Applejack was looking for this information!"

"So he was just going to outright tell her, and not the police?" asked Edgeworth.

"Of course not! His idea was a big hunch! The police wouldn't investigate off of somepony's gut feeling. Thus, it would've been unwise to call the police, as he wasn't sure."

"But he would tell that to Applejack?!"

"Wright," interjected the Judge, "please explain why the defendant would tell Applejack of the murderer if he wasn't sure."

"Well, it's because... she needed peace of mind."

"How is that an explanation?!" Edgeworth shouted.

"The prosecution will calm down before asking questions!" the Judge said sternly.

"Thank you, Your Honor." said Phoenix. "Nonetheless, I will answer the prosecution's question. Applejack was in poor mental condition after Pinkie Pie's death. To help her maintain her sanity, Ezio was going to tell her that Trixie murdered Pinkie Pie. It's really quite simple."

Edgeworth was at a loss of words.

"Do you have proof of this?" asked the Judge.

"It has been reported by the victim's family that she started shouting at nothing in the middle of the night. she did this only after Pinkie's death. Thus, it was the trauma that was driving her insane."

"This all seems to make sense..."

"Wright." Edgeworth said, very composed. "If you claim that your client wasn't the murderer, and there's sufficient proof, then who eally is the murderer?"

"Simple. It was Trixie! She didn't want Ezio's hunch to be told to the police by the otherwise convinced Applejack. Thus, she went to Sweet Apple Acres to silence Applejack. When Applejack saw her, she ran away, and Trixie gave chase. In an attempt to stop her pursuer, Applejack tried to bring the barn down on her, as this photograph from the investigation team shows the barn in its collapsed state. She failed, and Trixie eventually caught up to her and killed her!"

The courtroom was silent.

"... My word! That makes a lot of sense! Does the prosecution object to anything said here?"

"No, Your Honor... except one thing."

"Yes, what is it?"

"This is an outright guess! Is there a witness for these events?"

"That isn't my department. You were supposed to find wirnesses, Edgeworth!"

"Agh!..."

"So the defense has a standing theory that makes perfect sense. I think I'm ready to hand down my verdict now... unless the Prosecution has a better explanation?"

Edgeworth thought for a moment. "No... but I have to say one thing."

"Don't tell me it's--"

Objection!

"Do you see this cloth?" asked Edgeworth.

"That black cloth? Yes, what about it?"

"Trixie never wore anything like this. Applejack never wore anything in general."

"Excuse me???" asked the Judge.

"Most of the ponies in Ponyville don't wear clothing. It's quite natural for them."

"Really? Is that so? I think I should plan a trip there the next chance I get!"

The courtroom fell silent.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" asked the Judge. "My family lives there! Strutting around with no clothes on in just... wrong! I'll have to convince them to find something to wear!"

"Your Honor... could we just procede with the case?" asked Phoenix.

"I have to agree that we should stay on topic, Your Honor." Edgeworth added.

"Ah, yes... sorry about that. Where were we?"

"The cloth, Your Honor."

"Oh, right! What about this cloth?"

"This cloth must've been from something Ezio was wearing!"

Objection!

"How is this relevant?" asked Phoenix. "I mean, it's just a piece of cloth, right?"

"The thing is, Phoenix... this was found on one of the broken pieces of the barn. So Ezio must have been there when the barn collapsed!"

(Piece of cloth added to evidence.)

"Mr. Wright! Have you anything to say to this new evidence?"

"Yes, I do. You found this where on the building?"

"I'll show you on your photo you have, Wright."

"Very well."

Edgeworth looked the photo over. "Yes it was right here, see?" He pointed to a broken wall, where on the snapped wooden fragment, there was the cloth.

"Very interesting." said Wright. "But I'm afraid that cannot be from Mr. Auditore's clothes."

"What?!"

"You see, Ezio wears either no clothes or his one piece of white clothing that he has. Thus, the cloth you found has no correlation to him."

"You would think that, wouldn't you Wright? However, I think that you mentioned before that only an idiot would wear the same clothing as the ones they wore during the murder."

"I said that?"

"You did." said Edgeworth.

"You did." said the Judge.

"You did." said Ezio.

"Okay, I think I get the idea." Phoenix said, looking very annoyed.

"Then of course Ezio wouldn't wear the clothes in he wore during the murder. " continued Edgeworth. "He must have stashed them away somewhere at some point."

"And where do you think he hid them, then?"

"See this? This is the train schedule from several days ago. One Mr. Auditore, heading to the town of Monteriggoini. He must've stashed the clothes there."

"I hate to break it to you, but that is impossible." said Phoenix. "Ezio went to that town, but soon after he got there, it was attacked. Cannons, these metal ball lauching machines in Italia, desimated the place. Ezio got out of the town, and was sent to a medical expert here in Equestria after taking a hit from a weapon during the siege. He returned from Italia wearing no clothes, thus we can assume that your evidence, if it had ever existed, would be in the wreckage. You have no proof that he wore those clothes, unless you're saying that you found them?"

"No... The original clothing a never found."

"So, unless you can prove to me that he brought those clothes with him to Monteriggioni, your baseless conjecture should be dismissed. Also, you have to prove this yourself, being that it is your on theory you are making here. You can't pin the responsibility on me this time."

"I... have no proof."

"So then Ezio never had the clothes, and this piece of evidence, along with its incorrect theory, should be dismissed."

"The court dismisses botht the cloth evidence and the theory." said the Judge.

Edgeworth had a look of shock on his face.

"Thus, we can assume that it was part of some other occassion, not related to the crime, and that Trixie is again guilty of murder."

"I have to agree with Mr. Wright. This case is solved. Can I actually hand down my verdict his time?"

"No! Not yet!" Egeworth said sternly. "What of the murder weapon? It was never found, and if Trixie had it, then that is he only way she could've committed these crimes!"

"Well, here you go theorizing again. Do you have proof that Ezio had it? No. Is there proof that Trixie had it? We don't know. So, unless you really want us to find the murder weapon in a place Trixie has been, then I say this court case is over!"

"I agree. The prosecution has no evidence, and there is none to be found... unless they acknowledge that Trixie had the murder weapon. Either way, my verdict will be the same. So I will finally hand down my verdict, as there is nothing left for the court to discuss."

"The court finds the defendant, Ezio Auditore..."

Not Guilty

"Court is dismissed!"

Reality

"Well... I didn't know you had it in you, Wright." Ezio said as they left the courtroom.

"Nor did I, but it seems luck was on my side... again."

"How so?"

"Well, Trixie could've dropped the charges against you, and she wouldn't have been convicted. Yet she didn't do it..."

"I wouldn't call that luck, Wright."

"Then what would you call that?"

"Determination."

They both fell silent.

"I have a question." Ezio said suddenly. "Why couldn't they search the remains of Monteriggioni for the clothes?"

"The representative of your country wouldn't allow for it... but I'm not sure if he really represents your country as much as one would think. He's never been to Italia, and the only thing he does is keep us away from it. Maybe you should take up that position..."

"I don't think I'll be getting into politics anytime soon."

"Very well. Hey, speaking of Monteriggioni, Ezio... you've got nothing left here to do. Will you return to Italia?"

"Of course! I need to recollect my group, as well as get back to... my line of work."

"That makes sense."

"You know, Wright, you're not as bad as I thought."

"Thanks... I guess."

"You definitely don't give up on your clients. You defend them to the bitter end, or in this case, the sweet, sweet victory! Pretty much the opposite of what I do."

"I guess so. Are you going somewhere with this?"

"I'm getting to that. You and I, as different the action we take to enforce it, keep the peace. You do it lawfully. Me... let's say I do it 'morally'."

"(Why am I going along with this?) I hate to say it, but you might be wrong there Ezio."

"What?"

"You don't keep the peace. Not one bit."

"Well... I hate to ask you this, but do you have proof?"

"I do. It's right here."

He handed Ezio a newspaper.

"What... what is this?"

"This is the newspaper I picked up this morning. I should probably tell you, our newspapers have never needed an obituary page until you arrived in Equestria."

"Who is this pony?"

"The one the Princess asked you to kill, randomly. You did it without mercy or hesitation, I should think. That isn't very peaceful if you ask me."

"..."

"However, it was for a good reason. She needed a test subject... something to test and see if she could revive ponies in any other way."

"What?! That... I wasn't informed of this!"

"(Sounds like somepony else I know...) Well, we had to keep it on the down-low, or the public would panic if they found out that she ordered for his death."

"Why would she do that? She knew that she almost had everything she needed for the Apple duplicate!"

"Look, I'm just as in the dark as you are. It's just what she wanted at the time, and you can't change that."

"Fair enough. Next time, let me know these things in advance! I mean, I was under some serious pressure from you, but if my group finds out that I... made an innocent have a forced passage out of life..."

"I know. That's why it's on the down-low, like I said. You don't mention it, we won't either."

"Okay. Good. I feel relieved that I don't have to worry about that now." said Ezio, a smile forming on his face.

"EZ-I-OOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Ezio's expression went from happy to the most scared he could be.

"Uh... something wrong, Ezio?" asked Phoenix.

"Ezio! There you are!" said Derpy, trotting up to him. "You made it out not guilty! Yay!"

"And a hello to you too, Derpy." replied Ezio, regaining his composure.

"You were great in there, mister lawyer! The prosecution was looked like they had been slapped across the face! Wha-pow!"

"Uh, thanks..." Phoenix said nervously. He knew better than to say Derpy's name... otherwise it would change on him at the worst times.

"Wright, Derpy. Derpy, Wright." Ezio said, making a quick introduction.

"Oh, there's no need for that, Ezio. I already know who she is." said Wright. "And she knows who I am."

"If you know me so well, then what's my name, Wright?"

"... (DAMMIT! I fell right into that one!) Um.. it's..." Wright started to say.

"Don't answer that." said Ezio. "I just introduced you two, isn't that right, Derpy?"

"Yeah, right... of course..."

Ezio decided to change the topic. "I agree with her, this trial had a good ending for us... but what of Trixie?"

"Trixie? I have a feeling that Twilight will do something about her... hopefully she won't kill her..." Phoenix said, unsure.

"Hopefully?"

"Twilight has never really gotten along with Trixie, and vice versa." explained Phoenix. "She probably wouldn't let her off easy... not this time around, especially because she can't."

"Can't? What, you mean because I couldn't be saved from punishment, neither can she?"

"I'm afraid so. Rules are rules."

"Wait... now I'm confused." said Ezio. "Why can't this all be dropped under the circumstances that the victims aren't dead?"

"Good question. No idea. You see, it's not every day that the victims come back to life, so the legislators may have to get into that. Probably all the more reason for you not to get into politics, Ezio, you're definitely right on that."

"Hm. Well, this has been fun, this little talk, but I believe I have to be going. The next train to Italia leaves several minutes from now, but I have to get there early if I'm going to travel there today."

"How did you know that?" asked Wright.

"I was preparing to leave today, actually, now that my work is done. I was hoping the trial would be timely, as it was, so that I could catch the train. Quite simple, really."

"Wait a minute... you're leaving already?!" asked Derpy. "But--"

"The Assassins need me more than anypony ever will. I will leave now, and there's nothing you can do about it."

"But, Ezio--"

"You can't talk me out of this, Derpy."

"Ezio, I'm not trying to talk you out of it!"

"What?"

"If you're going, then... well, I'm coming with you!"

Silence.

"Um, I hate to barge in, but It seems like time is running out, so if you two are going to leave... I'd suggest you do that now rather than later." Phoenix chimed.

"Very well. I thank you for all you've done for me, Wright."

Ezio didn't wait for a response. He slowly walked out the door to get to the station.

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?" asked Derpy.

"Why didn't you?" Ezio countered. "You left Italia as soon as the opportunity arose."

"Well, I.... that's in the past, isn't it?"

"I think not. The question still lingers to this day."

"I had to leave, Ezio."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"That is my answer to your question if there is nothing you'd like to be direct about here."

"You love putting people on the spot, don't you? It's almost like the accusations fly for no good reason..."

"Hey, you asked me, I didn't ask you."

"It's like it's a form of defense against something you don't like about me."

"I think not--"

"Ezio, tell it to me straight..." She put herself in front of him, blocking his way. "Is it my eyes?"

Ezio said nothing. He kept walking until he found a hay bale.

"It's my eyes, isn't it?"

"No, it's not your eyes." he said, jumping into the hay.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know, Derpy... truly I don't. I just don't think we connect."

"What?!"

Ezio was pulled out of the hay. He was now dressed in his Assassin uniform.

"I thought we were-- wait, how the hell did you do that?"

"Do what?" he asked back, continuing the walk to the station.

"Changing so quickly? You know, what you just did?"

"You're seriously asking this? To me? Perhaps you've forgotten what I do in my free time. Remember Christina?"

"You just had to bring that up at a time like this."

"Hey, you made me bring it up, so it is not my fault."

Their walk finally ended as they passed through the doors of the station. Ezio paid up a few bits, got his ticket, and entered the train. Derpy did the same, sitting right next to him.

"I don't understand your logic, Ezio. You'll... 'meet up' with mares, but not me."

"I didn't realize you were so interested... Oh, wait! There were those letters, weren't there?"

"Hey! It... it wasn't like that, okay?"

"Well, perhaps you should be glad the they won't be seen by anypony if they were what I thought they were."

"We're getting off topic here. Just tell me why, Ezio, this wouldn't work out. Are you just afraid of a real relationship?"

"No. It's just that... this wasn't meant to be. You left me, and I left you. End of story."

"I hate bad endings. Care to let me 'rewrite' that story?"

"Only if you tell me why you left."

"Fine. You win. I left... because your father ordered me to."

"My father? Why him?"

"He lead the group... and he saw me as a potentially threatening situation just waiting to happen."

"What?!"

"You might have noticed, I'm not exactly very good at keeping secrets. If I was ever captured by the Templars..."

"I... I think I understand."

"Now, can I rewrite that story of yours?"

"Go ahead."

"I didn't leave you, I was forced away from you. I was cut off from all communications, hence the missing letters. I never intended to hurt you, Ezio."

"... Merda. Now I feel like some kind of jerk."

"There's no reason for you to feel bad! I mean, you had no idea!"

"Wait a minute... if this is true, then why are you coming back with me?"

"Your uncle disagreed with your father's idea. I guess it made sense, those two being brothers and all. I'm sure he'll let me back into Italia."

"I still feel horrible. I'm sorry, Derpy."

"You'll get over it, right? I mean, even though it was your father that did this..."

"He was betrayed, Derpy. Different story. I think I'll leave it at that."

"Okay... so now that you know the truth, how will you act upon it?"

"Well, there are some things I have to say first. I'm sorry I didn't let you know I was leaving. As if you weren't out of the loop enough already. I really don't know how to say this..."

He hesitated for a moment, letting the words fall into place in his head.

"How did you know?"

"Hm? Know what?"

"You knew when my trials were going to be held before I did. You were there. You knew where I was. How?"

"Oh, that's easy. I'm friends with the Princess!"

"W-WHAT?!"

"Well, sort of. I deliver her mail, so I hear all about the stuff going on in the castle she wants me to hear, along with the stuff they don't want other ponies to know."

"Are you telling me you read her letters before she gets them?"

"No, she just reads them aloud. Quite the extrovert, that one."

"You eavesdropped on her?"

"I guess you could put it like that."

"Okay, now that is just plain creepy."

"You're saying you haven't eavesdropped on anybody before?"

"... All right, I see your point."

"I have to say, I can't wait to see the other Assassins again! It's been sucha long time, and it's all thanks to your uncle!"

Ezio looked away from her.

"Is something the matter?"

"I think you know what's wrong, Derpy."

"Oh, right... he's... not here anymore..."

"The first thing will do when I get back is arrange his funeral... as well as ones for the others who have fallen."

"So... you're gonna be pretty busy when you get back?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"Well, aren't you in charge now? I mean, there's nopony else who would, or even could, lead this group."

"Merda, you're right. I'm going to have to take charge... I have to lead them, but there's so many, and we're everywhere, and I don't know what I'm doing, and--"

"Ezio. Calm. Down. you are going to be just fine."

"Okay, okay... I just don't have any idea what to do."

"Well, there's got to be somepony who can point you in the right direction. Like Bartolomeo or somepony!"

"I don't think talking to him will help me..."

"Well then who do you have in mind?"

A smile crept across his face. "What about... 'Her'?"

"Oh, c'mon now, you know that she won't help... right? Ezio?"

Memories

Ezio walked out of the stone building, with Derpy following quickly behind him.

"Dammit, Ezio, I told you not to--"

"She was the only one who could help me! Why not--"

"Because it's not right! Ezio, why do you even have anything to do with those... prostitutes???"

"They're Assassins!"

"That's not-- Wait, WHAT?!"

"They. Are. Assassins. They've helped me get through loads guards, on more than one occasion. They distract them, I sneak on through to whatever target is priority."

"Um... okay... now I feel like a jerk..."

"Well then, I guess you turned a page in my book, didn't you?"

"When it put it like that, it sounds weird."

"It's only weird if you make it weird."

"When did they become Assassins?"

"I'm not entirely sure. They just... are Assassins, and they have been long before I ever knew about any of this."

"Let's not talk about this anymore."

"Let's not." Ezio agreed, changing the topic. "How does it feel to be back in Italia?"

"It fells nice. I've got some good memories of the place, you know? Oh, look!"

Derpy pointed to a clock tower with some wooden planks sticking out of it.

"You still remember that?" She asked."It's where you did your first Leap of Faith!"

"Well, I certainly remember being in pain, if that's what you mean."

"You were such an idiot, almost killing yourself on the hay bale. Luckily, you're more of a hardhead than I thought... literally."

"Yeah, yeah... I was a complete idiot."

"And there! The fight with the Pazzi! You remember that, I'm sure."

"Hey, those bastards started it! Not my fault they couldn't take a hit... and not my fault they started throwing a bricks."

"I patched you up after that. You never sat still, if I remember correctly."

"Well, yeah... that was stupid of me. Ended up with a scar on my lip... and it's still there." he said, feeling indent above his mouth with his hoof.

"Look over there!" she exclaimed, pointing to a house. "I remember seeing you climbing out of the window there in the morning, with a Pazzi shouting at you."

"Can you imagine why?"

She thought for a moment. "You convincing bastard, you." she finally said, giving him a slight punch in the shoulder.

"What can I say? Even you're naturally attracted to me."

"Oh, shut up." she said, blushing. She turned her head and saw a stand nearby.

"Ooh, look over there!" she said, pointing to it. Ezio didn't understand what was so special about it.

"Should I remember this...?" he asked, confused.

"No, it's just that it's got muffins! I love muffins!"

She trotted up to the stand and the colt running it smiled at her. After a short bit of conversing and the exchange of florins, Derpy returned to Ezio with two muffins.

"One for you and one for me! Take whichever one you like."

Ezio remembered the last time he had muffins... and these ones looked quite similar to the last ones...

"Please tell me these aren't the same ones as--"

He was cut off mid-sentence by a muffin being shoved into his open mouth.

"Just eat the muffin, Ezio." Derpy said, taking a bite out of her own. Ezio took the muffin out of his mouth, examined it for a second, and then promptly started eating it.

Derpy dragged him all around town. "Look over there!""Look at that!""Is that some of the Medici?"

Ezio caught himself on that one. He saw the guards walking by.

"Hm... no cape, no protection... damn..."

"Ezio, I think I could take that one or two different ways, so perhaps you'd like to explain what you're saying?"

"Oh, it's nothing really. I had a bunch of capes that let the guards know they can trust me, but those were back at Monteriggioni.

They were probably destroyed with everything else during the si--"

He stopped himself and a worried face appeared.

"What's wrong, Ezio?"

"Oh, no... the feathers! My mother... she was mourning, you see, over the death of brothers and father... I tried to help by collecting some feathers my younger brother, just as he asked me to before he died, as to make my mother feel that his needs were met, even after his passing."

"You actually did that?"

"If the town was still in one piece, I would show you the box. I came so close to collecting all of them, too! Ninety-nine out of a hundred. So close."

"That seems..." Derpy searched for appropriate words to put in her sentence. "Very... kind of you to care about your mother so much, Ezio."

He looked at her with a slight smile. "Thank you."

That's his smile diminished as his eyes fell upon the sight before him. Ezio looked at it with narrowed eyes and a frown. Everything about it disgusted him. The ropes, tied ever so neatly into loops, the wooden boards, kept clean all these years, even the very silence of it he despised.

"Ezio? We don't have to be here... not if you don't want to be here."

The Assassin walked up to the disgusting device and tapped it twice on its side. He shook his head and moved to the next side.

"What are you doing?" she asked inquisitively.

"Something that should've been done long ago." he said, tapping on the next side. A smile appeared on his face for only a moment. He turned around and kicked the rotten wood he had been searching for, bringing down the gallows that stood before him. Derpy's jaw dropped at the act.

"We're leaving. We have a funeral to attend to." he said, flipping up his hood and walking away.

***

Rodrigo Borgia stared out the window, looking out upon the disgusting world. So impure, so unready for the new world the Templars have been working towards for hundreds of years... his guards stood nearby, making sure Rodrigo was safe as he could be.

Suddenly, a unicorn burst into the room. "Rodrigo! Good news!"

"The Apple has its power restored?" he asked hopefully.

"Almost. We require just one more thing."

"Tell me of it, now! I will gladly give anything for the power of the Apple."

"That's the thing Rodrigo." The pony's voice switched to a darker tone. "We require you."

"What do you mean? Explain yourself, now!"

The guards that were keeping Rodrigo safe now restrained him. He struggled against their hold on him.

"What is the meaning of this?! I am the Pope!"

"I'm sorry to say, Rodrigo," said the unicorn, "but the time for you is no more. You have failed us too many times, allowing the Assassins to make too many strikes against us. It's time for a new leader. But before that, you have one more use."

The unicorn pulled out the Apple, the only one remaining now.

"No! This is treason! Guards, release me now! GUARDS!"

Rodrigo saw as his guards changed into dark beings, fangs protruding from their mouths.

"I'm afraid your little soldiers aren't under your control anymore, Rodrigo. They were merely pawns in my scheme."

"Scheme? What scheme? Just who in the world do you think you are?"

The Changling Queen dropped her disguise, allowing the scared pony to stare into her evil, green eyes. She held the Apple up.

"Your doom."

The Apple shone brightly in the room, blinding Rodrigo. He screamed in agony as he felt his very essence disappearing, being consumed by the Apple. In only a few moments, the Pope was gone. All that was left behind was his hat and robes.

"Finally, the time is right." the queen said, a evil smile spreading across her face. "Finally we shall have power, control... Let us go, my children. We have a war to start."

Assassination #1

Trixie ran away witha smile on her face. Even though she had lost to Twilight Sparkle again, she saw a bright future ahead of her. Little did she know that brightness was from the fires of hell. She lost everything she owned: her stage, her money, and her dignity. She tried to do her performances in Equestria, but nopony would want to see the Great and Powerful Trixie there. She soon forgot about forgiving Twilight Sparkle. It was her fault that she was in this situation, she thought once more. So instead she went to a place where people didn't know her as well: Italia, the country to the East of Equestria. However, she was not met with open arms there, either. A gang beat her half to death, and she was left to rot on the street. Nopony would help her after some of the townspeople accused her of thievery, lying, and even suspected murder.

She was starving... exhausted... she felt so faint...

She was going to die out here...

That's when He saw her, brought her to her hooves, and got her some food, water, and a place to stay the night. He allowed her to join his organization, the Templars. She quickly advanced through the ranks, as He helped her with the progression. She got a new job as a spy for the Templars. He gave her one job, one she couldn't turn down...

*****************************************************************************************

Ezio couldn't believe his eyes. He read the paper once more:

Ser Ezio,

One of our spies, Derpy Hooves, has found out some important information. The holders of the Elements of Harmony are all Templars, she claims! We have evidence proving this. Here it is:

The list went on for another four pages. Evidence of secret meetings, hidden packages, and even the revealing of Assassin's locations. It finally ended on this sentence:

As you can see, the Templars now have a great advantage over us. We cannot allow this to be the case.

You, and only you, can assassinate them. If they have this power, then you are the only one who can defend against it, since you hold the Apple.

You must take care of this before it is too late.

Your Friend,

Luis

Lius Satangel sent this letter, and he has never been wrong about anything as far as Ezio could remember. He decided to do the only thing he had left to do.

He made a list with six names on it. He looked it over and tried to decide which to take out first...

*****************************************************************************************

Trixie followed the plans: Send a letter to the Assassins from their friend, Luis Santangel. Claim that a member of the Assassins, Derpy Hooves, has found out some important information: the holders of the Elements of Harmony are Templars.

Trixie copied the writing style of Luis, put in lots of "evidence", and sent it via mail to the Villa Monteriggioni. If she had done it right, news of a murder should be rolling out soon.

She would have her revenge, and it will be a pay back what she owed to Him. A win-win for her. And she was told that the recipient would not turn this down... but only time would tell.

*****************************************************************************************

Ezio prepared his weapons. If he was going to kill these ponies, he'd have to take them down smallest impact to biggest.

He looked at his options.

Rarity - Unicorn. Eloquent speaker and lady-like fashionista. Owner of a boutique.

Applejack - Earth pony. Owner of a successful apple company, with a huge family.

Fluttershy - Pegasus. Takes care of and trains animals.

Rainbow Dash - Pegasus. Incredibly fast. Always in the air.

Pinkie Pie - Earth pony. Constantly at social events (parties).

Twilight Sparkle - Unicorn. Princess. Extremely skilled in magic.

It was obvious that he wouldn't start with anypony too important first. That means all business owners are out of the question. That ruled out Rarity and Applejack. No pegasi, since they had a tendency to fly away and hide. That rules out Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash. No Princesses, since they were well guarded and were intimidating in magic ability. No Twilight Sparkle. He circled the last remaining pony: Pinkie Pie. He'd need a copy of everything she'd be doing in the next week to plan.

A few hours later...

Ezio opened envelope he had received from Ponyville. He looked at the facts it had about his new target.

Full Name: Pinkiemenia Dianne Pie

Occupation: Party host

Time open for assassination: 10:30PM to 9:30AM, Tomorrow

Area: Sugarcube Corner, Ponyville

Requirements: Assassination without detection.

WARNING: Do NOT let her catch you with her Pinkie sense. She will be able to tell when you open doors or fall from a high place. Try to avoid performing these actions.

Well, thought Ezio, this will be a challenge. He couldn't assassinate her from the air, he'll have to be on the ground. Also he will not be able to open any doors, so entering any structure might be a problem as well. If he can catch her before she enters a building, he might have a shot at success. He stuffed the note inside his saddlebag.

Tonight, Pinkie Pie shall die.

He boarded a train to Ponyville. One way ticket. He needn't be going back to Monteriggioni anytime soon.

Besides, he had emptied the chest to the Villa. It will take a few days for it to fill up again. What's the point in staying if you're not paid for it, right? he joked to himself. Then the train started its 10 hour ride to Ponyville.

*****************************************************************************************

Pinkie was ready to go home. It was 9:12, and she desperately needed sleep after all the partying she had been doing today.

Somehow, she had crammed 18 different parties into one day. She began her slow walk to Sugarcube Corner. Ezio watched from a rooftop as she began her trot. She seemed to have enough energy to power Equestria for centuries, even after all that partying. Ezio began his descent, using the window frames to climb down from his current position.

He trailed Pinkie only a little ways when he began to see more of her. Literally. More Pinkie Pies were entering the scene in front of him.

What? he thought. More Pinkie Pies? But how?

He could figure that part out later. He tried to focus on the real Pinkie Pie. Then he realized he didn't even know if that was the real Pinkie Pie.

There was only one solution to all this.

He had to kill them all.

He tried to think of a way to kill all the Pinkie Pies he saw at once, discretely and without any sound. Nothing came to mind. Never had he had to kill so many targets at once. There were at least 20 Pinkie Pies in front of him and more were of arriving.

He decided to wait until all of them had gathered.

That turned out to be a bad idea. There were so many Pinkie Pies, he wasn't even sure if he could count them all right now. There were at least a hundred of them! Then he realized one thing obvious that he should've done before.

Eagle vision. He closed his eyes and focused. There were lots of red Pinkies thus far, but no golden ones yet. Then he saw her. She was standing in front of the door to Sugarcube Corner.

"All right Pinkies! You know the drill!" Said the real Pinkie.

"AWWWW!" they complained.

"Oh, come on now. you know that Twilight will just send you back to where you came from if you dont go back willingly!"

"All right..."

Ezio quickly flew into the nearest hay bale to hide. He was lucky none of those Pinkies had spotted him. They had all turned around and dashed into the forest. Pinkie Pie closed her door.

Damn, thought Ezio, and I was so close, too.

He decided to risk it all and climb up to the window of the house. He heard a slight creaking as he slowly opened it. He snuck in and went down the stairs.

Bad idea. At the very same time, Pinkie was going upstairs to go to bed. Ezio had almost no time to jump behind the corner of the where the stairs met the room. It was fairly dark, so perhaps Pinkie couldn't see him. He decided that the corner wasn't a very safe hiding place and hid behind a plant in the room.

This was the first good idea he had unknowingly performed in a while. Pinkie was just enetring the room with a flashlight, and had he been standing in his previous position, he would have definitely been spotted. Obviously Pinkie didn't like the nighttime.

The pink pony tiredly and painstakingly climbed into her bed. The partying she did today really did a number on her back.

Ezio knew that pain far too well. Back pain that is.

He waited until Pinkie was asleep. She was a excellent snorer, so it wasn't hard to tell when she had.

Ezio inched over to the bed. What a peaceful way to go, dying in your sleep. That was if it weren't for the hidden blade he had ready to stab her with. He slowly raised his hoof and the blade slid out. No need for any fancy mechanics to make the blade appear; gravity did all the work. Raisng his hoof caused the blade to be pulled out because of the pin system it worked on: raise the hoof, the pin holding the blade in is removed. After you're done with it, you press it back into place with the ground and the pin goes back in due to the lowering of the hoof.

Ezio realized he was waiting to stab this pony for no apparent reason. It's as if he was waiting for somepony to explain something before he did.

Then, he brought his blade down into her back, piercing right through her lungs. No need to aim for the heart. He just needed her death to be silent, not immediate. Ezio thought about the pain she had been experiencing. It's too bad that back pain escalated. He removed the blade and began to exit the room.

That was, until he bumped into somepony.

"What the--?"

He checked with Eagle Vison to see who the pony was, and sure enough it was Pinkie Pie. The real one. The one he had just killed was a fake, probably ment as a decoy. He didn't hesitate this time. Her death had to be quick and silent. He got out his blade again and stabbed the pony in the side. Blood spewed out of the pink pony's mouth. Ezio pulled the blade out.

"Nice try, Pinkiemenia. You must really have the guts of a Templar to pull something like that on me."

Pinkie tried to speak, but all she could do was spit blood at the moment.

"You're trying to talk, even though I stabbed you in the lung. You're only hurting yourself here."

Pinkie managed to say one thing.

"Why...?"

Ezio looked down upon her. "You are a mortal enemy. If I had let you live, the world would fall into chaos and ruin as you and your companions used the Elements to take this world for the Templars. The only way that Harmony would be achieved is through the way you perceived it: Templar order. The rest of the world would suffer as you and the rest of your group disposed of the everypony who got in the way of that harmony."

Pinkie, somehow still grasping onto what little moments of life she had left, struggled to say her final words.

"Please... don't.. hurt... my... friends..." she said, still spewing blood, "You... have.. to know..."

Her eyes dialated and her body went limp.

Ezio looked at the pink pony one last time.

"Requiescat in pace."

He left through the window, quietly closing it behind him. The first of his six targets was dead. If all the others are as easy to kill as this one, then he should have no problem wiping them all out. He kept this in mind as he dashed away to find a place to hide that night. Tomorrow, another shall fall.

*****************************************************************************************

Trixie watched the Assassin run away from Sugarcube Corner. An evil smile appeared on her face. This was too easy. She had a puppet Assassin, and he didn't even know she was behind this. The perfect plan. Her smile faded a little when she thought of how far he had left to go. This specific murder won't repay Him. He, her savior, wanted them all gone. Then He could take over this country plagued by the Princesses. She knew that standing here did her no good. Slowly she turned around and walked away. Tomorrow, the Assassin will take another life, and she will be one more step closer to revenge.

The Counterattack: Part 1

"It's settled then." said Twilight. "Ezio will sneak in and do his job. Is the letter ready?"

"It is, Twilight." replied Celestia, rolling a paper up with her magic. "If all goes well, we will never have to worry about the Templars ever again."

The Princess sent the letter away with her magic. It didn't take long for a reply.

"...All right. This is going with plan so far." said Luna, reading the new letter. "Ezio, are you sure you are up to this in your condition?"

"It has to be done, now or never." he replied.

"All right, Ezio, if you say so. Now, I'm going to cast a spell to conceal your presence from the guards. It should last long enough for you to get in and do your job, but getting out, you will no longer be concealed. Be careful."

"Got it. Try to buy me as much time as possible if you can."

"We'll do our best.' said Celestia."I'm going to teleport us to the location."

Her horn glowed bright yellow and the four were teleported to the front steps of the Sistine Chapel. Ezio was shocked by the number of guards that stood nearby. He subconsciously wanted to run, but he knew he was safe under Luna's spell.

"Tell your master we're here to speak terms on the new agreement." Celestia told the guards.

"Very well. He is waiting for you in the Chapel's sanctuary. I suggest you do not waste his time."

The princesses walked at a leisurely pace, and Ezio rushed ahead. His job was simple: take the staff and the Apple to the Vault and open it. Then, take whatever is inside and bring it back to Equestria. Ezio knew that the Vault held no power to destroy the enemy, but that didn't mean it held something useless. Why would it be locked if there was no purpose to it?

He rushed by the guards and the Cardinals inside the Chapel. He rushed into the room where had previously tried to kill Rodrigo a long time ago. He hoped that the staff would be there. It was not.

He ran out of the room, searching every place he passed by for the relic. He searched high and low, every room scoured and that's when he heard them.

"Ah, there you are! I received your letter stating you wanted to join our powerful nation."

*tink*

"That is true, but we want something in return."

*tink*

"I see, I see. Tell me what you want and you will have it."

*tink*

That noise... Ezio knew what it was. He looked to the sound's origin, and there it was. The staff. Right in Rodrigo's hoof. It made sense that the Pope would keep his most... "divine" power with him when consulting with these princesses. Perhaps it was because he feared them, or perhaps make the princesses fearful of what he might do with it. Either way, Ezio had to get it out of Rodrigo's hooves and into his own so that he could open the Vault.

"Well, let's start with some simple things." said Luna. "How about some respect?"

*tink*

"Was I really being that disrespectful?"

*tink*

"Yes, I should think so."

*tink*

"Ugh! Could you just put that thing somewhere else?" asked Twilight, angrily.

"What are you talking about?"

"That annoying staff! With all the 'tink'-ing! Could you just put it down somewhere so I won't have to hear that sound? It's really irritating."

"Very well. Servant!"

"Yes, sir?" replied a weak voice.

"Take the staff and put it back where it belongs."

"Of course."

Ezio was confused. Why would he let go of his only defense if something went wrong? He shook the question away. It didn't matter. The staff was now available to him, and that was that.

He listened as the princesses and Rodrigo went one way, and the servant a different way. Ezio followed the lone servant, waiting for his chance to take the staff. The servant, however, didn't put the staff down anywhere.

Well, Ezio thought, some things you just have to do yourself.

He snuck up behind the servant and put him into a death grip, with his hidden blade infront of the servant's neck.

"Say anything and you die. Try to run and you die. Now, put down the staff. Over there." Ezio gestured to the corner. The servant did as he was told. "Good. Now, we're going to take a little walk."

Ezio walked down the empty halls. Not that it made any sense that they were empty, but that was the case.

"Look, sir, I don't know who you are, but I beg you to spare me." said the servant.

"I'll consider it... if you can give me something in return."

"What do you want?"

"Information. Tell me, is that the real staff back there?"

They turned a corner.

"I'll be honest: It's not the real one."

"And you know where the true one is kept?"

"No."

It figures that Rodrigo would keep that information to himself.

"Do you know where it could be?"

"He has a stash of many riches nearby here. Perhaps it is there?"

"Take me to the place."

Ezio let the servant guide him to the room. He followed him for about 15 minutes when they suddenly stopped.

"Well, this is it."

"Couldn't thank you more." Ezio then slit the throat of the servant. Nopony would miss him, and this looked like the place for the staff anyway.

Ezio looked around the room. It was filled with gold and silver "divine implements". He looked at all of them. A sword, a set of stones...

Why did he feel that these items were related?

He kept searching the room, up, down, all around. He finally found the staff in the back of the room. He wrapped his hooves around it...

"Well, well. Look who we have here."

Ezio's ear twitched at the sound. "This was planned wasn't it?" he asked.

"You bet, Ezio. Can't just let you get away scot-free. I mean, you've already given us enough trouble as is." replied the voice.

"Patzi." growled Ezio

"Auditore." responded the voice.

"Why can't you just stay dead?" Ezio asked, turning to face the colt he knew was standing behind him.

"And why can't you die just once?" the colt shot back.

"Because then there would be nopony to put you in your place."

"Ah, but I have put you in yours. Quite literally. Look around you. These are all pieces of Eden, Ezio."

So they were related, by being those pieces...

"Why has he done this? Why has he collected all these?"

"He was trying to open that Vault through other means, of course. He used every piece of Eden he could think of. None would work. Now you have brought the one that does to us. Hand it over, and I won't have to kill you."

"Who's killing who here?"

"I believe you mean 'Who's killing whom here?'"

"Are you challenging me?"

"Possibly. Will you turn me down, Auditore?"

"Never. In fact, I'll even give you the honor of dealing the first blow."

He fell for it and swung out his sword. Ezio dodged the attack, then jumped forward with his hidden blade primed to kill. The colt jumped to the side, evading enough for the attack not to kill. However, it made a deep gash in his side.

"What is with this eagerness? You've never been so prompted to kill before."

"I ask you the same thing, Auditore."

The colt jumped forward again, swinging from below. Ezio blocked the sword and was thrown back against the wall from the brute strike. He appeared out of breath, and the Pazzi let his guard down. Ezio saw his bluff work, and threw a knife from his belt. It sank into the neck of the colt and he fell to the ground.

"God dammit." said Ezio, brushing the dust off of his clothes. Dust... when was the last time somebody was in this room? It seemed impossible that it could be this untouched... unless the staff was put in here a long time ago and never taken out...

But why...?

Ezio realized the fact that would have to be true. The one, sole factor that hinged on all this... he knew it. The reason that this room was so untouched... was because Rodrigo... gave up. Nothing was working, not for the Vault. The Pazzi... he must have revived their leaders if there was this one alive only a few moments before. The way he did it? The false Apple... therefore...

Those revived... they think he should open the Vault! They think he has the Apple and is able, willing, even... but no, they are wrong. Rodrigo seeks never to open it... ever.

Then why would he keep all this? This wealth, this power... wasting away in a dusty old room. He could've given it to his inferiors... perhaps he was just selfish? No, he always did what he could to help them... not selfish. So why, then, did he keep them?

The answer: to remind him of a time where he failed. Where he was running at full speed, world flying by him... and he tripped up, and fell face first into what he feared most.

Ezio saw the truth now. The reason he's accepting the help of these Princesses, almighty and powerful... must be to open the Vault!

He picked up the sword, the one claimed to be a piece of Eden. It didn't glow anymore... its power seemed... lost... in fact, that's how they all looked. Empty. Powerless.

Merda, he thought. Picking up the staff, he quickly secured it to his pack and rushed out of the room. He had to get to the Vault... before it was too late.

********************************************************************************************

"So you need all that if I am to persuade you to join me...." Rodrigo thought aloud. "Very well. It is yours."

"Wondrous!" shouted Luna in glee. She had asked for... well, it probably it isn't worth saying it, but it was something very peculiar.

"However, I've let you think you run the show here a little too long."

"What?" Twilight asked. "What do you mean?"

"I will give you what you want..." he turned to a window. "... if you do something for me."

"We are doing something for you: joining your group!"

"No, no. Joining is free of charge, nothing is required from me or you on that one. If that is the case, you get nothing."

"Nonono..." said Luna sternly. "That is not happening. Let's just hear what you want us to do."

Rodrigo smiled and continued to gaze out the window. There was a moment of silence.

He turned his head back to the princesses. "Follow me."

"Luna!" Twilight whispered at her. "What are you doing? We're not actually going to join these idiots, we're just buying time!"

"That deal I will not pass up. We may not join them, but if we just have to do one thing for them to get all that, we won't need to."

Twilight threw her a look, but Luna really wanted that... item...

He turned his head towards the end of the hall and walked down it.

He opened the twin doorway to a huge room. It was empty. Some banners were hung on the wall. The design on them was a cross.

"I have only shown what you are about to see to one other person. Tell nopony of what you see here."

"Understood." replied Celestia.

He went to the back of the room and pressed in a segment of the wall. The stone from the back center of the room fell to reveal that they were really stairs.

The princesses followed as he lead them into the room. "Now, don't be alarmed by what you might see. Never know what kind of reaction we'll get with you alicorns in the room, due to your magic."

That's when he looked ahead and immediately stopped in his tracks.

"I-Is something the matter?"

"YOU!"

The princesses looked ahead to see Ezio, placing the staff in the center of the room, then put the appple on the staff. Ezio looked away and his eyes found the four staring at him. A look of shock appeared on his face.

"Ummm... long time, no see, eh, Rodrigo?"

"I'm... going... to KILL YOU EZIO!" shouted Rodrigo.