Hello everyone. This is my second fanfiction. :) My first one is kind of on hold for the moment since I've ran into writer block with it. I know I will get pleanty more chapters of this up before that even remotely happens to this one. Since I worked a lot more on this one then my previous story. I am still new to this whole thing and hope its not too horrendous. I hope you enjoy it, advise on how it could be better would be appreciated. I'd love to see a review from you guys! Let me know what you think!
Sadly I DO NOT own any of this but my character and the plot of my story. Heaven knows I wish I did. hehe :D
Chapter 1: Silent Knight
What would one do in order to change the past? To try and change fate. It has always been said, "You can't turn back the hands of time." But, what if you where given that choice, directly or indirectly. Would you take it? If you could change the past by leaving the present. To change the fate of someone you never met, to make their lives have peace once more. Would you, could you, sacrifice everything that was familiar to you, everything you worked for, everything you held dear... For the sake of a friend? Life is hard and it becomes even more so when given the choices to do right or wrong. Wither you wanted those choices or not. The time to choose is drawing near and one small girl will have to make the choice. She may choose her path, but for every choice made in life, there is never a choice without consequence.
A small girl was sitting on her bed, covered in a mountain of blankets. She was five foot four, small for her age of eighteen. But it rarely ever bothered her. She was as frail as she was small. She was bedridden, plagued with a disease that no doctor could fix. Yet she remained cheerful, especially in front of her parents and she would have been for her friends as well, if she had-had any. But despite her cheerful front, she could be found crying in the dark on most nights. Knowing that no one would ever see.
This small girl spent her time playing video games, reading adventurous stories, or simply watching the world pass by through her bedroom window as the seasons quickly changed. Always knowing she would never get the chance to be part of the world beyond her modern room. She knew her days where numbered...
It was late at night as she thought of all the aspects her life held. Which weren't many. Sighing, she leaned back to lay on her bed, drawing up the covers more securely, before reaching out to pull the small string to her bedside lamp. Covering her little world in darkness as she slowly fell to sleep.
When morning arose with the sun, the small girl with long chestnut hair had only one defense when it came to trying to stay asleep longer. And Lunar's hair was just that defense as the sun sneaked it's way around her curtains and into her eyes. Her hair doing its best to keep said eyes covered. But people tend to toss and turn in their sleep from time to time. And Lunar was no exception. She lost that defense as soon as she rolled onto her back. Her hair falling away, revealing her soft pale features. The sun practically warming up at the flawless beauty it was shining down on. But beauty was the last thing on Lunar's mind when she started to stir.
In fact the only thing that registered itself in Lunar's mind as she awoke. Was the throbbing pain in her chest. It was as if someone had taken their hand and shoved it through her skin to snatch and squeeze her heart. She knew it would pass shortly, it always did. She would just bite her bottom lip and roll from side to side occasionally, hoping that by doing so it would make the pain end sooner.
Ten minutes passed before the pain began to dull, and ebb away. Releasing a sigh of relief. Lunar slowly started her way into a sitting position. Sighing she brought her hands up to rub the sleep from her eyes. Once that was accomplished she glanced around her small room. The eerie quite of the place signaled that her parents had left the house already to attend to work, and other mundane activities.
Her eyes lowered to her lap, eyes glazing over as thoughts lashed through her mind. She rarely, if ever, got to see her parents anymore. They worked almost non-stop in order to provide for her and her medical needs. She felt horrible for bringing such a burden onto her parents shoulders. And couldn't help but wish it to be otherwise. Wishing she could be the daughter they could have been proud of.
Quickly realizing the downward spiral her thoughts where leading her to. She shook her head vigorously, banishing the thoughts away as quickly as possible. She was enough of a burden, she didn't need to add to the load by being pessimistic.
Her eyes narrowed as she stared at her lap. A overwhelming feeling of annoyance grated against her mind. So to remedy the situation she reached for her bedside table and quickly snatched the television remote and play station three controller. Playing games was always a good outlet for her. And became her top number one thing to do in the infinite spare time she had on her hands.
A small smile graced her lips as she saw the games logo appear on the screen at the foot of her bed. "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood." She had been playing for who knows how long. One thing was for certain, Lunar didn't even realize time existed when it came to games. She always became to enthralled in the game to notice. So much so, the games sometimes seemed to be so real to her. As if she could just reach out and touch it, or look over her shoulder and see vast amounts of Italian buildings and people walking along the market streets.
She only came out of this 'daze' when a familiar pain began to rear its ugly head in her chest. She put her game on pause and put the controller in her lap atop the comforters. She would have kept playing and ignored the pain if it weren't for it being so unusually painful this time around. She groaned as the pain increased, her left hand coming up to grab the front of her shirt as if twisting the soft fabric would make the pain lessen. The world began to spin, and the colors began to blend together. Her eyes scrunched together as the sudden urge to cough surged through her, bringing her right hand up to slam against her mouth, as the coughs wracked through her small frame. As each cough came and went, she could feel something rising up her throat. Giving a final cough, her eyes snapped open and grew wide as she felt something wet spurt into her hand. She could feel it seep through her fingers and out of the corner of her lips to slide down her chin.
Her hand shook as she slowly pulled her hand away from her mouth to inspect it. Her hand was drenched in dark crimson blood, small droplets landing on her comforter in her lap. Shock and surprise clouded her mind as the edges of her vision began to blacken and spin out of control. All she could think of was, 'I'm dying...?' Then everything went black...
Cold. Very cold... That is all Lunar's mind could register as she forced her eyes to crack open. Her thoughts where fogged over. And her vision couldn't be in any better state then what her mind was in at the moment. Slowly time began to take meaning once again. Her thoughts clearing as she struggled to keep her eyes open.
Her mind awoke enough to process the fact that she was laying on the ground, wet ground, in fact in a puddle that had formed on a stone street, or road. She couldn't tell which, only that it was made of some type of stone.
Forcing her eyes to open she took the opportunity to look around. Her body was numb, she could barely move her head in a effort to aid her search to figure out where she was. Through her blurry vision she could make out various houses, and stands along the streets. She felt something wet hit her face, distracting her from her search-full looking.
'Lovely, guess that explains why I'm so cold...' she thinks glumly to herself. Trying to move her limbs she could barely make out the feeling of water surrounding her mid-section. She must have fallen into a puddle. She could feel it soaking through her pale blue pajama shorts and tank top. Luckily she was too cold to care to even try moving from the puddle. To tired to move even. She let her gaze wander around once more. Her eyes roving over the buildings, and to the clouds overhead. Watching as the moon peaked through and made the rain shine like millions of diamonds. And how some of the nearby buildings gave of a homey glow through the curtains of their front windows.
Sighing, she gave up the fight to keep her eyes open any longer. Dreadfully tired to keep at it. A small smile forming on her lips as she smelled the hickory smoke of the chimney's nearby. Chuckling quickly as she figured her lips where probably blue as a blueberry by now.
With her eyes closed she began to shudder slightly, the drenched pajamas and rain finally getting to her. Fogging her mind with the a cold numbness. She succumbed to the darkness of sleep way before the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard clicking on stone.
Ezio had just been on his way to Leonardo's workshop for the night after a long day trying to obtain more information on a new group of Templar's. He was suppose to met La Volpe near the Thieves Guild that afternoon. But La Volpe never showed up. Of course Ezio had waited, and waited, and waited. Until a thief had come up to him and informed him that La Volpe had to unexpectedly leave on short notice immediately out of Venice. And wouldn't be back for some time. Thus beginning Ezio's curse filled trip over the rooftops back to Leonardo's. He was frustrated he had wasted a whole day waiting around for a man that wasn't even in the same city, nor country as him. And was even more peeved that Volpe hadn't even sent a thief to notify him of his departure. Volpe knew Ezio's time was precious and couldn't afford to be wasted. Whatever that dastardly thief had found that had caused him to leave so suddenly had better be damned worth it, or Ezio was going to skin him alive.
With a growl of annoyance, Ezio peered over a ledge of one building to make sure a haystack or leaf wagon was at the bottom so he wouldn't have to climb his way down. He knew the rooftops where more dangerous in rain and didn't fancy falling to his pre-mature death when the storm had hit out of no where. Satisfied with the fact there was indeed a leaf wagon, he pushed himself off the roof, feeling the wind rush past him before he smacked into the leafs. He quickly climbed out, pulled the now very wet and highly 'sticky' leafs off his armor and cowl.
He then proceeded to quickly walk down the cobbled street, deserted of citizens at this time of hour and weather. He was just a few blocks away from Leonardo's. He was about to round a corner when something blue caught the corner of his eye. Taking a quick glance, not wanting to fair the weather longer then necessary. He was fully intending to keep walking no matter what it was. But upon seeing the blue was clothes, that where still on a person he halted in his steps. He couldn't do anything but stare for a few minutes, wondering why the hell anyone would want to be laying in the opening of a alleyway at this time of night... let alone in this rain. And judging by the clothes... They must be insane.
Shaking his head, he glanced down the street he was wanting to go, then back behind him, then over to the person on the ground. Shrugging his shoulders with a sigh he quickly made his way over to this insane person who was taking a nice soak in a rainstorm, in nothing but very strange...attire.
As he got closer he could faintly see that it was a female, and that she was resting in a puddle, a pink puddle... In a panic he rushed over. Looking at the front of her clothes to see them stained red with blood. He quickly pressed his fingers to her neck searching for a pulse. Giving a sigh of relief when he could feel it beating at a nice pace. She was just merely asleep. He scratched the back of his head with his hand, staring at this strange girl. How could she have that much blood on her, yet not have a wound, or at the very least be dying...
He knew that he couldn't just leave her here either. Her clothing was strange, and didn't offer enough protection to the cold. She'd certainty be dead by morning if he left her here. Sighing he pinched the bridge of his nose, his eyes narrowing. He knew nothing of this woman. Nor if she was any kind of threat.
"Can never turn away from a damsel n' distress, now can you Ezio... Merda..." It was the first time he ever hated himself for being attracted to woman. The ones in trouble always had him wrapped around their fingers.
Reaching up to his left shoulder guard. He slipped his fingers under the padding looking for the latches that held his cape in place. Having found the latches, he took his cape off, draping it over the pale woman. He'd have to get his cape cleaned after this. The blood on the woman's shirt beginning to seep into his cape.
Scooping her up, Ezio took a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching them. He didn't want to explain this to any guards should their be any roaming the streets nearby. He didn't have time nor the patience. Content that he wouldn't be stalled in getting to Leonardo's very dry, and warm studio he began to walk as quickly as his load would allow.
Upon reaching the artist door he looked down to his small companion and squinted his eyes. Her attire, her appearance. Everything about this girl in his head rang out as abnormal. Shaking his head he realized he didn't have his hands to help open the door. Cursing silently he shifted his weight along with the weight in his arms to balance on one foot. Bringing his free foot to kick the door as hard as he could. Wincing as pain shot from his toes and into his foot. He was shaking his foot back and forth trying to be rid of the annoying pain, when the door to the studio cracked open and a middle aged man poked his head out.
Ezio immediately put his foot back on the ground and pressed forward into the door using his shoulder as the man stepped aside to give Ezio room. The mans face held nothing short of concern and wonder as his eyes followed after Ezio and the small girl in his arms.
"What have you done now...?" The man groaned. Bringing his hand up to rub at his face in a slightly frustrated manner. Thinking Ezio had gone to far in his nightly games with the women of the city.
Laying the small girl on a unoccupied table near the back corner of the studio, Ezio turned to look at the man with a smirk on his face.
"Okay, I know what this looks like but I swear I didn't do anything this time, Leonardo." Ezio stated holding his hands up in front of him as if in defense.
Leonardo stared at Ezio, clearly not trusting a word of what was said.
"Pray tell, what are you doing with this young lady then?" Grumbled a very tired Leonardo as he shut the door and turned the lock.
Ezio glanced around the small studio, grabbing the first chair he could see and dragging it over to the fireplace.
Plopping into the chair, a shudder escaped him as his skin slowly began to warm up from the fire. "Well to start, I was just heading back here after trying to find that damn Volpe." Ezio slams his fist into the arm of the chair in frustration. "When it began to pour rain. I was literally just a few corners away from your studio, when I saw her just lying there in the middle of the street like a dead fish." He motioned with his hand over to the brunette lying on the table.
Leonardo brought a hand up to his face to stifle a laugh at the description. "That is quite interesting, Ezio. Yet that brings up the new question. Why was she lying in the street to begin with? Is she even alive?" Leonardo asked with concern drenched in his voice.
Ezio simply shrugged his shoulders at the questioning stare he was receiving from his artist friend. "I didn't bother to check..." He sheepishly brings a hand up to scratch the back of his neck. Acting like it was a simple mistake to forget such a important detail when picking up a half bloodied girl off the streets.
"W-what! You didn't even check!" Flabbergasted, Leonardo ran quickly over to the table grabbing the girls deathly cold wrist in his hands trying to find a pulse. Sighing when he felt it lightly beating under his finger tips.
Flipping around Leonardo leaned up against the table. A hand covering his heart, his face etched in pure relief.
"I can't believe you didn't check..." Leonardo mumbled out as he ran a hand over his face again. Ezio would be the death of him. That man just didn't think things through before he acted. If he wasn't the death of him, he'd certainty be the death of himself.
Ezio had tuned Leonardo out around the second word leaving the artists after he had ran to the girls side. His thoughts anywhere else but the small being on the table. His eyes where glued to the flames flickering in the fireplace, listening intently to the small crackling of the wood as it began to burn to ash. He wished Volpe had said something, anything. He was so close to finding something out. Something big.
He was dragged out of his thoughts when Leonardo had whacked him upside the head with his palm.
"Merda! What the hell, Leonardo?"
"Don't talk so barbarically. You brought this lady into my home unannounced. You are going to pull a bed together for her where you usually sleep, my friend." Leonardo stated as he walked into a back room on the other side of the studio in search of some kind of clothing he could change the young women into, to get her out of the ice cold clothes she was clad in now.
Ezio's mouth dropped open as he watched his friend disappear. Standing up to do as told but not before throwing in his two cents. "And where am I suppose to sleep then?"
Leonardo poked his head out from the room he was in to narrow his eyes at Ezio. "The floor of course! You are not going to make that young beauty sleep on the cold floor, now are you?"
Ezio glared at Leonardo as the artist disappeared back into the room.
"Of course not. I love sleeping on the floor... Being courteous to a damsel in distress is my best suit." Ezio snarled out, sarcasm drenching every word as he pulled the makeshift bed, that was usually his, roughly together.
Leonardo shifted through some boxes on a shelf. He had old clothes that he had back as a teenager somewhere in this room. Moving to stand on a stool to get to a higher shelf he tried to pull a box down, his fingers barely grazing the box. Slowly the box began to inch toward the edge. Just as Leonardo went to grab it when it became close enough, he began to tilt at a dangerous angle. Leonardo's eyes widened as he leaned back on the stool, loosing his balance in his attempt to catch the box as it came tumbling down to land on the poor artist head. Sending dust and the clothing inside everywhere.
Coughing, Leonardo let a big smile come across his face. "Well... It seems I found the clothing..." Chuckling to himself he stood up, dusting himself off. Bending over he grabbed the white nightgown and white night pants. He was about to walk out of the room when he felt something being absent atop his head. Reaching a free hand up he tapped the top of his head a couple of times. His hat. His hat must have fallen off when the box had tried to attack him. Quickly turning on his heel he went back over to the fallen box picking it up looking under it, around it. But no hat could be seen. Giving out a frustrated growl he tried to think of where it could have gone. He could have sworn he had it on his head when he came in here... His eyes widen slightly before he slammed them shut and smacked his hand over his face, laughing quietly to himself. He set the box back on the floor and looked under a article of clothing still inside. And sure enough his hat sat innocently in the nest of now unfolded clothes.
Ezio had sat down in the chair after having put the bed together and started to doze, enjoying the warmth of the fire when he heard the crash in the back room. Shaking his head he sat up straight in the chair. Trying to seem as though he hadn't been minutes from being fast asleep when Leonardo came waltzing out of the room with a smirk on his face and his hand gently on the hat on his head.
"What was that noise?"
"Oh, that. It was nothing. Just a box trying to assault me." Leonardo chuckled as he put the clothes near the end of the table that wasn't occupied by the body lying atop it.
Raising a eyebrow, Ezio merely shrugged his shoulders. Sliding into a slumped position in the chair. Leonardo's studio was the only safe place for him anymore. Least as safe as a assassin's life could get when hiding inside a city. He let his eyes close. Saying to himself he'd just rest his eyes for a few moment. He instead decided listening was good enough at this point. The combination of the fire crackling and the shuffling noises made by Leonardo as he worked to get the girl more comfortable he began to slowly slip away into sleep. Knowing the girl was in good hands. Leonardo didn't swing that way anyways. A small chuckle slipped past his lips as his head lowered down onto his chest. Letting his hood cast a even darker shadow over his eyelids. Casting him off into slumber.