Chapter 1: New World, New People

-Joshua and Ororo's Cabin-

In the cabin home of Ororo Tempest–soon to be Ororo Landers–and her fiance Joshua, the woman was in the process of going through Animus data the three past divers had gathered in their sessions so far so she could develop a backup in the event of another Helix virus attack.

She still couldn't believe the gall of the Templars at Abstergo who sicked the virus on her in her first session. It really pissed her off.

'Thank god for Animus user protection protocols…' The woman thought as she continued working, drinking coffee as she did.

Then she heard giggling, prompting her to turn and smile warmly as she watched Luna give Laura wolf kisses, all while Trevor was keeping a keen eagle eye out the main window. It was obvious the large she-wolf had taken to her baby girl extremely well.

"Careful with her now, Luna, she's just a baby." Ororo told the wolf before she looked at Trevor. "See anything, Trev?" She asked the eagle.

She got an answer in the form of an alarm squawk. Frowning, Ororo walked over and looked out the window and didn't see anything… Before spotting a glint in the brush near some trees.

"What is that?" Ororo questioned as she pulled out a set of binoculars from a drawer, and saw the tell tale signs of a person skulking around the cabin–and an all too familiar triangle symbol. 'Oh great. An Abstergo Tracker…' She thought in irritation.

Since Joshua was out for a workout, she would have to deal with this herself. Taking Laura to her room, she put her in her crib and made sure the windows were all locked and covered before she whistled for Trevor to follow her out of the cabin. Luna stayed behind to guard the sole infant of the family, just in case.

With a sigh, the woman started running before she started short jumping between trees before grabbing a branch and swinging from it to another, then jumping from branch to branch until she was right above where the tracker was walking.

The African woman was able to identify this tracker as a male, and the moment he was under the branch she was on, she struck.

Leaping down, Ororo pinned the agent to the ground with a grunt. Before the tracker could even try anything, she snapped his neck and killed him instantly.

"I hope this idiot didn't report the cabin's location before I killed him…" The white haired woman sighed as she walked back to the cabin so she could check on Laura. Upon entering the house, she found that all was as it should be.

Laura smiled as she saw her mother come by her, babbling and reaching for the woman with her little arms as Ororo picked her up and held her close.

"That's right, Laura, you're safe, mommy's here." She smiled, kissing her daughter's forehead.


(Later)

Ororo was sitting on the couch with Laura in her lap reading a children's book to her when Joshua got back. He was wearing some light clothes since he wanted to make sure he got the most of his workout.

"Hi, honey." The man said as he walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Anything happen while I was out?" He asked as he took off his shoes.

"An Abstergo tracker was skulking around the woods." His fiance replied. "I took care of him." She added.

"Ah crap. Did they report our cabin's location?" Joshua questioned with a groan.

"I don't know, but I hope not." Ororo sighed in reply.

"This isn't how I wanted to start today…" The man sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's been a few weeks since your last session. Think you're okay with going into the Animus again?" He questioned.

"Yes. I think I'll be fine to take another session." The woman nodded. "Should we bring Laura along, just in case?" She asked.

"I'd feel better not leaving her here alone with just Luna." Joshua sighed, getting an indignant growl from the she-wolf in question. "What? You could just be shot and Abstergo would walk right past you after." He told the wolf defensively.

This caused the wolf to whimper as she laid down in defeat, causing the two to feel bad almost immediately.

"Sorry, girl, but I don't wanna see you dead." The man sighed apologetically as he kissed the wolf on her head. Luna rubbed her head against his chin understanding.

"Come on. I think Trevor and Luna can keep things held down here…" Ororo said as she looked down towards the open cabin door, and saw both their cats dragging in a small rainbow trout and a blackbird. "Appreciate the thought, you two, but those aren't exactly edible for us humans." She smiled with a sweatdrop.

"When they're raw, at least." Joshua amended with a chuckle.


(Later)

-American Brotherhood Sanctuary HQ-

"Alright, Ororo, ready to jump back into your ancestor's memories again?" Sarah questioned as she got the Animus ready.

"I am." Ororo nodded as she sat in the Animus while Joshua was off to the side with Laura in his lap.

"Hold onto your butts." Calvin told her as he fired up the machine.


Animus Active

Helix Virus Purged, User integrity at 100%

Searching for Relevant Data based on last save…

Data Found.

Sequence 2 available for Synchronization.

Proceed with Synch?

[Yes/No]

[Yes]

Synchronizing…


-Mexica Shore, 1518-

Mateo Montoya sighed as he stepped off the ship and onto the first patch of dry land he'd been able to reach in several months, the ground shifting below him as he walked along, sun beating down and sea breeze blowing as he approached what looked to be a small settlement centered in a veritable jungle.

"Ah, it feels good to be on land again…" He sighed. Sure, the sea was great and all, but there was only so much of it one could take.

"You there, young man." A man's voice called, prompting him to turn and see a man walking up to him. "I take it you were just on that ship?" He questioned.

"I am." Mateo nodded as he turned to fully face the man. "I am Mateo Montoya. And who may I ask are you, callaberro?" He questioned, right as the modern crew became aware of what the man looked like.

"Wait, is that…?!" Sarah gasped in surprise.

The man in question looked to be in his mid-thirties. He had light skin, black hair, brown eyes, a beard and a well groomed mustache. He was wearing the clothes of a nobleman under a set of light armor that bore the colors of Spanish Conquistadors.

"Ah, my apologies." The man nodded as he held up a piece of paper with a message and the seal of King Charles on it. "But I believe you are the man I am looking for." He continued, holding out a mail gloved hand. "Buenos Dias, Senior Montoya. I am Sir Hernan Cortez. Conquistador of Hispania." He added as Mateo shook his hand. "I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance." He concluded.

Mateo's eyes widened before he nodded. "The honor is mine, Senior Cortez, truly." He replied.

"Come. I've already arranged for your belongings to be taken to the inn we're staying at." Hernan told him as the two walked away from the dock.

"Tell me, Mateo, are you by any chance Inigo and Isabella's son?" The older conqueror questioned as they walked together.

"Indeed I am." Mateo nodded in reply.

"And your previous commission was with Senor Julio Vuldez in the Italia campaign, correct?" Cortez continued as they entered a rather small and simple camp set up by Spanish settlers, missionaries, merchants, Conquistadors and non conquering soldiers and hunters.

"Si. It was definitely one of those more difficult ones." The Conquistador nodded. "And after Senor Vuldez told me of the expeditions here in the Americas, I figured I might… Well, I thought…" He continued, trailing off a bit.

"Si. Habla rápido. [Out with it.]" Cortez nodded, gesturing for the boy to get his thoughts together already.

"I thought–I hoped that I may study under you. Preferably in hopes that I could lend a hand with the conquista of the new world." Mateo confessed. "If I am to serve the Order I can think of no better mentor than yourself." He continued.

"Your words honor me, Mi hijo [My boy]." The older man replied, clasping his hands behind his back as they passed a congregation of nuns tending to a small group of children. "But I think you overestimate me." He continued as they passed.

"Even so, I still think you to be an excellent teacher." Mateo told him. "Before we continue, however, I'll need some equipment in case I find myself in a fight." He added, looking at his current sword. "I'm afraid my current weapons have unfortunately outlasted their use." He elaborated.

"Very well, I will arrange for horses to be brought for us." Cortez nodded as the open world became available for Ororo again.

The woman proceeded to maneuver her ancestor to an armory, taking note of the various merchants selling their goods and the Spanish soldiers patrolling their respective areas as she went.

"Hm, doesn't look all that different from when Haytham Kenway arrived in Boston for the first time." Calvin noted.

"It's almost strange how some people's lives can be echoed by another." Joshua remarked.

"Why do I get the feeling that this may be more foreboding than it first seems?" Ororo questioned as she chose to get a Common Conquistador sword that had a simple black basket handle, a Spanish Arquebus matchlock carbine, and a simple common round shield.

After getting the supplies that were needed, Ororo guided Mateo back to Hernan, who had gotten two horses ready.

"Well met." The man nodded upon spotting Mateo's new armaments. "Let's be off, shall we?" He beckoned as he mounted one horse while the young Conquistador mounted the other.

As they rode along, they came to a brief stopping point when the foot traffic became a bit too much for the two to continue at that moment, so they dismounted for the time being, just in time for Mateo to bump into someone.

Said man looked like he was in his late thirties, judging by the fact he was balding on top of his head–Though his attire tipped the crew off that he, rather, was a friar or ascetic monk. The hair he still had was black and he also had brown eyes. His skin also had a light tan, at least on his face. His attire consisted of the robes said monks usually wore.

"Oh! Lo siento." The monk sighed before he started looking around. "Damned sprigs! This country will be the death of me." He sighed in frustration, his grip tightening on what looked to be some sort of book in his hand.

"Does something bother you, senior?" Mateo questioned, getting the monk's attention.

"That it does indeed." The monk replied with a nod. "Greatly so, in fact." He continued, pacing around.

"What's happened?" The conquistador questioned.

"I was robbed." The man replied. "And while I managed to restore what's mine, I'm afraid it's ruined." He continued with a sigh.

"You mean the book?" The boy questioned.

"This is no ordinary book! It's a historia! The first I ever wrote." The balding man replied, holding out his hand. "Bartolomé de las Casas." He continued, introducing himself.

"Mateo Montoya." The young man nodded, shaking his hand.

"Hernan Cortes." The older Conquistador nodded as he too shook the man's hand.

"You must be new to Mexica." Bartolome noted as he faced the younger of the two.

"Disculpe [Excuse me]?" The boy questioned.

"You're still possessed of virtue. To stop and help a humble friar like myself." The monk replied. "I don't mean to impose but… You seem a spry lad. If you happen to find my missing pages, I'll be sure to reward you." He offered.

"If any are found, they'll be collected and brought to you." Mateo nodded. "Where do we start looking, exactly?" He questioned.

"Well I'm afraid I can't say for certain, but if and when you are able to restore my missing pages, you'll find me in that cathedral over there." The man replied, pointing towards a church that seemed to just finish being built.

"Thank you." Hernan nodded. With that, the friar went into the cathedral. The younger of the two men looked and saw the foot traffic had calmed down.

"Looks like we can move along now." Mateo noted.

"Correct." Cortez nodded as they got back on their horses.


(Later)

"We ride for the newly constructed Oak Cross inn." Cortez explained. "The proprietors there are on the more eccentric side, but they do show the best of courtesy." He continued.

"I do hope that rings true." The young man commented as they rode their horses to their destination.

"Did his majesty tell you why you were sent here? What the nature of our work is here?" Cortez questioned.

"No senor. Only that you'd tell me as much as you saw fit to say." Mateo replied. "He only gave me a copy of the letter you have with a list of five names, and bade that I help you find them." He continued.

"Right. The first of those is already at the inn." Cortez nodded after a minute or so as they arrived. "Here we are." He said as the two dismounted.

The Oak Cross inn looked surprisingly homely, the bricks that made up its exterior giving it a comfy rustic appeal to the modern crew.

"This first man, who is he?" Mateo questioned.

"A huntsman by the name of Rodrigo Pizzalo." Cortez replied as they tied their horses outside. "I don't know him well–as he served a different rite before coming here–but when he was presented with the same letter you were, he did not hesitate to come." He added.

"I see." the boy nodded. "Forgive me, senor. But what is it the Order plans to do here?" He questioned.

"Prove yourself loyal to our cause, and you may yet know our plans as well." The older Conquistador told him.

"And I shall." Mateo nodded.

As the two entered the inn, they saw that there weren't many people inside, save for a woman behind a counter offering wine, water, spanish ale or other such drink along with simple food.

Sitting down at a lone table with a mug of one of these drinks in hand, a sort of wide brim hat covering his face from the view of the two men. His clothes looked like they were made almost entirely of leather, a jacket, pants, boots and other articles. He also had a rifle, a wolf-head pommeled machete, and a single dagger.

"Rodrigo." Cortez nodded as he and Mateo sat down.

"Ah, hola Cortez." Rodrigo nodded back before his head turned toward Mateo. "A new face, I presume?" He questioned.

"This is Mateo Montoya, he is to be training under us so that he may join our order." Cortez nodded.

"Right." The Hunter nodded. "I assume he's here to help with the expedition?" He questioned.

"Expedition?" Mateo asked.

"We believe that there is a Precursor Site here on this continent. One that the Natives call, El Dorado." Cortez replied. "And Rodrigo was meant to help increase our efforts to find it with his observations of this land and its people." He added.

"Yes, but it's been stolen." Rodrigo nodded. "Without those papers, I'm afraid my services are of less service to you otherwise." He continued.

This made Mateo and Cortez look at each other.

"... Well, Mateo, it looks like we're off." The older man noted.

"How might we find them?" The boy questioned.

"My associate, Miguel Di Madras, has been making the rounds." The hunter explained. "He's particularly skilled at rattling skulls. Más o menos [So so]." He continued.

"Another name on the list." Mateo pointed out.

"Si. The more people we have, the more we'll be able to get done." Cortez nodded.

"But not so many that it's hard to manage." Rodrigo added.

"Four more to go, it seems." Mateo nodded. "Where might we find senior Miguel? Perhaps we can help hasten things along." He asked, offering a nod.

"There's some natives operating from a large camp a few miles east of here. If Miguel is to be found, it's likely he's there, or at least close by it." Rodrigo told him. "They've been mingling with some banditos that may work for the men we're hunting." He continued.

"Quien?" The younger man questioned before Cortez interjected.

"You'll find out in due time." The man told him, standing from his seat. "Shall we be off?" He questioned, prompting Mateo to stand up.

"Yes sir." The boy nodded as they left.


Memory: New Land and Faces

Synched.

Setting waypoint to next memory.


Ororo controlled Mateo and made him walk towards what looked to be a corral of pigs where a man was leaning against the tallest post, his morion helmet falling over his face as he seemed to be sleeping.

Deciding to see what was up, she had her ancestor wake this man up as Coretez arrived behind him.


Memory: Rodrigo's Errand.

Synch Memory?

[Yes/No]

[Yes]

Synchronizing…


"Senor Miguel Di Madres, I presume?" Cortez questioned as Mateo nudged the snoozing man awake.

"Huh?!" The man gasped as he jolted awake, his helmet falling off and revealing his face.

He was a man in his early twenties, who was similar in build to Mateo, but he had blonde rather than brown hair–which reached his shoulders–a goatee and green eyes. Attire wise, he was wearing a red shirt and a pair of blue trousers with simple shoes, which was under the standard Conquistador armor set.

The man now identified as the one they were looking for, shot a dirty look at the two men as he bent down to pick up his helmet. "Si, who may I ask is the one asking?" He questioned.

"Hernan Cortez." The older man replied.

"Is that supposed to ring a bell?" The blonde questioned.

"Show some respect, boy." Mateo growled.

"Paz, Mateo, paz." Cortez told him placatingly. "Rodrigo sent us to you in hopes that we might expedite your search for our missing papers." He explained.

"Missing papers, huh?" Miguel hummed. "Well I'm afraid you're wasting your time. I don't need any help." He explained, standing up from the post he was leaning on while he adjusted his pistol, crossbow and arming sword. "I already found the banditos who committed the theft." He continued.

"Then why are you just lazing about?" Mateo barked.

"Because I wanted to enjoy some wine." The man replied with a chuckle as he opened a flask of his and drank from it… Or rather, tried to. "Ah… Why is the wine always gone?" He lamented.

"... I think we found the Jack Sparrow before there was Jack Sparrow." Joshua deadpanned.

"I take it you already know where the landrones are at present?" Cortez questioned as they followed behind the blonde to what looked like a swiftly built bunker.

The structure was entirely comprised of wood with sharpened wooden poles acting as rally barriers so that any charging armies would be impaled on attempt. Several mercenaries (distinguished by their lighter padded armor rather than metal) and a few natives dressed in wooden armor, animal pelts, and having obsidian and flint knives, spears and clubs in place of the metal bows, slings, javelins, sword-clubs, spiked maces, battle-axes, and spears of their Spanish comrades.

"Does that answer your question?" The blonde questioned.

"That it does." Cortez nodded.

"So, how are we handling this?" Mateo asked, looking at his mentor.

"Miguel and I will enter from the front while you kill the lookout and take up the position behind the guards–using their weapons to open fire on the group." The older conquistador replied. "We'll have the element of surprise on our side. Half will fall before they've even realized what's happened." He added.

"Now that I can do." The young man nodded.


(Later)

The trio was now hiding in a field of maze while Cortez gestured for Mateo to get to it. Taking his rifle, the young man raised it and waited for the soldiers to start target practice before he fired, his shot's sound being covered by the others, and allowing the lookout to fall off the hill dead, leaving an opening.

"Okay, get into position, Mateo. We won't make a move until you fire the first shot." Cortez told his protege.

"Si." The boy nodded.

"Así que vete con dios. [So go with God]." The man nodded as Mateo scaled the hill and got behind the guards from above as Ororo controlled him, taking the lookout's pistol as his own before pointing it at a guard, and shooting him in the back of the neck, killing him instantly.

The mercenaries must've been more absent minded than he thought, since nobody seemed to hear the gunfire. As he got into position, he saw his companions at the front entrance, where four bandits were trying to get them to leave.

He took aim with his rifle and took one of the four out, letting Cortez and Miguel deal with the other three before they moved on.

He then drew his sword and walked towards a cluster of four guards and drove his blade through one's chest from behind, before slashing through the rest in quick succession, then sheathing his sword and taking a pair of daggers from one of the mercenaries, before leaping down to ground level, and killing two native warriors from above.

It was around this time the bandits and natives woke up and realized what was going on.

"Quick, get inside! We'll be safer in the bunker!" One of them exclaimed as everyone still alive retreated into the bucker and blockaded the door.

"What now?" Mateo questioned.

"We can destroy the doors with those." Miguel pointed out, gesturing to a cart of gunpowder and artillery explosives.

"Mateo, you seem the best shot out of us. Best you do this." Cortez prompted.

Nodding, the young man took aim and shot the explosives and the blast tore the door apart… along with a small chunk of the front wall.

"Wow, that is a flimsy bunker." Sarah chuckled, amused at how fragile the structure actually was.

"So much for them being safe." Miguel quipped as the trio strolled in.

"Shame so many had to die…" Mateo sighed, looking at one of the natives he killed, feeling regret for having to take this life.

"Indeed. But in cases like these, battle lines are often drawn long before a sword is drawn." The elder of the two nodded, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Hold fast to that feeling. These sacrifices must not be taken lightly." He nodded.

Mateo was about to take the box containing Rodrigo's manuscripts–on Cortez's orders–when a pistol fire caused the three to turn and see three men with rifles and pistols in hand, flanked by three Native warriors, wooden shields, clubs and bows at the ready.

"Lay down your arms." The leader ordered. "And I'll consider letting you live." He added.

"I ask the same of you." Cortez responded in kind. "We've no quarrel. I only wish to return this chest to its rightful owner." He continued.

"There is nothing right about Rodrigo Pizzalo." One of the mercs scoffed.

"We won't ask again." Mateo warned, raising his pistol.

"Agreed." The leader nodded, pointing his own pistol, before Mateo shot him in the head with a reflex shot and drew his sword. The three men then proceeded to enter combat with the mercs and the three natives.

Mateo himself was dealing with one natives that seemed hellbent on killing him–swinging his obsidian macuahuitl around wildly like mighty Heracles–but thankfully, he was skilled enough to keep himself alive by rolling out of the way of a larger attack and kicking the man. Leaving him staggered.

He then took a polearm axe and swung it down on the man as he brought up his wood shield, destroying the object and nailing the man in the collar bone and through the jugular.

After dispatching him, he moved onto his next target.

After a short bit, nearly all the natives and mercenaries were dead while one mercenary was still alive.

"Your kind has no need for books and maps." Cortez stated, looking down at a Native whose eyes were still open, before he knelt down and closed them. "Nor your Indian compatriots. Who put you up to this?" He questioned as Mateo and Miguel buried the dead.

"Not us." The merc groaned in reply. "The people we work for do." He added.

"Who are they?" The Conquistador questioned.

"I don't know. I've never seen them. I only know of them through letters and such." The merc responded.

"Well then, your days of thieving are done." Cortez stated as he made the man get up. "Now go, and tell your masters I said as much." He added, shoving the man, who was limping due to being shot in the thigh.

"Who should I say you are?" The Merc questioned.

"You don't. They'll know." Cortez replied as the man retreated.

"I can't imagine they'll be letting this go without a fight." Mateo commented as he held the chest.

"Don't let that chest go, Mateo. We'll help deal with these rufianes." The older man told him.

"Understood." The young man nodded as the trio started their trek back to the inn.

Along the way, more natives tried to kill them and take the chest back, but Cortez and Miguel were able to keep Mateo covered. They did need to get creative when archers tried to nail them in the head, however.

"Shoot those artillery barrels under the archers!" Miguel yelled as Mateo's gaze shot to an artillery magazine across the field, and then to a single grenade that lay beside him.

Getting an idea, he lit the grenade's fuse and threw it at the barrels, and it exploded not even five seconds later. The end result was one destroyed position for archers, causing it to collapse and send the rest into disarray.

"And with that, we now return to the Oak Cross." Cortez nodded as the three men left, the compound burning behind them.


Memory: Rodrigo's Errand

Synched.

Returning to Open World.


Back at the Oak Cross, the trio of men returned with Rodrigo's documents.

"Here you are, senior Rodrigo." Mateo said as he placed the chest on the table.

"Many thanks, Maestro Montoya." The man nodded as he took the box. "Now, what is it you need?" He asked.

Cortez gave the younger man a nod, prompting Mateo to pull out some sort of object that came with the letters and list given to him by King Charles. The object in question looked like a disc of some sort, like the Masyaf Keys, with a familiar glass bulb in the center–similar to what was used in the observatory.

"The markings on this disc, do you recognize it?" Mateo asked.

"Hm…" The widehat wearing man hummed as he examined the images. "They appear to be Mayan in origin, or close to them. Perhaps Aztec." He replied.

"Can you figure out where this originates from? I–We need the origin of the disc." The young man told him, correcting himself mid sentence as Cortez cleared his throat.

"I'll see what I can do." Rodrigo replied, not minding the slip.

"Then we'll leave you to it." Cortez nodded as he gestured for Mateo to follow.

"Well, Miguel.." The tracker sighed as he looked at the man, who was busy drinking from a wine bottle.

"Que?" The blonde questioned, looking at him.

"Rent yourself a room." The man told him before sniffing the air a bit, his face scrunching from what he smelled. "And a bath. I suspect we'll be here a while." He added.


Sequence 2 progression: 50%

Memory: Rodrigo's Errand

Synched…

Ejecting User for Requisite Rest Period…


-American Assassin Brotherhood Sanctuary, Present day-

Ororo groaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes after coming out of the animus again.

"Ugh, still getting used to that." She commented as she got to her feet.

"Trust me, I know the feeling." Joshua nodded in understanding as Laura reached out for her mother. Ororo smiled at her as she took her daughter into her arms.

"Hello my little chocolate bar." The woman chuckled as she kissed her daughter on her forehead. "Who's mommy's favorite little girl?" She cooed.

Laura laughed happily as she clapped her hands, eagerly snuggling against her mother's bosom. Joshua smiled as he hugged the two close to him.

All in all, it wasn't so bad, being able to enjoy nice moments amidst the more serious nature of their work.


Dragon Emperor0: Hey guys, sorry for the wait. But we wanted to let AC: Outlaw and Empire catch up with Conquest before we moved along with this next chapter. As well as take some time to plan out how we wanted to handle this story's first few sequences before the big finale of Act 1, leading into Act 2. Also, if you guys are noticing similarities between this story and AC3, that's intentional. It was suggested to us that we handle this story with the same kind of nuance as that game and Rogue, so we decided to give it a go. And so far, I'm pleased with the results.

ThermalsniperN7: Yeah, and we're obviously gonna tweak it for the story's narrative to fit the theme of Conquistadors, so expect certain changes to keep things feeling like they're Assassin's Creed and such.

Dragon Emperor0: Also, expect one of the characters who will bring Mateo into the Assassin's once he reaches his turning point in Act 2, so be on the lookout for that character in the next chapter or the one after it, depending on how far we get.

ThermalsniperN7: There's also Condor related plans regarding Mateo, but that comes later. Anyway, see you next time.