~Pendragon, Capital of the Holy Britannian Empire, March 7, 1876. The Coronation of Emperor Silas sil Britannia
As the sun vanished beneath the sky, a moon rose to take its place. Though having to share its sky with colorful explosives crafted by human hands, the moon would enjoy a special place in the history of the decadent empire who ruled this city - it was the first moon to rise over the reign of a new emperor.
As was often the case with coronations, innumerable festivals had been set up for such an occasion, all in the name of the newly ascended monarch. Those who had supported the young prince who had won the throne toasted to his health and their own advancement, while those who were against him who had wisdom decided to join in, lest they be noted by the empire's eyes and ears and subsequently hunted down for dissent, if not treachery. The masses were mostly uncaring of these plots and hidden battles, for their interests leaned more toward peace. Many were still likely to enjoy some amount of debauchery and hedonism on this night, though - best to do so while they still could.
In part because of the festivities, the palace guards had been put on high alert, ready to act at a moment's notice. It was a rare occasion when everyone agreed on who would be emperor, and thus there was almost always that possibility that disgruntled nobles and jealous princes and princesses would seek to send assassins in to try and end the newly decided sovereign's reign before it began. Already, eyes were scanning the walls, the streets, and the rooftops, searching for those who sought to take the emperor's life.
Nine times out of ten, these men would catch a would-be assassin before they reached the palace. Ninety nine times out of one-hundred, they would catch an intruder even if they breached the palace.
But tonight would be one of the few times that one secretive, roof-running miscreant would make it through. Though why said miscreant was in the palace was not the most expected reason.
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From her seat atop the balcony, princess Elizabeth chi Britannia watched as her half brother treated a noble lady, one Miriam Langford, to a dance. She knew for a fact that lady Miriam had Silas rapped around her finger, and was almost guaranteed to become his first wife. How many more he would take would remain to be seen - at least two were required by law to ensure an heir, while more would provide additional heirs and some increase in renown, but whether Silas had the stamina or interest to take more than two was still in the air.
That wasn't really her concern at the moment, though. Elizabeth was watching right now because she wanted to watch her brother dance...well, actually, attempt to dance would be more like it. She knew for a fact that Silas was not the most talented of dancers, and that was most obvious right now, where the lady who many assumed was his empress-to-be practically dragged him across the floor.
Unfortunately, her entertainment would be cut short when she heard the familiar sound of a man clearing his throat. Turning, Elizabeth saw it was her knight, Patrick Crozier, who was gesturing for her to come with him.
"Milady, I need to discuss something with you."
Elizabeth sighed. "I understand. Shall we do so in my quarters?"
"Of course."
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Unnoticed by the palace guards, a hooded figure carefully slipped into an open window, and without alerting any nearby guests, began making their way through the palace, careful to avoid the guards and staff until they reached a certain room.
As they prepared to enter, though, someone tapped them on the shoulder. Instantly, the hooded one moved to strike, only for their arm to be caught before it could reach their blade.
Sighing, the hooded one turned to face his captor - a noble-lady in a particularly fancy aquamarine-colored dress, who seemed to be...disappointed in him.
"Trying to break in?" she asked.
The hooded figure chose not to respond.
"Well, you should know that door is locked, and needs a key to open."
Before the hooded figure could ponder why he was being informed about this, the sound of metal clanging turned his attention to the floor. Their, a brass key had come to a halt by his left foot.
Turning his attention back to his captor, the hooded man watched as the noble-lady used her right pinky to push a ring up the appropriate finger, revealing a familiar branding.
"Honestly, I take blame for not communicating this detail properly before the coronation. Now please, make haste. I believe you have an appointment to meet tonight."
With those parting words, the lady released her captive and returned to the ballroom. After taking a moment to massage his hand, the hooded figure took the key and unlocked the door, revealing an ornate set of clothing - the perfect disguise for an event like this.
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At last having reached her quarters, Elizabeth allowed her knight to escort her inside. Adorning the walls were a variety of items - portraits, stuffed animals, and photos - which each held some memory that Eliza wished to keep close to her heart.
Most prominent, though, was the large metallic cross located opposite her bed, painted red and standing apart from all other adornments in the room.
Many would look upon it and assume it was of some sentimental value - perhaps a relic of Britannia's ancient past. After all, it was clear that this was the emblem of the Knights Templar, an ancient Britannian knightly order that had only been disbanded by a French pope who had the audacity to accuse the brave knights of blasphemy.
In truth, though, the knights had survived and clandestinely expanded their ranks. And Eliza just so happened to be among them.
As her knight closed the door behind him, Eliza's expression changed from stoic to grim. "What is it now?"
"There have been reports that several nobles sympathetic to our cause have been murdered today, often in graphic and public ways. My first assumption is that they were victims of our ancient enemies, but that Brotherhood doesn't normally stoop to such...extreme measures unless they feel an absolute need to.
"You assume they were framed?"
Her knight nodded. "We know that there are other groups that oppose you who seem to have some inkling that there is a greater group opposing our righteous cause. Perhaps they committed the killings to distract us from their actions."
"I see. So, what now? Do you think I should turn in for the night?"
"On the contrary. Doing so would make you an easier target. I say you should join in the dance, perhaps try to find someone you would be willing to settle down with."
"But don't I have you for that?" Eliza practically whined.
Crozier rolled his eyes. "As good a catch as you are, and as great as my loyalty to you is, you know for a fact my heart belongs to Lady Alma Thorpe."
Eliza smirked. "Ah yes, it does. Tell me, did you enjoy what you saw when she arrived in her sinfully revealing aquamarine dress?"
Patrick felt his cheeks warming. "Eh, milady, such questions are?"
"Well?"
"...Yes. I did. She looked ravishing."
"No surprise there. I'm certain you have painted a target upon your back just by associating with her."
"I already have one on my back as your guardian."
"True. So, shall we return to the ballroom?"
"Of course, milady."
"Excellent. Also, I would like to inform you that I am expecting someone tonight. So if my quarters are locked after the festivities end, please knock before entering."
"Understood."
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Setting the last button into place, the hooded assassin exited the dressing room, making his way to the ballroom. Entering, he noticed his contact had taken a seat, and was now staring at him, an inquisitive look adorning her face.
Wordlessly, he joined her, returning the key without a thought. Now it was time to wait for his target to arrive.
He did not have to wait long.
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Elizabeth loved the ballroom floor. Dancing was one of her passions, and she couldn't refuse the chance to show up her brother, even if he now towered over her as emperor. Adorned in a vibrant red dress, the princess couldn't help but smirk at her brother, sitting at his table with Miriam, looking utterly spent from being dragged around by the girl. Unfortunately, he was too exhausted to notice her leer, but thankfully, no one else did either - mocking the emperor carried steep consequences, even if you were his kin.
Of course, that wasn't to say that she was not unnoticed - many noblemen were already eyeing her up, entranced by her beauty. Elizabeth was not the most beautiful among the royal daughters, but she still ranked fairly high amongst her competitors. Many a noble would try to marry her, if only to advance their station. She knew that older men would refrain from trying to approach her - to marry off one of her standing to one far older than her would be an obvious powerplay, and treated with scorn. To attempt the same with a boy far younger than her would net a similar response. Only those around her age would attempt to make a move, and she was fine with that.
After all, such men made excellent dance partners.
She found herself holding hands with many men that night, wearing silks and fabrics whose names eluded her. Most were purebred Britannians, but those of other races occasionally found themselves staring into her eyes. Eliza really wouldn't have minded sharing her life (and implicitly her bed) with one who was not so fair skinned, even if her standing fell because of said decision.
For she held herself to higher ideals than Britannia did now. Ideals the great king Alfred had founded and spearheaded.
Eventually, Elizabeth found a partner who differed from the rest.
Dressed in a mixture of red and white, wearing garments that could be seen as a color and gender inversion of her own, the nobleman bent the knee before her, only offering to dance when she allowed him to stand.
Her impression of him only grew as they glided across the ballroom floor. Her previous suitors had all either been too aggressive or too meek, though all had invariably exhausted themselves trying to match her. This man, however, managed to keep pace with her, occasionally taking the lead, and at other times sharing the beat with her.
It seemed she had found a most interesting specimen.
When the dancing concluded, the two released their hands and bowed/curtsied to one another. As the man made to return to his table, though, Elizabeth's eye turned to his right ring finger. Their, just behind a silver ring, was what looked suspiciously like a brand of some sort.
A knowing look on her face, Elizabeth tapped the man on his shoulder, then urged him to join her at her table. After a moment of reluctance, he complied.
They enjoyed desert in silence, after which the majority of the crowd prepared to leave - Silas had given an address far earlier, so there was nothing lest for the crowd to stay for. Eliza, however, beckoned for the man to follow her, eventually leading him back to her chambers. Escorting him inside, she locked the door behind her.
"You know, I was expecting you to show up tonight. I wasn't expecting you to dance."
The man let out a laugh. "I couldn't resist. Besides, I wanted to see if the tales about you were true."
"I see. May we move onto business?"
"I see no reason for further delay."
"Excellent. So, first off, did your order commit the murders?"
"No. We lost several of our own today, as did your order."
"I figured. Britannia has not been friends to either of our groups."
"I don't think the Brotherhood or the Order wanted it this way. We want a system that provides peace in all things, not one that encourages domination."
"Britannia does seem to focus on enslaving the body, rather than the mind."
"That is why it will, inevitably, fail to dominate the world."
"Perhaps. But it has not failed yet. Nor has it ever seen a Templar or an Assassin as its ruler, or any sympathetic to our causes."
"Strange, isn't it?"
Elizabeth sighed. "What are you implying, Isaac?"
Isaac turned to look at the Templar Cross. "I do believe there is a group trying to keep either of us from influencing the Imperial Throne too much. If there were times where the Emperor or Empress helped one of our organizations while hindering another, then I would simply believe that Britannia was acting like any other nation. But for neither the Brotherhood nor the Order to have the emperor's ear for an length of time is suspicious."
Eliza quirked an eyebrow. "And what would you suggest we do? Ally against it?"
"How many time have alliances between our two fraternities fallen to infighting? We seek the same goal, yet our differences have caused all alliances our forbearers made to fizzle out. An alliance is the last thing I would suggest at the moment. But the foundation for one? I think that could work."
Elizabeth snorted. "That still sounds rather idealistic."
"Someone has to be the idealist here."
"True enough. I suppose I could arrange for the more reasonable members of my order to meet with their counterparts in your own."
"That's all I can ask for."
"So I take it your requests are finished?"
"Yes. No, if you'll excuse me, I must-"
"Stop."
Isaac froze, then turned toward Elizabeth. "What?"
A predatory smile now graced the princess' face. "You didn't think I invited you here just to talk with me, did you."
Isaac's eyes turned toward the door. "What about your knight?"
"I was told by your friend Lady Thorpe that she would keep him indisposed for a few hours."
"You mean begging him to bend her over a table?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Alma is a shameless seductress, even if her heart will forever belong to my knight."
After a moment of thinking, Isaac smiled. "Well, then, would you like some help getting otu of that dress."
"Yes please."
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March 3, 2014 a.t.b. Abstergo Research Facility, Osaka, Area 11 (formerly Osaka, Japan).
With a gasp, the boy terminated the simulation and stood up, cheeks colored red, panting in shock (and maybe lust). Nearby, several research staff stared at him, a curious look on their faces.
"Big brother?"
The black haired, purple eyed boy turned his attention to his left. There, a young girl with brown hair and closed eyes sat in a wheel chair, a confused expression on her face.
"What did you see?
"Er...nothing important, Nunnally."
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AN: Things I should not be doing: this.
Things I am doing: also this.
So, here's my newest crossover. First off, no, this won't have any connection to my other stories beyond a few references. This is in its own fictional universe.
Now, some other stuff.
Most if not all of the canon characters from Assassin's Creed's present day won't show up. According to the Code Geass timeline and when it diverges from our timeline, Code Geass takes place in the fifties, so none of the canon cast has been born yet.
Lelouch is, by blood, a member of the Assassins and the Templars. Which path he follows will be explored in the next few chapters.
There will be 2-3 more 'prologue' chapters before we get to the major events from Code Geass.
Regarding the Isaac and Eliza's conversation about neither the Assassin's nor the Templars liking Britannia: my interpretation of the Templars is that they would prefer hegemonic dominance over everyone else (at least, the more reasonable ones) - it makes for less issues with rebellion and creates a lasting peace. To paraphrase Governor Torres from Black Flag, 'enslave the body, and the mind will rebel. Enslave the mind, and the body will follow'. Plus the Templars tend to recruit people from all walks of life, so direct oppression based on race like Britannia does is counterproductive.
Lastly, I am modifying the solar-flare plotline to fit with the story I am telling, because I think it is REALLY STUPID.
Also, expect rapid initial updates while my creative juices are still flowing unobstructed.
Read and Review! This is Flameal15k, signing off!