Ezio vs Harmony

"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?"