A/N: So a quick note/disclaimer. All execution phrases are in Italian as are all names and ranks for the Assassins. I used Google Translate for these so they are likely not 100% accurate but seeing as how I don't speak Italian... Anyway I've included the English meaning for the phrases and if you know what it would actually, or should, be then let me know and I'll make the appropriate changes. Thanks and happy reading!

March 14, 3237
Unknown Location

Deep beneath the city of Mobotropolis lies a cavern so vast that it has never been fully mapped let alone explored. In a small section of this cavern a community has been built. It did not take much for the original builders to include a quick path to and from the city and anyone attempting to follow them would be forever lost in the catacombs leading to their settlement. The inhabitants wear white robes with armor covering their hands, feet, torso and shoulders and the hood conceals their faces without obstructing their view. Many customize their robes by altering the color or adding a cape but this is discouraged since it forces them to stand out.

And standing out is not good for an Assassin.

One Assassin in particular wore scarlet red robes as she waded through a crowd of white. Her hood was down and the young pink hedgehog finally made her way to the front of the assembly. Their Master had called all of them forward and she knew why. Everyone in Sanctuary knew why.

The Master stepped out of the shadows and onto a stone ledge so they could all see and hear him. His robes were white with crimson stripes running down both his left and right sides. He wore no armor as the dress was simply ceremonial. His hood covered his face but they all knew that he was their Master, their leader.

"My Brothers and Sisters," Spada said, "we all know why we have gathered here today. Standing before you are two Initiates who seek the title of Condottiero." Murmuring went through the crowd and the pink hedgehog struggled to see the two initiates. "Each of you has seen the corruption that plagues our city, a corruption that took the lives of the King and Queen eighteen years ago. Now the time has come where we must carve out the rot so that our home may survive yet another day.

"To do that we must first have a leader who will work in the shadows until the day that Julian Kintobor falls. The other shall spread the truth to the people by eliminating those that would enslave them." He turned to the initiates. They had identical armor and both had their hoods up so as not to be identified. "Give these boys your prayers," Spada commanded them, "for tonight they begin our silent revolution."

"Possa la vostra lama sciopero paura nei cuori degli empi (May your blade strike fear into the hearts of the wicked)," the crowd, including the pink hedgehog, chanted. To outsiders the quick gathering would seem silly and pointless but she knew better. The two initiates were taking the first steps to becoming Master Assassins. There was one in particular she wanted to talk to before they left and stayed behind, leaving enough distance so that Spada could speak with them privately.

"You both know your targets," Spada told them. "Plan accordingly and return by midnight. The last one whose crime is discovered will lead from the shadows."

"Sì, Maestro," they said in unison as they bowed. After that they went their separate ways and the pink hedgehog followed one of them.

"Hey!" she shouted and the figure stopped to look at her.

"What do you want, Amy?" he asked. Amy Rose huffed and stamped her foot. "Tch, fine. What is it, Novizia Spina?"

"That's better, Initiate," she replied playfully, tapping the boy on his shoulder. He responded by continuing to walk away. "Oh come on. You know I'm just messing with you. Pull the stick out of your ass and loosen up for once."

"If you'll recall I have a job to do," he reminded her impatiently.

"You really don't want him to win, do you?"

"Julian is mine, and mine alone, to kill," he said simply. "I would be disrespecting the memories of those he's murdered if I allowed anyone else to do it."

"I can only imagine how you feel," Amy told him, "but this obsession isn't healthy either. It's going to end up getting you killed."

"You can say it all you like, Amy. My goal has not and will not change," he replied as they walked towards the Initiate quarters. He stopped before entering his bunk. "If you'd like we can meet after I've completed my assignment." Amy smiled. It was the most she'd ever gotten out of him.

"I'd like that," she said as he slipped into his bunk. She left the Initiate quarters with a smile on her face as wide as the horizon. "I would definitely like that."

Night fell upon Mobotropolis and both assassins wasted no time in reaching the surface on the way to their targets. One of them came to a large mansion belonging the MontClair family, one of the wealthiest in all of Mobotropolis. The assassin slipped past the guards with ease and deftly scaled the walls until he reached a window. He used his knife to cut both the alarm wire and the barrier wire, allowing him to silently slip through. He closed the window behind him and melted into the shadows of the room. A mink in his mid-twenties came out of the attached bathroom and began to admire his visage in the mirror. The assassin slunk across the room until he was behind the mink but out of the sight of the mirror. As the mink stood the assassin took the moment to slide up behind him. With one hand across his mouth to muffle his shouts he used his free hand insert his dagger between the boy's vertebrae. His body fell limp but the assassin easily held him up.

"Bartleby MontClair of Dresdin," the assassin announced, "your family has provided funds to Julian Kintobor's personal reserve for the last eighteen years. Your family helped him murder the King and Queen."

"No, you don't understand," the boy argued. "We didn't know what he was planning until the deed was done."

"And yet you yourself have risen high in the ranks of his government," the assassin replied angrily. "You call him a snake but still you lie in the grass with him. Your death will send him a message: We are coming for him."

"Who are you?" Bartleby asked as his vision began to fade. The assassin whispered into his ear and the mink's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "But that's...that's...not possible." Those were the last words of Bartleby MontClair of Dresdin.

"Possiate trovare la pace nella prossima vita (May you find peace in the next life)," the assassin prayed. "Requiescat in Pace." He sheathed his dagger and stared at the corpse at his feet. The laser edge had cauterized the wound both on entry and exit so there would be no visible blood. The assassin quickly repaired the wires he'd cut and grabbed Bartleby's corpse. The window shut behind him as he leapt out and the alarms reconnected as the barrier shimmered around it once more. He landed on the ground and rolled to keep his momentum.

This did not go unnoticed as one of the perimeter guards headed towards the estate with his flashlight scanning the area. He looked up and saw the blinking light of Bartleby's window telling him that it had been opened recently.

"Damn kid," the guard muttered. "Oh well, it's not our problem. Besides, what's the worst that spoiled idiot could get into?" He and his fellow guards failed to see the body-carrying figure leap over the fence and disappear into the night.

March 15, 3237
Assassin Sanctuary

Amy wiped the sweat off her brow as she wrapped up her training for the day. She showered and changed back into her street clothes, glancing up momentarily to see that the news was on the TV. They were showing a palatial estate as six ambulances began to exit with nearly a dozen bodies.

"Last night the DePardieu estate was the scene of a set of vicious killings that left the nobility of Mobotropolis reeling," the reporter said. "The heads of the family, in addition to their grown children, were killed in their sleep. Six guards were also reported dead. It is believed the one responsible killed them in order to secure an escape route through the property."

Amy couldn't help but smile at the news. The DePardieu family had been backing Julian's reign for years in addition to corrupting the legal system of the city with backroom deals, blackmail and extortion rackets. Elsewhere in the Sanctuary the two Assassins sat with Spada.

"It is also believed that the attacker killed a homeless man squatting near the DePardieu home before tossing him into the river," the reporter continued. "Coroners were unable to identify the body due to waterlogging but are not expected to pursue the matter." Spada turned the television off and turned to his two kneeling apprentices.

"You have both succeeded in your assignments," he told them proudly, "and you performed above my expectations. You may lower your hoods." As they did Spada retrieved two boxes and handed one to a crimson-quilled black hedgehog. "Shadow, you have struck fear into the hearts of the corrupt. I grant you the title of Condottiero and bestow upon you the weapons of our order. What name do you choose?"

"Crepuscolo," Shadow answered.

"Rise, Shadow of the Dusk, as our Brother." Shadow stood and embraced Spada before leaving the room. When Spada was sure Shadow was well out of earshot he turned to his remaining apprentice. "My boy, I have waited eighteen long years for this day. I know that your mother would be proud of what you've accomplished this day."

"Thank you, Maestro Spada," the hedgehog answered. He had two scars on his face; one above his left eye and a vertical one across the left side of his jaw. His emerald eyes burned with a mixture of pride and rage.

"It is just the two of us here," Spada reminded him as he lowered his hood. "You do not need to stand on ceremony." The hedgehog rose and locked eyes with his master.

"Then thank you, Uncle Chuck," Crown Prince Sonic Hedgehog replied, a faint smile on his lips. "You're not the only one who's been anxious." Sir Charles 'Spada' Hedgehog handed his nephew the remaining box and Sonic opened it. In it were two metal and leather gauntlets that, in addition to a series of complex gears and pistons, contained a hidden blade just under the wrist. Sonic put them on and tested the blades which were easily hidden, both by his sleeves and the fact that they were under his hand.

"You have earned the title of Condottiero and the weapons of our order," Charles told him as Sonic made minute adjustments to the straps. "I hereby charge you with one duty: You are to kill Julian Kintobor."

"I will not fail," Sonic answered as he embraced his uncle.

"What name will you operate under?" Charles asked.

Sonic contemplated what to choose. At one point he had considered using his actual name but knew that it would only place his siblings in danger. That only left him with a couple and he smiled as he settled on one. "Silenzio."

"Sonic the Silent it is." Charles then removed a dagger from his cloak. Its design was ornate but functional and for a moment Sonic thought he saw the Hedgehog family crest. "This dagger once belonged to your mother before she became Queen," the older hedgehog explained. "Much like you her life was normal when she wasn't training."

"Do you mean to say that my mother was one of us?" Sonic asked but all Charles did was chuckle.

"I never said that she was an Assassin, just that she trained," his uncle replied. "You should be going soon. I'm sure that you you'll want to celebrate your birthday before tomorrow."

Sonic nodded as he tucked the dagger into his robe. He left his uncle's quarters and walked silently back to his own. When he arrived he discovered that all of his things were gone. Pranks among the younger Initiates were common but not after their Rites.

"Tell me, O Prince: Why would they let a Condottiero sleep with the Initiates?" a familiar voice asked him. He turned to see Amy in her informal outfit. Typically when she wasn't wearing her robes she favored comfortable clothes like loose fitting pants and tank tops. But today she choose to show off in a white-rimmed red dress she had bought. "Well? What do you think?" she said with a small twirl.

"It suits you," Sonic answered. "Is there a particular reason you're dressed up?" Amy huffed and smacked the blue hedgehog upside his head. "Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"Just because you outrank me now doesn't mean I can't discipline you for being a total dunce," she explained. "C'mon it's your birthday tomorrow. I bet your uncle told you to go out and celebrate, didn't he?"

"I knew I shouldn't have told you about any of this," Sonic muttered as he rubbed the spot she'd hit. "I haven't celebrated my birthday for seventeen years. What makes this one so special? And besides I have no idea where any of my things are."

"Oh they're at my place." Sonic glared at his friend. "What?" Amy asked playfully. "It's common for a newly promoted member to move in with their superior. And since I made Novizia before you that makes me your superior. Erm, former superior. Regardless it's only for a few days."

"Fine," Sonic said with a sigh. "Since you're so insistent I'll celebrate. What did you have in mind?"

"A night on me," Amy replied with a wide grin until she realized what she had said. "Umm, what I meant was a night on the town and I'm paying. Sorry, that got a little muddled." She nervously tapped her index fingers together. "That is unless you wanted..."

"A night on the town sounds great," Sonic answered before she could finish. He walked past a furiously blushing Amy as he headed for one of the surface paths. "Meet you at the café?"

"Um, yeah. That sounds good," Amy told him as he vanished. She gave a heavy sigh. "Why are men such idiots?"

March 16, 3237
Royal Palace Gardens

Princess Sonia Amelia Hedgehog sat on a blanket in the flower gardens while enjoying her lunch with Julian Kintobor, the Regent of Mobotropolis and de facto leader of her people. He handed her a glass of wine which she gladly took.

"Happy eighteenth, Princess," Julian said offering a toast. "It seems like only yesterday I took you and your brother into my care."

"And I can't thank you enough for all you've done, Uncle Julian," Sonia replied as she sipped at the wine. "I just wish..."

"I know, Sonia. I know," he finished for her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I wish that the three of them were here with us too. Which reminds me." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of his jacket. "One of the noble families suggested having a special dedication to your family at tonight's Debutante Ball along with a memorial for the DePardieu family."

"I like it," Sonia said with a nod. "Are you going to be there too?"

Julian laughed and responded, "Of course I'm going to be there! What kind of father figure would I be if I wasn't?" Sonia beamed in response while Julian checked his watch. "Actually you should be heading back to the Palace, Sonia," he pointed out. "Rosie would hate for you to be late for your lessons again."

"Oh no! Not again!" Sonia cried and took off running.

When Julian was sure he was alone he tossed the wine into the flowers along with the rest of the food. "Irritating brat," he muttered as one of the Palace servants came into the clearing. "You there, girl! Clean this mess up immediately." The chipmunk squealed in surprise but still bowed to the order as Julian stormed off to the Palace.

The chipmunk breathed a sigh of relief as she began to clean up the mess the Regent had left including the discarded food. This wasn't the first time she'd seen him do this but the closer the Princess' eighteenth birthday got the worse he became. "That fat bastard won't be smiling when he's no longer the one in charge," she muttered to herself. "I just hope the Princess does the right thing and kick his fat ass out of our city."

"I'd be careful what you say around here. You never know who might be listening." The chipmunk squealed loudly as Prince Manic Maximilian Hedgehog walked out of some nearby shrubbery.

"Damn it, Manic! Don't do that to me," she yelled at him before regaining her composure. "Forgive my outburst, young lord."

"You know I hate it when you call me that, Sal," he told her as he placed his hands on her hips and kissing her gently. Sally Acorn gladly returned the sentiment.

"And that's why I'll keep calling you that, young lord," she replied playfully when they finally parted. "I still stand by what I said though. That fat piece of-"

"I get it. Believe me I get," Manic interrupted her, placing a finger over her lips, "but don't let him ruin the little time we have together." Sally smiled as she brushed his cheek. He gently laid her down in the grass where they continued. Several minutes of passionate kissing and light petting later Sally was cradled in his arms.

"How much longer do we have to sneak around like this?" she asked him.

"Tonight," he promised her. "Once my sister announces her consort then we don't have to worry what people think of us."

"I'm gonna hold you to that," Sally said tapping his nose. "In the meantime I should get back to work. I know Julayla doesn't mind me taking strolls back here but I don't want her getting suspicious." She stood up and brushed the debris off her uniform. As she turned around Manic couldn't help but smile.

"You missed a spot," he told her and Sally looked her uniform over. Manic gently pinched her backside earning another squeal and a playful glare before she left with the things Julian had left behind. With a sigh Manic rolled onto his back and stared at the blue sky, watching as tiny puffs of clouds whizzed by the slower larger ones. "You can come out now, old man," he shouted.

Captain Armand D'Coolette swung down from his vantage point in the trees and landed gracefully. He was a coyote a stone's throw from forty but looking at the way he still carried himself one would think he was twenty. He wore a cobalt uniform that, while mostly form-fitting, allowed him maximum maneuverability. The only rank markings he had were two connected silver bars on either side of his collar. "Skipping your lesson again, young lord?" he asked, his French accent obvious.

"It's not like I need all this leadership crap anyway," Manic replied as he closed his eyes. "Anyway, how much did you hear?"

"No more than usual," the coyote replied with a smirk. "The way you two go about it's a surprise the entire palace doesn't know." He contemplated his comment before adding, "Well, aside from the Regent and Princess the entire palace does know."

"Damn it," Manic muttered as he stood. "What's the point in keeping a secret if everyone knows it?"

"I understand your concerns, young lord," Armand said as he motioned for the young hedgehog to follow him. "Your father was very much the same way when he was courting your mother."

"Wait a sec, you knew my folks?"

Armand hung his head. "Not as well as I would have liked but, yes, I knew them," he explained. "The Queen's family lived out in the country and only came to the city when they were in need of supplies. As the popular story goes your father was at the market and saw her as a shining beacon of beauty and became infatuated with her."

"So what really happened?" Manic asked and Armand chuckled.

"They actually met when she stole his wallet," the Guard Captain replied. "Truth was that she fell in love with him and wanted to get his attention. It took him a day and a half to realize what had happened and another day to track her down. By that time she'd spend the credits he'd had on him for necessities."

"From what I hear of my mother that's about right," Manic said smiling. "Though I don't think I would have pictured her as a thief."

"She wasn't," Armand assured him. "From what my father told me she and her brother had an unusual set of skills for farm children."

"Wait a sec," Manic said as he stepped in front of the coyote. "Just how long has your family been around mine?"

"Another story for another day," Armand replied as he walked. "Now, Julayla has asked for your help interviewing additional staff for the Debutante Ball tonight in lieu of lessons." Manic groaned as he dragged his hand across his face. "Would you rather they were leadership lessons?"

"Aurora no," Manic replied quickly. "It's just that any other day I'd ditch you and hide until everything was said and done. But since this day is so important to Sonia then I want to help however I can."

"And they say you're not maturing at all," Armand quietly commented as Manic took off at a sprint.