Crossing Time

Good morning, good afternoon or whatever time you will read this.
My native language is not English, so please excuse my poor grammar or use of words.

Pairing: Altair x Malik, Desmond x Arno

Rating: T

Genre: Adventure

Disclaimer: Assassins Creed belongs to Ubisoft.
This is an Adaption of 'Chrono Trigger' made by Akira Toriyama and Square Soft (Square Enix back in 1994). Please support the official release.

_

~ Present – 1000 A.D. ~

It was a beautiful sunny morning in Masyaf. The seagulls flew near the oceanic beach and first fireworks cracked, announcing the opening of the millennial fair up at Desmond Square, where a large Bell chimed in response.

Malik Al Sayf was still lying asleep in his bed and rolled over to do so a bit more. That was until Kadar bashed in.
"Hey Malik!", the young teen had flopped right onto his big brothers bed and grinned up at Malik with his bright blue eyes. "Do you wanna sleep all day? You will miss the fair. You wanted to go with me!"
"Ngh... get out of my room, Kadar.", Malik just growled. He was not good at this. "It's way too early."
"It's not.", Kadar got up and ripped open the curtains to have sun shine into the room and into poor Malik's eyes who still was barely awake. The young man hated being woken up like this. What had he done to get such a bashful little brother for family?

The two of them lived in a small house by Masyaf Town. Their parents had passed away some years ago and it had been Malik taking their place. He was working as a mercenary, earning money and thus watching out for his little brother.
Yesterday he had just come back from a longer trip. It had been just so he earned some money so they could enjoy the fair today.

"Rise and shine, it will be awesome! Come, come, get dressed. I made breakfast.", Kadar said. Breakfast, because they still had food here and it was going to be cheaper than the food at the fair.

After breakfast, they soon approached the fair. There were several stands offering all sorts of entertainment. There was a race around the middle, a bell ringer, a drinking contest (with fruit juice of course, the Kingdom of Masyaf didn't allow drunkards to ruin the fair), a tent with a magician, several merchants among which was also the local blacksmith and a fighting game. Everywhere you could earn the millennial fair's currency which you could exchange for prizes or for real money.

Kadar was all fired up and could hardly decide what to do first. Malik was rather calm about it and followed his brother rather slowly. That was when he bumped into someone who seemed to be just about as excited as his baby brother...

"Ouf, I'm sorry.", the person lamented. Both were lying on the ground, but the other soon got up. ."Are you okay?"
It was a young man, pretty much like Malik himself. About in his mid 20s. The male had light skin, hazel eyes and – which was odd – wore a white hood.
Some people around this time wore hoods, but it was not common as people didn't like when others covered up beyond recognition.
Malik got up and patted the dust from his pants. "It's okay... I guess."
"Oh no, don't tell me I lost it.", the other male paled and patted his hips, where he wore several smaller pockets. He looked around himself, then and cursed.

Something shimmering caught Maliks eye and he picked up a glowing, golden orb. He frowned. He had never seen anything like it. Then he showed it to the stranger.
"You found it! ...Can I have it back, please?"
"Of course.", Malik frowned. He found this guy pretty weird.

"You... seem from around here.", the male put the glowing ball into his pocket and made sure it would not get lost again. "Could you show me around? Truth be told, I have never been to a fair."
"Sure."

Malik then noticed that Kadar seemed to be gone. Oh, he didn't worry. He was going to find him sooner or later. And later would turn out pretty bad for his brother, that was for sure. And Kadar knew that as well.
"My name is Altair."
"Malik. Nice to meet you."

Together, they discovered the fair. And Malik had to be honest, he had never seen a fair this way like he did with Altair. He really enjoyed it. When he was with Altair it seemed like they had known each other for a longer time than they did now.

Finally, it was announced that Leonardo's attraction was open to viewers. Leonardo da Vinci had been a friend to Malik ever since they were kids. Leonardo had always amazed with crazy inventions. Some of which were going terribly wrong but mostly terribly right. The man was a freaking genius by now.
Altair was excited and urged Malik on to go with him.

"Step right up! I am Leonardo da Vinci and my latest invention will change the world! I call it the 'Teleporter'. Have you ever considered of visiting another place? You can do so within a matter of seconds with this baby here.", he proudly announced.
There were two large pods with complicated cables and machinery going on. The crowd watching was murmuring in anticipation but when Leonardo asked for a volunteer to try his new invention, no one really wanted to step up to it.

"How about you, young gentleman?", Leonardo then simply picked a participant – Altair.
Altair felt somewhat embarrassed, but made his way forward.
"Alright, no fear, my inventions hardly ever kill anyone.", Leonardo said with a cheeky grin.
"Except for when you used my little brother's guinea pig as a test pilot once.", Malik grinned and stepped next to the machine.
"Psst, Malik. Don't shoo away potential customers.", Leonardo made a face. He still could picture how heartbroken Kadar had looked after his guinea pig was lost. People may claim that it was now at a better place: In Masyaf Forest.

They didn't even talk about how one of Leonardos earliest inventions had cost Malik his left arm. Leonardo had shown Malik proudly what he had managed to do. A primitive conveyor belt. Then Malik got stuck with his sleeve... and they were happy the doctor was able to come in time.
Still, they remained friends. Maybe even stronger than before this incident.
To Malik, it was not so much a difference. In his job as mercenary he was still pretty successful. No one messed with him.

"Okay, now let's throw the switch. What's your name, young man?"
"Altair.", and he was nervous.
"Okay Altair. You will pixelate on this pod and then your atoms will move over and put together on the other pod. Hopefully in the same arrangement as they are now.", Leonardo winked which made Altair grin nervously.

Leonardo made the machine work. It buzzed, it roared.
And that was when it happened...
The orb that had been dropped previously this morning was now glowing hot and very vibrant out of Altairs pocket.
"Wh- What is going on?"
The crowd murmured. Everyone was shocked to see a large portal open up between the two pods. And instead of having Altair transfer to the other pod, he was sucked into the portal!
The portal closed and Altair was gone.

Eerie silence filled the air. No one dared to say something.
Leonardo was the first to regain his composure.
"Alright people. Show's over. Move along.", he shooed them away. Malik however could stay.

"What could have gone wrong?", Malik asked.
"I have no idea. ...This ...this strange glow.", Leonardo furrowed his brows and looked hard at the first pod. He saw the golden orb lying there innocently. Thinking for more moments, he came up with an idea. "Aha!"
"Aha?"
"I know.", Leonardo picked up the orb. "Whatever has gone wrong with my machine, we shall do it again. With you."
"With me?!", Malik gasped. "Are you nuts? What if I don't make it back? Who will look after Kadar when I am gone?"
Leonardo shoved the orb into Maliks hands and shoved the male towards the pod. "Don't worry, I will look for your baby brother. He's practically family. Now shush and go. We don't want to have this young man waiting forever. What if he's in danger? I unfortunately don't know where this portal leads."

And before Malik could protest further, the procedure was repeated. This time it was him being sucked into the portal.

~ Present – 1000 A.D. ~ ?

Through the portal, it felt cold and eerie. Malik temporarily felt like he was flying... until he landed ungracefully in a grassy field.
The cold and eerie place of the portal was gone and had made place for trees, bushes and Malik could hear water gurgling nearby.
Malik looked around him and wondered if he could find any trace where Altair could have gone. "Altair? ... Are you there?"

He frowned as he heard rustling between the bushes. But what came towards him was not Altair but a group of sinister looking mystics. "Ahhh, another human being.", one of them said, looking nothing short of a green imp.
"Just like the one we saw previously~", another one hissed.
"So you saw Altair? Tell me where has he gone?"
"Ha, as if we'd let you go that easily.", one of the three mystics said and pulled his dagger.
Malik just hummed and pulled his sword – much longer than the small dagger.

The argument ended with the mystics telling that Altair had run off through the forest to Masyaf Castle.

On his way to the Castle, Malik noticed differences. It was Masyaf, yet it was not. Where Desmond Square should have been was a forest with a beautiful ravine. Where his and Kadars house should have been was nothing... very strange. Leonardos house was also not there. The few shabby houses that made the city, were few and in a rather funny condition. Yet, Malik recognised their position...

When he had finally reached the Castle, he overheard a conversation of two Soldiers finding it strange how their King Desmond suddenly wanted 'eye-scream'. Icecream? And right, in the middle ages had there been a King Desmond – after who the Square was named.
Malik combined and concluded that he had indeed landed in the middle ages. Or some strange ensemble of people making him believe so. But he was incapable of explaining otherwise.

"Halt!", the soldiers said in unison when Malik actually showed up.
"Who goes there? Are you from Jacob's troops?"
"Ha, look at that arm, do you think he would even work for anyone?"
"Hardly.", the Soldiers laughed. "Now beat it, cripple."
Malik growled and was about to draw his sword. He hated it when people made fun of him like this. And apparently people in medieval times had no manners either.

"Stop that at once!", a familiar voice said. It was Altair ... wait, he wore strange robes. King's robes. Malik furrowed his brows in confusion.

"King Desmond!", the Soldiers paled as their King appeared.
"Show your manners! This is a friend of mine!"
"But there's something odd about him..."
"You refuse to obey my orders?", the King looked positively angry.
"F-forgive me, sire.", the Soldiers made way for Malik. "Please enter, Sir."
Altair chuckled and disappeared through one of the doors towards the West wing of the Castle.

Malik looked still a bit confused but then decided to move along the lines as if he was just part of this big joke.
He met Altair / King Desmond up in the King's room.

"Ah, there you are.", the King smiled. He was surrounded by Attendants, one of which wore the regalia of the Chancellor. The royal family and the Chancellor sometimes appeared also in modern times in Masyaf. They had also given a ceremony to open up the millennial fair in celebration of the 1000 year existance of their Kingdom.
The Chancellor here however growled at Malik.

"Come nearer, Sir.", the King said, once they were alone. Malik stepped a little closer and the King laughed.
"Fooled you, didn't I? It's me, Altair. But here, everyone calls me 'King Desmond'. It's so hilarious. Apparently they think I am their missing King.", Altair smiled. "... I am so relieved you are here. I was starting to think that my former life had been a dream. Or this one is. It's all so confusing."
"Yea I know. We were at the fair and suddenly back in medieval times. I am still not sure if this is for real.", or how we come back for that matter, Malik thought. But maybe Leonardo would figure something out. Otherwise... he didn't know what to do. Earn alot of money and leave a message for Kadar. What else could he do but secure his little brother's life from afar?

"We barely know each other, yet you came for me. I'm so happy...", Altair looked like a lovesick puppy.
And Malik felt a little bad for the fact that Leonardo had shoved him here. He would have never delibaretly come here in the first place...

Suddenly, Altair paled and clutched his chest. "S-something's... wrong!", he stammered. "I can't breath... I feel like being torn apart!"
Malik made big eyes. Altair seemed to disappear right before his eyes!
Now if this didn't make the cake of his stupid time adventures already!

The door flew open behind him and Malik thought, these rude Soldiers would now come for him. But it was Leonardo! Never had he been happier to see him.
"Hff... hff... are you okay? Did you find him?", it looked like he had been running all the way here. And it was a puzzle to Malik how Leonardo had gotten past the guards.
"Y-yeah, kinda. But now he's gone. Right here."
"Hmm... just as I thought. I knew I have seen him before."
"What do you mean?"

"Look. The castle looks just like our castle in our time. We got the royal family here.", Leonardo stepped closer. "I'll bet they mistook Altair for his ancestor. You see, he is a member of the royal family in our time. He is Prince Aquilus."
"But he calls himself Altair."
"Yes, possibly just a cover name. I think he might wanted to be incognito on the fair without everyone knowing. Also, he had made barely an appearance in the public as a Prince."
"Makes sense.", at least something did.

"Now, when Prince Aquilus – Altair – did take King Desmond's place in this time, they called off the search for the King. And with the King missing..."
"...there will be no future royal family."
"Exactly! King Desmond and Altair must look alot alike I assume. It is possible."
"Then we need to find the King and everything will be fine again?"
"Yes, that could work.", Leonardo nodded and smiled.

They asked around where King Desmond had been seen before he had 'returned'. The trace led the two friends to the Cathedral to the West of the Castle...

The Cathedral was a lovely small building made from dark grey stone with beautiful ornamented glass windows that painted patterns onto the floor and the wooden benches. Currently, four nuns were present here, praying in silence.
And they were pretty nuns too...

At the Altar, Malik noticed something small gleaming.
"What did you find?", Leonardo stepped closer and looked at the small object. It looked like some sort of badge. Leonardo picked it up.
"It bear's Masyaf's royal crest!"

"We want nothing but world peace...", the nuns said in unison with angelic voice. But then the voices changed terribly into terrifying screeches. "...or a piece of the world! Tee hee hee~"
The faces of the nuns changed as well. They became monstrosities in the form of half woman, half snake, a little bit like a mermaid, called Naga. But it was more like an evil sister of a mermaid.
The four beasts attacked Malik and Leonardo.

Malik drew his sword and made short work of two of those critters while Leonardo used a gun he had invented to eliminate the other two.
"That was easy. What are those anyway? The past seems to be littered with those creatures.", Malik said and sheathed his sword again. "I have also seen some on my way towards the Castle."
"Yes, these... were more common in this time, Malik. They are called 'Mystics'. In the Chronicles it is said that we fought them for a long time and then eventually they all disappeared. Their leader from this time is a strong Mage called Jacob. He is responsible for this."
"Hmm..."
"No Malik, there's no chance that you could possibly beat him with your sword. Forget it.", Leonardo glared at Malik.

Suddenly, one of the Nagas jerked awake and attacked once again in blind rage – but then was struck by a sword before Malik or Leonardo could even react.

"Lower your guard and you will allow zhe enemy in.", a /Frog/ had striken the Naga back down. A Frog with a French accent. "Are you 'ere to save zhe King? Zhe lair is deep wizhin. Will you accompany me?"

Leonardo and Malik just stared at the talking Frog for a long moment with big eyes. The Frog was about as tall as a child at age 8 and was wearing armor next to a sword. A vertical scar stood between his eyes.
"A...a...Frog!?", Leonardo would have expected everything in here but this! "M-Malik, can we keep him?"
"Uhh..."
"I'm not a pet!", the Frog inquired. "...very well. Do as you please, but I shall save zhe King."

"I'm sorry. .. Frog...", Leonardo seemed nervous. "We have as much interest in finding the King as you. And as you said, the lair is deep and possibly littered with monsters like these one. We should work together."
The Frog looked at Malik.
"Yeah, totally.", Malik had no problem. By now he considered it all just a bad dream or a bad joke. "Do you have a name, Frog?"

"Ar...", the Frog started. "...Frog will do."
The Frog seemed sad for a moment. But there was no time. They had to find the King.