Chapter 1: Reboot 3: Electric Boogaloo

Hey. Thank you for reading my fanfiction. Some of you might remember this story from a different account about 3 or 4 years ago. Probably not, but eh. Some of you might also remember this story from about a year ago. More likely, but still a bit iffy. Well, I finally got around to writing this thing again, and I'll try for at least bi-weekly updates. Hopefully more.

Anyways, for the third time, An Assassin in Sword Art Online (Rewrite the third, because I'm inconsistent.

Also, all names will be in the Western style. (First Name : Last Name)

I made some updates to parts of the story, but nothing major.

BTW, all I know about Assassins Creed is what I learned from Assassin in the Void (A Familiar of Zero AC Xover) and On Eagles Wings (Also a Familiar of Zero AC Xover). And a bit from when I researched stuff for my OC. Other than that I know next to nothing, so if anything is wrong then please tell me and I will do my best to correct it. Or just say it's AU and ignore it.

This is generally a humorous fanfiction, but with some darker parts here and again.

Please review and tell me what I could do to improve the story.

I really don't have much else to say other than "I hope you enjoy!"

Note: I will use Blank for most SAO terms. (eg. Items, Sword Skills, Towns, and Mobs, though Character names when read in system will be _.)

Note: And hey, I don't own Sword Art Online, Assassins Creed, or any other things I mention. Well, technically I own Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization and Assassins Creed: Pirates, but not the IPs.

Note: Forget anything you know about Japan that is canon to AC, the details of the Assassins and Templars in Japan will be slightly different (See: Not at all similar) to AC canon.

"The fact that all of this was happening in virtual space made no difference. Being virtually killed by virtual laser in virtual space is just as effective as the real thing..."

― Douglas Adams, Mostly Harmless

"Hello, agent Akakawa," came the digitized voice from the computer.

"Sup, Q," the teenager lounging on his couch replied lazily.

"You used to be a member of The Order, show a little more respect. And stop calling me Q." The voice, the teen decided, sounded distinctly annoyed. Not that he cared.

"Yeah, well I'm not an assassin any more. And I totally didn't watch too many James Bond movies growing up." The teen sighed and sat up. There was, after all, a time for humor and a time to be serious. This was the latter. "So what does the Order need with me?"

"Actually we need you to infiltrate the new game Sword Art Online. We are aware that Kayaba Akihiko once worked with the Templars. We need you to make sure it's safe."

"So I get paid for playing video games?"

"Yes."

"Why me?"

"You're one of the only people that The Order can trust who also has time to spare and actually plays video games. We could get, say, Matthew to do the job, but…"

"Yeah, I get it. The old man would hate every second of it. Though I assume that it's also because I'm expendable?" There was no response, though that pretty much confirmed Yashin's statement. "Well whatever. When do I start?"

"Players, welcome to my world. My name is Kayaba Akihiko. Right now, I am the only person who can control this world."

Yashin, as he was calling himself in the game, sighed.

"I think that most of you have discovered the fact that the Log Out button has disappeared from the main menu. This is not a bug; it is a feature of Sword Art Online."

Of course something would go wrong. Why wouldn't it?

"Until you reach the 100th floor and defeat the boss, you will not be able to log out."

"Tch. Well, at least it ain't Everquest," Yashin muttered.

The voice continued, uncaring of Yashin's complaints, both silent and vocalized. "If your HP reaches zero or the Nerve Gear is tampered with from the outside, the signal sensors in your nerve gear will emit a strong electromagnetic pulse, destroying your brain and stopping all of your basic functions."

Some people took that realization poorly. For Yashin, it was nothing new.

"You will all most probably be wondering, 'Why?' Why am I - the creator of both the Nerve Gear and SAO, Kayaba Akihiko - doing something like this? Is this a sort of terrorist attack? Is he going to ransom us?"

Judging by the sudden explosion of whispered conversations, many people had in fact been wondering that.

"None of these is the reason I am doing this. Not only that, but now for me, there is no longer a reason or a purpose in doing this. The reason is because... this situation itself was my purpose in doing this. To create and watch this world is the only reason I have created the Nerve Gear and SAO. And now, everything has been realized."

A God complex then? No, not quite. Kayaba was arrogant, to be sure, but in Yashin's eyes much of that was warranted. The man had created a world after all. It was something else.

"Now, I have finished the official tutorial for «Sword Art Online». Players, I wish you luck."

Yashin groaned as the plaza erupted into a frenzy of noise. "Atch, I knew that this was too good to be true. Well now I know that it is most certainly NOT safe."

"Too true, young assassin," came the voice from behind him.

"What? Who's there?" Yashin spun around and drew his sword. He found nothing. Glancing around, he realized that the entire world had fallen away, leaving him alone in an empty expanse of white.

"I am Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of this game. And you are Takeashi Akakawa, a rogue assassin going by the in-game name of Yashin," the voice said.

"Well, yeah I heard your speech. But how do you know I'm an assassin? Why're you talking to me? And where did all the people go?" Yashin asked, looking around the endless white landscape that stretched on into infinity.

Kayaba sighed. "Kids these days. Did you really think that I wouldn't expect The Order or The Templars to sneak some people in? I'm not blind, you know? Anyways, I'm here because you interest me. You're one of the only people to leave the Order and get away with it. Also, remember I do have admin controls right now, after all I created this. I simply teleported you."

Yashin nodded in understanding. "Ah, well. I guess I should've expected that. So what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I wanted to give you these. You wouldn't be much of an assassin without them now would you? Check your inventory." Kayaba waved his his hand and bathed Yashin in light.

After the light faded Yashin opened up his menu and scrolled through. A few of the items he now had caught his eye.

Well, he thought, the Hidden Blade was somewhat expected, but what are the Yataghan Blades? Ah, there's the typical uniform. Cosmetic item: Replaces current outfit?

"Dang, that's a lot of stuff, but why would you give me this?" He asked warily.

"Because you're interesting," Kayaba replied.

Yashin blinked. "Okay... anyway thanks, I guess. So can I go start playing now? I mean that's why I'm here after all."

Kayaba raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to say something about how I'm evil and you're going to kill me?"

"Well actually this place is safer than my normal life and they feed you for free at the hospital. Also I hear that the taste engine in this game is great. I guess overall this place is cheaper, safer, and more fun than real life is, so yeah, why would I want to leave?" He explained with a shrug. "I mean, once we beat this game, I'm going to find you, carve out your throat, and crucify you with your own ribcage, but why be hostile about it? It's all just business after all.

"Fair enough," Kayaba said with a chuckle. "I was right, you are interesting. Well I have to go now. Do try not to get yourself killed in the meantime. Farewell, Assassin."

The world turned black and Yashin's vision darkened.

After a few seconds, his eyes snapped open. Well, he thought, that was different. Turns out Kayaba was pretty chill. Yashin stood up and checked his inventory. After making sure that everything was in order he looked around. In front of him was a forest with a path leading down it. Looking behind him he saw the starting city.

He weighed his options. He could go back to get more supplies, or he could just wing it. Yashin thought for a second, before deciding that thinking was too much trouble and he'd just wing it.

With that thought he turned and began strolling into the forest, taking the first steps on his journey. The journey of An Assassin.