Alright, so in my modern assassin creed series, I very rarely touch upon the Altair/Malik ship… it's there, but I hardly ever talk about it.
So, what do you get when you cross an author who loves Disney crossovers and a loved OTP…. An Altair/Malik Beauty and the Beast crossover.
I hope you like it, and please read and review ?
…..
He didn't know how long he sat there for… long enough for his stump to start to ache in the cold as the sun fell in the sky.
Suddenly, the door to his cell opened up and the strange voice spoke up from the shadows. "Please follow me… Me, Ezio and Conner are going to show you to your room."
"My room?" Malik pushed himself to his feet, "But I thought- "
"Yes… sorry about that. I was angry at your brother and Evie informed me that I was being ridiculous."
Despite the contrite tone in his voice, Malik didn't hesitate. Swiftly, he darted out the cell, fist raised to strike the strange assassin… who grabbed him and pinned him against the wall, smirking as Malik snarled and tried to break free.
"You are very strong…" he complimented, "… Ezio said you were."
Malik frowned, "…Ezio? Evie? Conner? Who are these people?"
The stranger gestured at the candlestick holder, "That's Ezio." He then gestured at the axe, "And that's Conner."
"A-and it talks?"
"To me…. Yes."
Malik couldn't believe what he was hearing…. This man was mad, actually mad.
"Conner said we should keep you in your cell, because you're an Assassin… but you've only got hand, so you can't be that much of a threat, right?"
This was all said with a smile on his face, but Malik could only see a malicious intent behind it… like everyone else who remarked on his disability.
"Forgive me…"
Malik was startled out of his thoughts as the stranger back away, releasing his grip and holding his hands up.
"… First impressions are important, and I've scared you."
Malik straightened out his travelling cloak and sneered at the man, stepping away from the wall and shaking his head. "You hold too high an opinion of yourself… You are simply a man who believes an axe can talk to him. I see men like you in the streets all the time, and I don't fear them… I pity them."
There was a tense silence between them, before the stranger turned away, gesturing at Malik for him to follow. "This is your home now…" he sighed, as though Malik had never spoken, "… feel free to go wherever you like."
He then stopped in his tracks, "Don't mention the west wing…" he hissed, almost to himself, "… not in the west wing."
"Ummmm, the west wing?"
The stranger span around, a dark expression on his face. "I don't have one."
"… What's in it?"
"Nothing… storage space." The warning glance the stranger gave him, seemed to indicate that Malik should drop the subject. And then, once again, his entire demeanour changed, and he brightened up, "This way to the east wing… or as I like to call it, the only wing!"
They walked for a few minutes, walking down several flights of stairs until they came to another room lower in the tower.
"Welcome to your new home." The stranger opened a large door, "It's modest, but comfortable."
That was putting it lightly… this room was larger than his old home he shared with Kadar. Spinning around, he tried to take everything in, noting the large bed, well-built furniture that held clothes and well-stitched fabrics that made everything seem homelier.
"It's…. very nice." He eventually decided, not wanting to sound too awe-inspired, and quickly changing the subject, "Have you named everything in this place?"
"Only those who I have foreseen."
The cryptic answer didn't do anything to calm Malik's nerves, especially when the strange man gestured at a sword that was hung on the wall, "That's Edward…. He'll protect you."
"Yeah… I'm sure it will."
It was a nice sword. It still looked sharp enough to do some damage, especially if he needed to make a quick getaway.
"I'll leave you to get settled…" the stranger muttered, before closing the door behind him, muttering to himself all the way.
As soon as he thought the man was far enough away, Malik raced over to the window, wrenching them open and peering out…. Nothing beneath that would cushion his fall for the Leap of Faith. Turning to the bed, his eyes fell on the decorated fabrics covering it.
Now there was an idea.
….
"He said no?" Grandmaster Al Mualim questioned, a frown on his face, "How unusual. I would have thought he would be quite content with this decision."
Abbas shook his head, throwing a knife at the wall with unerring precision. "He said he would never be my partner…. Maybe someone else would be more suited to the role?"
"No… I chose you Abbas and you will respect this decision."
"Tell Malik that… I don't understand why he is so resistant. I don't mean to boast Grandmaster, but I am one of the most successful Assassins in the Creed, well-admired. Quick and very rarely seen… why would he say no?"
Al Mualim sighed wearily, "Yes… you are an intimidating figure. I didn't think you were the type to need…. Bolstering."
"I don't… but I am the best fighter in the Creed. I've worked hard every day of my life to be where I am now, to be better than- "He stopped in his tracks, wincing at the warning look on Al Mualim's face, "- I beg your pardon Grandmaster. I didn't mean to bring up the past."
"I should hope not. The past and all those associated with it, should be forgotten."
Before Abbas could apologise again, there was a commotion in the hall down below and someone raced up the stairs, ignoring the cries of the guards.
"Grandmaster! Grandmaster!" Kadar raced towards Al Mualim, "Help, please- someone, someone please help, I- "
One of the guards grabbed him, only to yelp when Kadar gripped his arms. "You need to help me! It's Malik, he's got- he's got Malik in his dungeon!"
"Who's got her?"
"I don't know!" Kadar cried out, "But he was an Assassin, I know it! There's a tower, hidden on the way back from Acre and- "He stopped, frowning when he heard some of the guards sniggering, "- my brother's life is in danger, we need to help him!"
"Looks like Kadar's finally gone mad." One of the guards hissed, taking a step back when Kadar spun around and glared at him.
"Listen to me!" the younger man growled, "T-there is an assassin, hiding out in a tower, hidden on the path back from Acre! You have to listen to me, you have to help me!"
Nothing.
"…Nobody? Will nobody help me?"
There a brief moment of silence, before Al Mualim slowly got to his feet. "Abbas will."
"You will?" Kadar frowned, confusion on his face.
Al Mualim nodded, "The abduction and capture of Malik is nothing to be laughed at. In fact, both me and Abbas will come with you."
Bowing low, his frown turning into a grin, Kadar nodded in thanks. "Thank you, Grandmaster! Thank you so much!"
"Don't thank me dear boy… take us to this hidden tower."
As Kadar turned to walk in the other direction, Al Mualim turned to Abbas and gave him a significant smile, prompting Abbas to raise an eyebrow in understanding.
Befriend the younger brother to get the older brother.
…
"I shouldn't make him dinner…" Altair muttered to himself, carefully moving Jacob and Evie to his side of the table, "… he's a prisoner. No special treatment for prisoners."
He then turned to Ezio and nodded in agreement, "Yes… he might be able to help. That means that we need to befriend him…. Dinner would help, you're right."
He raced up the stairs, arriving in front of his guest's bedroom, before knocking loudly on the door.
"You will join me for dinner!" he announced, "That's not a request."
Silence.
Tilting his head to one side, Altair sighed. "You're right… he's lost his brother and his freedom in one day. He's probably upset."
….
Malik was fine.
And his knots were better than he thought they'd ever be with one hand.
…..
This time, Altair knocked on the door a little more softly, sighing in relief when the other man replied.
"Give me a moment!"
Making sure he was smiling, Altair cleared his throat. "Will you join me for dinner?" He asked, a lot more politely.
"…. You've taken me as your prisoner and now you want to have dinner with me? I knew you were mad!"
Altair knew he had a temper problem… probably why he snapped. "I TOLD YOU TO JOIN ME FOR DINNER!" he bellowed.
"And I said NO! I'd rather STARVE than eat with YOU!"
"FINE, BE MY GUEST! GO AHEAD AND STARVE!" He then turned to the objects on the shelves behind him, "If he doesn't eat with me, then he doesn't eat at all!"
Storming up to his own chambers, his eyes fell on the golden orb… he had been trusted with this artefact all those years ago and it had taught him so much, helped him so much.
"Show me our guest." He demanded, frowning as gold tendrils swirled around in the air, creating a little window, that showed their guest sitting by the door, huddled in on himself as he quietly prayed under his breath.
"Enough…" Altair sighed, waving his hand to make the window disappear, "…. I don't want to see anymore."
He started to pace the room, his face creased in worry as he wondered what to do.
How could he befriend this man?
