Connor changed back into his regular clothes and went to the front door to meet Ezio. Leonardo and Desmond were there instead. "Yo newbie! What took you so long?"

"I was talking to the gym teacher. And please, call me Connor."

"Yeah, sure thing."

Leo opened one of the doors. "C'mon, we don't want to keep our ride waiting."

Connor stepped outside. "Ride?"

There were screeching tires and a loud honk. A red sports car had stopped in front of them. "Ciao amici! Busy after school Connor?"

"No...but..."

"Great! Get in then, you can even sit up front."

"Um...alright."

The bus behind them honked. Ezio honked back and turned around to yell. "Hey, shut up! This is a pickup drop-off zone!"

Desmond and Leo got in the back and Ezio moved quickly out of the bus's way, swerving around people as he left the school parking lot. "Some people have short tempers huh?"

Connor was thankful for his seatbelt. "I guess. Aren't you driving a little...fast?"

"Nonsense, with this traffic you can hardly move." There really weren't that many cars for New York. "Wait until we're on the road to my house, then I will show you fast."

"Oh...wonderful." Connor had a firm grip on the door.

Ezio drove like nut until he got onto the road that lead to upstate New Jersey, then to make up for lack of turns he never once took his foot off the accelerator. Then the Ferrari California pulled through a gate and swung around a gravel driveway until it halted in front of a large house. Well actually large house would be an understatement, the Auditore family had a mansion styled like an Italian Villa. Ezio jumped over the driver's door and opened the passenger side.

Connor was glad to be on solid ground. He stared at the large estate until Ezio grabbed his arm and pulled him to the doors and flung them open. "Welcome new friend to my humble home!"

Connor stood awed and still partially dazed from the car ride and Ezio pulling him around. Leo walked past them both into the lavish foyer. "Humble? Sure...nothing is humble about you dear."

A woman in a red dress stood at the top of the stairs. "So true Leonardo, he's just like his father."

"Mom! That is not true!"

"Yeah mother." An older boy slid down the railing. "You need to remember that dad was never this flamboyant...or stupid."

Ezio crossed his arms. "Well Federico for your information I have As or B+s in all my classes."

Federico poked his younger brother. "Wow. Even Petruccio is getting better grades, straight A+s."

"He's an 8th grader! That work is a lot easier than 12th grade!"

Desmond shrugged. "Actually 8th grade was kinda hard."

Federico rolled his eyes. "Every grade is difficult for you Desmond." He looked at Connor. "And who's this new friend?"

Ezio smiled. "This is Connor Kenway. Connor meet my older brother Federico, Federico meet my new friend Connor. Then that's my mom Maria."

Connor shook Federico's hand and waved to Maria Auditore. "It's nice to meet you both."

Maria waved back. "Nice to meet you too. Now you boys have fun, I'm going shopping with Claudia and Petruccio. Your father should be in his study and your uncle is...somewhere."

Ezio headed for one of the doors. "Yeah yeah yeah. We'll just be downstairs."

"Remember that if you're hungry the kitchen has plenty of food."

"Yes mom."

"And if you need me to get you anything while we're out shopping you just call."

"Yes mom. We'll be going now."

"Oh yes of course, have fun, but not too much fun. I don't want anything or anyone to be broken."

"Sure thing mom." He opened the door to reveal a set of stairs. "Alright Connor close your eyes, it's a surprise."

Connor gave Ezio a questioning look. "There's a surprise for me in your basement? You just met me."

"Heh heh, well I actually have to set up the surprise. That's why you have to close your eyes."

"Hmm...alright, but how do you expect me to walk down stairs if I can't see?"

Leo started walking down. "He's got a point Ezio, and some sass."

"Fine! You can keep your eyes open until you get down the stairs, but I want to surprise you!"

The basement of the mansion was as grand as the entry way. There was an area designated as a home movie theater, and another part was dedicated to trophy cases filled with mementos from all of the Auditore's accomplishments.

Ezio pointed to the couch. "Okay Connor I'll be right back, so close your eyes. Leo, Desmond I'll need your help."

Connor sat down, closed his eyes and waited. He heard objects being moved and mumbled arguing. Then he felt two people grab his elbows. "Can I open my eyes now?"

"Not yet." That was Leo.

"Yeah you just need to follow us a little and..." That one was Desmond. "and...now."

Connor opened his eyes and the basement was now dimly lit by candles and his friends were wearing white sheets. "Um...this isn't a cult thing is it?"

Ezio stood in front of him. "Be quiet. And no it's not. Ahem. Connor Kenway you have been chosen to become part of the Brotherhood."

"I thought I was already..."

"But before the title of Brother is given to you there is an initiation ceremony. First repeat after me. I understand that being part of the Brotherhood is an opportunity that is given to an exceptional few. I will help my brothers as they will help me. I will not disgrace the name of the Brotherhood."

"...the Brotherhood. Okay now what do I do? Get a sheet or a ring or..."

"Silence! You shall now be graced by the blade of the ancients..."

The lights were turned on. "Ugh. Who dares interrupt?! I put a 'do not disturb sign' on the door!"

"It's a me Mario you're uncle. What are you doing down here in the dark? Why do you have my old fencing sword? Who's the Indian? Why are you wearing white sheets? I thought you were told to fold them, not walk around pretending to be a ghost."

"Uncle, I'm in the middle of an initiation ceremony. We're having Connor join the Brotherhood."

"Oh the little club you made with your friends."

"It's not a club."

Mario nodded. "Right because I don't know of any club that would need a ceremony."

"Uncle please. Can you just leave until we finish?"

"Fine. I'll watch my shows in another room. Have fun, but don't kill anybody." Mario walked back up the stairs and turned the lights off.

Desmond smiled. "I love your uncle Ezio."

Leo looked at him. "That's because he says 'It's a me Mario' and you play too many video games."

"Don't dis video games, besides you've played some Smash Bros and Halo. Just because you never win..."

"Well that's because I don't spend my weekends playing games."

Ezio cleared his throat. "Ahem. So back to being graced by the blade." Ezio tapped both of Connor's shoulders. "For the last part of Brotherhood initiation you will perform a Fall of Faith with Desmond."

"A what?"

Desmond stood behind him. "Trust fall dude."

"Oh." Connor fell back into Desmond's arms. "Done?"

Ezio turned on the lights. "Yeah yeah, you're legit part of the Brotherhood. You didn't have to sound so uninterested though. Just trying to do something different."

Leo took off the sheet. "Well sometimes different is good...and sometimes it's bad."

Desmond took his sheet off too. "It was a lot cooler the last time, I can't help that someone kept talking."

Connor shrugged. "Sorry."

Ezio blew out all the candles. "It's fine. So want to take a tour of the house?"

Leo fixed his hair. "And by that he means he wants to show off his mansion."

"Well...yeah I like to show off, and plus you haven't met my dad yet." Ezio lead them back to the main floor and proceeded to take them all around his house through the numerous rooms and showing off the valuables on display. He saved the study for last. He knocked on the door before opening it. "Hey dad are you busy?"

"Not at all son, what's up? Oh hello there Leonardo and Desmond. Who's this?"

"I want you to meet my new friend Connor. Giovanni Auditore this is Connor Kenway. He's the new kid at school and..."

"Kenway! I knew a Kenway."

Connor half smiled. "It seems everyone has. And before you ask, no I don't believe I'm related to the gym teacher Edward Kenway."

"Oh. I was going to say Haytham."

"You...knew my dad?"

"So you are that Kenway. Yeah I knew Haytham, spent 9 hours next to him on a flight. He was a wonderful man, and a good listener. The last time I talked to him was about 20 years ago. He just got a job, and a wife too..."

"You knew Ziio too?!"

"Well of course. Lovely people both of them. I..." The phone on his desk started ringing but Giovanni dismissed it. "Oh, it's nothing. So Connor what brings you to New York?"

"Um well I'm living with my dad for my senior year, getting city experience."

The phone rang again. "Ugh, I better take this one. It's been great meeting you Connor Kenway. Say hello to your father for me. See you all later." Mr. Auditore waved to them all and put the phone to his ear.

Outside the study Ezio slapped Connor's shoulder. "Seems like our dad's were friends too."

Desmond looked up at the high ceilings. "Maybe it's like some freaky destiny that you met us Connor."

Leo gave him an odd look. "Of course, because nothing can ever be a coincidence. So what are we doing now? Want to watch a movie or something?"

Connor checked the time on his phone. "It's kind of late, and it takes an hour to get back. I should head home before my dad worries about me."

Ezio at first frowned but then smiled. "Alright you'll have to come out another time! I can give you and Desmond a ride home."

"Isn't Leo coming?"

"Oh no." Leo shook his head. "Ever since my parents went back to Italy I've lived here, and as far as I know they all love me. Goodnight you two, see you tomorrow."

First Ezio dropped off Desmond and drove Connor to the towering apartment building. "Wait...you live here?!"

"Yeah. On the top floor, the corner penthouse. It's a long walk if you take the stairs."

"The corner penthouse!? I had no idea your dad was that rich!"

"Rich?"

"Of course! Do you know how expensive it is to get a crappy apartment in New York? And this is one expensive building. You should do some research on all this. Wow. We should come over sometime because I've never even been in the lobby, but I've wanted to since it's a really nice place."

"I had no idea, but yeah that sounds like a good plan. We can plan that sometime. Thanks Ezio, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Ciao my friend!" Then the Ferrari screeched away.

Connor climbed all the stairs and walked to the end of the hall. When he opened the door everything was dark, and was left as it was this morning. He closed the door and as soon as he hung up his backpack the door opened again and Haytham came in.

"Oh hello Connor."

"Hey father...did you just get home?"

Haytham hung his coat and briefcase. "Huh, well if I just walked through the door...what do you think?"

"Sorry I'm just surprised that you work so late."

"Late? This is actually early for me. So what have you been up to?"

"I went to Ezio's house after school with Desmond and Leonardo. They're my new friends at school. They let me join their group called the Brotherhood there was this whole ceremony."

"They sound...interesting...and not made up."

"Yeah. I was really surprised to find that they're like the most popular kids."

Haytham sighed. "Oh good, I was worried that you befriended some weird goth cult."

"No no these are cool kids. And I found something intriguing about my gym teacher. His last name is Kenway too."

"Really? What a coincidence."

"Yeah. Everyone thought we were related, but I hadn't heard of him before. He's heard your name before because he knew to spell it with..."

"Wait, he knew me?"

"Not you personally, I don't think. Do you know an Edward Kenway?"

Haytham stopped on his way to the living room. There was silence and finally. "No. No I don't recall that name, and I have no relation to him."

There was a certain coldness in his father's voice that caused an unease. Connor wondered why, but decided to not think about it. "I also met Giovanni Auditore, he's Ezio's dad and he certainly knew you."

Haytham rolled his eyes. "Oh god...that man. He can be so annoying sometimes, especially when you're on a 9 hour flight and exhausted. He didn't shut up, and wouldn't take a hint."

Connor smiled. "He had a different tale to tell. He thought you were wonderful."

"Wonderful? Well he'd probably be the first."

"That's not true." Connor put a hand on his father's shoulder. "I think you're wonderful too."

Haytham smiled. "For a second I thought you were going to hug me."

"I wanted to."

"One quick hug."

"Yay." Connor gave his dad a hug. "I'm going to go to my room, I've got some homework."

"I have some work myself. Goodnight Connor."

"Goodnight."