Disguised as one of the guards, Ezio carried the package along with the other guards to the destination. He took care not to draw any attention and followed the guard leading the group.
Dialogue
Ezio disguised as a guard holding the box containing the artifact.
Dressed as the courier he had just killed, Ezio opened the box but was interrupted
by another guard.
Ezio:Yes sir?
Guard:This is a moment of great importance. Stay in formation. Make this right.
Ezio followed the guard and they were joined by a few more. They reached the location where Rodrigo was waiting for them.
Rodrigo: Do you really have it? You were not followed?
Guard:Absolutely. Everything went perfectly-- We have followed your orders exactly as specified. The mission to Cyprus was more difficult than expected. There were complications, but we have returned with the artifact. And have carefully transported it to you, as instructed. We look forward to be paid handsomely for this--
The two guards beside him reacted to this and drew their weapons, but the Assassin was too fast for them. They fell dead as his blades slits their throats.
Ezio confronting Rodrigo Borgia.
Ezio:Rodrigo. So, where is he?
Rodrigo:Hmmm? Who?
Ezio:Your prophet!? Doesn't seem like anybody showed up, Rodrigo! How many people have died for this? For what's in this box!? And look-- There's NOBODY here!
Rodrigo:You claim not to be a believer. And yet, here you are... Don't you see him? The Prophet is already here... I AM the Prophet. Now give me the Apple.
Ezio:Come and take it from me.
Rodrigo accepted Ezio's challenge and they fought each other. Half way into the fight, Rodrigo taunted Ezio.
Rodrigo:Is this all you have? Where's the rest of your people?
Ezio:What people?
Rodrigo:You really have no idea, do you? Guards!
Many guards joined to protect Rodrigo, Ezio tried to kill them. While fighting the guards, Mario Auditore joined the fight, along with La Volpe. Ezio was surprised to see them, but continued to fight.
Mario joining the fight.Ezio:Uncle?
Mario:Don't worry, nipote (nephew)! You are not alone.
Antonio:Save your questions, brother. Don't let Borgia leave with that box!
Bartolomeo:Avanti! (Forward!)
Rodrigo:Now, you all shall die.
Antonio:Take him down, Ezio. We are right behind you.
Bartolomeo:Come at me, codardi (cowards)! All of you! My Bianca hungers for more skulls to crush!
Rodrigo:This is pathetic. You cannot stop what is written. What lies in the vault shall be mine!
Volpe: Look, my friends. Our Ezio has become quite a gurriero (warrior).
Volpe:A duccia, tu (Down, boy.) You mess with the fox, you get the sword.
Rodrigo:This is a losing battle for you, hombrecito (boy). You will die by my hand, just like your father... This war has been going on far longer than either of us have played a role.
Bartolomeo:Isn't this magnifico (wonderful), Ezio!? All of us smashing these Templar heads together!
Mario:Notevole, nipote! (Impressive, nephew!) You have improved since the last time we fought together.
Ezio managed to slow Rodrigo and proceeded to kill him.
Ezio:This is for my father you--
Rodrigo kicked Ezio and fled. Knocked down, Ezio looked around to find Paola standing in front of him.
Ezio:Paola!?
Paola:He's gone, but we have what we came for...
Ezio:No! I need to go after him--
Teodora:Do you really, now? Or are you here for another reason, my son?
Ezio:Teodora--? What--!? What are you all doing here!?
Machiavelli introducing himself.
An unknown man walked into the group and addressed Ezio.
Machiavelli:Perhaps the same thing you are, Ezio. Hoping to see the Prophet appear.
Ezio:I came here to kill the Spaniard. I couldn't care less about your prophet. -- He never showed up!
Machiavelli:No...? But, you did.
Ezio:What!?
Machiavelli:A prophet's arrival was foretold... And, unbeknownst to us - here you are. Perhaps all along, you were the one we sought.
Ezio:Cosa? (What?) Who are you?
Machiavelli:Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli. I am an Assassin - trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each one of us here.
Ezio: (surprised) You are all Assassins? Paola...? Volpe...?
Mario:It's true, nipote. We have all been guiding you, for years, teaching you the skills you need to join our ranks... I think it's time...
Antonio:We have our prize, but there is much to be done. Come meet us here at sunset.
He handed Ezio a map. And the group moved on, leaving Ezio to his thoughts.
The Assassin's preparing for Ezio's initiation.
Ezio reached the location mentioned by Antonio, a tower near the Rialto bridge. The assassins waited for him at the top of the tower, while a brazier burned in a corner.
Mario:Laa shay'a waqi'un moutlaq bale kouloun moumkine. These are the words spoken by our ancestors - that lay at the heart of our Creed.
Machiavelli:Where other men blindly follow the truth, remember...
Ezio:...Nothing is true.
Machiavelli:Where other men are limited, by morality or law, remember...
Ezio:...Everything is permitted.
Machiavelli:We work in the dark to serve the light. We are Assassins.
Antonio burning Ezio finger.
The Assassins spoke voice as one.
Assassins:Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
Mario:It is time Ezio... In this modern age, we may not be as literal as our ancestors. But our seal is no less permanent. Are you ready to join us?
Ezio:I am.
He extended his left hand ring finger. Antonio pulled out a heated metal tongs from the brazier, and approached Ezio.
Antonio:This only hurts for a while, brother. Like so many things.
He burned Ezio's finger.
Machiavelli:Benvenuto (Welcome), Ezio. You are one of us now. Come! We have much to do!
The Assassins performed a Leap of Faith and Ezio followed them. Ezio, accompanied by Mario and Machiavelli, took the artifact to Leonardo da Vinci's workshop.
Ezio enquiring about the artifact.
Leonardo closely examined the artifact.
Leonardo:Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating!
Ezio:What is it, Leonardo? What does it do?
Leonardo:I could no more explain this than explain to you why the Earth goes around the Sun.
Mario:You mean the Sun around the Earth.
Leonardo:It's fabricated with materials that shouldn't exist and yet this is clearly a very ancient artifact.
Leonardo:Like Eve's apple of forbidden knowledge. Are you then suggesting that this thing...
Mario, Ezio and Machiavelli cover as Leonardo looks at the images.
Ezio touched the apple and the light from it erupted to display many unknown images and designs. As Leonardo watched intently, Mario, Ezio and Machiavelli covered their eyes due to it intensity. Ezio touched the artifact again and the light it was emitting was subdued.
Leonardo:This must never fall into the wrong hands. It would drive weaker minds insane.
Ezio:No doubt the Spaniard will be relentless in his desire to gain it back.
Machiavelli covered the apple with a bag and handed it to Ezio.
Machiavelli:Ezio. You must protect this with all the skills we have taught you.
Mario:Take it to Forlì. The citadel's walls are protected by cannons and our ally controls it.
Ezio:You don't say. I think I may enjoy this mission.
Ezio approached Leonardo.
Ezio:Thank you for everything, my oldest friend.
Mario:Leonardo! Ezio tells me that you travel often to Milano. I have a grand villa in Tuscana. You must come visit me there.
Outcome
Ezio met Machiavelli for the first time. The Assassins acquired the Apple of Eden and Ezio officially became a member of the Assassin Order. They also planned the protection of the Apple and decided it would remain safe and out of Rodrigo's reach at Forlì.
Trivia
The burn mark on Ezio's finger is present for the rest of the game. However, strangely, it is missing in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, despite Mario's claim that it is permanent.
The initiation ritual seen in this memory is the same one seen in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood when an apprentice becomes an Assassin.
If player checks the map during Leonardo and Assassins studying the Apple of Eden, the map shows that the scene takes place in Romagna.
Gallery
Ezio joined by La Volpe.
Antonio and Bartolomeo join the fight.
Paola helping Ezio to his feet.
The Assassins.
Leonardo closely examines the Apple.
Leonardo watching the images projected by the Apple
Ezio joined by La Volpe.
Antonio and Bartolomeo join the fight.
Paola helping Ezio to his feet.
The Assassins.
Leonardo closely examines the Apple.
Leonardo watching the images projected by the Apple
Ezio bids farewell to Leonardo.
Mario inviting Leonardo to Villa Auditore.
