Ezio vs Harmony

"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."

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"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..."

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"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."