"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?"

"Dad, enough."

"ARE YOU COMPLETELY INCAPABLE OF FOLLOWING SIMPLE ORDERS?

"William, this really isn't the best time."

Desmond and his friends manage to return to the cave a little before dawn and Heather was able to tend to their injuries. Lucy insisted Desmond go first before Heather attended to her. Once Lucy's turn came Michael whispered in her ear and Heather gave him a nod. Desmond's arm was bandaged and now rested on a sling while Lucy sat in the animus while Heather performed a delicate procedure. William was furious when he woke up and burst into a fit of yelling as soon as he realized what had happened.

Desmond glared at his father, "you can judge me all you want father, I'm not going to apologize for saving Lucy."

"What about for losing the Apple? Do you know what the Templars will do now that they have one?" William snapped.

Desmond said nothing and bowed his head, "I thought I could use the Apple to stop him."

"A good idea in theory," Paul admitted. "But a reckless plan especially against Simon. He could have killed you."

"What's important is that he didn't." Michael interjected and placed a hand on Desmond's unbandaged shoulder. "The main thing is you and Lucy are safe, and we have the final battery." He turned to William, "I know your angry but the most important mission right now if stopping the solar flare from wiping out humanity, your golden orb can wait. If anything, them having the Apple could benefit us." The assassins looked at him incredulously.

"I'm sorry, but how does the Templars possessing an Apple of Eden benefit us." Shaun shouted raising his arms.

"From everything you have told me, the Templars have been gunning for Pieces of Eden for years. Now that they have one, they won't be looking for us with the same determination. Instead, their focus will be on making sure Eye-Abstergo goes off without a hitch. The first time they failed but this time they will be making absolutely sure that it won't. This could give us the wiggle room we need to find the key to the Temple."

Everyone decided to agree on not debating the topic further as it was not helping anything. Rebecca turned to Heather who was focused on her own task. "What exactly are you doing?" Rebecca asked, as Heather cut into Lucy's shoulder.

"We're going to remove the little bug the Templars put in her." Heather replied

This caught the attention of the assassins who turned to her. Only Desmond and the Holliday brothers kept a stoic expression.

"What bug?"

Michael stepped in to explain, "I couldn't help but wonder how the Templars found Lucy so quickly when we never encountered them in Rome." Holliday explained. "Then it occurred to me that Lucy used to work with them. The Templars would have likely created fail safes against potential assassin spies."

The assassin's looked at each other and mentally facepalmed themselves. All this time and none of them had considered that Lucy might have been bugged and it sounded exactly like the type of thing the templars would do. Desmond gave Michael a look of thanks, the pair didn't dare reveal the truth about Lucy to them. At least not yet.

"I scanned her, and it seems that she does have something in her left shoulder." Heather explained as she probed inside with a pair of tweezers. "Almost there, and... got it." Heather carefully and retracted the tweezers from Lucy's shoulder. In the tweezers was a tiny egg-shaped capsule that blinked with a glowing red light."

"Let me look at it," Paul said reaching out his hand. Heather handed it to him and began sealing up Lucy's wound. But before he could do anything else the device sparked causing Paul to drop on a small rock. An explosion like a firecracker erupted destroying the tracker and startling everyone. As the smoke from the explosion receded, they all took a closer look. Tracker was all but gone and leaving behind a hold in the stone it had landed on where an acidic substance was eating through it. Everyone was silent for a moment before Michael began moving the stone with his foot and kicking it over the edge.

Paul cringed and rubbed his neck, "Okay either the tracker was rigged to self-destruct to destroy the evidence, or the Templars remotely detonated it in an attempt to kill Lucy.

Hearing this caused Lucy to gently touch the spot where the tracker had been, and Desmond placed his hands on her shoulders. They were both thinking the same thing. The templars must have tried to tie up a loose end. They were lucky they had decided to remove the chip when they did, otherwise...

"If Lucy had a tracker, then why haven't the Templars found us sooner," William wondered

"I may have the answer to that," Michael replied. He reached into his duffle bag and pulled out a device shaped like a cellphone with a glowing blue light. This little guy helps scramble signals in case I get pinned by a tracker without my knowledge."

"What is it's range?" Paul asked.

Michael shrugged, "about a mile radius."

Desmond nodded, "come to think of it The Templars only found us before we met."

"And they were able to find Lucy because she was outside the scrambler's range," Rebecca concluded.

"Well, they can't track anyone now," Michael replied before turning to Desmond. "Perhaps it's time you hooked up the last battery."

"Oh great," Desmond smirked, "time for more riddles from her highness."

'Maybe she'll be clear this time," Michael offered. The two looked at each other and burst out laughing. "Unlikely," they both said, before Desmond headed off.

Desmond found the last terminal and inserted the last battery and Juno appeared once again.

"A new world approached, one that was dark and cold, it would consume us. For we were flesh and flesh is frail. Those suits and shields might offer comfort. such adornments would not suffice, not to save us all. So, we sought to change what we were. In this manner we might thrive in a world made poisonous. It was Aita who volunteered to see if it might be done. Aita, my husband, my love. In the end it changed him. ruined him. He was made a prisoner of the machines. the body might survive, but his mind became brittle to the touch. He begged me for release, for days, for weeks, for months. I pleaded with him to give us time to find another way. But there wasn't one, not for him, not for us." The Image of Juno then stabbed Aita in the Heart thus ending his suffering. In that moment Desmond felt a twinge of pity for her. Having almost one something similar to Lucy he understood the pain she must have gone through to do what she did.

After a pause Juno continued, "what is consciousness but a series of electrical impulses and a body but a vessel to hold these sparks. But it is weak, in time it decays and crumbles to dust. We asked ourselves, what if it might be replaced, with something stronger, something better. So, we forged a new vessel, one that might endure. It proved easy enough to enter. But to leave, to leave required something more, something wrong. So, this too they abandoned. I wondered though, were they right to turn away." Juno disappeared and the visions ended.

As frustrated than ever Desmond returned to the group where Lucy was discussing, their fight with Simon. Lucy shook his head, 'You don't understand William, The Apple usually takes complete control over the ones it's directed against. But Simon, it only seemed to cause a bump in the road for him. It slowed him down but only for a moment before it didn't affect him at all. I'm telling you, that man wasn't normal."

"You were able to resist the Apple."

"William, it took every ounce of will power I had to break free. Desmond had to stab himself to break from Juno's grasp. I don't know how I did it but thank god I was able to do so."

"Well, it seems this day is just full of surprises," a familiar voice echoed across the temple. Everyone recognized it from their first time in the temple. They turned to Michael who's eyes were once again shining with a silvery glow.

"Mars?" Desmond guessed.

Mars nodded and chuckled, "I knew your mate would play an important role in this final act, but it seems there is more to you than meets the eye, Lucy Stillman." Lucy remained silent as Mars continued. "There are Millions of people across the globe that possess some of our DNA inside them. It allows them to wield the pieces of Eden in some capacity. Among this minority is a very small number of people on earth that though certain couplings have acquired the right amount of our genes would be able to resist the effect of the Pieces of Eden. These people we called Cyphers."

"Juno called Desmond that, does that mean he is a Cypher?" Shaun remembered.

Mars nodded, "and it seems Lucy and Simon are too though Lucy is not nearly as powerful as Desmond or Simon."

"If I'm weaker, how was I able to break free from Simon's control while Desmond had to do something extreme to do so?" Lucy asked.

"The more Isu genes you have the more control you will have over the pieces; their power is amplified by the wielder. Desmond and Simon have more control than most but at the end pf their day they are still more human than Isu. As a pure Isu, Juno is able to use the Apple to its full extent without an enhancer like a stave or temple." Mars turned to Desmond, "believe me Desmond, what you did in Juno's temple is quite an accomplishment. The fact that you were able to resist at all is a testament to your strength."

"Paul is Simon's brother does that mean he could be a Cypher?" Shaun wondered.

Paul shook his head, "unlikely, Simon and Eric are our half-brothers, same father different moms." Shaun deflated at this intrigued by the concept of having a Cypher in their ranks.

"One thing is for sure, I will never underestimate that man again," Desmond mumbled still frustrated by Juno's riddles.

"I take it you didn't get any clear answers?" She inquired judging from his expression.

Desmond sighed and shook his head, "Three power cores, three messages each one as vague as the last. And I still don't know what Minerva and Juno want from me Juno seemed to be better at answering questions I didn't ask and not answering the ones I did."

Lucy rubbed his back sympathetically, "let's get you to bed, Desmond, you've had a long day."

"We both have," Desmond replied, his finger idly stroking the small scar on her shoulder. "Does it hurt?"

Lucy shook her head, "Heather knows what she's doing, so it's nothing serious."

"I think we could both use the rest." Desmond said giving her a look.

Lucy cocked her eyebrow and gave him a wry smile, "just sleep this time."

Desmond laughed and winked wiggling his bandaged arm, "don't worry, I think I'll be taking it easy for a bit." Exchanging smiles, Lucy guided him to their sleeping bags and the two of them tucked in for a well needed sleep.

William had noticed the interactions between the two and decided to ask Shaun and Rebecca about it. "Lucy and my son seem to be getting rather close."

Michael hmphed, "took you this long to figure it out eh old boy?"

William have him a sharp glare and Shaun responded with a nod, "aye, it's not like they're subtle about it anymore."

"How long has this been going on."

"It could have started at Abstergo," Shaun replied. In Monteriggioni she told us that she liked him as he wasn't like you." This caused William to frown, he knew that he wasn't the most popular Mentor. But the fact the Lucy found Desmond's attitude an endearing quality made him question her dedication as an assassin.

"They weren't able to interact much since he was always in the animus and Lucy was trying to find out more information about Abstergo. " Rebecca added, "but then they did there were often 'misty-eyed' moments between them."

"Though it seems their relationship only took off after the incident in Rome," Shaun concluded.

"A near death experience can do that to people," Michael quipped.

William rubbed his chin and frowned, "I see, do you think their relationship had progress to the physical level."

"Definitely," Rebecca replied, "Especially since they have had multiple opportunities for 'private' moments."

William sighed and nodded, "I will have to have a talk with her about it. The last thing we need is their feelings getting in the way of our mission."

Once Desmond woke up, he headed straight for the animus to continue his mission. Lucy awoke a little later and William called her over to discuss their relationship.

"What is going on between you and my son, " he asked sternly.

Lucy's cheeks flustered but she kept a straight face, "I don't see how that's any of your concern.'

"Any matter involving my son is my concern," William snapped.

Lucy glared at him and nodded briskly, "yeah we're a couple,

William sighed, I'm disappointed in you Lucy, I thought you would be taking your mission smore seriously. We don't have time to indulge in 'intimate,' relationships."

Lucy's eyes narrowed, "what Desmond and I do in our private life is none of your business and it's not like we have allowed it to interfere with our work. We're not ending anything unless we choose it regardless of what you think. If you don't like it then turn around and walk away."

With that Lucy turned on her heal and stalked off to her computer leaving the middle-aged mad staring after her fuming.

Once again reliving the memories of Connor Kenway, he now set off to find Charles Lee. Connor tracked him down and killed the final leader of the colonial templars. Strangely enough Charles seemed to have accepted his fate before he died.

By this time the American Revolution had ended but things were not as Conner had expected. In Boston he saw people being sold as slaves while a man made a rather hypocritical speech about freedom. More disappointment followed when he went to check on his village, he saw that it was now abandoned, and the land was soon to be settled by the colonists. The very colonists he had fought for. It seemed that his father's predictions had come true.

Afterwards, Connor headed back to Achilles Davenport's then buried the Key in the Grave of the old man's son, Connor's namesake. At long last Desmond had found the location of the Key now all that was needed was to retrieve it.

Desmond exited the Animus and noticed tension in the air. He found Lucy and William glaring at each other. Michael who had watched Desmond's progress chuckled. "Poor naive boy, " he said shaking his head. "All that fighting, all that work only for it to be for nothing." He shook his head, "if he knew of what would come later, he never would have fought for them. Doesn't help that Juno has been guiding him since the beginning."

"He was young Michael," Lucy stepped in. "He couldn't have known better."

Michael nodded, "young and impressionable. In other words, a perfect tool for Juno's machinations."

"We can discuss this later," William pointed out. "For now, we need to retrieve the key."

Fortunately, the key was relatively close, so they didn't have to travel too far to obtain it. Once they arrived, the Holliday Brothers dug into the grave until they found the key. After, handing it to Desmond, they filled the grave back up and drove back to the temple.

Once they had returned the key started glowing as if it could sense where it was. With all the seals blocking the keyhole opened they could place the key inside without any issue.

Desmond held up the key, 'this is it guys, the moment of truth."

Lucy held his hand and gave it a squeeze, "go ahead Desmond, we're ready."

Desmond nodded and removed the key from his neck and inserted it into the lock. The Kay latched on the whole door began to glow in a blinding light. Everyone except Michael had to cover their eyes. The Lock retracted to the side and the glowing stopped as the door disappeared leaving a clear path to the end.

The group cautiously made their way forward looking out for walls or floors that may move until they finally reached the end. There was a pedestal that held a glowing orb with what looked like tetris pieces all over it.

"Yes...Come..." The voice of Juno echoed through the chamber. As Desmond approached the pedestal Juno appeared in front of him. "Here...at last. You know our Story now. Of how we tried, of how we failed, all our hopes extinguished." She placed a hand on the pedestal, "your touch, a spark, a spark to save the world."

Desmond took a step forward before a voice rang out.

"WAIT!" Everyone turned to see another figure approach the pedestal. It was a female who glowed in the same manner as Juno indicating she was a projection.

Desmond recognized her from his time in the animus, "Minerva?"

"Do not touch the pedestal," she said with a warning glare.

Juno stared at the other woman in disbelief, "You...but how? You left; you destroyed the device."

Minerva smirked, "did you think there was only one?"

"Ahh, I was wondering when you were going to show up," the voice of Mars spoke. Everyone turned to Michael expecting the familiar glowing in his eyes. But instead, a light now covered Michael's body and enveloped it. Now in Michael's place stood a figure in ornate armour. His face covered in a Corinthian styled helm topped with a horsetail plum and a sword was strapped to his side.

"What the hell is going on?" William demanded.

"You must not free her," Minerva insisted

"Free her?" Desmond was confused.

Minerva sighed, "Juno dwells within these walls awaiting release."

Now everyone was looking between Mars, Juno and Minerva. Desmond turned to Mars, who nodded, "unfortunately my sister speaks the truth. You see some of us worked to save the world, others prepared for what we believed was inevitable. But others like Juno sought instead to use the chaos to conquer it and they used our machinations to set their plans in motion."

"Allow me to explain," Minerva cut in and Mars shrugged and stepped back. "Divination through numbers, there is a pattern to existence. To comprehend the calculations is to tame time, this was my focus. Thus, I built the eye to aid us, but Juno turned it towards her own ends. When we discovered her treachery we put a stop to it, then we left. But first we called to you...that you might try again. We believed it would be safe with her gone."

"One of many fatal assumptions you and Jupiter made during you time as rulers." Mars quipped.

Minerva gave him a glare but nodded in agreement. "I now see too late that she managed to deceive us. Juno not only survived but endured. She began to work and without us she was able to do so unchecked. For centuries we walked the world hoping to rekindle the spark of civilization, we shared our knowledge as best we could. But for all our power we could not escape death. Before it did, I had one last look to know if we had succeeded."

"Is that how you are here now?" Desmond asked.

Minerva nodded. "I hoped that you would find this place and finish our work. But it is too late, you and the templars squabbled over our refuse. You wasted centuries with your petty squabbles and so you have lost your chance. You cannot hope to stop the end now Desmond, only to survive."

"She's lying," Juno exclaimed. Juno turned to Desmond, "only touch the pedestal and the world will be saved."

Mars chuckled, "there you go again with the baseless assumptions Minerva. When will you understand that the future can never be preplanned no matter how much you want it to be?"

"Better the world burn than she be loose upon it." Minerva said dismissively.

"Is that so?" Mars said his voice now laced with venom. Perhaps you should show him what your vision of a better future looks like."

Minerva shook her head, "it's...it's complicated, he will not understand."

Juno smirked, "fine, I'll do it." she turned to Desmond, "that is, if you wish to see it."

Desmond looked between them and turned to Mars. Mars gave him a shrug and he turned back to Juno with a nod, "show me."

Juno then placed her hand on Desmond's head, with her thumb right between his eyes. Desmond began to see the events as Juno described them. "If you heed Minerva, the sun will have its way. The ground will crack and spit fire into the sky. All the world will burn. This will not end the world only herald its arrival and darkness will follow. But you shall emerge, resolving to lay a foundation that such a tragedy does not befall the world again. You shall become a symbol to those who survive. Through Hope, Knowledge and Determination, you will inspire them to rebuild, to thrive. As the world heals, so too will humanity. But you are just a man, frail and mortal. You shall pass from this world leaving only a memory, a legacy. You will be remembered as a hero, then a legend and finally a God. It is the cruelest fate, to have written words that meant well and see them made wicked and unwise. What was meant to encourage life will instead be used to justify taking it.

Juno removed her hand and Desmond stepped back in horror, he turned to Mars hoping that it won't be so bad. Mars was frowning, "unfortunately Desmond, Juno speaks the truth. It is the most likely scenario." Desmond sighed deeply.

Juno nodded, "she would sacrifice the world for no other reason than to deny me vindication."

"They will enslave your kind, Desmond." Minerva insisted, "is this not why you fight? Is this not why you came here. To ensure more than just it's future but it's freedom.

Juno threw her arms up, "what future? What freedom? Billions dead and the whole cycle begin anew? This world has known nothing but heartache and horror since our fall."

"Humanity cannot stand against her," Minerva argued. Between the assassins and Templars, Humanity is too fractured to stand against her should she rise again."

"Perhaps," Mars replied. "Or perhaps Humanity will resist her and take back their freedom. You never had much faith in humans, dear sister but they are stronger than you realize. Desmond's actions at Juno's temple is proof of that."

Minerva whirled on him, "you cannot be serious Mars, I thought you of all of us would be against freeing her."

"While I would like nothing more than to keep Juno locked in here forever, it is not worth the lives of seven billion people. Even if Desmond was to do as you say, Juno would just try again, and again and again. Her release is inevitable, if you truly want to help them then do as I have been doing and prepare them for it. Hitting the reset button on the earth will not solve the problem, only delay it."

Desmon stepped forward, "Mars is right, whatever Juno's planning, however terrible it might be today, we will find a way to stop it."

Minerva turned to Desmond, "You must not do this," she pleaded desperately. "If you free her, you'll be destroyed."

"It will happen in an instant; I promise there will be no pain." Juno assured him

"What are you talking about," Lucy demanded her eyes wide as she clutched Desmond's arm.

"The moment he places his hand on the orb, a surge of energy will be unleashed. It will break Juno's seal, but it will also kill Desmond."

Lucy felt her heart drop at this news, "No," Lucy's voice was barely above a whisper. "No, no, no." She felt her knees buckle and Desmond caught her as they both sank to their knees. She embraced him tightly and she began to sob.

"Shhh," Desmond soothed her rubbing her back and kissing her neck," It's okay, it's okay."

"No," Lucy shook her head frantically. "I can't lose you Desmond, I can't, I just can't."

Desmond picked her up, "You need to go now Lucy," He turned to the others, "All of you need to go, get as far away from her as you can."

William grabbed his son's arm his face looking it's most vulnerable right now. "Son, come with us," he pleaded. "We can find another way." His eyes seem to be on the verge of tears.

Desmond shook his head sadly, "There isn't time."

"Wait," Shaun called out, "Michael, your one of them, right? Why can't you do it." Mars smirked and held out his hand. The moment his hand touched the orbs, he was sent flying across the plateau landing hard on his shoulder. He got up and dusted himself off and walked back to the orb.

"Juno arranged it so that no other Isu could tamper with the device," Mars explained. "Otherwise, I could reprogram it and prevent her release, An effective security measure."

Desmond cupped Lucy's face in his hands, her hands gripping his hoodie, "you need to go now Lucy."

"NO!" Lucy sobbed, her grip on his hoodie tightened. "Please Desmond, come with us, come with me. There has to be another way, there has to be."

"There actually might be a way." Mars spoke up.

Everyone turned to Mars, Lucy's eyes bright and determined. "What is it?" She cried frantically, "whatever it is we'll do it."

Mars turned to Juno, "I see you had this planned from the beginning deary." He looked at Desmond and continued. "Juno has been manipulating your family history so that your genetic code would be just right. Raising you like a pig for slaughter. So, when the time came you would be powerful enough to activate the seal but not strong enough to withstand the surge of energy unleashed. Perhaps if things had gone differently, you might have had a chance."

"So, you're saying that if Ezio had fathered a child with say Cristina Vespucci. I might have been stronger?" Desmond inquired.

Mars shrugged possibly, "I cannot say for certain about Cristina but theoretically yes. Currently however, a single cypher would not have the endurance to survive activating the lock. But, TWO Cyphers, well now, that just might do." Mars then turned to Lucy. and in that moment Lucy knew what he had planned.

Juno's eyes widened in horror and stepped forward. "NO," She shrieked. "You cannot, I forbid this."

"Perhaps this may prove fruitful after all," Minerva quipped.

Mars ignored both of them and spoke to the couple. "If the two of you touch the orb, the energy should distribute itself through the both of you thus lessening the strain and allowing you both to survive."

"Would it prevent Juno from escaping?' Lucy asked.

Mars shook his head, "no, sadly her release is an unavoidable event. But this may be the best chance to save Desmond."

Lucy nodded and took Desmond's hand, "let's do it then," she said, "we'll do this like we've done everything else, together."

Juno scoffed, "this isn't over, you have no idea what's coming for you." With that, she turned and disappeared, and Minerva followed her but not before turning to ther couple. "I hope you two know what you're doing."

This left only Mars standing there with a smirk, "you won't have to step back too far, to the door will be more than sufficient." He then started glowing and after a moment Mars disappeared leaving Michael there with his eyes once again glowing.

Desmond nodded and turned to the others, "you guys get as far back as possible and wait for us."

"I'll stay here in case something goes wrong," Mars offered. and Desmond gave him a nod of thanks.

Rebecca embraced Lucy tightly and Desmond shook hands with Shaun

"Good Luck," Shaun told him.

"Take care of Rebecca," Desmond replied with a wink leaving the brit flustered.

Desmond approached his father and the two shared an awkward moment.

"Come back alive Desmond, your mother will be heartbroken if I have to tell her that you won't."

"Careful dad," Desmond joked. "That almost sounded like you care."

Then without warning, William embraced his son tightly, Desmond reciprocated the gesture more lightly. "I do care son, even if you don't see it.

The two broke apart and with a curt nod William led the others to the far side of the temple. Once they were a safe distance Desmond turned to Mars. "Will it hurt her?"

Mars scratched his head, "unfortunately, there is a possibility that it may kill her."

Desmond's eyes narrowed, "then I can't let her do this," he told Lucy, "I won't endanger your life again."

Lucy shook her head, "Desmond, you and I know I have much to atone for. I was a spy for the Templars, many assassins died because of me. You, Shaun and Rebecca could have died because of me. If there is even the slightest chance that this will save your life, then I'm going for it."

"But it could kill you, Lucy."

She smiled with tears in her eyes, "then I will have finally paid for my sins."

"Please," Desmond continued to look at her desperate to change her mind.

But Lucy held his hands in hers and gave him a fierce gaze that told him that she was resolute in her decision. "I will not leave you," she said mirroring what he had said in his rescue attempt from Simon.

Realizing it was fruitless, Desmond sighed deeply and gave her a reluctant nod. In case that the worst would happen, they kissed as deeply as possible. They finally broke when they ran out of breath. "Are you ready?" He asked, Lucy smiled and nodded.

Holding each other's hands, they raised their other hands and on the count of three placed them down on the orb. The orb glowed in a blinding light as the rest of the temple lit up in a light more blinging than when they unlocked the door.

The sensation was burning as the couple felt a surge of energy pour through their bodies. it was similar to that of getting electroshock. But no matter what they persisted; they kept their hold on the orb as their other hands held each other tighter.

When it finally ended, the lights went out and the two collapsed to the floor. Michael waved an all clear to the rest of the group whole rushed back to check their friends. Heather checked their pulse and nodded, "they're okay."

Desmond was the first to come around, he groaned and rubbed his temples. He turned and saw Lucy laying there. With a gasp, he went to her side and cradled her in his arms. Lucy recovered and Desmond breathed a sigh of relief. The two of them got up and looked around, "is it over?" Desmond asked.

Mars smirked, "this chapter has Desmond Miles, but the next one has only begun."