It was a long walk back to Philadelphia in which Altair carried Micheal over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The man didn't wake, nor move and Altair had tied the Apple to his hand with a bit of bandages he kept on his person so there was no more of that screaming he'd experienced earlier. Thankfully it was early as he walked the city streets so there was no one to stare at him. Though he doubted many would since it looked very like he was taking home a friend from a bar who'd had a bit too much to drink.

The door to the den was open and he took the stairs up to the fifth floor where the door to the den leader's office was closed. The lamps were still burning down the hall though and he found an empty room before throwing Micheal down onto the bed inside. The man didn't even seem to notice and appeared to be asleep except for a slight trickle of blood coming from his mouth. Altair reached over and wiped it away before opening the younger man's mouth. His teeth and gums were bloody and he was missing a tooth though that looked like it had happened some time ago. Blood pooled in the back of his throat and with a sigh Altair turned him onto his side so he wouldn't choke on his own bodily fluids.

Altair brought a chair up to the edge of Micheal's bed and for a time simply watched him as the sky faded into lightness. Ezio wouldn't return till at least tonight as agreed so he had Micheal all to himself. He rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly before looking up sharply when the door opened. He and the den leader stared at each other in surprise. "Oh, I didn't know this was occupied, I'm sorry," she said.

"It's fine," he said without feeling, his mind not even working on the current situation with the den leader.

"Is he all right?" she asked and he didn't tell her to go away since it was her business who was in the den and who wasn't. Thankfully she couldn't see the Apple or the trickle of blood that was leaking from Micheal's mouth again.

"Yes, he's just sleeping," Altair said in a way that meant he wasn't going to answer any more questions and she needed to move along.

"Let me know if you need something," she said and closed the door.

Altair looked back down at Micheal with a little tired sigh. He'd be here alone with the kid— fuck he really was just a kid wasn't he? He looked like was barely twenty-five, not even really, there was too much youth to his face and it was without any fine lines. This poor kid had come in contact with a Piece of Eden and it had done something to him. Altair had never seen anything like this. Pieces of Eden didn't want their users to die, they wanted to be used because using them drove the user mad and eventually caused their own warped mind to use them more and more. Eventually of course they did die though, because the strain on the brain was too much. Of course there was that last terrible option. Where you didn't die, nor did you live. You simply remained fixed in time, unable to move forward with your life, and yet unable to end it without so much pain and suffering it might as well be better to live.

There was no fate worse if Altair was concerned. He and Ezio had become fixed, unable to progress in age, unable to finally be with the ones they loved. Altair had lost count of the times he'd tried to kill himself, or asked Ezio to. It was hard though. Once Ezio had shot him in the heart, it had seemed to work, but then nine months later he'd woken in a coffin and dug his way out of a grave with only a star shaped scar to show for their efforts. If that didn't do it very little else would so he'd stopped trying after that. Now? Now he just tried to make this life worth something. Worth anything.

He sucked in his lips and bit down. What if that happened to Micheal? He was so young, he probably had a girl, a family, friends, a life in the Brotherhood. At least Altair and Ezio had had a chance to live before time had stopped flowing for them. He frowned sadly and leaned forward steepling his fingers in front of him. Quickly he had to remind himself he didn't if that had happened yet though. Micheal could be fine. He could still be mortal. He could still be safe.

There was only one thing he could do to find out without him waking though. He didn't want too though. He'd promised himself he'd never use another Piece of Eden again because of what it had done to him, all the pain and suffering he'd gone through because of them. It was the only thing though and he needed to know what really happened to Micheal. Perhaps it could be reversed. He'd never know unless he tried though.

Altair rubbed his face with both hands. He hadn't slept in three days and barely noticed. He wasn't actually tired, not in a way that meant he wanted to sleep. He was just always tired, as the world weighed down his shoulders, pressing him down and making his chest fold up on itself and squeeze his heart. He needed to know, had to know. If only so he could tell Ezio what they'd be doing. He frowned and looked at the sleeping man and wiped away the blood from the young man's mouth again before looking at the Apple tied into his hand. He sighed and cut off the bandages, Micheal kept a light grip on the Apple though so it didn't roll away, and with great reservation reached out and laid his own hand against the sphere.

There was no visible passage between the real world and the one contained within the Apple when Altair reached into it. He simply was there. He looked down at himself and saw he has regained his missing ring finger but was not fooled. The Apple made things whole, though did so only as an illusion. There was nothing real here, as the color of the sky was any indication. It was black, and he could see the sun, but no stars, and the clouds were thin ghost-like sheets against the sky like strands of computer data. He knew there would be no such thing as computers for a few centuries yet but the analogy was still appropriate.

He looked around himself and recognized his surroundings. He was at Eagle Point, the home base of the Assassins here in North America. The stone walls were doubled and nearly impregnable and built into the side of the mountain was the main fortress if you would. It looked more like Masyaf, only on a smaller scale and built in an American style. Men and women in various dress went in and out of the building, some of them obviously assassins and some not based on the colors of their clothing. Where was Micheal in all this?

He left his original place and headed towards the fortress. This was just a semblance of reality so if Micheal was here the Mentor would know. No one stopped him as he walked in, for he was still dressed as one of them, and he found the Master's quarters with ease. He knocked and was admitted without ceremony. The Mentor was old, with white hair and balding with a dark hood.

"Hello Mentor," Altair said.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" the voice was without inflection. He would have been more life-like had Micheal been near, but without the holder of the Apple they were far more mechanical since there was no need to make everything as vital. Also no Mentor would great anyone so simply.

"I'm looking for Micheal," Altair said and saw the vision waver as he asked. "Where is he?"

"He's out."

"Where?"

"Not here."

Altair sighed, of course it wouldn't be so easy, "Is he at the Point?"

"Yes."

He left both the office without a word to enter the wall surrounded town. "Where to start?" he asked himself softly. After a moment he figured he'd start where it was always a good idea to look for young men; the bar. It was a small and humble affair you'd expect at the Point but with quite a few people in it all seeming in good spirits as they drank and were merry. Altair went strait to the bar.

"What can I get you?" asked the bartender moving over to him after throwing a stained rag over his shoulder, his motions and tone more natural, it meant the user was near, or frequented the area.

"I'm looking for Micheal," he said.

"Ah," he nodded, "Which one would that be? We got quite a few of them here at Eagle Point," Altair repressed a sigh, more tricks to throw him off his target. The Apple knew he wasn't supposed to be here, that he was something foreign and it didn't know if he meant ill for it's user so was putting these blockers in front of him to hinder his passage.

"He was recently in Philadelphia I believe," Altair said easily and leaned against the bar.

The bartender shook his head, "There haven't been any missions to that city in some time buddy, sorry," he frowned.

Altair thought about that a moment. So either the Apple had blocked out that part of his memory or there was thought to be some time between then and this supposed 'now'. He thought about what he knew Micheal looked like, brown hair, brown eyes (so helpful) but there was… "He has a scar," Altair said and reached up to his own mouth, surprised to find that like his hand his lips had been healed. "Here," he drew a line vertically down the right side of his lips.

"Oh, I know that one," the bartender said, "He isn't here now. If I was you I'd go ask that man there," and he pointed to two men at a small table both with pints of beer. "The blonde is Samuel, he's real close with Micheal."

"And the other?"

"Friend of them's, Trevor," the bartender said.

"Thanks," and he left the bar and made his way over to the small table. "Hello gentlemen," he said and sat without invitation. The two younger man sat up strait as he did so, not wary though, more out of respect since Altair still had the signs of a master Assassin on his person. Good to know.

"What can we do for you sir?" asked Samuel with a British accent.

"I'm here on an important errand," Altair said.

"You need our help sir?" Samuel asked and licked his lips anxiously.

"Something such," Altair nodded. "I'm looking for someone, I was told you could help me."

"We will if we can," Trevor promised, "We don't wan' get anyone in trouble though, ye know?" he sounded like he was from the more southern colonies, somewhere in the mountains.

"Of course, I would never ask such a thing from you. I assure you, who I'm looking for is in no trouble, I just need to speak with them urgently."

"Oh, of course then sir, who are you looking for?" Samuel seemed more relieved.

"His name is Micheal. I was told you knew him well," he said addressing Samuel.

"Mike? What you want with him?"

"I need to talk to him. It's very important," Altair said.

"He isn't in danger is he?"

"No… perhaps," Altair allowed. "It's imperative that I find him as quickly as possible."

"He's home," Samuel told him. "He and his misses stay at home now during the night more often then not after the baby was born."

"I see. Can you tell me where I could find him?"

The two friends exchanged looks, "I'll take you to him, how's that sound?" Samuel suggested.

"Yes that would be most helpful," Altair nodded. Samuel got up from the table leaving Trevor and his pint behind and he and Altair left the bar. "Thank you for your help Samuel." Outside the sky had paled and Altair could see the stars as blazing golden sparks in the sky. The sun was gone and the moon was nothing but a baleful blue eye in the sky. Samuel didn't seem to notice. Time moved differently here it seemed since he could not have bee there more than a few minutes and already the sun, which had been near it's apex, was already gone.

The younger man flushed slightly, "Please sir, just call me Sam, Samuel is my father."

"I apologize," Altair said.

"It's fine. This way," and he led Altair through the wall surrounded town to a well built house with smoke coming from the chimney. "This is Micheal's house."

"Thank you, I can take it from here."

"Right," Sam bit his lip before turning and leaving.

Altair knocked and after a few moments the door opened revealing a young woman with shorter ashen brown hair that was already turning a shade of gray. She had a young and vibrant face, she was beautiful and if this was Micheal's wife Altair would have been jealous were he at all that sort. "Hello sir, can I help you with something?" and then he noticed the necklace around her throat. It had the symbol of a den leader as a charm on it. Since den leaders had no uniform they identified themselves differently so others of their Brotherhood would know them for what they were. She obviously also recognized Altair by his own markings.

"I'm looking for Micheal," Altair said. "His friend Sam told me he was here."

"Yes, he is, is something wrong?"

"No no, nothing of the sort," he quickly reassured her, "I just need to speak with him."

"Very well, come in," and she opened the door wider so Altair could step inside. It was tidy inside and it was obvious the women kept a clean house. But it was the clean of a den leader, which was even cleaner than usual as they'd been trained so that nothing incriminating could be found in a den that would make people suspect murderers stayed there. "I'll go get him," she said and offered him a seat, which he declined, and she went into a back room. He heard her talking and a few seconds later the man in question came out.

Altair allowed himself a slight smile as the woman followed after Micheal carrying a baby, barely more than an infant. "Hello," Micheal said and for the first time Altair heard Micheal's voice. "What can I do for you?"

"Micheal, I need to speak with you," he said his eyes now trained on the young assassin.

"Of course. May I ask who I'm referring to?"

"My name is not important."

Micheal frowned, "Tell me your name," he ordered.

"I will, have no doubt of that. Just not now, it isn't important and I have something grave to discuss with you."

Micheal frowned at that, "Grave, truly?"

"Yes. If we could have a moment alone?" he asked the woman.

"Certainly," she said and left them as Micheal came towards him.

"What is this grave matter you needed to discuss with me? Who are you?" Of course Micheal was focusing on who Altair was. He was something strange in this Apple made world and he, the master of the world, needed to understand this thing that wasn't something he knew.

"I'm one of your brothers, you have nothing to fear from me. And the matter involves you."

"Involves me?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"What happened to you in Philadelphia?" and he watched curiously as the world warped around them, the walls bending in towards them. Interesting but not threatening, Micheal didn't even seem to notice.

"I never went to Philadelphia," he said.

"Yes, you did. Try to remember. You went with several others to a church and killed many Templars," Altair's reminded him.

"I'm sorry you have the wrong man. I haven't been to Philadelphia since I was a novice," Micheal said though sounded uneasy and Altair looked down to see the furniture starting to bend as well. The illusion was losing shape as Altair brought real world ideas and events into this little make believe world.

"You took something from the church Micheal. A ball, it was big, like the size of a grapefruit didn't you?"

"No, I didn't!" Micheal practically yelled helplessly and it started to fall apart. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Altair spat. "You have the Apple and right now you're lying on the bed of the Philadelphia den close to death. This world isn't real Micheal. You need to wake up so we can help you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. You need to leave, now," Micheal tried to push him, but Altair grabbed both his wrists.

"If you don't wake up you're going to die," Altair said through his clenched teeth. "And if you do you'll never see your wife and child again."

"I'm not sleeping."

"Yes you are."

"Who are you?" he was still fighting with Altair over control of his hands and Altair was still winning.

"My name is Altair. I'm here to help you. But first, you have to-" he stopped talking when the entire illusion bucked and now Micheal couldn't ignore it.

"HE HAS COME."

"Fuck," Altair muttered in Arabic.

"What was that?"

"Wake up Micheal. Wake up right now," Altair ordered at the young man who was staring at his house which was starting to unravel into a million threads of light with a mix of awe and fear.

"But-

"This is an illusion. You control it," Altair said gripping his fingers so tightly they started to darken into purple shades.

"DO NOT LEAVE."

"Shut up!" Altair called into the nothing that now surrounded them. There was no house, no Point, just an empty void full of spiraling light falling like rain and running like a waterfall over and under and through them. "You need to wake up."

Micheal was staring at him in bewilderment. "How?"

"How else do you wake up from a dream?" Altair asked him, "You tell yourself it isn't real."

The next thing that happened to Altair was the fading of the world and he was once again sitting next to Micheal in the den again, his hand having fallen off the Apple. Outside the sun was starting to set and cast long shadows through the window. On the bed the boy didn't move and Altair sighed. He reached out and wiped away the slightly significant amount of blood from the man's mouth and neck where it had dribbled. As he did so the door opened. If it was that nosey den leader Altair swore he was gonna-

"You found him," no, just Ezio.

"I did," Altair agreed.

"What happened to him?" Ezio closed the door and went over to Altair. Micheal was sweating now his hair damp, beads of wetness collecting on his brow.

"I don't know," Altair admitted.

"You had all day with him how can you no-

"I tried Ezio," Altair snapped. "He knows he's asleep. Now all he needs to do is wake up."

"And if he doesn't?" Ezio asked.

"Then he'll die," Altair said softly, more of a breath of air than words.

—

Ezio made him eat. They both knew Altair would forget to if Ezio didn't make him. Usually he did remember, but during situations like this food became the last thing on his mind. After he ate he slept, which surprised them both when he woke the next morning.

Micheal was the same, sweating as if he was with fever, his breathing a bit labored, but still alive. His eyes flickered behind his eyelids now though as if he was dreaming, or as if he was fighting and now and then his hand would clench the Apple, as if trying to release it.

"What's going on in there Altair?" Ezio asked.

"He was living an illusion. I'm guess for what felt to him to be a while," Altair said softly. "Months, maybe years."

"Years?"

"That or the Apple tampered with the internal memory of the illusion. When I met with Micheal he'd never been to Philadelphia, he'd never found the Apple."

"And?"

"I told him what was true," Altair said, "Like I did with you," and Ezio looked away. "He was in deeper though. He's got to wake up on his own."

"Couldn't you just… pull him out? You were in it."

"No," Altair shook his head slowly. "I tried, briefly. It wouldn't work. I've never seen anything like this," Ezio stared at him. "What?" he growled.

Ezio smirked then, "Something Altair hasn't seen. Now I've seen everything," and Altair growled wordlessly at him with a harsh scowl.

"You should not be pleased I've never seen this," Altair snarled at him, "If I don't know what it is how do we plan on helping him?" he demanded savagely.

Now Ezio frowned, "Not even close?" he asked carefully.

"Maybe…" was all Altair muttered and folded his arms across his chest with a slight huff. Before either of them could say more Micheal on the bed gasped and rolled over onto his back, his chest heaved and they could hear the gargle of blood in his throat as he tried to breath and swallow at the same time.

"There's nothing we can do?" Ezio asked standing over the man his brow etched with worry as Altair leaned over him.

Using one hand Altair opened one of Micheal's eyes and frowned at what he saw. His eye was fixed forward but it was obvious he couldn't see Altair with the pupil blown so that the iris was a tiny rim around the dark hole. It was the color of the iris that made him frown though. He let the eye lid drop with a sigh before standing and moving towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Ezio demanded.

"He's going to wake soon. He'll be hungry, and thirsty no doubt." Altair said.

"What?" he just seemed confused by that. "How do you know?"

Altair opened the door but didn't walk through just yet. His back to Ezio he said, "Because he looks the same as when I found you, boy," and then he left, closing the door quietly behind him.

—

He heard the yelling from the first floor when he returned. It was a gut wrenching scream that faded quickly into a harsh, dry throated yelling. It didn't make Altair run up the stairs though. At the fifth floor he saw several people crowded around the door of the room he'd chosen, but the door was closed and that was where the yelling was coming from as well as some banging.

"Excuse me," and he shoved through the crowd of assassins, "You all need to leave," he said standing with his back against the door. There was some muttering but all by the den leader did leave.

"What's going on in there?" she demanded.

"Nothing you need to worry about ma'am, we have it under control," he promised. She gave him a leery look over her spectacles before going back to her office. Someone inside shouted but it was wordless. Once the den leader was safely in her office Altair went inside.

The room had been torn apart and at the center of the chaos was Micheal with Ezio laying on top of him, no doubt pinning him. Micheal was yelling for the Italian to get off him and Ezio was yelling at him to shut up because he wasn't in any danger. Neither, of course, were listening, and Altair sighed as he closed the door and righted a nearby table to put the bag of food somewhere so it wouldn't be trampled by accident.

"Thank God you're back," Ezio growled to Altair who walked over calmly to the flailing American and crouched.

He grabbed the young man by the chin, "Micheal, it's all right," he said gently and the kid froze.

"Oh my God. You're real," his eyes became as big as dinner plates and he abruptly stopped struggling.

"Let him up Ezio," Altair said and sat back on his haunches. Ezio rolled off him and into a kneeling position. "Hello Micheal," he said who was still laying there staring at him. "Get up boy, you're not dead, or a fish," and he stood.

Micheal scrambled to his feet and before he seemed to be able to help himself he reached out and grabbed Altair with one hand on his shoulder the other used to press his fingertips firmly against Altair's cheekbone still looking amazed. "I thought you were a dream," he said.

"I am not," Altair said. "And you are hurt, sit," Micheal sat on the bed which Ezio had put right again without even thinking of defying him. "Take off your shirt," he ordered and a few seconds later he was sitting there with just his pants and boots on. "Ah, well that's where the blood was coming from," Altair said and gently touched the already fading bruise on his flank from where ribs had broken and started to puncture his lungs. "Open your mouth," Micheal did. "Why don't you follow my orders as well as Micheal?" Altair asked Ezio who sent him an annoyed glare. He looked back at Micheal and was satisfied that while there was blood on his teeth and gums no more was bubbling from his throat. "Good, you can put your clothes back on," Altair turned away from him and grabbed the bag of food he'd brought and tossed it into the American's lap. "Eat," he instructed turning towards Ezio.

"So?" Ezio asked.

"He'll be fine," he said speaking Italian for the sake that he and Ezio could talk and not be overheard.

"What happened? He just woke up, freaked out, and attacked me."

"As you did to me if I remember," Altair bobbed his head slowly and Ezio flushed.

"He calmed right down when you showed up. Why?"

"He saw me in there. He knew me. You were a stranger."

"Oh…" they were both silent for a time. "Is he—?"

"Yes," Altair said softly and they both sighed.

"Altair," they looked over when Micheal spoke Altair's name. "What's going on?" he sounded afraid and confused.

Altair gave him a small comforting smile, "Don't worry Micheal. Everything will be okay," he reassured him.

"Who's that?" he was looking dead at Ezio.

"Ezio, he is a friend."

"Oh, okay," and watching them both from the top of his eyes went back to his food, no doubt listening but obviously not able to understand.

"What are we going to do with him? People have seen him. They know he's alive," Ezio said, "It was easy to fake my death. But this," he looked over at Micheal warily.

"I don't know yet," Altair said.

"He's so young," he saw the mourning in Ezio's face already. Altair might have felt bad for Micheal but Ezio felt the boy's pain as his own. He always did have far too big a heart.

"We'll think of something," Altair promised.

"We'll have to. We don't really have a choice," Ezio scoffed.

"Where's the Apple?"

"I don't know, it went flying when he woke up and attacked me," Ezio shrugged.

Altair rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Micheal, where's the ball?"

"What?"

"The ball you had. Where is it?"

"How would I know?" and he took a large bite out of a pear, the juices running down his chin.

"You know. Where is it?"

Micheal blinked and for a second looked far away, "Under there," he pointed to the desk which had also been over turned.

"How did he know that? What's going o- Altair!" Ezio snapped the last bit when the older man ignored him and rummaged in the mess before finding it quickly.

"What do you hear Ezio?"

"Excuse me?" and he rose a single brow.

"Right now. What do you hear?" Altair said holding the Apple in one hand. Micheal continued to munch his pear, looking between them both in the talking and the silence.

After a few seconds Ezio sighed, "Nothing Altair. I hear nothing except Micheal eating. What should I be hearing?"

"The Apple. It's quiet," and he looked at the sphere. "It recognized me when I named myself earlier. It reacted… Now—" he frowned. "Micheal, catch," he called and tossed the ball. Micheal reacted on instinct and snatched it from the air. He immediately dropped it when it glowed softly and they all heard the harsh and sharp, but whisper soft like an echo as the Apple reacted.

"It worked for him," Ezio said and scooped up the Apple. There was no reaction.

"What the hell was that!" Micheal cried and they both finally looked at him again where he'd pressed himself to the far side of the bed.

"This just gets better and better. Doesn't it Ezio?" Altair asked and Ezio just sighed.

This chapter got really Inceptiony didn't it?

I don't have a problem with that XD