Canterlot. The capital of Equestria, home to many noble families. Also the home of Princesses Celestia and Luna. A grand city, home to many noble families. Octavia walked along the streets of Canterlot. Unaware of the pony following her. Her life had been in ruins since the Grand Galloping Gala. Her reputation lost. Her place in the Canterlot Orchestra removed.
Then she noticed the pony. A stallion in a dark cloak, following her. Trying to avoid danger, she ducked within the crowds. But somehow, the pony always seemed to be able to follow her. Suddenly, within seconds, the stallion disappeared from view. Relieved, she continued on.
Then a cloaked hoof grabbed her, and threw her into a nearby alley. She looked at the stallion, terrified. “Give me all of your money, bitch.” the pony snarled. Frantically, Octavia grabbed her pouch and tossed it to the stallion. “Here, take it! Please don't hurt me!” she pleaded. “Oh, I am gonna do much more than hurt you.” the stallion said, advancing. “No!” Octavia cried, realizing what he was about to do. Then she noticed the dark silhouette of a hooded pony on the rooftops, watching the stallion silently.
The stallion was unaware as the hooded figure leaped down silently behind him. Then it spoke, “Rest in peace...” the stallion turned. Only to be met by a small, sleek blade. It cut through his throat, slowly killing him. The killer fell on the ground, choking in his own blood. Octavia had watched the scene with a terrified look in her eyes. She looked at her savior, it was too dark to see the pony's face, but from the way he was built, she knew he was a stallion.
Calmly, the stallion cleaned his blade from the blood. Then, to Octavia's amazement, it shot right into his wrist. “You blended into the crowds pretty well. Yet you need more practice.” the pony said. Octavia saw another figure enter the alley, this stallion was bigger and more muscular. “Well done, my apprentice. You did the assassination well.” it said. Then it looked at Octavia, “You would do well to join us.” it pulled out a dagger, and carved a symbol on the ground.
The two hooded figures left. Leaving the frightened Octavia staring at the symbol on the ground. She stood up, looked at the symbol once more. Then she gathered up all of her belongings and left the alley, taking care to avoid the corpse in front of her.
They had stayed in Canterlot for a day now, Ezio and his apprentice, Blazing Fire, had saved a few citizens from danger, and had even invited some of them to join the Brotherhood. But they were unprepared far what was coming next.
***
In her throne room, Celestia felt the power was stronger and nearer. It was inside her own city. The temptation was strong, it was inviting her to take the object. Power. Knowledge. Finally, after days of trying to control the temptation, Celestia gave in. Suddenly, her horn surged with power, and she was transported from her throne room. To the very street Ezio was standing on.
***
Something was wrong. Ezio felt the apple in his bag surge with power. It was becoming more and more uncontrollable. Suddenly, there was a force that knocked him and Blazing Fire back. Right there, on the exact same spot Ezio was standing on, stood a regal looking pony. “Hand over the object!” she snarled. Then Ezio realized what was happening. The Apple had summoned the pony. Driving her insane with temptations of power. “Ezio! What is she talking about?!” Blazing Fire asked. “This...” Ezio replied. He took out the apple from his bag. His apprentice's eyes widened as he saw the object. “What is that thing? Why didn't you tell me about it?” Blazing Fire said.
“To keep you all safe. It was too dangerous to be shown to you.”
Princess Celestia glared at Ezio. “Hand it over fool!” she said. It was clear she was not in her right mind. There was hunger in her eyes. A lust for power. Minutes passed and they just stared at each other. One strangely calm. The other, her eyes full of malice. Finally, Celestia shot a beam of pure energy towards Ezio. The assassin calmly raised the apple. The beam hit a force field, but the shockwave sent Blazing Fire sprawling across the ground, he felt a sharp pain on a leg. He watched as his mentor calmly stood, concentrating on deflecting the energy beams shot by the princess.
Blazing Fire felt a hoof dragging him to safety. He looked up and saw the mare he had saved earlier. “You need assistance,” she said, “that leg of yours needs some tending to.”
Blazing Fire looked at his leg and saw that there were bruises and cuts all over it. His falls earlier had apparently caused those. Once the mare had dragged him behind an alley, she started tending to the wounds. “Why are you helping me?” Blazing Fire asked. “Because you saved my life. My name is Octavia by the way.” the mare replied. “I need to get back. My mentor needs me.” the assassin said. “No! You are not fit to do so just yet.” Octavia replied. The stallion groaned. He knew the mare was right. There was nothing he could do for now.
Ezio calmly held the apple. Celestia's attacks were relentless. They were slowly destroying the force field the assassin had created. Soon, the onslaught would begin. He readied himself for the fight. He knew he was not supposed to kill the princess. But disarm her. It would be an almost impossible task. “Do you think you can stay there forever?! You will not stop me from taking that thing!” Celestia said, her eyes full of hunger and lust for the power of the apple.
Then the force field broke, the princess charged, her horn glowing with power. The assassin getting ready for the fight...
The showdown had just begun...