Prologue - A Revelation in Death
Equestria, Canterlot
10:00 PM
The Nobles' Quarter, Sentry Family Estate
As the moon was shrouded behind the clouds in the night sky, Flash Sentry worked away at his desk on his evening lessons. Though his formal schooling in terms of math and writing was finished, he now studied much more...practical subjects such as manners and politics, like a true noblepony of his time.
Flash sighed and closed the heavy book in front of him, revealing a letter bearing the Royal Seal, buried underneath the covers. This letter, sent personally by the newest Princess of Equestria, Twilight Sparkle, seemed innocent enough, but Flash knew the alicorn's true intentions.
Those intentions were for next week's meeting with her, in Canterlot Castle. Flash thoroughly enjoyed his friendship with the Princess, seeing as they were raised together from foals to a young mare and stallion. They were very close, sending letters daily to each other.
Flash placed the letter inside a specially reserved desk drawer and changed out of his fine clothes into sleeping garments. However, after about an hour of brief rest, he felt himself becoming awake once again.
"Great…" Flash groaned. "What now?"
As he headed out to his room's balcony, he sat down in the wicker chair and relaxed, eyeing the shrouded night sky that belonged to Princess Luna. Eventually, his eyes grew weary, and he returned to bed. This time, he fell asleep quickly, his dreams untroubled.
====
The Gateway
In the Void
====
There was quiet, a white expanse all around him. For all that he knew, he was in heaven, hell, purgatory, or some unknown realm in between. His white robes, with the occasional sash of red or gray, were of an ancient near-eastern design. Leather gauntlets equipped with hidden blades lay on his wrists, and various weapons and medicines were hidden throughout his garb.
Altair Ibn-la'ahad, Grandmaster of the Levantine Assassin Brotherhood, surveyed the void around him with an air of slight surprise. After his death in the Assassin's Library beneath Constantinople, or Istanbul, he had expected to be received in heaven.
Except this was certainly not heaven, or anywhere he recognized. He turned away from another white expanse and lowered his eyes.
"Caro dio, chi sei?"
Altair spun at the sound of speech in an unfamiliar language and readied his weapons, only to lower them. Another man in Assassin's garb, only more ornate and gray and black instead of white, stood in the expanse across from him. The two men recoiled, but soon found their voice.
"Who are you?" Altair asked. "Are you with the Assassins? Or the Templars?"
"I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Grandmaster of the Italian Assassin Brotherhood." the man said. "And I know you. You are Altair Ibn-La'ahad, paragon and hero of the sect."
Altair lowered his blades.
"How do you know my name?" he asked.
"I unlocked your library beneath Istanbul." Ezio said. "I found your skeleton clutching a Relic of Eden. You are long dead, but so am I."
Altair was about to ask a further question when two more men appeared in front of them. The robes of the first were much more ragged and torn, like a rogue or renegade, but he bore the image of the Brotherhood on his robes and gauntlets. The other was tanned, with similar robes, but they were more well-kept than his counterpart's.
"And who are you?" Ezio asked.
"Name's Edward Kenway." the first man said. "My grandson here is Connor."
"You are also Assassins?" Altair asked.
"Yeah." Edward said. "I'm a Grandmaster, at least that's what the others told me. I helped stop a Templar plot to control the Caribbean Sea."
"And I have overseen the events of the American Revolution, and helped to bring a new nation to life." Connor said. "I believe you two are Ezio Auditore and Altair Ibn-La'ahad, some of the greatest Assassins to ever live. Or so I've been told."
"Indeed." Ezio said. "Well met, Edward and Connor Kenway."
Then, a fifth man approached. This one wore primarily blue, but with a few articles of black clothing. He approached them and spoke in another foreign tongue.
"There is no need for that, Monsieur." Connor said. "I take it you are a Frenchman?"
The man recoiled, but nodded in the affirmative.
"We all speak English here." Connor added. "Who are you?"
"I am Arno Dorian, Grandmaster of the European and French Assassin Brotherhoods." Arno said. "So, where are we?"
"I shall answer that question, and all you might have, should you be willing to listen."
The five Assassins turned as one to see an Isu Precursor appear before them in a manner such as Minerva or Juno. This one had vibrant red hair, and featured a pair of wings and a spiraling horn. As she approached them, Altair came forward.
"You are one of those who came before us." he said quietly. "You brought us here."
"Indeed." the Isu replied. "My name is Faust. I have come from the realm of my exile to ask for aid."
"Why?" Connor asked.
"Because your conflict with the Templars is not bound to your realm alone." Faust said, as a mist-like apparition of a realm appeared before them.
"When the Isu were destroyed by a cataclysm of proportions beyond imagination, I took what we had left of our civilization and came to a distant realm, known as Equis." Faust said. "There, my descendants would form the nation of Equestria, a world of harmony, friendship, peace."
"But it would not last." Faust continued. "For generations, I kept my realm from falling into the shadow of those you call the Templars. But my time has come, and I cannot maintain the balance anymore. You five were some of the greatest Assassins to ever live on Earth, and now i must beg you to aid me."
"What must we do?" Altair asked.
"Equestria knows nothing of the Templars, Assassins, or even your race." Faust said. "You five must start from the beginning and raise a new Brotherhood, one that will preserve Equestria from the malice of your enemies." Faust spoke. "I have made suitable preparations for your arrival and equipment, but after that, I cannot aid you further. The time will soon come for me to pass."
"You are dying?" Ezio asked.
"Yes." Faust replied. "My life will end soon. I cannot keep you here much longer. Will you aid me and live again, or refuse and pass away?"
The Assassins gave each other glances, and then nodded as one.
"Then go with my grace." Faust said, as a vortex of white light appeared before them. The Assassins entered one by one, as the realm they once inhabited faded away into black.
====
The vision of the Assassin's cleared, and they found themselves standing on a balcony overlooking a city built on a mountainside, one that glittered with gold and white marble. Spires and battlements surrounded three distinct sections of the city, along with a palace that surpassed Versailles in scale.
"I have never seen a city so magnificent as this one before." Altair said, awestruck. "It is a shame to know that the Templars inhabit it."
"I wholeheartedly agree." Ezio said. "So, any ideas as to where we begin?"
"Simple." Edward said with a smile. "I've learned that in all my years, the best place to get information is also the best place for a drink."
"So, we begin at a tavern?" Arno asked. "I will follow your lead, gentlemen."
"Then let us begin our trials." Altair said, as the Assassins leaped down into the city below. "And with the grace of God, may we succeed."
"Hear, hear." Edward added as the five Assassins began to trek into the city's main square, blending into the shadows, as quiet as they had arrived.
====
The five Assassins walked along the cobblestones, their footsteps quiet and swift. As they eyed the city around them, Altair used the Assassin ability known as Eagle Vision. The city turned blue and black in his eyes, and he could see several gold figures leaning on a street corner, talking.
"Shall we begin there?" Ezio asked.
"We shall, but I will approach them. The rest of you, keep to the shadows in case of trouble." Altair replied. As the other Assassins took cover, Altair approached the figures, who turned to look at him. They were equine, with varying colors that could be found in no earthen horse, like blue and a pale green. They wore ragged clothing, and Altair could identify two swords hanging at their waists. As Altair approached, the group of beings stirred and eyed him with hostility.
"What do you want, you deformed Minotaur?" one asked, their leader by his appearance and tone.
"Information, my friend." Altair replied, slowly moving to his sword.
"What kind of information?" the leader growled.
"Where we are, what are you, and where can my companions and I go for a drink." Altair said passively.
The being chuckled.
"I'm a pony, you're in Canterlot, and if you're looking for a drink, try the Darkened Sky Inn, in the Downtown Area. Straight down the street and to the left" the pony said. "What's it to you?"
"My companions and I are lost, and in need of respite." Altair said as the other Assassins came forward. "But I thank you for your advice, my friend. We shall ask nothing more of you."
"Fine by me." the pony said as the Assassins departed into the night mist, as quiet as they came. It wasn't long before the gang looked at each other in unease and fear.
"Who were they?" One asked. "They looked like Minotaurs that didn't get born right."
"I don't think they were Minotaurs at all." another replied. "They didn't have the bull-head going. Plus, they didn't speak like the Minotaurs do. I didn't hear an accent.'
"Whoever they are, they're gone now." the leader said. "Let's head home, gentlecolts. Might as well tell the Guard that they're here. They didn't look like harmless travelers to me."
As the gang departed from the scene, down at the Darkened Sky Inn, the Assassins entered unnoticed and gathered at a back table. As they were served drinks, then while Connor traded some of his Spanish Reales for bits at the counter, Altair brought the men together once Connor returned.
"So, what's the plan?" Connor asked. "We can't just ask every street gang we meet for directions."
"True. We must establish a sanctuary and then, begin learning of who our enemies are here. The Templars are most likely established, we are not." Ezio added. "In the morning, let's find an empty home and claim it as ours. Then, we must prepare and find able recruits."
"I agree." Arno added. "To health and the Brotherhood, gentlemen."
As the Assassins toasted and drank, the wind began to stir the clouds outside, revealing the moon on the horizon.
Author's Note
This is probably the most ambitious idea for a story I've ever done.
Totally going to be worth it.
Also, Ezio says "My God, who are you?" in Italian when he speaks to Altair. Just wanted to clarify that.
A few hours later, the Assassins departed from the Inn, their hunger and thirst sated. Through the conversations of the patrons, they had gained the location of a large, uninhabited estate in the city that once belonged to a disgraced noble. The house itself was considered unlivable, but the Assassins would make do with it for now as their new Sanctuary.
Once they reached the house, it didn't take long to break the locks open on the iron gate that kept them out. As they opened the rusted gate and entered the foyer, which was covered with dust and webs, Altair and his companions began to look around.
"Anything to report?" Ezio asked.
"Not much. Place has definitely seen better days." Edward shrugged. "I mean, how are we going to covertly set up a Sanctuary here?"
"First, we obtain this house through the proper procedures." Ezio said. "Then, we invest in raising it to our standards. Once we have a suitable background and a stable flow of currency, we may start recruiting those who are willing to listen."
"A good plan." Arno nodded. "Let us begin with some rest, my friends."
As the Assassins found places to sleep and drifted off, the moon began to fall, signalling the coming of the day.
====
As the sun rose, the Assassins set to work immediately on establishing their Sanctuary. Edward took their combined currency and set out to find a bank where they could acquire much-needed bits. Connor found the address of a law office written down in the manor's office, and went to investigate. Ezio headed to the streets to gather information and the latest news of the realm, while Arno and Altair volunteered to stay behind and set the house in order.
"So, Altair…" Arno asked as he stacked some chairs around a dining table. "You seem quite able in terms of keeping house."
"It was one of my duties during my time at the Assassin Stronghold in the Holy Land." Altair replied. "We were expected to keep our quarters clean and in order."
"I see. I remember doing the same when I was in service to my surrogate father." Arno said.
"What was his name?" Altair asked.
"Monsieur De La Serre." Arno said. "He adopted me after my birth father, an Assassin, was slain by a Templar Agent. Little did I know that De La Serre was the Grandmaster of the Templar Order."
Altair raised an eyebrow as he turned to Arno.
"Then how did you join the Brotherhood?"
"De La Serre was murdered by Templar conspirators." Arno said, cleaning off a dresser. "I was framed and imprisoned for the crime, and there I met my Assassin Mentor, Pierre Bellec. He inducted me into the Brotherhood. I was eventually forced to kill him in self-defense of a friend. I will admit my time in the Brotherhood was tumultuous, but I am a loyal Assassin, Altair."
"Then I find no guilt in you." Altair said. "However, you must continue to be cautious, and follow the Creed. Always."
"And I will." Arno replied, as he dusted off a mirror. "I intend to."
====
Edward Kenway hated waiting, especially when he stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the bank's patrons. As he waited, he could see several ponies watching him with raised eyebrows, especially given his state of attire and his various armaments.
"Who is next?" a Teller asked. Edward Kenway came forward and approached the stand.
"Are you new here, sir?" the teller asked.
"Indeed. Name's Edward Kenway, I'm here to exchange currency." he replied, taking out a combined pouch of Italian Florins, Spanish Reales, French Marques, American Gold Dollars, and coins from the Holy Land. As the Teller sorted them, his eyebrows kept raising.
"Something wrong?" Edward asked.
"I must ask if these are all real and completely made from gold." the teller asked. "Equestrian Bits are only partially made from pure gold as to keep the economy stable."
"They're all pure gold, down to the last coin." Edward replied. "I would know for a fact."
"I see. Then I shall return with your Bits shortly."
As Edward waited, a pony wearing light clothing with a leather jerkin approached, carrying a sword on his waist.
"You seem quite wealthy all of a sudden." the pony asked. "Where are you from, Mr. Kenway?"
"Very, very far from here. I'm from Wales, but you probably haven't heard of it. My friends and I came to Equestria for a good many reasons." Edward said. "I take it you're a swordspony?"
"Indeed. I tutor aspiring nobles in the art of the blade." the pony said. "My name is Broad Edge, Mr. Kenway."
"Well met." Edward said. Then, the teller reappeared with two large bags, filled to the brim with Equestrian Bits.
"Mother of Christ. I get all this?" Edward asked, surprised their meager amount of currency fetched this much.
"Yes, pure gold coins, no matter their origin, are worth quite a lot." the Teller said. "Shall I set up an account for you here?"
"Alright." Edward said. "How much is this in total?"
"Approximately 12,345 bits total, adjusted for inflation and exchange dues." the Teller said. "I will move them to a vault immediately, but under whose name shall I mark it?"
"Let's just go with Kenway for now." Edward said. "Anything else?"
"That should conclude our business. Thank you for your patronage." the Teller said. "And do come back if you wish at any time."
As Edward left the bank, he was surprised to see Broad Edge walk alongside him.
"Where are you off to?" Edward asked.
"The Sentry Family estate. Their heir, Flash Sentry, is a student of mine." Broad Edge replied. "It is not far from here, shall we converse?"
"Why not?" Edward smiled.
====
As Edge and Edward walked together, Edward smiled to himself as he saw his new friend become more and more like a potential Assassin recruit. Edge also found out his new companion was once a naval captain and a "Privateer", as he put it.
"Isn't that term used for pirates who serve a government?" Edge asked.
"Yep." Edward smiled. "I sailed for quite a few years aboard my vessel, the Jackdaw. I can still smell the ocean sometimes."
Edge chuckled, and as they approached the Sentry family estate, he bade Edward farewell.
"I do hope we meet again." Edward said, waving goodbye. "And if we do, I might have a proposition you could be interested in."
Edge wanted to ask what it was, but Edward was gone as quickly as they had met.
====
Canterlot Castle
Twilight Chambers
====
Flash Sentry was feeling quite at ease. Not only was Princess Twilight Sparkle curled up next to him as they read together, but his day had gone quite well. His tutor Broad Edge had postponed their swordplay lessons for about another two more hours, so his time with Twilight was extended.
"Flash?"
He turned to see Twilight smile at him with a blush in her cheeks.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Did you space out again?" she chuckled. "You've been reading the same pages fives times now."
Flash chuckled and turned the page before smirking at her.
"Not anymore." he shot back, making Twilight laugh.
"You really are a rogue." she giggled. "Though I hate to mention it, I have business to attend to soon…"
"It's alright." Flash said. "I look forward to our next meeting, Princess."
As he kissed her hoof and said farewell, Flash exited Canterlot Castle and began the trek home, not noticing he had passed a strange being in red, gray and white robes. Ezio watched the pony enter the crowd with a raised eyebrow.
Because in that pony, Ezio saw potential. He quickly used his Eagle Vision and began to follow him, staying blended in amongst the crowd.
Author's Note
Update!
Next time - Flash meets Ezio for the first time, and the Assassins begin recruiting. However, a circle of nobles also begins making plans of their own...
