Three years... Three years since I failed. Equestria has fallen, the Assassins were massacred because of my failure. The events of that day haunt my mind, and at night, my dreams.
I shot upright, and put a hoof to my forehead. I've spent countless nights battling the visions of lifeless bodies, blood, and Deception's empty, sadistic smile. As I sit there, I can't help but think about Rainbow Dash, the other Elements, Ironhoof, and all of the friends I'd made in the short time I had spent in Equestria before the invasion.
They probably think I'm dead, if they aren't dead themselves, which seems unlikely. At this point, it would probably be better if I was. I shudder the think about what Ponyville must look like now. Or Canterlot, for that matter. No news ever flows through were I am imprisoned, in my own, secluded cell far below the surface.
For all the wrong they've done, I have to admire what how they've managed to compress so much, and so many of their kin, into such a space. The hive goes down farther than one can see, with paths and rooms branching out below ground. It was my original conclusion that this was done to fool any invaders into thinking it would be an easy target, but I quickly realized that wasn't the case.
Three years ago
"Move it!" The guard escort shoved me forward as I walked down the slanted pathway into the depths, towards my cell. I looked to my left, down the path, and the sight surprised me more than anything I'd seen since I became a pony.
Countless changelings, some groaning in pain, others writhing on the ground, but the vast majority of them were already dead. I soon realized that the changelings were starving. The other levels were much of the same. It was then that I realized the true reason for their invasion, and why they expanded underground. They were overpopulated, and they needed to accommodate their numbers. Naturally, they would need more food to keep themselves healthy, a resource they did not have. Equestria was the perfect target. A non-militaristic nation full of love. Chrysalis' rage over her previous defeat only gave her another motive.
Against my better judgement, I began to feel sympathy for the changelings.
Present Day
I sat there, pondering what I had seen, all the while rubbing a hoof over the scar that Deception left on me. It was then I heard a conversation going on nearby. I looked down the dug out hall, and saw a pair of changeling guards, which was odd, considering they typically only placed guards near where the halls intersect, and where the halls end. I had expected to be kept under tighter security, but I later learned that most of their soldiers were occupying Equestria, leaving only some personnel behind to prevent any riots and break up fights, given the lack of prisoners on the prison levels. They spoke in hushed voices, but they were close enough that I could make out what they were saying.
"Are you sure he can help us? Even if we have him with us, how do you know they won't kill us on sight." The guard sounded skeptical, but about what I did not know.
"...I don't know. But if anyone can convince them that we're on their side, it's him." The other replied. The first guard shook his head.
"And what if they think he's a changeling? Given how long he's been gone, do you really expect them to instantly believe us?" The second guard was silent for a bit, then sighed.
"No, they won't. But if he's willing to help us, he'll find a way. Give it a few more days, we still have to prepare before making our move." The first guard nodded, and they both walked away. I sat there, thinking about what they had said.
Ponyville Ruins, Resistance Base
"So..." The cyan pony shifted on her hooves. We stood around awkwardly, waiting for one party to address the other. I decided to break the silence.
"I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze." The cyan pony stared at me, probably considering my name. Then she sighed.
"Name's Rainbow Dash. I guess you already know this, but I'm the leader of the Resistance." I nodded in response, but my mind was on something else. How does she know of Altaïr? and the time difference... it's almost a perfect hundred-to-one. Surely this isn't a coincidence... "Something on your mind?" Her words snapped me back to reality. I shook my head.
"Just considering the possibilities. Altaïr was an Assassin, a Mentor, at that. Did you know this?" She nodded in response. "That proves that we're speaking of the same Altaïr..." I paused, staring off into the distance as I pieced the facts together in my mind.
"The artifact..." I whispered to myself. Dash looked at me quizzically.
"Artifact? What artifact?" I looked her in the eye.
"There was an artifact in Altaïr's library, where I was before arriving here. More than likely, that artifact, whatever it was, sent me here. It may also explain why Altaïr was here three years before me." I paused, letting the Resistance members present take this in before continuing. "Looking at the time gap, it seems that one year here, is approximately one hundred years there." Dash's eyes widened as the realization struck her.
"That actually makes sense..." She looked down at the table before her, and slumped down in her chair. "I hate to say it, but I have to believe you." She looked at me, her tone cold and serious. "That said, can you help us?"
"I'd be honored to." She smiled at this, a true, genuine smile. But it soon turned serious.
"The changelings will be sorry they ever messed with Equestria." She stuck out a hoof. I nodded, but hesitated in returning the gesture with my hoof. How does one shake hands with a hoof? My question was answered when I placed my hoof into hers. It gripped naturally, as if I still had my hands.
"We will make them pay."
Changeling Hive
Days passed, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. I, however, couldn't be more occupied. My nights were plagued not by nightmares, but by wonder. What were those guards talking about?
On the eve of the fourth day, however, I was jarred awake by someone tossing pebbles at my body. I looked up to see a changeling guard at my cell door.
"Get up. We don't have much time, so hurry, before the patrols pass by!" he whisper-shouted at me. Nodding, I hastily got up and went to the door where he stood. He unlocked it, and opened the door. "Follow me, I'll explain when we get there." He took off down the corridor, leaving me to follow, which I did. I found him at the main ramp that led to the other levels. Looking up and down, as if searching for something.
"...Alright, the way is clear. Come on!" he took off again, down the ramp. I followed. Eventually, he led me down an empty hall, and stopped at an unassuming portion of the dirt wall. He pushed the wall in, causing a section to swing inwards, revealing a hidden passageway. He beckoned for me to go inside, and I did so, all the while watching his movements, looking for anything that would suggest a motive. After I went in, he stepped in himself, and closed the doorway behind us, leaving us in total darkness. He lit his horn with magic, illuminating the area around us in a green light. He walked down the hallway, and I set off after him.
"I'm assuming you can explain everything now?" I asked as I came up beside him.
"I can. But first... can I ask you a question?" I nodded.
"Alright then." He stopped, and I did so as well. "What do you think of us? Changelings, I mean?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you hate us?" I shook my head. He stared at me, confused. "...Why? After all we did to you, all we did to your friends?"
"Because I saw the state you were in." He looked sad now, as if he were about to burst into tears.
"My brother said you'd kill me the minute I let you out. That you despised us for what we did." I walked up to him.
"The actions of one do not define the others. You are whoever you decide to be. That's a lesson I learned later than I should have." He was crying now, looking at me in wonder. "Come. Let's keep moving." He nodded, and began walking down the empty hall again.
We walked in silence, until we reached a door at the end. By then, he had regained his composure.
"Can you do me a favor, Altaïr?" I looked at him. "Don't be alarmed by what you're going to see." I nodded slowly, confused. He smiled. "Well then... here we go." He opened the door, revealing hundreds, if not thousands of changelings congregated in a huge commons. I stopped.
"Altaïr... meet the Rebellion."