Ezio is the new black.

I love Assassin's Creed. Anyone who knows me knows that this is one of my favorite games by far. Anyone who knows me also knows Assassin's Creed II is my most anticipated game this year. It seems like I froth at the mouth every time I see a gameplay trailer or I read news about the game. I won't bore you with how this game is going to be the best game ever made in the history of mankind and that even the likes of Halo and Call of Duty can't take down this behemoth of a virtual experience, I would like to make some predictions about the next game's story. I have been thinking about what I would want to happen and what I think has a good chance of happening for a while. WARNING! Spoilers abound on this post. I will talk a lot about the end of Assassin's Creed and its story. So if you haven't played it, don't read this (WHY HAVE YOU NOT PLAYED ASSASSIN'S CREED? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?). Here we go!

First I will delve into what is surely to be covered quite a bit in AC2: the pieces of Eden. This cool device was first seen with Al-Mualim in the final battle of AC1. This device is said to have the ability to control minds. Al-Mualim states that this device was used by many famous historical figures (several e-mails refer to the "Christ-figure" as having used the device, meaning the templars figure Jesus used the piece of Eden to bend people to his will). This device is said to have been the apple in the Garden of Eden, and what men used to create the religions of the world. In a nutshell, the templars believe that the pieces of Eden prove that there is no God. They believe that what the "apple" is is the gift of free will. The templars want to use the device to control everyone's mind. They want to create a peaceful world, but in a very twisted and mad way. Your classic world domination. This is the entire basis for why Desmond even controls Altair. He is looking for the historical thrid piece of Eden.

In the mythos, there are three pieces. One was destroyed in the little talked about "Philidelphia Incident". This is the piece Desmond is trying to find through Altair, as each piece has a map of other pieces. It isn't that simple however. Close examination of e-mails in the backroom of Desmond's holding cell reveal that Abstergo, modern day Templars, are trying to find other religious artifacts. It seems that they have found the crystal skulls and have made them work (in real life, the 13 ancient crystal skulls are the only one of their kind. They are rumored to have give the owner the ability to skry, or telepathically communicate). They have also in their posession something that can bend space and time, but have yielded to using it as they have no idea how to use it.

Interestingly enough, one e-mail states that Abstergo is yielding the search for the "Grail" as they feel it is not worth looking for, and should have no affect on their current plans on finding a piece of Eden, sending it into space through a satellite on the 12th of December (Mayan calendar armaggedon), and controlling all people. They are looking for other religious artifacts due to a sneaking suspicion that many people may have the ability to withstand the power of a piece of Eden, a power that Altair seemed to have had at the end of AC1.

There, you should be somewhat up to speed as to my knowledge. If you haven't taken a look at the wall and the floor after AC1, you should take a look back at that also. I will start my predictions by talking about Desmond and the current day story. Then I will talk about Ezio's story, and then I will talk about the overall story.

CURRENT DAY
-Desmond will be spared by Abstergo from the intercession of Lucy at the end of AC1. They will see that he has potential, and that he can be a useful tool in finding the other two pieces. They will also use him for finding other artifacts.
-Desmond will become more rebellious against Abstergo. He and Lucy will definitely do some planning.
-Desmond won't be in Abstergo's hands for the entire game. He will either be rescued by the Assassins, or he will be on the run.
-Desmond will gain another ancestral power other than Eagle Eye. My guess is that he will gain some free-running abilities.
-Desmond should meet another current Assassin in the game.
-We will see the outside.
-As the developers have stated Desmond will do more than looking for clues in the game, my guess is that he might do a small free-run section, maybe an escape/chase scenario.
-Something similar to the DIA and Philidelphia events will take place.
-Lucy will become even more heavily involved in the Assassins.

ITALY
-Ezio will serve as the example for an apprentice Assassin, and will be a cornerstone in the strength and development of the current day Assassins.
-Leonardo DaVinci will be a mysterious and gigantically important character. I would take a stab and say that he has major connections with the Assassins.
-DaVinci paintings and sculptures will contain clues to artifacts and other things, ala DaVinci Code.
-DaVinci will be an omniscient character. He will know everything about the real truth of the pieces and know the ins and outs of the templars and the Assassins.
-The templars will become more of a secret society. This can only be assumed as the existence of the Templars becomes quite scarce in Renaissance Italy.
-Catacombs under locations will serve as hiding places for artifacts.
-Ezio will encounter the Holy Grail, although it what form I cannot guess.
-Ezio will have major problems with the Medici family.
-The grand master of the Templars should be shown.
-The Church will play a role in the story, although to what extent I cannot guess.
-Rome will be a playable area.
-The Pope will have influence on the Templars.

OVERALL STORY
-The neglect of Abstergo to look for the Holy Grail will be a major plot device. The Assassins, through Lucy and other ways, will learn that Abstergo isn't paying attention to it. They will look for it, and it will have some amazing counter-active power. This will setup how the Assassins can stop the Templars.
-The pieces of Eden will be revealed to be different than Abstergo assumes. Although I doubt this will be blantantly revealed, I believe there will be rumors and hints that the pieces actually claim the opposite that the Templars believe. Instead of a device that has the power to enslave minds to hide the truth that God is fake and all religion and belief is fake, I think the device actually is meant to hide a bigger truth. The piece (or maybe the Grail) could prove the existence of God. It is possible that historical figures like Jesus used the device to gain people's faith and not give them proof out of nowhere.
-Atlantis will have some outer connection in the story. Many things on the walls of AC1 point to a lost city and artifacts lost there.
-Another piece will be destroyed in some way, leading Abstergo only one possible piece.
-More cultural stories will come into play, possibly Abstergo making assumptions that people like Buddha and Mohammad used a piece of Eden.
-Many things in AC1 point to an oriental setting. We will hear more about this.
-A gigantic battle along the lines of the DIA and the Philidelphia incidents will occur.
-The game will be even more open ended at the end than AC1.

That is all the predictions I have. I have pretty good faith in some of them. Of course, knowing the twists that AC1 had, I wouldn't be surprised if I am wrong about every single things. If you have a prediction please voice it.