Chapter 8:The Training Montage
The next memory loaded to Jack, still asleep in his bunk. It was quiet until the Bugle Call, Reveille, started to blare over a PA. Jack woke, but then simply turned over. Red, however, got up immediately, put on his gear and started shaking Jack, trying to wake him.
"Come on, junior. Wakey, wakey! First day of the rest of your life, here!", he said as he shook him. It caused Jack to stir and get up enough to see the clock on the wall next to him. It was 4 am.
"Ahh, seriously, Red? Four in the morning? My first comfortable sleep in over a week and you get me up at four in the morning?", Jack complained, "Have a heart and give me just a few more minutes to cherish the moment, will ya?", Jack finished, laying back down.
Very much irritated, Red pulled out his revolver and put it up to Jack's pillow, inches from his head, and fired. This caused Jack to get up completely with a start and a yell, resulting in a few snickers from the other assassins. Jack then looked at the newly-formed hole in his pillow and then looked at Red with shock.
"Give me that, 'few more minutes' bullshit one more time and it'll be your balls next.", Red promised with a grimace, "Your not a freakin' farm boy anymore. You're a goddamn assassin!"
Jack nodded, having learned his lesson once and for all, and got out of bed. Once he did this, he was given a set of clothes which Red had gotten out of his chest. The clothes consisted of an A-shirt, a pair of track pants, and a pair of running shoes, all with the Assassins's insignia on them. Jack quickly changed into them, and followed Red to the elevator with several other assassins.
"Red, umm, I'm almost afraid of asking at this point but, well, when's breakfast?", Jack asked hesitantly.
Red rolled his eyes. "Breakfast is served at 9am.", he said, "Don't worry, we'll be able to get plenty of work in before then, and after." Jack almost groaned, but then remembered the balls threat and kept his mouth shut.
They then arrived at the Gym Floor where most of them got out. When they did so, Red let Jack in between two pull-up bars and had him stand at attention there. After a few quick stretches, Red started to speak.
"Jack Marston," he said, "today you begin the most difficult journey you will ever face. It will be hell at first, I won't lie. But once you see the results, and in a year or so, when your ready to go out in the field, you will cherish the pain your are about to experience and look back on it as the time you started making a difference. I am going to personally see to it that your body is trained to it's utmost potential. You'll be able to accomplish feats you never thought possible. And it all starts, right now.
"Your first task is simple.", Red continued, "Run around this track until I tell you to stop. Got that, farm boy?"
"Yes, sir!", yelled Jack.
"Then get to it!", Red commanded.
Jack immediately got started. He ran to the track and started running around it. He was able to do so no problem until around the fifth or sixth lap. He had already gotten tired and had started to slow down to a brisk jog. No sooner had he did this, however, then Red got out his pistol and yelled, "I SAID RUN, BOY!"
Jack, startled, picked up the pace. Lap after lap, he ran. And every time his pace slowed too much, Red simply brandished his gun again and he sped up. However, after about an hour of this, Red allowed Jack to slow down a bit, for fear of him getting a heart attack on his first day. In the hours that followed, Red had left to get a beer or go to the bathroom on a few occasions, where as Jack simply kept running away, sweat literally pouring down his shirt. Eventually, Red told Jack he could stop. Sighing in relief, he got himself back to Red an bent down on one knee to rest, having been through the workout of his life.
Taking a sip of his beer, Red smirked. "Well make an assassin out of you yet, kid.", he said with a laugh.
Jack was panting heavily, but he still managed to speak. "What...time...is it?", he asked, panting between each word.
Red checked his pocket watch, and then put it back. "Your in luck, kid.", he said, "It's 8:30. Only a half our till breakfast."
"Can...we...take a–a break...then?", asked Jack.
"A break? You serious? Assassins don't take breaks, boy. But I'll make you a deal. For every 100 push-ups you give me, I'll owe you one ten-minute break. Let's start now!"
Jack groaned, regretting his words, and got down into push-up position. He then started doing push-ups as Red counted them. As this happened, Desmond spoke up.
"Uhh, Lucy?", he said, "This is funny and all, but what about my training? Not to sound whiny but they're not doing much in the way of combat so far."
"Desmond's right.", agreed Rebecca, "What do you say, this is the perfect opportunity to try out my new montage program!"
"Sure, go ahead.", said Lucy.
" 'Montage program'?", asked Desmond.
"Basically, you experience a few short memories as we fast forward to up to a year after this. All the while, your taking in everything Jack's learning during that year. Basically, the montage trains you.", explained Rebecca, "I realized how pressed for time we were and though it would be a valuable asset."
"Sounds cool.", said Desmond, "If we had some music, it could be like something out of 'Rocky'!"
"Not a bad idea, Desmond.", admitted Shaun, "Here, I've got my I Pod. I think I've got just the right music for it. Listen to this."
You're the best. Around!
Nothing's ever gonna keep you down!
You're the be–
"No, no, NO!", insisted Rebecca, " Come on, are you serious? Man, you always have the crappiest song selections. We're assassins for crying out loud . When we do something, we do it in style. I got a real song to go with this."
"Oh, and what would that be?", asked Shaun.
(A/N* Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for! If you'd like to make the moment more authentic, simply go to this address: .com/watch?v=j5-yKhDd64s and play it in a separate window while reading this. You ready? Let's go!)
I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
Yeah
To take a stand (to take a stand)
It's been a ride.
"Ahh, good choice. I must admit.", said Shaun.
"Alright, here we go, Desmond. Initializing program now."
Everybody (everybody)
I guess I had to
Come take my hand (come take my hand)
Go to that place, to get to this one.
We'll walk this road together. Through the storm
Now some of you, might still be in that place.
Whatever weather, cold or warm
If your trying to get out
Just let you know that, you're not alone
just follow me.
Holla if you feel like
I'll get you there.
You've been down the same road.
There was a white flash and suddenly a different scene emerged. It was of Jack jumping rope in the gym under Red's watch. Jack was visibly strained, and very sweaty, but fighting through it
You can try to read my lyrics ofa this paper before I lay em
But you won't take the sting out these words before I say em
Another flash and Jack was in the dojo. Throwing lefts, rights, and kicks at dummies until they fell. The punches were well placed and Jack's stance was near perfect.
Cause ain't no way imma let you stop me from causin mayem
When I say imma do something I'll do it
I don't give a damn what you think
Then Jack was finishing a book on swordplay, having already read a dozen books which were stacked next to him. No sooner had he finished that he quickly started reading the next book.
I'm doin this for me
So f*** the world, feed it beans
It's gassed up. If it thinks it's stoppin me.
Suddenly, Jack was sparring swords with Red. They went back and forth, back and forth, until Red twirled Jack's blade until it flew out of his hand. He shook his head at him and Jack grimaced. He would get better.
Imma be what I set out to be
Without a doubt, undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me,
I'm tearing down ya balcony
No 'ifs, ands, or buts'
Or tryina ask him 'why' or 'how can he"
Jack was then back on the track, jumping over several obstacles. He was doing well until he didn't jump high enough for one obstacle and fell to the ground hard. He hit the ground in frustration, but then just got back up again.
From 'Infinite' down to the last 'Relapse album
He's still shit and
Whether he's on salary, paid hourly
Then he was back in the dojo. This time, he was sparring with another assassin. He fought well at first, landing two well-placed punches to his chest and a kick to his knee, but then was punched in the nose and pinned down by his opponent.They got up, and started over at Jack's behest. He didn't care that his nose was bleeding, he would keep going.
Until he battles out
Or he shits his bowels outta him
Whichever comes first
For better or worse
Desmond then found himself with Jack and Red at the shooting gallery. Jack naturally excelled at this aspect of his training. He had already been training for three years prior with his father's .45 after all. And his Dead Eye didn't slow him down either, as he used this talent to shoot every one of the seven paper targets with a perfect bulls-eye for every one.
He's married to the game
Like a f*** you for Christmas
His gift is a curse
After that they were back on the Melee Floor where Jack was doing surprisingly well against Red. All the same, however, Red won again, to Jacks supreme disappointment.
Forget the earth
He's got the urge
To pull his d*** from the dirt
And f*** the whole universe
Then they saw Jack in front of the Parkour Obstacle Course. He was ready for it. He started with a run up to the three-level ruined walls, jumping on each one with relative ease. But then he jumped to reach the banner pole at the top, but missed and fell. Red helped him up and they tried it again. Missing again each time, but not giving up.
I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand )
We'll walk this road together
Through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, your not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road
Going back to the Melee Floor, Jack was practicing with a book in one hand and sword in the other by himself. Mimicking each technique until he got it perfect. He would beat Red eventually. After months of nonstop, grueling training, he wasn't as timid as he used to be.
Ok, quit playin with the scissors and shit
And cut the crap
I shouldn't have to rhyme these words into rhythm
For you to know it's a rap
Then Jack was back at the dojo. This time sparring with Red himself. Red threw a few punches, but was blocked by Jack, who proceeded to throw a big uppercut to Red, followed by a palm to the face. Jack then fell to his back and twisted both his legs against his knee, slamming Red to the ground. From there, Jack easily pinned Red by holding his legs in place and holding him in a headlock. They then got up and Red patted him on the back. His student was very much on his way.
You said you was king
You lied through your teeth
For that f*** your feelings
Instead of gettin crowned your gettin capped
Another flash took Desmond to another of Jack's attempts at the obstacle course. This time, with dummy guards. Running, he flew up the walls, swung from the banner pole, and landed on the adjacent roof. From there, he took his newly appointed hidden blade, retracted it, and jumped on the dummy, slamming the blade into it's chest.
And to the fans
I'll never let you down again, I'm back
I promise to never go back on that promise
In fact, let's be honest
That last 'Relapse' CD was ehh
Perhaps I ran them accents into the ground
Then he ran up the adjacent wall and caught one of many loose bricks. He climbed the bricks and hung from the ledge where another dummy was. He grabbed the dummy's leg and threw it over the ledge before getting up and climbing the wall behind that ledge. Unfortunately Jack grabbed a brick that was too lose and fell back to the first roof. His face was flaming with fury from the pain and from the failure, but he'd keep going.
Relax, I ain't goin back to that now
All I'm tryna say is get back
Click, clack
POW
Cause I ain't playin around
Jack was then back at the dojo with more dummies, incorporating firearms into his newly acquired martial arts abilities. For safety, he used rubber bullets.
There's a game called Circle
And I dunno how
I'm way to up to back down
The dummies formed a circle around Jack, who started out by running up to the one nearest him and jump-kicking it in the face. He then jumped on the one next to him, stabbing it, and then pulling out his pistol and shooting three of the dummies in the face. Getting up with a backflip, he took out the remaining dummies in midair and landed squarely on his feet. Jack looked over at Red, who was nodding with approval and then smiled. He was nearly ready.
Then Jack was trying to finish the Obstacle Course again, to no avail. And to Jacks anger.
But I think I'm still tryna figure this crap out
Thought I had it mapped out
But I guess I didn't
This f***in black cloud still follows
Me around
But it's time to exorcize these demons
These muthaf*** are doin jumpin jacks now
But no. He had been at this for nearly a year now. Today he was going to complete this damn course if it killed him. Getting right back up from his fall, he went to the start, and began again. Through careful concentration, he maneuvered every wall, every poll, every crack to climb, and every dummy, until he was in the final stretch. A tall flagpole next to the building which led up to some windows to climb, and above that, the top of the building to finish off with the Leap of Faith.
I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand )
We'll walk this road together
Through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, your not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road
Jack took a deep breath and grabbed the flagpole, clinging onto it for dear life. He climbed slowly and carefully, so as not to fall. Despite this he slipped and fell down the pole a few feet. He tightened his grip and halted again, worried that failure was imminent. But he then banished that unthinkable idea of failure from his mind and started climbing again. This was his day.
And just can't keep living this way
So starting today
I'm breaking out of this cage
I'm standing up, Imma face my demons
I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground
Finally he reached the top and jumped to the windows. He climbed up them with ease due to such strong determination and almost a year of acquired strength in his muscles, and finally reached the top of the building. He could see Red from the Firing Range, who was visibly proud of him. Jack smiled, but then looked down all the way down. Down to the bale of hay that would save him from death (How is that even possible?, Jack thought). He was scared, but he was ready.
I've had enough
Now I'm so fed up
Tryna put my life back together right now
Jack took a deep breath, closed his eyes, leapt...
It was my decision to get clean
I did it for me
...fell...
Admittedly
I probably did it subliminally.
...felt the wind on his back, at peace. Almost as if channeling and in a way, inheriting the wisdom and greatness of his ancestors...
For you
...Altair...
So I could come back a brand new me, you help see me through
...Ezio Auditore Da Firenze...
And don't even realize what you did
...and, of course, John Marston.
Believe me, you
Once Jack had landed in the hay, he knew that he had made the right choice getting on that train with Red. All the pain of training and all the hard work had paid off. This was his life. This is what he was meant to do. Though not in name, yet, at heart he had just officially become, like his proud ancestors before him, an Assassin.
I've been through the ringer
But they can do little to the middle finger
I think I got a tear in my eye
I feel like the kinga
My world
Once last trip to the dojo showed Jack with all his gear, a dozen dummies scattered about. The first dummy was thrown his direction by Red, but was stopped by Jack's hidden blade right in it's head. Jack threw it aside and pulled out two .45s , using Dead Eye to take out all the dummies across the room as Jack cartwheeled around the room to do so.
Haters can make like bees
With no stingers and drop dead
No more beef flingers
No more drama from now on
I promise to focus solely on handling my responsibilities as a father
So I solemnly swear to always treat this roof like my daughters and raise it
You couldn't lift a single shingle on it
Jack then ran up to Red, hit him twice in the chest, and threw an uppercut his way. But the last blow was missed because Red had back flipped and pulled out his sword, Jack doing the same in return. He aimed for his ear, but Red had blocked him. Red then swung his blade at Jack's ribs but Jack simply cartwheeled to the right and pulled out his gun, shooting it and purposefully grazing Red's wrist. Red dropped his sword and held his slightly wounded wrist and let out a groan. But then he smiled at Jack, who smiled back and put his gun away. After a year of training, Jack had learned everything Red could teach him. He was ready.
Cause the way I feel
I'm strong enough to go to the club
Or the corner pub
And lift the whole liquor counter up
Cause I'm raisin the bar
I shoot for the moon
But I'm too busy gazing at stars
I feel amazing and
I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
"Pistol Proficiency: Learned", a caption read.
Everybody (everybody)
"Rifle Proficiency: Learned"
Come take my hand (come take my hand )
We'll walk this road together
"Dead Eye Vision: Learned"
Through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
"Memory Sequence 4: Complete"
Just let you know that, your not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road
