Chapter 38: A Name that Almost Was

Jefferson replayed the footage of Kessler that Cole had viewed not too long ago. Even the second time around, it was chilling and jaw dropping. This man was nothing short of an enigma.

He went against everything he knew and believed all for the greater good. He took the risk of altering and speeding up the timeline to ensure that his mistake wouldn't happen twice. He sacrificed everything for the greater good.

But see, in his short amount of time, Kessler only had enough time and energy to show what was relevant and what was crucial to know. But what else could Kessler have told them if he had more time? What other secrets did he harbor?

"We are still analyzing the data but what we've uncovered so far connects to the rather strange events we've encountered these past couple of months."

"Like?" Cole asked.

"The First Sons had heard of the "trouble" we were stirring up here in New Marais and Kessler insisted they he would go to take care of it. The First Sons thought he was going to stop us; he had the power to do so. But little did they know he came with a different intention, as you saw from the footage." Jackson said.

"What was it?"

"It was a perfect opportunity. He needed to pass on a message and because of the connection I have to you…well him, he sought me out. When we first confronted each other, it was…damn. Kessler is as powerful as they come. Just like you."

"Well he is me so…"

Jackson chuckled. "During our heated confrontation, he lunged at me and grabbed my head, his cold fingers digging deep into my skull. At first nothing, but then a flurry of images came with a single message. Protect Cole."

"Because you had a connection to me. But what was this connection? Why did he choose you?"

Jackson chuckled. "Well, who better than your younger brother?"

Stunned silence.

Cole stood up and walked over to him. "J-Jake?" Cole stuttered out.

"Yeah bro. It's me."

Jackson stood up and the two of them hugged tightly. After some time, they separated and sat down beside each other.

"Why'd you change your name? I mean Jackson Knight is pretty bad ass. But why?"

"Given the current circumstances, it wouldn't exactly be safe for me to be marching around with the name MacGrath. One was bad, but two would be good for the Assassins. I did it to try to protect our family."

Now that Zeke and Kuo realized it, they did notice some striking resemblance between the two brothers. The height difference wasn't too big and if Jake were to shave off his hair, the pair could practically be twins.

"Family? Our parents? But they're dead now. They were killed when Empire City was leveled." Cole said.

Jackson tsked. "Not exactly."

"What do you…they're alive?"

"They go by the names of Jefferson and Laura Knight. I managed to get them around the quarantine and they left about a month before the Empire Event. They eventually caught on to what I was doing and wanted to help."

Cole and Zeke's jaws dropped.

"You mean that was Mr. MacGrath I was talking to? How didn't I recognize him?" Zeke asked.

"Amazing what a simple change in hair color and eye contacts can do isn't it?" Jackson responded. "They're proud of you Cole. As am I. You've come a long way."

"Can...can I see them?"

Jake smiled. "They're in the next room. Follow me." Cole and Jake stood up. "Do you guys mind?" Cole asked to Zeke and Kuo.

"Do what you got to do man. We ain't going anywhere." Zeke responded with a smile.

Jackson led Cole to a nearby room where Laura was on a bed reading while Jefferson was at the computer. He knocked softly on the door to get their attention.

"Cole…" Jefferson stood up from his computer and went over to Cole. He stared at him briefly before enveloping him in a tight hug, Cole hugging him back.

Laura walked over to them and smiled. They released the hug and Cole went to hug his mother.

"It's great to see you again Cole. We've heard of what you did. In Empire City, you really turned yourself and things around. The sacrifices you've made…"

"We also heard about what happened to Trish. We're sorry son. We know you loved her." Jefferson said.

"Yeah…" Cole looked down and subconsciously rubbed his TD tattoo.

"She's smiling down on you Cole." Laura spoke.

"I'm hoping she is." Cole responded with a small smile. "So what have you two been up to?"

"Jefferson here has recently come back from infiltrating the Templars, specifically the First Sons. They were working on a certain project that could have completely obliterated us." Jackson said. "Jefferson was able to put a stop to that turned and obliterated their project as well."

"Needless to say my service with the First Sons has come to an end. But the Templars probably want my head on a pike." Jefferson laughed.

"Because of his background in computer programming, he regulates everything that you go through. He keeps track of your synchronization levels and takes the necessary protocol to keep them stable, as well as encoding and decoding data received. He is also a very capable hacker."

Cole smiled and patted his father's shoulder.

"Laura is our informant. She collects information on any historically significant location, event, or person that you encounter. She provides us insight on what's going on and where you are, effectively letting us know if there is something we need to pay attention. She and Jefferson and working on a way of letting you as well get an idea of what you're going through."

"Finally found a use for my Masters in History." Laura joked.

"Speaking of which, how are those updates coming along?" Jackson asked Jefferson.

"I think I have an idea. I was meaning to ask, could I borrow the RFI for a bit?"

"Of course, I'll bring it to you shortly."

After a little more talking and a much needed group hug, Cole and Jackson left the room, allowing Laura and Jefferson to return to their work.

***~I~F~A~C~***

"The situation is as it stands. The Templars are moving in to take over New Marais. New Marais is home to a vast amount of Assassins. We are the last powerful group in the world. I hate to say it but we are slowly losing this war. If we are wiped out, the Templars are that much closer to victory. Our team in Rome is doing the best they can with Desmond. From their reports, all is looking well so far." Jackson said.

"So what do we do?" Cole asked.

"Zeke already knows this but I will fill you two in. Michael Conney has become president of the United States."

"How did that asshole become president?!" Cole exclaimed.

Cole remembers watching Conney's campaign and he didn't like him from the minute he saw him. As part of his campaign, he visited Empire City. He remembered shaking his hand and it strengthened his distrust. People saw someone who was a strong and capable leader but Cole saw a power hungry tyrant. And the guy was a Templar!

"It was all part of his plan. Brett Navarro was between vice presidents and when Michael Conney offered, Navarro "willingly" accepted. Just a few weeks ago, Brett Navarro was killed and the way that things are set up, the vice president becomes president if the president dies."

Cole shook his head. The Templars are a bunch of sneaky conniving bastards. But they are smart, fully aware of what they're doing. Cole had to give them that.

"Conney used his Apple of Eden to take control. Navarro was a president America needed, Conney knew that. By forcing Navarro to bring America almost to her knees, it would further help his case. But why Navarro's assassination was done so early we haven't been able to conclude." Jackson said.

"It was the impeachment. Conney wasn't expecting for Navarro to be instantly impeached. And that tipped the scales in their favor. They saw an opportunity and they'd be damned if they didn't take it." Zeke said.

"So even in an impeachment, the vice president takes the seat?" Kuo asked.

"I'm not entirely sure but that seems to be the case." Jackson replied.

"It's that Apple of Eden. Conney somehow used it to allow him to become president." Cole said.

"Logical." Paul spoke.

"So what are your plans then?"

"That pyramid I showed you the other night? That was a pyramid of Conney's associates. For us to defeat Conney, we have to work our way up, finally finishing off with Kinney and then Conney, then capture their Apple of Eden.

"But Jefferson." Paul began. "Didn't you say that the explosion may have possible killed Travis McKinney and Michael Conney?"

"I have a feeling those sons of bitches are still alive." Jefferson muttered.

"How?" Jackson and Paul asked.

"Remember when I lost contact with you guys for about three months? Yeah that wasn't on purpose nor was it an accident."

"What do you-?"

"Alex! Could you come here a moment? I think I might have found a breakthrough here!" Laura's voice called out.

"Excuse me." Jefferson stood up and briskly walked out of the main room.

"Well that'll be for another day." Zeke said.

"So judging by the markings on the pyramid, you guys are getting close?"

"Indeed, we got lucky with Baron Nash and Joshua Davis. Those two were slightly higher up on the list. Their sudden death is sure to slow down the First Sons, all in all, the Templars. However Arnold E. Esther still remains at large." Jefferson said.

"But since he's higher up on the list, we don't have to worry too much?" Kuo asked.

"For now. Of course, there's no telling for sure. Arnold is the quietest of the three. And it always seems to be the quiet ones."

"Zeke, Paul, Kuo, could you come here?" Jefferson called out.

The three of them stood up and left the room, leaving Cole and Jackson alone.

"So, how's the conduit life?" Cole asked in amusement.

"How did you?"

"I can tell. Bright yellow star little bro."

Jackson laughed softly. "It's not too bad. Never thought I'd have something like this." Jackson raised his hand and let a manifestation of darkness dance in his hands.

"I'm the light and you're the dark. How'd that pan out?" Cole said while letting lightning dance in his hands.

"Who knows? Fate is a tricky being to figure out."

"You know, a guy, Sebastian Wolfe, had this theory about two compatible conduits being able to combine their abilities."

"Oh you know we got to try that out one day." Jackson said.

"You know it little bro."

"Also Cole, Kessler...came with another message as well. While the conflict between the Assassins and Templars has existed long since the very beginning, the conflict with the conduits goes back just as far, perhaps further."

"What do you mean?"

"It's not in my power to explain, but I can tell you it has a lot to do with the First Conduit Assassin. But that's what your ancestor needs to show you as well. And judging by his final message, Sixteen still has more to explain to you as well."

To be honest, everything Cole has seen and been through had been a complete cluster fuck. Everything from the events of Empire City to the events of New Marais and even the events currently happening now. He was just in 15th century Italy as an Assassin and one of the most prominent Assassins in not only his lineage but in World history.

All this time, a secret war was being fought. One side fighting for people's rights and freedoms while the other side seeks to take it away. It's been a war that played a crucial part on some of the most historical events to take place in the world. Even some of the most recent events.

It was all planned.

On top of it all, Zeke's preaching about how the government being in cahoots with a secret organization was justified. He was right. But Cole feels that the corruption runs far deeper than they may even be aware of.

But he just couldn't put his finger on it yet.

"And do you recall what Christopher said to you? About how our blood was once impure?"

"Yeah, what is that about?"

Jackson paused and let out a shaky sigh. He then spoke a word. A single word. A small word, a simple articulate combination of letters. Yet it was powerful enough to chills up Cole's spine.

"Borgia…"

Ooops

Oops

That cliffhanger .-.

Any questions that you have about this chapter(or anything else you picked up earlier on in this story) will most likely be answered(or at the very least expanded) in the sequel I have planned for this. But feel free to ask anyway by either PM or a review :3

Thank you all for reading this story, especially those who have followed it from the beginning, just about a year ago. But really I express my gratitude to EVERYONE who's taken the time to read and review this somewhat of a strange cross over (I'm the only one here that has this crossover lol). I had an absolute blast writing this story and it makes me happy that you all had a blast reading it.

As some of you may notice, my writing style changed somewhere in the middle of the story. I just could not do with the style I had before. I do plan to keep this writing style, but I also anticipate to switch back and forth occasionally where it's needed.

I have a very general idea of where this sequel will go but I cannot say when the sequel will come around. I played AC II at least seven or eight times and the inFAMOUS series more times than I can count, before deciding that this crossover can indeed work with no problems. But this story did sort of blow up on its own as it progressed.

I haven't played Brotherhood as much as AC II and I'm currently in the middle of replaying it. But with college creeping up once more (and the need to get a job increases) it really cuts into how much time I can spend playing and studying it (lol). I may have to wind up relying on playthroughs on Youtube. But I still rather prefer to use my knowledge of the game and use You Tube as a reference and reminder rather as a direct and only source.

If I were to take a safe estimate, I would say towards the end of 2014. Keep an eye on my profile because I post monthly updates & statuses.

But despite all that, once again, a HUGE thank you to all for reading and reviewing. It's been one hell of a journey and I loved every moment of it. I love you all. Stay awesome (but I'm sure you will) =D

~Dreams Of Florence.