Ezio vs Harmony

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."