Prologue - The Expanse of White
====
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 twin hidden blades lay on his wrists, and various weapons and vials of medicine were hidden in pouches.
Altair Ibn-La'ahad, Grandmaster and Mentor of the Levantine Assassin Brotherhood, surveyed the void around him with an air of slight curiosity and wonder. After his death in the GreatLibrary beneath Constantinople, or Istanbul, he was expecting to be received in heaven for all he knew.
Except this was certainly not heaven, or anywhere he recognized. He turned away from another white expanse and lowered his eyes. Taking in a breath, he slowly looked up at a faint sound from behind him.
"Caro dio, chi sei?"
Altair spun at the sound of speech in an unfamiliar language and readied his sword to strike, only to have it intercepted by another sword. Another man in Assassin's garb, only more ornate and dyed gray and black instead of white, stood in the expanse, several feet across from him. The two men flinched at the sight of each other, but both soon found their voice and sheathed their weapons. Altair could also see two gauntlets with hidden blades on the stranger's wrist.
"The other man could likely see the same for me", Altair thought, "I must tread carefully".
"Who are you?" Altair asked slowly.
"I am a friend, I am Ezio Auditore da Firenze, Grandmaster of the Italian Assassin Brotherhood." the man replied. "And I know you. You are Altair Ibn-La'ahad, if I am not mistaken."
Altair turned his head slightly in suspicion. This man certainly seemed to have the air of a member of the Brotherhood, but he had to be sure.
"How would you know my name and who I am?" he asked warily.
"I unlocked your library beneath Istanbul." Ezio replied. "I found your skeleton clutching a Relic of Eden. You are...were long passed, but so am I. I remember it clearly."
Altair was about to ask a further question when two more men appeared in a flash, 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 colored robes, but they were more well-kept than his counterpart's. They both went for their swords, but Ezio and Altair held up their hands in a gesture to "halt", and they stood down.
"And who might you be?" Ezio asked, Altair moving to stand next to him.
"My name's Edward Kenway." the first man said, with a rough accent and tone "My grandson here is Connor Kenway."
"And you are also Assassins?" Altair asked. "Forgive me, but your robes seem...quite unkempt for a member of the Brotherhood."
"Well, they weren't exactly mine to begin with." Edward said with a sigh. "I'm a Grandmaster, at least that's what the other Assassins 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. "And...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 by my late Assassin mentor, Achilles Davenport."
"I am not familiar with the places of which you speak." Altair stated. "Nor do I know of your mentor, this...Davenport."
"Well, you're not likely to have." Connor relied. "We;re from a continent far to the west of Italy or the Holy Land. It had not yet been discovered during the time you were alive."
Ezio was about to inquire further when a fifth man approached. This one wore primarily blue, but with a few articles of black and silver clothing. He approached them and spoke in another foreign tongue. This time, the swords stayed down once the man in blue saw the hidden blades carried by all four men.
"There is no need for that, my friend" Connor said. "I take it you are from France? I recognized your speech."
The man shifted slightly, but nodded in the affirmative.
"We can all speak English here or wherever we are." Edward added. "Who are you?"
"I am Arno Victor Dorian, Grandmaster of the French Assassin Brotherhood." Arno said. "I suspect that we have all been brought here for a reason?"
"Yeah, we have." said another voice. The five Assassins spun to see a sixth man walk up and pull down his hood. Altair flinched upon seeing the man's face, which apart from a few scars, was an exact semblance of the ancient Assassin's own face.
"How is this possible?" Altair murmured. "What is your name?"
"I'm Desmond Miles." the man replied. "It's a long story, but i'm descended from multiple lines of Assassins. Primarily yours, Altair."
Altair seemed flustered at that. Desmond's clothing was certainly more outlandish, as his jeans, white hooded sweatshirt, and sneakers were a night-and-day contrast to the other Assassins; robes and armor. Altair was about to speak again, until he was interrupted.
"So you are Desmond." Ezio said, coming forward as everyone turned to look at him. "The Precursors spoke of you many times during my life. As much as it is good to meet you at last...why are we all here? What power brought us together, and why?"
"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. Though the Precursors had appearances like a human, this one had some unusual features, such as a pair of wings and a spiraling horn. She wore a simple white chiton, and as she came forward, the six Assassins stepped back warily.
"Rest assured that I mean you no harm." the Precursor replied. "I am Faust of the Isu. And I am the one who brought you here to the Void, the realm of waiting."
"Waiting for what?" Desmond asked.
"I cannot say." Faust replied. "But I can tell you why it is I have summoned you here, and what I must ask of you. Here, this will likely make you feel more comfortable."
The white expanse all around them transformed into an ancient greek-styled temple, complete with large gardens populated by flowers of all colors, and the columns were covered with vines and ivy. Six chairs and a marble throne stood nearby, and as Faust beckoned the Assassins to sit, Altair surveyed the surroundings. Everything here gave off a feeling of peace and harmony, relaxing the Assassins somewhat.
"This place is beautiful." Ezio murmured. "I don't think I've seen such natural splendor in my life."
"My thanks, Ezio Auditore." Faust replied. "But now, allow me to tell you why I brought you here."
Faust took in a breath and began to speak.
"For as long as the Isu and later your own human race have existed, there has been the struggle that surpasses all others, order against chaos. The Templars versus the Assassins. Before the cataclysm that destroyed the Isu, I attempted to create a realm and a race to populate it, free of this struggle."
A white portal appeared next to Faust, showing a majestic, white-gold palace on a mountainside. Surrounding it was a smaller city, and beyond that, hills, rivers, forests stretched out.
"My realm of Equis was meant to be paradise for those I created." Faust continued. "But when I was forced to depart from it, along with the three surviving Isu who ruled humanity...my hope for my realm turned to dust."
"For the battle I had hoped to send away has come at last. A group of my people who you might call...adherent, to the beliefs of your adversaries, the Templars, has taken root in my realm. Left unchecked, they will send it into ruin."
"What does this mean for us?" Edward asked. "It's your realm, after all. Isn't there something you can do? Aren't you a god?"
"I am not a god, Edward Kenway. To my great regret, I cannot do anything." Faust replied sadly. "My powers beyond this realm are limited. But to answer your question, you are what must happen to bring balance back to Equis."
"The pendulum swings both ways, after all. You are chaos, they are order. I ask you to restore the balance in my realm. Not for order or chaos, but for harmony, the union of both. Harmony must be restored in Equis for it to survive. You six shall be the key to this endeavor."
"And what if we...decline this burden?" Arno asked. "Is that possible?"
"If that is your choice, you may, and move on." Faust replied. "But if you would accept my offer, I would see that you are sufficiently prepared for your task. Step forward when you have made your choice."
The six Assassins looked at each other with hesitance. They were all strangers, with varying degrees of knowledge about each other. It would certainly be a challenge in learning to work with each other, let alone save a new world.
But if there was one thing the Assassins could do...it was to change the path of fate and history itself. And it seemed they had all come to that conclusion at the same time.
Ezio was the first to step forward, followed by Altair, then Connor and Edward, and finally, Arno and Desmond.
"Thank you." Faust said. "I know you will not fail. Your time has now come. I wish you the best of luck, Assassins. You will find my gifts upon your arrival."
The temple faded away, and everything turned to white once again as Faust vanished from view. Then, everything turned to gray, and then to black as the Assassins' vision faded from them, signalling their journey to a new world...had begun.
The last thing they heard in their ears before a roaring sound overtook them was the voice of Faust.
"Be brave...be swift...and be true..."
Canterlot Palace, Equestria
Royal Common Room
As the sun shone down over Canterlot, the clear blue sky free of clouds, the citizens of the various districts of Equestria's capital city went about their business and daily lives. To say the city was vast was an understatement of a high degree. For when the city was first built on the mountainside, and later expanded to the plains below, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had ensured there was a proper space for everything and anything that needed done or made.
As such the city was divided into sections and some dub-districts, with the homes of the wealthy on the mountainside, while many of the private residences for the common or middle class were built in the plains below. It was often true that visitors first learned upon arrival to learn and memorize the areas of the city so as to not get lost. Though signposts bearing a map and nearby landmarks were positioned at every main intersection or major waypoint in each district many of its citizens could do without them.
At the center and to the right was the Market District. Here, the bakers made the day's selection of bread in their ovens, and the grocers tended to their stalls of fresh dairy, fruit, and vegetables. No matter where one went, it was full of life and lively discussion. Picnic areas were everywhere, and a large, well-built park with a swan populated lake was a popular destination for couples seeking some relaxation.
In the Industry district to the southwest, the blacksmiths hammered at their stations, the apothecaries' cauldrons held their brews and elixirs, and the weavers spun their cloth into clothing of all shapes and sizes. The air here was full of the sound of ponies and machines at work, as sparks from the anvils of the forges fell into the street gutters to be collected in the evening.
The many shops and boutiques of the Merchant's Corner in the east, had a vast array of services and goods available to browse. From the gowns used by the nobility at their many balls, parties, dinners, and galas, to the toys used by the city's foals in their homes. There was even a small selection of weaponsmiths and mechanical engineers housed in the small section known as "Blades Boulevard".
Across from the market lay the Golden Avenue, where the Mint, Royal Bank, and several private banks stored, invested, and traded all the bits and other currencies you could imagine. If one needed anything seen to or done in relation to money, this was the place to be.
To the north-west was the Scholastic Circle, where the Royal Vaults and Archives, The Celestial School for Gifted Students, and other educational venues were built and tended to, where scholars and tutors would teach their subjects to all who sought them out. The Celestial School was the epitome of such pursuits, and all who attended often became Royal Officials or even teachers themselves.
To the north-east was Glade Fields, where many of the nobility had their homes in a luxurious, cordoned off neighborhood on the hillsides near the palace. Some parts of the mountain were even smoothed out to make room for more residences in this district. Despite the rocky underground, the top was full of grass, gardens, and parks.
And finally, the Royal Palace and Court lay at the highest point of the city, where the Princesses lived and worked alongside an army or two of servants, maids, footmen, chefs, and all the staff needed to keep life there perfect. Alongside it was the Equestrian Parliament, where the Two Councils of Nobles and Commons worked in tandem to make laws to pass to the Princesses, who would approve or disapprove of them accordingly.
And in a large common room with a balcony overlooking the city, a small group of Equestrians sat on the couches and chairs, entertained with a lively conversation.
At the forefront of the group was Princess Twilight Sparkle, newly crowned by Princess Celestia herself only four months ago. She wore a less heavy version of her coronation gown, colored gold, lilac, and white, with some trim and embroidering on the skirt. Her crown rested on her head, and she also wore matching gloves and golden slippers.
On her left was Twilight's chosen suitor, personal guard, and close friend, a Marshall in the Guards Corps named Flash Sentry. He wore his usual Guards' uniform, and a combat sword lay sheathed on his waist.
Twilight had been given a selection of Guards to appoint as her personal protector when she was crowned Princess, and Flash had stood out with his spotless record and their similar age. She had taken a gamble in choosing him, but it had paid off splendidly.
It had only been three months since he was chosen, but it hadn't taken long for Twilight to fall for her guard, and Flash to admit the same. They were not yet married or engaged, as they had both pledged to take their relationship slowly for a year as a promise to each other.
To Twilight's left were the noble ladies Rarity Belle and Fluttershy Breeze, alongside Rainbow Dash. Rarity was one of the most renowned seamstresses in the city, despite her noble heritage. Every one of her gowns was handmade by her, and many of her clients praised her and her work as "miraculous". She was unmarried, and her younger sister, Sweetheart "Sweetie Belle", was her assistant. Currently, she wore a white sundress with merlot-colored trim and a wine-colored wide-brimmed hat, with velvet gloves and shoes of merlot.
Fluttershy Breeze was a kind soul to all who met her, and it was her petition that had allowed a family of swans to make a nest in the Market District Park. The swans were now a highlight and a welcome sight to all, as they were quite friendly to the park-goers. As a result, she and her family were given a noble title and equivalent status as a reward. She wore a simpler dress, but it was well-made with lace and embellishments to be worthy of such an occasion.
Rainbow Dash was a lieutenant in the famed Wonderbolt Brigade, known for their sheer speed and strict regime of physical fitness. It was said they often flew over the training grounds while on runs, and Rainbow certainly fit that bill. She wore her Wonderbolts uniform with the golden wings that symbolized her rank on her right shoulder.
To Twilight's right was Pinkamena "Pinkie" Diane Pie, and Jacqueline "Applejack" Apple. Pinkie was a proud member of the Pie family, whose parties often involved lots of sweets and sugar, and of course, cider and other adult drinks. The Pies were excellent hostesses with a dedication to making merry, and Princess Celestia herself enjoyed their work. She wore a rather poofy blue dress with a swirl-pattern on the skirt, like a lollipop.
Applejack and her family owned one of the largest orchards in Canterlot, and though most of her family lived in a town called Ponyville to the west of the capital, she moved to Canterlot in order to manage the business more effectively. She wore typical riding clothes with a slit skirt that reached her thighs, and a stetson hat rested on her head. Applejack had at first stuck out amongst the elegant nobles, but her dedication and sometimes, her stubbornness had earned her a great amount of deserved respect.
The current topic of discussion varied, but the speaker at the moment was Rainbow Dash.
"So, as I am inspecting the barracks for the potential recruits…" she said, trying her best to contain a burst of laughter. "I notice something quite peculiar. Something that surely did not belong there but was there anyway."
"What might that be?" Applejack asked.
"Some brain-dead recruit had smuggled a bottle of cider into the barracks, and left it uncorked for heaven knows how long. And spoiled cider, let me tell you, is not drinkable in the slightest."
"So, as I take the bottle and cork it again to block out the smell, Commander Spitfire comes in to check on my progress. She sees the bottle of cider, and takes it from me, saying "She'll take it off my hands", as only officers have a cider allowance."
"Please don't tell me the Commander drank that cider." Flash Sentry groaned. "Shouldn't the smell have alerted her?"
"She was recovering from a cold, so she couldn't smell a thing even if she wanted to." Rainbow replied, chortling now. "She downed the entire bottle in a few gulps, and within the span of a few minutes, turned green and rushed to the latrines at full speed...across the training fields."
"I reckon at least twenty recruits saw the "impregnable" commander Spitfire...ahem...lose her hold on her stomach quite violently...just as she reached the waste drain. The laughter was so loud, it reached the mess hall." Rainbow laughed.
"Did Commander Spitfire take it well?" Twilight asked.
"Well, once she regained her hold, she demanded to know what foul substance was in that bottle. I stepped forward and told her that it was spoiled cider I found in the barracks, and was going to dispose of immediately. She chuckled, barked at us to return to drills, and headed off towards the infirmary without another word." Rainbow finished. "Fortunately, the Commander did not contract anything from the cider. Unfortunately, the recruit who brought it in had to clean up the Commander's...lunch...as a punishment."
"A disgusting task" Rarity said with some distaste. "I would faint before I would do anything of the sort."
"I agree." Rainbow sighed. "The poor sap actually said as he finished that it was well worth it to see the Commander lose her grip."
"And with that, were are moving on…to more pleasant topics, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said with an air of finality. As the conversation resumed, Flash looked over towards the window. The realm hadd at peace for some time, and crime was almost unheard of, and dealt with quickly and quietly.
But something inside him told Flash that things were going to change very soon. He shook his head and relaxed, dispelling his train of thought into the back of his mind.
But had Flash known in that moment what was to come, he would've been a bit more wary about such thoughts. Because, at that very moment, in a vacant manor inside the Glade Fields, six unknown strangers were coming to their senses.
Author's Note
Yeah, this took so much worldbuilding. But it was so. worth. it.
I took inspiration for the Canterlot in this story from 17-1800's building plans the designs of cities like Versailles or St. Petersburg. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the longest prologue chapter I've ever written to date.
Next time - The Assassins get to work in their new home/Sanctuary, and later, in the streets, Flash Sentry meets Ezio Auditore in a less-than-optimal manner...
