Lightning's Valiant Effort

Chapter 12: Lightning's Valiant Effort

Rodrigo just kept the guards coming. He must have sent four, five, probably six rounds of guards my way. But I just kept fighting. At one point, they tried to evade me and go right for Ezio. But a right lightning whip had set them straight.

My sole mission right now is to protect Ezio. If he dies, I feel the Assassins would suffer a large blow. In the right mind, I just can't let that happen.

But if these guards keep coming that future will become more and more of a reality.

Then fate would be determined.

I was breathing deeply, slowly, and heavily. Normally in fights like these, I could find a few seconds of down time to heal and catch my breath. But doing that here could mean mine, Ezio's, and possibly everyone's demise. My vision grayed from time to time but I was able to minimally catch my bearings to keep going.

Rodrigo just stood there in the back with a grin that went ear from ear. I wanted to follow that trail with my sword.

"There is one way to stop this Cole, to end the pain. Lay down your arms and join us, where you truly belong."

I spit out some blood. "Keep dreaming."

"Very well. Guards!" A new round of guards came out of the alley. And they were all big ass axe wielding brutes. All 12 of them.

I dropped my sword on the ground and dropped my head.

I could sense Ezio was slipping into unconsciousness but his pulse was still strong. For now.

"Join us…" Rodrigo bargained again.

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

A storm's coming.

I raised my hands to the sky.

Rodrigo had an amused look on his face. The brutes ran towards me to attack.

I'm about wipe all those smiles off their faces.

I threw my hands down and summoned one of the biggest lightning storms I have ever summoned to date. The skies had darkened. Lightning struck down everywhere. But I was still in control and made sure it didn't strike an innocent civilian. I struck all 12 brutes, all of them suspended in mid air as the lightning promptly barbecued them.

Once I felt I couldn't hold it any longer, I killed off the storm. Thunder loudly and violently rumbled.

Drained, I fell to one knee, breathing heavily. I looked up to see the carnage I had caused.

Son of a bitch, I missed Rodrigo.

He stood there valiantly with his ever present shit eating grin.

"Guards!" He said with a smile.

More groups of soldiers came and surrounded me and Ezio.

I could tell that I was out of juice, had to happen at some point. I still have a sword so I should be able to fight, right? I wish that was the truth. My body felt as stable as jell-o, my head lighter than air, and my body heavier than the heaviest stone.

I can't

But I must.

I shouldn't

But I must.

I rose again on unsteady feet and picked up my sword.

I heard Ezio let out a slight groan of pain. I could feel his pulse slowing down. I can heal him; I should have just enough electricity left to completely heal him. If only if it weren't for the royal asshole and his subjects standing in the way.

"Fate will be decided whether or not you die. Kill them." Rodrigo spoke.

"Burn in hell you figlio di puttana." I growled. I managed to kill the guards with skills I didn't even know I possessed. But, no shock here, Rodrigo called another round of guards.

I fell on one knee as I finally started to succumb to my injuries. I dropped my sword and clutched my head.

My vision was graying and blurring.

" There is one way to stop the pain. Join us…"

I actually began to contemplate that idea.

"I…" I started to speak but was too weak to finish.

"I…"

My vision had returned to normal and some of my strength had returned. I found myself behind a wall of people, ready to fight.

"Cole! Go help Ezio we will cover you." A voice ordered.

Whatever you say mysteriously convenient person.

I quickly made my way to Ezio. I condensed an electric current in my hands and guided it towards Ezio, focusing on his open wound. I released the current and the current covered his wound, then took over his body. His body jumped a bit before settling and the electricity had died down. I examined his wound. Closed. Pulse stabilizing. Breathing normal.

Ezio took several deep intakes of breath and opened his eyes, then made his way to sit upright.

His heart must have stopped.

"Easy Ezio." I looked up to see a man with long hair and seemingly blind in one eye standing in front of us.

"Uncle? What are you doing here?" He pulled Ezio to his feet

"Do not worry, you two aren't alone."

Well that would have been nice to know oh I don't know, five, ten possibly fifteen minutes ago?

Soon more people began coming in. Bartolomeo, Antonio, Luisella, and a few others I did not recognize. I felt that I should get up, but a hand motioned me to stay down.

"You have done enough, brother." Antonio said.

"What are you all doing here?" Ezio asked.

"Save your questions brother. Do not let the Borgia leave with that box!" Antonio said

~AC~IF~

After a long battle, Rodrigo had kicked Ezio down and fled the scene.

"He's gone. But we have what we came for…" A woman came up to Ezio to aid him up.

I felt my wounds healing, but still felt very light headed. When I tried to stand on my feet, I fell on my back. I let exhaustion momentarily take over and I closed my eyes.

"What are you all doing here?" Ezio asked.

"Perhaps the same thing you are Ezio. Hoping to see the Prophet appear." A man spoke up.

"I came here to kill the Spaniard. I couldn't care less about your Prophet. He never showed up!" Ezio said.

"No…? But you did." The mysterious voice responded.

"What?"

"And he did too." I'm guessing that man is referring to me.

"A Prophet's arrival was foretold, as well as The Man of Light. And unbeknownst to us, here you are. Perhaps all along you were the one we sought."

"Cosa? Who are you?"

"Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli. I am an Assassin - trained in the ancient ways to safeguard mankind's evolution. Just like you, and each of us here. Especially you, Cole."

At this time I had opened my eyes to look at him, all of them. With the strength I had regained, I rose to my knees, looking at each and every one of them. I found the strength to get back on my feet and slowly made my way to them. I may be back on my feet, but I was still very weak. A strong enough wind gust could knock me over.

"You are all Assassins?" Ezio and I asked simultaneously.

Mario had stepped forward. "It is true nipote. We have all been guiding you, for years, teaching you the skills you would need to join our ranks."

"And you Cole. We never knew what The Man of Light was until today. We thought it was myth. Then thought of it as a threat, a danger, something that would need to be stopped. But now we see; The Man of Light is a beacon of hope or a signal of death. The Man of Light could join our ranks or be the biggest threat to it. But your actions have eased our worries. You have shown us, in such a short amount of time, that you possess the skills, the strength, and the knowledge to join our ranks." He spoke.

I looked down, feeling unworthy of those words.

"Your abilities, lightning white and pure as the purest angel, your resolve stronger than steel, your soul incorruptible."

"I wanted to run, to give up! To betray. I am not worthy." I spoke, still making eye contact with the ground.

"Ah. But you are." Mario spoke while placing a hand on my shoulder in reassurance.

"I think it is time." Mario spoke softly.

At this point my light-headedness had caught up with me. I closed my eyes and my legs gave out.

Yes, I think I just fainted.

Mario had caught me in his arms and gently placed me on the ground

"I'll take him. He needs to rest a while." I heard a voice speak up.

Luisella.

"When he awakes, you know where to take him. We will wait for him." I heard Mario speak.

"Intensi." She said.

I slightly came to see Luisella picking me up bridal style.

Too tired to care how emasculated I look.

"Rest now mio caro. You have done well." I heard Luisella whisper. I went completely limp as I began to fall into a deep sleep. Luisella readjusted my body and herself to hold me more firmly and to make sure I was comfortable. She cradled my head on her shoulder and held me tightly as she began to walk.

I fell asleep, content in her arms.

My mind finally at ease.

Ah sorry if I changed the sequence too much for your liking. This was the only way I found that made the story flow better.

Epic chapter is epic? Cute ending is cute? XD

Please review =)