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Ezio Auditore da Firenze's Quest for Vengeance was a series of event during the Italian Renaissance, which saw a reckless, carefree 17 year old, grow into one of the most ruthless and skilled Assassins in history.
Florence
Auditore execution
- Main article: Auditore execution
- "You are the traitor, Uberto, and one of them! You may take our lives this day, but we will have yours in return, I swear we will!"
- ―Giovanni Auditore's last words.[src]
During yet another brawl with Vieri, Ezio had sustained an injury to his lip – a half moon shaped scar, on the left hand side. Ezio's brother, Federico, accompanied him to a doctor, for the wound to be tended to. Shortly afterwards, they raced to the top of the Santa Trinita. The two shared a personal moment, before Federico suggested they return to the Palazzo Auditore. Ezio, however, had different ideas, and instead went to see Cristina, at the Casa di Vespucci. The next morning, Ezio was discovered by Cristina's father, and fled from the house, quickly. On his return to his own abode, his father Giovanni gave Ezio a letter, to be delivered to Lorenzo de' Medici. On his arrival at Lorenzo's house, though, he learned from a servant that the man he was searching for was absent from Firenze for a few days. Ezio left the letter with the servant, and returned to his father to inform him of Lorenzo's absence.[1]
As he arrived, he overheard a brief section of conversation between Giovanni and Uberto Alberti, a friend of the Auditore, and the Medici. He opened his father's study door, and informed him of Lorenzo's absence – Giovanni seemed somewhat troubled, but Uberto reassured him, saying that the absence would not pose a major problem, and giving him the advice to wait for Lorenzo's return to the city.[1]
Ezio left the study, and spoke with his mother, Maria. She asked him to accompany her to the house of another family friend – Leonardo da Vinci. On their way, they discussed Ezio's fight with Vieri. Maria had some ideas as to why Vieri acted the way he did, one involving his father. On their arrival at da Vinci's house, the two were greeted heartily by the painter, who gave Ezio a box of paintings to carry back to the Palazzo Auditore. There was more conversation on the way back, mainly involving Leonardo's work.[1]
They returned, and Leonardo bade Ezio and his mother farewell. Ezio then talked to other members of his family – his sickly brother Petruccio, for whom he collected feathers from the rooftops, and his sister, Claudia. She was having some trouble with her boyfriend, which Ezio settled. He then returned to his father for more work. Giovanni tasked him with the delivery of two more letters, and the picking up of yet another letter, from a nearby Pigeon Coop.[1]
Tragedy
On Ezio's return to the Palazzo Auditore, he found his father's office ransacked, with clear signs of a struggle. He narrowly dodged an attack from Annetta, the family's servant, who had mistaken him for another guard. He learned that his father and two brothers were being held captive at the Palazzo della Signoria. After instructing Annetta to take Claudia and Maria to a safe place – Annetta's sister's house – Ezio left to see his father.[1]
He moved in upon the Palazzo quietly, scaling the walls until he came to the window of the room in which Giovanni was being held, in a tall tower. He spoke quickly with his father – time was of the essence. Ezio's father instructed the boy to return to the Palazzo Auditore, and fetch some important items from his office. Doing as he was told, Ezio hurriedly returned to his house, entered his father's office and used his "special talent" to find the entrance to a hidden area, at the back of the room. Inside a chest, Ezio found the items his father had spoken of - a white, hooded robe, a broken blade and bracer, a sword, and the document of which Giovanni had spoken. As his father had told him, Ezio rushed to the house of Uberto Alberti, whom he had seen speaking with his father that short time ago.
He gave Uberto the letter, as Giovanni had instructed. Alberti explained that the document contained information on a conspiracy against the Auditore family. This information would let Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio walk free. Uberto claimed would present it at the acquittal the next day, and offered Ezio a place to sleep. He turned this opportunity down, however. Just before the door was shut, Ezio caught a glimpse of a hooded figure, just behind Uberto.[1]
Betrayal
On attending the "trial" of Giovanni, Federico and Petruccio, the next day, Ezio found none other than Uberto watching over proceedings. The event was apparently a fair and just way to decide what happened to the males of the Auditore family. In reality, it was a hanging. The nooses were around the necks of the two men, and the boy. Nothing would be taken into account – the three would be hanged that day. Uberto claimed there was no evidence to support the Auditore in their claim of innocence, but Giovanni countered, mentioning the document that Ezio had delivered to Uberto's house the evening before. Uberto denied all knowledge – Ezio tried to speak out, say that he was lying, and to make his way through the crowd. Uberto declared the accused guilty, and sentenced them to death. Giovanni again spoke out, declaring Uberto as the traitor, and saying that the death of him and his sons did not matter in the long run – Uberto's life would be taken in return. Sadly, those were the last words of the Florentine noble. Almost instantaneously, the trapdoor beneath Ezio's three, innocent relatives opened, the noose around each one of their necks tightening. Ezio was, obviously, infuriated. He pushed his way through the crowd, shouting and drawing his sword. Almost immediately, a Brute affronted the teenager, knocking the sword from his hands. With no other choice, Ezio ran from the scene of the crime, away from his oppressors, and hid.[1]
Ezio had some difficulty in giving his fallen family members a proper burial, but did manage it, with some help from Cristina. All the while, Ezio was formulating plans on precisely how he would exact his revenge on Uberto Alberti.[1]
Birth of an Assassin
- Main article: Birth of an Assassin
- "The Auditore are not dead! I'm still here! Me! Ezio, Ezio Auditore!"
- ―Ezio, after his assassination of Uberto Alberti.[src]
On Ezio's arrival at La Rosa Colta, he met with Paola, Annetta's sister. Ezio told her of his plans of revenge, which she could understand. She did, however, warn him of the dangers of going up against an official. She taught Ezio several key skills - how to hide in plain sight, and the basics of the art of pickpocketing. Ezio and Paola now discussed the need for a weapon. He was going to need one before his plan would become possible. The would-be Assassin said he did not know where he could find one, but Paola argued otherwise, showing him his late father's broken hidden blade. Ezio pointed out that it was broken, but the courtesan pointed out his connection with Leonardo da Vinci - far more than a simple painter. He could fix Giovanni's blade.[1]
On arrival at his workshop, Ezio was greeted joyfully by Leonardo. When asked, he was very happy to help Ezio, and would attempt to repair his father's hidden blade. After acquiring the original instructions for the blade, Leonardo tinkered with it, until finally, it was done. The artist recommended that if any more pages were found, Ezio should bring them to him, for deciphering. Ezio did do this, and gained several further upgrades to his hidden blade as a result. Almost immediately, the new weapon got a chance for testing. Several guards arrived, looking for Ezio, now a wanted man. Leonardo denied all knowledge of the boy's location, but wasn't believed. Ezio stepped in, before any serious damage could be done to his artistic friend. After taking the body inside, Ezio again left to see Paola.[1]
After agreeing now was the time to strike on Uberto, Paola confided in Ezio that he was at the Basilica of Santa Croce, for the unveiling of Verrochio's latest work. Overlooking the courtyard of the Basilica from a rooftop, Ezio saw Uberto conversing with Lorenzo Medici, upon the subject of Alberti's actions regarding the Auditore execution, and his allegiance to the Pazzi, an enemy of the Medici. They entered the Basilica, and Ezio followed, stealthily. He saw Alberti among several other guests, talking further on the subject of Ezio's own family. The conversation mainly consisted of more lies, so Ezio - not in the mood for more slander - approached Alberti forwardly. Before any guards could be called, Ezio stabbed Uberto in the chest violently, several times. Ezio shouted to the people around that his family were not dead, and that he was still there, still alive. He then took a letter from Uberto's pocket, along with the very same evidence that Ezio had delivered to him not so long ago. The letter - intended for Alberti's wife - seemed to be a list of names, possibly a list of men involved with the conspiracy against Ezio's family.[1]
On his return, Ezio informed Paola of his success. She was proud, but knew of the danger he was now in, so she instructed him to lower his notoriety, by removing posters that advertised his crimes, killing the officials who bore false witness against him, or bribing heralds to leave his name out of their cries to the people. After this was done, Ezio gathered his family, thanked Paola graciously for her help and hospitality, and left for his uncle's villa.[1]
After a long walk through the countryside, Ezio and his mother and sister finally arrived at Monteriggioni. They were greeted, however, not by Mario, but Vieri de' Pazzi, and a gang of thugs. After a brief fight, which involved the arrival of Mario after all, the 4 Auditore walked up to the Villa.[1]
Mario showed the 3 visitors their respective rooms, but is disappointed when Ezio informs him that he and his family did not think they will stay - they wish to leave the country, and continue their lives in peace. Mario was surprised, thinking that Ezio had come to the Villa to train, in preparation for taking on his father's job, as an Assassin. Ezio didn't know about this job, though, still thinking his father was a simple banker. Mario instructed the boy to go and buy some equipment in the town below the Villa. On his return, Ezio's uncle instructed his nephew to prepare for training. Ezio disagreed, trying to convince his Uncle to leave his family alone, and to let them leave the Villa. Mario reminded Ezio that he barely fended off Vieri's men, and that to stand any real chance of a new life, he would need to train. Ezio reluctantly agreed, knowing that it was true. If he was to stand any real chance of defending himself and his family, he would need Mario's training.[1]
Over the scope of the next two years, Ezio trained rigorously, while his Uncle told him of the Assassins and the Templars, arch-enemies to each other, and of the Codex, which Giovanni had tirelessly deciphered while he had been alive. By 1478, Ezio's training was over. His final test from Mario came in the form of a skirmish between the two, using the knowledge he had gained over the last two years. After a battle well fought, Ezio defeated his uncle, and with that, his training was, essentially, over.[1]
Ezio expressed some happiness that he had stayed, and Mario took this to mean that he would stay for longer. Unfortunately for Mario, this was not Ezio's plan - they were to sail for Spain in 3 days. Once his nephew informed him of this, the Uncle stormed away from the scene, not seeming best pleased. Surprised, Ezio asked one of his Uncle's lieutenants why he was so short of temper. It was down to Ezio's old enemy, Vieri, who had been bothering the peace-keepers of Monteriggioni ever since the arrival of the outcasts. This had all been taking a tole on Mario's temper, who had, it transpired, ridden to San Gimignano with several men to slay Vieri once and for all. Ezio, on discovering this, immediately saddled up too.[1]
Ezio met with his father and the other men in the countryside. Mario led them around to the poorly defended southern gate of the town, and sent Ezio over the top of the wall to open the gate for his men. This plan succeeded, and Ezio met with Mario at the center of the city, after disposing of several guards, where he was instructed to go and scout the area, and locate Vieri. Ezio sets off, and eventually finds Vieri, his father, and another relation - Jacopo de' Pazzi - conversing with a man dressed in black. They discussed some sort of attack, but no major details were divulged - only the roles of each person there. As the meeting ended, news reached Vieri of the Auditore attack on the town. Excited, he sent his mercenaries to counter Mario and his men. Fighting ensued, while Vieri himself retreated to a guardtower. Mario instructed Ezio to go and assassinate his long time rival, finally. Ezio did so, climbing the guardtower silently, and succeeding in assassinating his old enemy, at last.[1]
On their way back to the Villa, Ezio shared with Mario what he had learned - The Pazzi answered to another, higher in rank than themselves, a Spaniard. Mario knew of the man's identity, and revealed him to Ezio as Rodrigo Borgia, the leader of the Templar Order. Ezio exclaimed that due to his rank, this man was who was ultimately responsible for the death of his father and brothers. Ezio stated that Rodrigo would fall foul of his blade one day, but everybody up the chain of command until him must be taken out first, one by one. Francesco de' Pazzi was his next victim, then, so he would be returning to Florence. After unearthing more Codex pages around Monteriggioni, among other things, Ezio did just that.[1]
Pazzi Conspiracy
- Main article: Pazzi Conspiracy
After two years away from the city he was brought up in, Ezio returned to Florence in 1478.
He had with him the Codex pages he had gathered at the Villa, before he left, and took them straight to his old friend Leonardo. After deciphering them, Leonardo told Ezio that one particular page contained several new methods of assassination, and suggested that Ezio try these methods out in the small courtyard beside his workshop. Ezio did so, and was rather successful at these complicated manoeuvres. On his re-entry to the workshop, he was presented with a brand new hidden blade, clearly for his other wrist. Before he left, Ezio confided in Leonardo that he was looking for somebody, but he could not approach that particular someone, publicly. He enquired as to whether Leonardo knew a way to get close, who quietly replied with the name "La Volpe". After having heard of his possible location, Ezio left Leonardo's workshop in search of "the Fox".[1]
Ezio went to the Mercato di Vecchio, where his pouch was stolen by the Thief Corradin. Ezio pursued the man, and eventually caught up to him. As he was threatening the Thief, he was greeted by a man who introduced himself as La Volpe, saying he knew why he was there. Aiding Ezio, he led him to the Santa Maria Novella, revealing that a secret Templar meeting was taking place beneath the church and that he could use the catacombs to reach it. Ezio left La Volpe, and infiltrated the church's catacombs, freerunning along the old structures. Upon reaching the end of the catacombs, he found the tomb of the Assassin Darius, and took the Assassin seal from his sarcophagus. He proceeded onwards, and overviewed the Templar meeting, finding out that they were going to attack the Medici. Ezio used the sewer system to leave the catacombs, and upon doing so, was greeted by La Volpe once again, and they discussed the Templars' plans.[1]
The next morning, Ezio left for the Basilica, were he found Francesco de' Pazzi and Bernardo Baroncelli ready to attack the Medici. Francesco was successfully able to kill Giuliano de' Medici, but his older brother Lorenzo was able to fight back against his attackers. Joining Lorenzo in the fight, Ezio was able to save the "Prince of Firenze" and safely escorted him back to his palazzo. Lorenzo requested of Ezio to kill Francesco, and his servant Poliziano informed him of Francesco's location: the Palazzo della Signoria. Leaving immediately for the Signoria, Ezio found Francesco yelling at his guards from the roof of the palazzo. Ezio climbed the building and cornered Francesco, who jumped down from the building into a bale of hay. Ezio did so too and pursued the fleeing Francesco, eventually assassinating him. His body was hung naked from the palazzo by Medici guards, and Ezio met with Lorenzo the next day, who gave him the names of the remaining Pazzi conspirators and a Codex page taken from Francesco's files.[1]
Ezio met with Leonardo at his workshop shortly afterwards, who reconstructed Ezio's hidden blade so that it would be able to sting poison using a sketch on Ezio's new Codex page. With his new weapon, he left for the town of San Gimignano, where the remaining Pazzi conspirators were located. Over the course of two years, Ezio killed Bernardo Baroncelli, Stefano da Bagnone, Antonio Maffei and Francesco Salviati in and around San Gimignano, despite each having gone into hiding to evade being assassinated. In 1480, the remaining Pazzi conspirator, Jacopo de' Pazzi, left for a meeting with Rodrigo Borgia at the Roman ruins next to San Gimignano. Ezio viewed the meeting from a distance, and saw Jacopo being stabbed by Rodrigo and Emilio Barbarigo for having failed in their plan. Rodrigo, having anticipated Ezio's presence, sent his guards to attack while they left the meeting. However, Ezio was able to repel his attackers and stabbed the heavily wounded Jacopo in the neck, giving his final blessing. Successful in his objective, Ezio returned to Florence.[1]
Wider horizons
Hunt in Venice
- Main article: Hunt in Venice
From a letter that Ezio had taken from one of the Pazzi Conspirators, he learned that the group's presence was not limited only to Florence, but stemmed to Venice too. Intending to foil their plans in the city, Ezio left for the floating city. [1]
As he drew into the Appennine Mountains, Ezio caught site of his old friend Leonardo, who appeared to be having some trouble with his carriage. Whilst helping him out, Ezio caught site of a strange looking contraption in the back of Leonardo's wagon which its designer said was originally intended to make a man fly. Ezio found this idea preposterous, laughing loudly and openly. With the wagon fixed, the pair set out for Venice. They could not enjoy the peace of their journey for long however - after a short while the carriage was attacked by several soldiers on horseback. As more were dispatched, more joined the chase from the areas around the road that the carriage was travelling on. The chase continued, until the attackers set fire to a bridge which the carriage had to pass over to reach Venice. Luckily, it made it over, but more there were yet more horsemen! Ezio left the carriage in Leonardo's control, and dealt with the soldiers on foot. Eventually, both Leonardo and Ezio ended up in Forlì. A ferry was needed to get to Venice - Leonardo had a ticket, but for Ezio the situation was not so simple. What eventually occurred involved Caterina Sforza, a gondola and a large stretch of water. After this affair was over, Caterina talked to the ferryman, and Ezio's passage to Venice was free. It was only on the boat that Leonardo told Ezio that Caterina was wife to the count of Forlì, and daughter to the Duke of Milan.[1]
On their arrival in Venezia, the pair were greeted by Alvise da Vilandino, who gave them a short tour of one area of the city, eventually leading them to Leonardo's new workshop. On their way, though, they saw the results of Emilio Barbarigo's wishes to unite all the merchants of Venice under one banner - Unwarranted violence to a merchant who had been nothing wrong. After parting with Leonardo, Ezio made his way the Palazzo della Seta, hoping to find a way to enter the heavily guarded fortress. Seeing no way which was possible for him to use at that point, Ezio began to grow frustrated, when several events transpired, resulting in a short woman managing to use the exact route that Ezio had been sure was not possible. The effort was futile, however, as an archer shot the woman in the leg, causing her to fall. Stumbling across the space in front of the Palazzo towards Ezio, the woman asked for his help. He agreed, and she asked him to take her to the water. Ezio was confused, but the woman had already set off, so there was not time to ask. He protected her as she ran, and carried her when necessary, until they eventually reached the water Rosa had been speaking of. Rosa - the woman's name, as Ezio now knew - was waited for there by her comrade Ugo. Ugo rowed a gondola with Rosa in tow, while Ezio dispatched any guards who attempted to stop the boat. Once they had arrived, Ugo ran ahead to warn Antonio, while Ezio carried Rosa into the Guild. There, Ezio and Antonio bandaged the invalid's wounds. She was then taken to a Doctor, reluctantly. Ezio and Antonio retreated to Antonio's office to discuss the infiltration of the Palazzo della Seta. Ezio wondered why they couldn't just try again immediately, but Antonio argued that this would just waste the lives of further men - they needed to regroup, and resupply. Ezio's part in this would be to free thieves that had been captured, in various parts of Venice. He was then instructed to root out three traitors within the guild, who had been reporting their actions to the guards. In total, the preparations lasted 4 years. Ezio helped for the duration of these 4 years, even picking up new climbing techniques along the way - he could now make the gap he had seen Rosa traverse, not so long ago.[1]
By 1485, all preparations were complete, and there was another meeting in Antonio's office, of course concerning the plan they had worked so hard to prepare for. Ezio's part in this stage of the plan was simple - dispose of the archers guarding the Palazzo from opposite the building, while Antonio's own men replaced them. Once this was done, Ezio returned to Antonio and Rosa. He was now to get inside the Palazzo from ground level, and did so. Eventually, he reached the top of the building, using the new techniques Rosa had taught him. He saw a brief section of conversation between Emilio Barbarigo, and a man named Carlo, who seemed to be a government official. "Carlo" thought it best for Emilio to leave the Palazzo, scared for his life - Ezio had been seen many time around Venice, and it was, by then, common knowledge that he was in the city. He thought that Emilio should find a place to lie low until the meeting in three days time. Carlo then took his leave of the Palazzo. Emilio - feeling the Assassin's possible presence, perhaps - ordered his men to fetch a boat. Ezio made his way inside the Palazzo, and killed the old merchant. Antonio's men, who had taken the place of the archers around the Palazzo, took care of the guards.
Battle of Forlì
- Main article: Battle of Forlì
After retrieving the Apple of Eden from Rodrigo Borgia, and Ezio's induction into the Assassin Order, Machiavelli, Mario and Ezio took the Apple to Leonardo, to see what he could make of it. At one point, Ezio touched the Apple, and it immediately reacted with his DNA, causing the entire room to be filled with blinding light, and flashing images of the future. After much discussion over the Apple's origins, the group decided that it should be taken to Forlì, where it could be kept in safety.[2]
Machiavelli accompanied Ezio to Forlì, to meet his old acquaintance and friend of the Assassins, Caterina Sforza. They walked towards the city, talking mainly about Caterina's late husband, whom she had had killed. Suddenly, a great many people started running the opposite direction to that which the three were walking in. When asked what was going on, one of the civilians used the names if Checco and Ludovico Orsi - the very men who Caterina had hired to kill her husband. Fearing for her children, Caterina asked Ezio to enter the city via the city's drain, and open the gate for Caterina and her militia. Ezio entered, while Caterina threw insults at the Orsi brothers. Ezio eventually opened the city gates, allowing Caterina's fighting force to take control. Ezio, Machiavelli and Caterina fought their way up to inner citadel to check on Caterina's children. Two were missing - Ottaviano and Bianca. Refusing to surrender the citadel, Caterina's forces fought valiantly. After fending off most of the opposition, Caterina heard some voices very familiar to her. She refused to surrender the map, even when the Orsi brothers confirmed that they had her children, and attempted to blackmail her with them. She just came back with insults, saying she had "the instrument to make more!". After the brothers left for the village below the citadel, certain that Caterina would change her mind, she wept for her children. Ezio, of course, went to find them.[2]
Bianca was being held by a guard, whom Ezio defeated, and gained instructions on where to find Ottaviano, from Bianca. Climbing the tower he was at the top of, Ezio quickly dispatched Ludovico, and freed Ottaviano. Ludovico taunted Ezio, saying that his brother had managed to steal the Apple. Discovering this to be true, Ezio tracked down and killed the remaining brother. Unfortunately, Ezio didn't notice when Checco stabbed him in the abdomen, counterstriking Ezio's hidden blade. The Assassin collapsed, and the Apple rolled from his hand, to be picked up by a hooded monk, with a missing ring finger. On waking up, Ezio told Caterina all that had happened. She suggested that he head for an abbey, where he may find some clues as to where the monk came from. On his arrival there, Ezio found an Irish priest, Darby O'Callahan, being beaten by Borgia thugs. He saved the priest's life, and asked him if he knew the identity of the monk who had stolen the Apple. He replied with a negative, but told him to search further at the abbey within Forlì. Ezio did so, and, after some troubles, found out the identity of the monk as Brother Savonarola. Apparently, he had retired to a hermitage, but there was a possibility of finding him at the place he had studied - The Santo Spirito, in Florence.[2]
Duty calls
Corombo in Venice
- Main article: Corombo in Venice
Ezio was in Venice for a short period. While he was there, a message reached him, saying that Antonio wished to speak with him. On his arrival at the Thieves' guild, Ezio was greeted by Antonio and another man - Luis Santangel. Santangel had come to Venice looking for aid. He required Ezio to protect a certain someone. After some deliberation, Ezio agreed to the prospect, knowing that there may be a chance at seeing Rodrigo after all. On finding Christoffa, Ezio discovered that he was already in danger - a guard was talking to him, on the subject of the Spaniard's one hour delay. After a short conversation, the guard raised his weapon, to dispose of Christoffa. Ezio stepped in before that happened, of course. On talking to Christoffa, Ezio discovered that Rodrigo had been interested in Corombo's upcoming trip to the West, supposedly wishing to offer funding. More guards closed in on the pair's position, and they split up, fleeing independently. Ezio returned to the Thieves' guild, to find that he should meet Luis again, in Venice's Garden District. Demanding answers from the two, Ezio learned that they sought an Atlas of great value to them, as it chanted a route to the Orient. Ezio agreed to retrieve it, as a final favour. He sneaked into the hostel of the two friends, now streaming with guards, and retrieved the book. He managed to leave, and make his way to the harbor district, where he met Luis and Christoffa. Before they departed, Ezio learned something of the Assassins of Spain - at present, many of them had been imprisoned, by the Spanish inquisitor, Tomas Torquemada. On learning this, Ezio decided he was taking a break from his pursuit of the Apple, and of Rodrigo, and heading to Spain, to free his brothers there. He saw it as his duty, and performed it as such.[3]
Discovery in Spain
- Main article: Discovery in Spain
Loose ends
Bonfire of the Vanities
- Main article: Bonfire of the Vanities
Having returned to Italy, Ezio made his way to Florence to find the monk Savonarola. Arriving at the city gate, he noticed a monk running out of the city, saying that the Borgia were asking about "fruit". Rushing to the Santa Maria Novella, Ezio climbed the church's rooftop and noticed a few guards harassing a man named Savonarola. Ezio watched the scene unfold, but intervened and killed the guards when he realized it was getting out of hand. The monk introduced himself as Marcello Savonarola, and revealed the location of his cousin Girolamo to the disappointed Ezio; Venice. Arriving in Venice, he was greeted by Sister Teodora. While she did not know where Savonarola was, she informed him that Lorenzo de' Medici had died and that Rodrigo Borgia had become Pope Alexander VI after bribing most of the cardinals; ruling the Catholic Church, Rodrigo had become the most powerful man in Europe. Teodora proceeded to lead Ezio to a square where one of Savonarola's Heralds was to give a speech. Ezio blended with the crowd and pretended to be a close follower of Savonarola, but he could not acquire Savonarola's location from the Herald. They were disturbed by a young man, however, who said that he had just fled from Florence as Savonarola had taken his city. Revealing his name to be Piero de' Medici, Ezio joined the young man, saying he was a close friend of his father. They were attacked by Savonarola's men, but managed to fend them off until the Herald sneakily stabbed Ezio. Piero sliced the Herald's legs, allowing Ezio to finish him off. While Piero requested Ezio to join him in warning Agostino Barbarigo of Savonarola, Ezio replied that he was going to face Savonarola in Florence.
Arriving in Florence in 1497, Ezio made his way through the city and met Niccolò Machiavelli in the Oltrarno district. While the two men walked towards the Palazzo Pitti, Machiavelli revealed Florence's situation to Ezio, and Ezio devised a plan to take Savonarola down; while he would kill each of Savonarola's lieutenants, Machiavelli, La Volpe and Paola would rally the citizens to stand up against the oppression. On 23 May 1498, a crowd gathered outside the Palazzo Pitti to rise up against Savonarola. Savonarola attempted to control the crowd with the Apple of Eden, but the Assassins knocked the Apple out of his hand and Savonarola was taken to the Palazzo della Signoria by the angry mob. A Borgia guard had swiftly fetched the Apple from the ground and fled the scene. Ezio followed the Borgia guard and killed him, retrieving the Apple.
Ezio travelled to the Palazzo della Signoria, where Savonarola was to be burned alive.
The Assassins watched from the crowd, and Ezio decided that no one should have to die in such pain. Making his way through the crowd, Ezio leaped to Savonarola and stabbed him with his hidden blade. He continued to make a speech to the shocked crowd, telling them to choose their own path and not to follow the way others tell them to follow. Having finished, Ezio jumped down to the other Assassins and left the scene with them.
Confrontation in the Vatican
- Main article: Confrontation in the Vatican
Ezio met with the other Assassins in the Villa Auditore in December 1499, to decipher the Codex. From the Codex, they found out that the Apple of Eden and the Staff of Eden were required to open the Vault, and from the map hidden underneath the Codex they discovered that this Vault was located in Rome. The Assassins realized that the Papal Staff was the Staff of Eden and that the only reason Rodrigo had become Pope was to get to the Vault. The Assassins began to make preparations to leave for Rome, where they would cause disturbance while Ezio infiltrated the Sistine Chapel. Travelling over the Castel Sant'Angelo and along the Passetto di Borgo, Ezio made his way through the battalions of Borgia guards that were stationed there. Ezio eventually arrived at St. Peter's Cathedral, and entered the Sistine Chapel unnoticed. Ezio leaped at Rodrigo with his hidden blade ready, and as soon as Ezio would give his final blessing to the Pope, the latter hit Ezio with the Staff. A fight ensued between the two, with Ezio using his Apple to create eight clones of himself to aid in the fight.
Despite Ezio standing victorious after the fight, Rodrigo used the Staff to knock Ezio away and proceed to stab Ezio with a knife. Believing Ezio had been killed, Rodrigo entered the Vault. Ezio soon woke up, though, and followed Rodrigo into the Vault. He found Rodrigo unsuccessfully attempting to enter the Vault, and Ezio jumped down into the chamber Rodrigo was in. Throwing away his weaponry, Ezio challenged Rodrigo to a fair duel. While fighting, Rodrigo revealed his motives to find the Vault, saying that he had become Pope to gain entrance to the Vault, and that "God" lied within. Ezio stood victorious in the battle, but decided against killing Rodrigo, saying that it would not bring his family back. Ezio gave Rodrigo his blessing, and left him while he used the Pieces of Eden to enter the Vault.
Entering the Vault, he encountered the "Goddess" Minerva, who started speaking of a catastrophe to befall mankind in the future. When Ezio asked why she did not speak in his direction, she revealed that they only wished to speak "through" him and that he had played his part. After Minerva had finished her speech and having heard her mention an individual named "Desmond", Minerva vanished and Ezio left the Vault.
Aftermath
Assassins
After the death of Giovanni and his two sons, things looked as if they had taken a bad turn. Enter, Ezio, however, to turn the situation on its head, assassinating many people important to the Templars, and his other opposition. Things had turned around, and looked set to continue getting even better.
Templars
Many of their most important members dead, the order was weakened. It still remained strong, however, with many other key players of their Order still alive. This would become a problem for Ezio later, in Rome.
Italy
Loyalties now lay very differently in Italy, and its political structure had been shaken by the events that Ezio had spurred along, such as the Pazzi conspiracy, and the Bonfire of the Vanities.