ACT I.

Ezio trained his eagle eyes on the stage as the long velvet curtain rose almost magically. He was surprised to find it empty at first, though quickly his expression returned to normal as he assumed the actor was yet to appear.

Indeed, a few moments later, a white cloaked figure could be seen boldly making its way across the stage. The true Assassin bit back an amused grin at the costume. While the color scheme was correct, some of the minor details seemed off…For one thing, his Creed sash buckle was upside down. But these were not important to the performance. He felt an elbow brush his right side and turned to see Leonardo grinning excitedly and pointing to the man onstage, then to Ezio himself. Ezio smiled back at the energetic inventor and returned his attention to the platform.

He admitted, the actor was not bad. A tad on the skinny side, the mock-Assassin robes hung from him loosely and off-set the figure. But for all intents and purposes…He did make a pretty good Assassin. Ezio leaned forward as the man began to speak:

"I know what you all think of me," He inhaled steadily, "A killer without a cause. A traditore."

Ezio nodded slowly, impressed with the man's voice. It wasn't anything like his own, but it was low and commanding, and the Assassin found he rather enjoyed it.

"But know that I was not always like this!" 'Ezio' continued, turning to walk across the stage in a sluggish stroll, although never breaking his hooded gaze on the audience. "Once, long ago, I too was part of a family."

Ezio was aware of his companions' worried glances, but shook them off, concentrating on what 'he' had to say.

"I urge you people. Listen to what I have in store…" The white-shadow's gloved hands slowly moved to grip his hood, ready to slide it down. All of the audience leaned in intently, eager to see the Assassin's true appearance beneath that famed hood. "For I am…"

The hood fell down, and hundreds of jaws dropped in synchronization, including Ezio's own. The ladies gasped in wonder, and there were several 'oooh's.

"Ezio Auditore da Firenze." He couldn't believe it. It was difficult to tell from his high seat in the balcony, but the actor's pale face was speckled with freckles, and his large, childish eyes glinted a cold blue. But that was nothing- Ezio could've lived with that. No, the problem was…

He was blonde.

Ezio hardly recovered in time to hear Rosa's snorted laughter. Antonio sent him an amused eyebrow raise, and Ezio replied by huffing indignantly and slouching in his chair.

"Should've known it'd be inaccurate…" He muttered silently.

The Ezio actor paid no attention to the drama unfolding in the audience however, and continued to pace across the wooden deck, his golden ponytail swishing as he went. Suddenly, the faintest sound of music could be heard. Soon it became apparent that a song was starting up, as the orchestra became louder and louder. The violins played a sad, slow melody- and slowly the stage filled with a sort of vapor that made the scene quite hazy. As though it were merely a memory…

Ezio's eyes widened as he heard himself beginning to sing in a sweet, mournful voice:

It was a long time ago,

Though I remember it like yesterday…

We were a happy family, laughing together,

What happened to those days?

As the verse finished up, Ezio could hardly discern the outline of another actor dancing his way onto the stage through puffs of colored smoke. He drifted around the mock Assassin, sending grins and teasing laughs, but saying nothing- as though he were merely a spectator. The Assassin swallowed as the next verse began:

And when we caused ruckus in the town,

Dear brother, what did you say?

'Don't worry, fratellino,

By your side I'll always staaaay'…

At the chorus the music picked up and more ghostly figures appeared, surrounding the singer.

Once upon an evening,

Filled with joy and light,

I sat with you and sang and cheered,

There was no place for fright.

Suddenly, the other actors joined in- and all four sang together:

Once upon an evening,

So delicate and pure,

We were as one, a family,

Protected and secure…

The music slowed, leaving only the weeping strings as the family slowly dissipated and the smoke cleared, leaving 'Ezio' alone with the empty back-round. He lifted his eyes to where his siblings exited, shining with tears.

We were as one, a family…

Could I have been so...

He waited a moment, dragging out the last verse as a beautiful harp plucked out the very last notes to the song, and all founds themselves on the edge of their seats.

…sure…?

With that, the song ended. Applause rang out instantly, rumbling throughout the theatre like an earthquake. 'Ezio' bowed swiftly and exited stage left. The curtain dropped close, and Ezio sank back in his seat.

"…Ezio?" Rosa asked him quietly, green eyes looking over him worriedly, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," The Assassin waved her off, "It's nothing."

He turned away so she wouldn't see his tears.

Ezio had only a minute to compose himself before the curtain rose once again. The scene was different now, though: instead of a black, empty set, there was a sort of make-shift plaza, complete with small group of people and a mini-stage. No one moved- in fact, it seemed rather as though all the actors had turned to blocks of ice.

The stage-light focused on the Assassin, now with his hood back up, as he strolled into the scene. Everyone else seemed to fade, as though the white-cloaked man had the ability to stop time.

"It all began one day a long time ago…" He began loudly, explaining to the audience as he moved along, "There was an execution."

Suddenly, the stage burst to life- the light that singled 'Ezio' out quickly diminished and was instead illuminating the mini-platform, where three figures could be seen, bound. The people who had been still as statues were now hopping up and down, shouting and cheering as a slender man in flowing robes entered from the right.

"Giovanni Auditore!" The judge, a handsome man with a kind face, exclaimed to the audience boldly. One of the men on the platform jerked his tied neck, eyeing the judge with wide-eyed terror.

"You, and your collaborators," the man waved an arm at the other two silhouettes- showing the first to be a sleep-deprived teenager, barely keeping his eyes open, and the second to appear suspiciously like a large teddy bear, "Have been accused of the crime of treason."

There was a murmur through the audience and Ezio suddenly noticed how stuffy the theatre was. He swallowed hard, shutting his eyes to prevent the memory from overtaking him. No, it wasn't happening again. It wouldn't happen again.

"Have you any evidence to counteract this charge?"

"You stupid fool!" The oldest man onstage, clearly meant to portray the lead Auditore, spat angrily, thrashing about where he stood, "May hell devour you! I hope you get pissed on by a goat!"

A light laugh rippled through the audience and the gonfalonieri shrugged them an amused eyebrow raise. He simply sighed, and then continued:

"With no evidence to the contrary, I am bound to pronounce you guilty. You are hereby sentenced to death." There was emphasis on this last word, in which all the Auditore seemed to straighten, eyes wide with disbelief.

"You wouldn't!" Giovanni cried.

"But, father!" The Federico actor suddenly woke up, whining pitifully, "So many people still owe me money!"

For Ezio the seconds seemed to slide by like hours the executioner's hand dipped down to pull the lever that would end his family's lives. Finally, the gloved hand found the wooden rod and tightened around it, the same way fear and pain tightened around Ezio's heart.

"I'm going to go get some air." He announced calmly to his companions and stood, squirming his way out of the row.

There was a moment between Ezio's leave and the 'execution'. When it was clear enough that the three characters had died by strangulation, the scene dimmed once more.

"From that day," The actor drawled on, standing in one spot this time, "My life was changed forever. I sought vengeance…"

The speech carried on for a little while longer, but Rosa quickly lost interest. Unlocking her olive eyes from the stage, she looked around, hardly able to make out her friends' faces in the faint light. Leonardo and Antonio both seemed quite engrossed, and taking in the expressions of the men around her, she guessed they too seemed quite into the story. Warily, her gaze fell on Ezio's empty seat. She bit her lip- he'd never talked about what happened to his family. Only that it happened a long time ago and he wished to forget. She'd never pushed it, but now…

Rosa stood, brushing off her skirt.

"Oh, you're getting up?" Antonio whispered at her, tugging a sleeve. She nodded briskly, pulling loose.

"Bene, bring me something, okay?" Her mentor hissed after her as she inched her way through the stuffed rows of people. Finally, she popped out of the seats and into the carpeted walkway, where she set off on her quest to find the brooding Assassin.

The cool evening air felt wonderful on his clammy skin, and even better on his tense lungs after the stifling air of the theatre. As Ezio looked over the sparkling city of Venice from the balcony, he admitted he was beginning to have second thoughts about the whole performance. Privately, some part of him said he should've seen this coming- but most of him felt tired and hollow. He didn't want this.

Ezio turned his head slightly as light footsteps sounded behind him.

"…Ezio?" He heard Rosa's gentle beckon, "Are you okay?"

He turned back to the view, folding his arms on the balcony's marble railing. He allowed the thief-in-disguise to approach him to his left, a milky hand smoothing his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" She repeated worriedly. She waited patiently for a few moments, but once again he didn't answer. Rosa sighed, her grip weakening. Her hand fell down his sleeve to rest beside his on the railing.

"Ezio," She began, a small smirk playing with her painted lips, "Look at me."

At first the Assassin was confused, but as she insisted- he turned to look at her.

"What do you see?" She asked playfully.

He smiled back weakly, a pale attempt at his usual smug expression. Still, he wasted no time looking her over. What he saw was a petite woman with dusty brown hair, eyes as green as a grassy meadow and a dress made of lavender silk.

"I see…A lady." He replied.

"And am I a lady?" She asked mockingly.

Ezio considered a moment.

"Here's a hint, stronzo." She muttered, rolling her eyes. Rosa took one step forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. To Ezio's raised eyebrows, she pulled back, blushing.

"Look!" She mumbled, indignant at his amused glance, "I'm sick of you being all weepy about this! That play defines your life about as well as this dress defines me!"

She could tell she'd gotten to him when his sad smile molded into a wicked grin and the mischievous glimmer returned to his eyes.

"On the contrary," He purred, "I'd say it defines you quite well…"

Merda, she could feel his eyes. Rosa mustered all the restraint she had not to punch him in the nose right then and there.

"You hopeless figlio di puttana!" She huffed, whirling around, "See if I ever attempt to cheer you up again!"

Ezio simply shrugged, still grinning, and followed her in.

"Where were you?" Leonardo hissed at them as they returned to their seats- the balconies were dark, and the curtain had just gone down to a shower of applause.

"Just outside, getting some fresh air," Ezio explained, shrugging at his friend as he sat down.

"Did you get me anything, Rosa?" Antonio whispered anxiously to his pupil.

"Uh…Sorry, Antonio. We forgot." She mumbled back. Antonio grimaced and leaned back in his seat, nodding slowly.

"Ezio, you missed my big scene!" Leonardo complained quietly to the Assassin, "I had a whole number! It wasn't very long, but-"

"Quiet!" Antonio snapped, swatting them as though they were bugs, "The scene's about to start!"

Four pairs of expert eyes trained themselves on the stage as the curtain went up, although it was dimly lit. Nothing was particularly visible, although when switching to eagle vision, Ezio marked three gold wisps.

"We fled Firenze after I killed Alberti," A disembodied voice recounted, though it was clear it belonged to 'Ezio', "I took my mother and sister to Monteriggioni, where my uncle owned a villa."

The stage lit up, and three actors strolled wearily across a set attempting vainly to look like a rocky countryside. Ezio recognized himself, and what had to be his mother and Claudia.

"Are we there yet?" Claudia, a pale girl with frizzy red hair moaned loudly, dragging her feet.

"Yes," Ezio gulped, nodding, "I think so."

There was silence except for the accentuated sounds of thudding footsteps as the three made their way across the stage. Then, after a few moments, Ezio's face lit up.

"Hey, there it is!" He said excitedly to his sister, pointing at something off stage vigorously, "But- oh no!"

"Ezio!" A smug voice called from behind the set, and the group of three quickly scuttled away from the stage's entrance. Everyone leaned forward to watch as a tall man in black entered with a handful of guards, all armed.

"Vieri!" The hooded actor snarled, immediately pushing his suddenly wide-awake sister behind him. His mother stared off to the side distantly, as though she weren't there at all.

"I admit, I didn't expect you so soon," Vieri drawled, grinning confidently, "But it's a pleasure to see you unharmed."

"What do you want from us?" Ezio asked simply, his hand hovering on his sword.

"What do I want?" Vieri repeated slowly as music slowly started. Dark violins played a fast tune quietly, then grew louder as the Vieri actor began to sing, which Ezio remarked with amusement.

Stop! Come no further, my Auditore friend…

Ezio swallowed and then replied, just as musical:

Vieri, what do you want from me-?

He was quickly interrupted:

A coward to the end!

Vieri exclaimed loudly to the audience, as though Ezio weren't there. The music slowed a bit as the black-cloaked actor stepped back from the audience and nailed the Assassin with a glare of contempt…

You may have left Firenze,

Without even saying goodbye,

But now your time has come, dear Ezzy!

You'd better prepare to die!

The music spiked as Vieri suddenly pulled out his sword, and Ezio did the same. Vieri's guards drew their swords as well, but didn't attack- instead they danced slowly in a circle around the furiously fencing rivals.

Ezio watched with raised eyebrows as his actor and Vieri's hacked at each other like men possessed, while the music played enthusiastically around. The circling soldiers only added to the performance, but he couldn't help remembering the scene a little differently. And where was uncle Mario?

The music slowed as another verse faded in:

Vieri stepped back, breathing heavily as his sword dropped slightly- though he still managed a smug grin:

You seem distracted, Ezio!

Family matters perhaps?

Ezio bit back hastily:

You have no right to speak, Vieri!

So stay your tongue, Pazzi brat!

The music heightened again as Vieri removed himself from the battle, singing boldly:

I think we've played long enough!

Guards, finish him!

The white-hooded man gulped as the dancing circle slowly coiled smaller and smaller, until they were almost crushing him. Then, suddenly- they all dropped unceremoniously.

On cue, Vieri also flung his sword from his grasp and then smacked his hand, where something had struck him.

Ma cosa? He sang,

What sorcery is this?

There was a shift in the music as a small, round man danced onto the stage from the right with a group of his own. The melody went quickly from desperate to triumphant.

Not sorcery, boy!

The newcomer raised his loud, booming voice in tune.

Skill!

I know you think you've heard it all…

But you've much to learn still!

Vieri growled at the man and shrieked for more guards- and so more came. The battle resumed as Mario's and Vieri's forces fought gracefully. This went on for several minutes, and it quickly became apparent that Ezio's side was winning. Soon, it was down to just Vieri, Mario, and Ezio.

The music slowed hesitantly as Vieri backed up.

Curse you, Auditore!

I'll remember this, I swear!

You will swing like your brothers, Ezio!

I'd hate not to be fair!

The hooded actor scowled and seemed like he was about to reply when his small relative approached Vieri slowly as the music dropped lower and lower:

How dare you threaten…

My nipote…

I'll teach you a lesson…

You wont forget…!

Vieri gulped fearfully and quickly ducked offstage. The music stopped, but no one applauded as Ezio and Mario walked back across, careful not to step on any of the bodies (which almost seemed to be inching towards the stage exits). When suddenly, Vieri's head poked back on stage:

Just you wait Auditoreeeeeee!

I'll get you yet!

The curtain dropped with a heavy strike of the orchestra. That's when the applause burst out, cheering and whistling as well. Ezio clapped too, enjoying the performance with a smirk.

...

The balcony was dark, and it was nearly impossible for the Assassin to make out anything but the figures of his comrades, despite his trained senses. The auditorium throbbed with the murmurs of the viewers as they discussed the actors' performances, not to mention the musical number. However the Assassins had nothing to discuss until the curtain rolled back up, revealing what had to be Mario and Ezio in a study of sorts. The two actors were crowded around a desk, upon which was splayed ancient papers with mystic writing.

"Uncle, I do not understand!" The blonde man shouted to the audience, gesturing wildly at the papers, "What is this 'codex'! Who are the 'Assassins'?"

"Ezio," Mario said gently, struggling on his tip-toes to reach Ezio's shoulder in order to give him a reassuring pat, "It may be hard to believe, but your father was...An Assassin. The codex is our Creed; it is what guides us."

"But uncle-!" Ezio interrupted loudly, "I do not know how to be an Assassin!"

"And so I shall teach you, nipote," Mario replied, "non ti preoccupate."

Ezio frowned and looked thoughtful for a moment. He looked as though he was about to respond when suddenly-

"Fratello!" A mournful voice burst out, choked with tears, "Ezio!"

Both men turned swiftly to the sound of the sobs- which revealed itself to be Claudia as she tumbled into the set, lunging at her brother in hysterical weeping.

"Claudia?" The Assassin asked, bewildered, "Are you alright?"

"I am fine," Claudia sniffled, wiping one of her bloodred eyes with a lacy handkerchief, "I was just suddenly overcome by what has happened to us!"

Ezio- the real Ezio, that is- watched his sister's breakdown from afar, squinting at her features. Despite the red hair, there was still something distinctly wrong about her. As he watched his actor counterpart hug her in an attempt at comfort, his eyes scanned her dress and the way it shaped her. The makeup as well...It seemed: golden eyes widened as he hit realization.

"Is my sister played by a twelve-year-old boy?" Ezio gasped in disbelief, grabbing Leonardo's sleeve.

Leonardo shrugged, pulling the fabric from his grasp, "So? That's how plays work. After all, Dio knows women cannot act."

Unable to kick him from a distance, Leonardo merely received a death glare from Rosa at the other end of the bench.

"I can't believe this..." Ezio muttered, "Is my mother played by a boy as well?"

"I'd imagine," Leonardo stated blandly, as though this were an everyday occurrence.

The Assassin merely grumbled in indignation as he refocused his attention on the stage, where Claudia was blubbering about something else.

"...I thought somewhere deep down, he still loved me," She was bawling, "But after what happened to us on the road...Oh, Ezio, my heart is simply shattered!"

"Who?" The blonde actor barked, pulling his sister closer, "Who broke your heart?"

"That Pazzi man," she wept, "Vieri!"

The audience gasped, and Ezio felt his jaw hit the floor.

"Do not worry, Claudia!" The Assassin proclaimed to the audience, "I swear to you, I'll make him pay!"

"Yes," Claudia sniffed, "Thank you, fratello caro."

"Ezio!" Mario announced, lumbering closer to the two siblings, "This would be a perfect time to flex your new Assassin muscles!"

A quiet chuckle swam through the crowd.

"No, uncle," Ezio looked away wistfully, "This is much more than just a training exercise. This..." He paused, inhaling, "…Is a matter of revenge!"

And with that last remark, he marched dramatically from the stage. Claudia and Mario looked after him worriedly as the curtain dropped closed once more to applause.

...

"Vieri!" Ezio's angered shout was the first thing audible after the curtain raise several minutes later, "Where are you?"

The Assassin stood beside his uncle and several armed mercenaries at the foot of a tall, intimidating castle of thin paper and wood planks. The black caped figure could hardly be seen poking out of the structure's roof.

"Ah, Ezio!" It greeted sarcastically, "Come back for more?"

"Not this time, Vieri!" Ezio growled, shaking his fist, "I have come to kill you, once and for all!"

"Heh, good luck with that my friend!" Vieri snarled, ducking back into his fortress, which was discreetly falling offstage.

Suddenly, several enemy mercenaries burst from the castle, waving swords and pikes at Ezio's group- and the battle begun. Music was brought up as the soldiers fought fiercely. For a long while the audience enjoyed watching the two battalions hack at each other until the bodies littered the stage.

Finally, the light focused on Mario as he held off four soldiers at once:

"Go, Ezio!" He shouted heroically, kicking another man in the stomach, "Go and kill that snake! We will hold his forces here!"

"But Uncle-" Ezio gasped.

"No buts, nipote!" Mario replied curtly, "GO!"

Ezio nodded and quickly disposed of the soldier he was engaged with. With all the grace of a drunken sailor, he attempted to scale the castle, throwing himself at it boldly. However instead of slamming into it, he appeared to float over it magically. The offstage ropes hoisted the Assassin up until he was over the fortress' walls, sword drawn. Vieri appeared as well, and the stage light focused on them as they dueled.

"You don't have the bravado to take me down, Auditore!" Vieri sneered, "You couldn't even save your family from the gallows! What makes you think you can save yourself from my sword!"

"Pazzi!" Ezio exclaimed the word bitterly, "You will die here!"

Vieri only laughed crazily and swung his sword- Ezio caught it and wrenched it away, ending the battle swiftly with a blade in the teenager's throat.

The music stopped abruptly and the soldiers froze as all eyes travelled to the two rivals. Ezio held Vieri as he sank to the ground, a hand over his milky neck.

"You know..." He coughed out weakly at the Assassin who cradled hims, "In another world...We might have been friends."

"Indeed," Ezio nodded solemnly, "If only you had not betrayed my sister's love..."

The eagle-eyed viewer in the audience snorted loudly, to the annoyance of a few spectators behind him.

A sad melody played quietly as the two raised their musical voices:

But now that time has passed...

We say goodbye at last...

Vieri sighed loudly and grew still., though the melody still played. Ezio shook his head, running a gloved hand over the Templar's face to close his eyes peacefully.

Requiescat in pace, my friend...

Fareweeeeeeeeeeeeeell...

The curtain slowly dropped as Ezio stretched out the last note loudly. There was resounding approval from the audience yet again (but it only masked the terrific THUD as the set collapsed just in time).

END ACT I