Magic against magic. Ezio dodged and parried each strike the crazed princess threw at him. Raising shields, and blasting Celestia away. The apple glowed with more power as it occasionally absorbed Celestia's power. The battle was fierce. Walls were in ruins. There were overturned tables and chairs, shards of glass lay on the ground. Then they levitated, Celestia leveled the points toward Ezio.
The assassin ducked behind a table as the shards flew towards him. It seemed nothing could stop Celestia. He leaped towards the princess. Big mistake. He felt a sharp pain on his shoulder. A shard of glass had cut deep, blood flowed from the wound and Ezio's vision was fading. He was knocked back. The apple flew from his hooves. He saw Celestia approach the apple with caution. Then she levitated it. Hunger and malice in her eyes. “Finally, after weeks. I finally have it!” she shouted. A dark blue beam knocked her away. “I don't think so sister.” said a maniacal voice.
Behind Celestia, stood another regal looking pony. “Now that you're out of the way. I can bring eternal night!” she looked at the injured assassin. “Ah, I believe we haven't been properly introduced. I am Nightmare Moon.” she growled. Then she took the apple. “Now to get rid of you. Slowly. Painfully.” she approached the assassin, looming over him. She conjured up a knife, and prepared to strike.
The blade plunged down. Only to be met by the assassin's vambrace. The assassin leaped, ignoring the pain on his shoulder. He kicked Nightmare Moon, staggering her. The apple fell. The sensitivity of touch caused the apple to send out a wave of power. Knocking everything away. The two ponies lay on the ground, unmoving. Ezio approached the apple and picked it up. I radiated power like never before. Trying to control it, he accidentally tapped into the core. The shockwave was more powerful than anything else he had ever felt. He fell on the ground, his head throbbing in pain.
Then he realized something.
“Where is Blazing Fire?”
***
“There, your leg should heal up in a few days.” Octavia said. She had finished tending to Blazing Fire's leg. “Why would you help me? We barely even know each other.” Blazing Fire said. “Because you saved my life, I wanted to repay you.” the gray mare replied. “I need to go, my mentor needs me.” Blazing Fire said, and started to get up. “No! You need to heal. That leg is not gonna do you any good.” Octavia exclaimed.
“I think you should listen to her, my apprentice.”
Blazing Fire looked up and saw his mentor. “Ezio! How are you?” he said. “I'm fine, we have to hurry. The princesses will not stay down for long.” Ezio replied. He walked up to Blazing Fire and helped him get up. “It's alright, I can stand.” Blazing Fire reassured him. The apprentice stood up and started to limp towards the end of the alley. Octavia stood up, “You ponies have an interesting life.” she said. Ezio turned, “If you want to join us, you may do so. Only if you are prepared for the dangers ahead.” he said.
Octavia nodded, “I don't think there is a life left for me here. I will come with you.” she replied. The trio walked out of the alley. Quietly, they walked the streets of Canterlot. Nothing moved. There was only the quiet whistling of the cold wind. Nothing seemed right. Ezio knew the battle was not over. The two princesses are probably searching for him even at this moment.
He was right.
In front of them, the street exploded in a golden light. Out of the inferno, Princess Celestia walked out. “I have found you first! Nightmare Moon won't stand a chance once I get that thing!” she said. Ezio turned to his companions, “Get out of here. Let me deal with her.” he whispered. The two backed off, leaving Ezio facing Celestia. “ You do not understand the true extent of this apple's power. You only crave it to bring power upon yourself.” Ezio said. The princess still glared at him, unmoving. “I do not care what happens. All I want is that apple you speak of.” she said, clearly not in her right mind.
“Very well, if you want the power, here you go.”
Ezio raised the Apple of Eden, and sent out a beam of energy towards Celestia. She never had time to block it. She fell down, unconscious. “One down, one more to go.” Ezio said. “Two more actually.” said a voice above him. Ezio looked up, there, floating above him was the strangest creature he had ever seen. It was a mix of many different animals. “Here's the deal, give me that thing, and your death will be painless.” the creature said. Then it lunged. Ezio dove out of the way, causing the creature to crash onto the ground, creating a small crater. “Oh, you like to play rough huh?” it said. It rose out of the crater and into the sky.
Soaring far above like a dragon, the creature looked down at Ezio. “Let's see how you like a little collision with Discord!” it dove down on the assassin. Ezio looked at the speeding creature, and once more channeled the power of the apple. Discord picked up speed, oblivious to the true extent of the apple's power. The apple glowed with power, becoming more and more intense as the shield grew. From far away, Blazing Fire and Octavia watched in awe as they witnessed the raw power of the apple. The intensity rose as Discord got nearer to Ezio, it seemed to two powers opposed each other, creating friction and heat. Discord collided with the shield Ezio had made and the two powers collided. Clashing against one another. Creating heat in the area, and destroying foundations.
Ezio stepped out of the rubble, still holding the apple, trying to control its power. Moments later, the power was controlled, and Discord lay on the ground, defeated. It seemed like an easy victory, but the fight was far from over. Part of Canterlot now lay in ruins, possibly sending a flare of emergency to other parts of Equestria. Soon, many would send help, and everything else would turn ugly.
Author's Note: As we are reaching the end of Ezio's journey in Equestria, I would like to thank all of those who liked and supported this story. Without the support, this story wouldn't have happened. Once more, thank you all!