Chapter 5: The Fight

We were in the midst of a dirt filled field. It was just me and Ezio. The rest of the soldiers were scattered around the ground. They are all badly injured to the point that they could not fight, if they weren't already dead. This would be the one of the last battles that I would get to fight. I had no other choice, but to go up against the master assassin himself. The Ezio Auditiore di Fernenzé. The one that I thought that I once loved. The one I still had some feelings towards, despite this situation.

I stood there in tears, bracing my sword. I had to at least try and be strong, if not for me it would be for my family. I needed to protect them. I kept my focus towards him, waiting to see what his first move would be. This is what have been preparing for, even though I never would have thought it would be with Ezio. I have no clue how it got to this point. He use to be on the same side as me. He slowly began to walk towards me, while pulling out his sword. In reaction to it, I quickly pulled out my own sword and held onto it in my sturdy battle stance. A sly smile wiped across his face. I could tell that he was planning something. Something I wasn't sure that I was ready for. It didn't take too long before his walk turned into a charge. It did not surprise me, but I was scared. I froze in fear, forgetting everything that I was suppose to do in order to defend myself.

I fell backwards onto the ground. The sharp rocks scratched my back as I hit them. I watched with horror while in slow motion, his sword came whipping down at me and plummeted into my chest, I dreaded this moment and here it was in front of me. My own death. This would be the last of my life. As my eyes slid shut, I in took the last view of my surroundings. Ezio had a tear rolling down his face. It was clear that he didn't want this just as much as I didn't want it. A pure white feather fell between us and that was the last thing that I could remember.

My body flew up straight and I was now sitting under the blankets of my bed. Sweat was pouring down from my forehead. I was glad that it was only a nightmare. I put my hand on my chest to feel my heart pounding fast and hard. Catching my breathe, I noticed that the dorm room was torn apart and everything in it was a disaster. I couldn't remember anything that had happened or how the room would have gotten like that. I couldn't wait until I got to move into my new apartment with my friends because surely this wouldn't happen with them around.

ooo

Today was now the big day of moving into the new apartment. Jones, Malik and Ezio agreed to be the other three people to live in the apartment with me. I just knew that it would be much better than living with Cesare, even if a bit of drama does arise. The furniture that would fill all of the rooms was arriving and we all directed it to the right area. It was a long morning, but everything eventually did get done. It was just a misfortune that the rest of the day still had to be dealt with. It was going to be a little more strenuous.

Jones, Malik and I quickly got ready for our battle techniques class. I was a bit lucky though because I didn't have to wear my robes to class today. Jones and Malik still had to wear theirs. I was still on the injury list and had to sit on the sidelines for the class and observe what was going on. I was fine with it to a certain extent because it meant I didn't have to do the work and I could laze around for the most part. It also meant I had that much more work to do when I did recover fully because I had that much less practice and I would regain the muscle that I lost from the lack of use. I didn't look forward to that part very much.

When we arrived on the field, Machiavelli was standing with a stern look on his face. It was a bit terrifying, but we all had to suck it up and face whatever he was going to say. Might as well get it over and done with so I can go and sit down.

"You have all gained much experience since the start of this class. Some have learnt more from it than others have. That is why I am making the decision to reassign each of you new partners that match each of your new skill levels. The weaker fighters will be paired with other weak fighters and the same goes for the stronger fighters and everyone else in the middle. This will ensure everyone is being not over or under challenged by their partner's abilities in fighting. The first will Malik and Robert de Sablé." He rambled off a few more groups before coming to the end of his list, "The next pair will be Jones and Altair. Finally we come to Evangelina and Cesare. Since Evangelina is out on an injury for today, he will be placed with Jones and Altaïr for a three way battle. I'm sure all of you will benefit from this for the time being. You are all free to have a freestyle battle with your partner to figure out their strength and weaknesses. Now commence."

I looked over to see that Jones was a little shocked to be paired up against Altaïr, one of the best in the class. Everyone seemed to be in shock to some degree or another, especially when the third person was thrown into the mix. Cesare glared over at the two of them as he walked over. The two of them glared back at him in the tension filled moment. I thought that it was a good idea for Machiavelli to switch things up, even if it meant that Jones had to fight against that Templar. It also meant that Jones would actually have to try at defeating her partner, and in today's case, partners. Let's face it, Desmond couldn't really fight before he entered the class and he still can't either.

I slowly made my way towards the side and sat down on the little wooden bench that lay there waiting for me. I watched as each set of people went off in their separate ways. Machiavelli yelling for them to get ready broke them out of their stillness though and they distanced themselves from each other. I was curious to know how it would fair out.

After Machiavelli yelled go, it didn't take long before I could hear the sound of metal clashing on metal. Jones' sword swiftly made its way towards Cesare before he fluently moved his sword to make contact with hers. As I sat their watching, I had to resist the urge to call out to Jones as Altaïr approached behind her. Cesare obviously saw this move as well and he adjusted himself and took a step back. Altaïr swung, and Jones ducked, the sword whistling by over her head, and Cesare took another step back to avoid the blade.

Jones rolled out of the way to avoid being stepped on as Altaïr moved forward. Letting out a visible sigh of relief as Altaïr ignored her in favour of fighting Cesare. However before she could properly get to her feet their were two blades baring down on her, and she had to climb to her feet while defending against powerful strikes from both men. Jones glared at Altair between strikes, and the man seemed to take the hint, shifting to fight Cesare, as Jones backed him up. It was now two assassin's against one templar, and it was clear who had the upper hand.

A missed step on Cesare's part was all it would take for Jones and Altaïr to win that part of the battle. It was only a matter of time before he was forced to land on the hard ground with the dull edge of Jones' knife pressed to his neck. The cold metal only remained there for a few seconds though, long enough for Cesare to realize he was theoretically dead. Jones swiftly rolled off of him and climbed to her feet like nothing much had happened. Jones didn't seem all too surprised when Altaïr decided to put his knife back in his sheath. He must have realized that it would be a wiser choice to try and use his sword to try and take her out. They stared at one another intensely to see what the other would do next.

"Well c'mon Aquila" Jones taunted, using her nickname for the other assassin. Altaïr flew forward suddenly and Jones just barely managed to block it with her own sword.

"This'll be payback for getting me in shit with your sister." Altair huffed. Jones gave a little chuckle.

"You don't need any help from me."

I couldn't manage to take my eyes off the fight. It was getting so dramatic and interesting. It was probably one of the better fights that I have seen in a very long time. It was just pure nature in wanting to know how the fight would end. It was so intense that other students slowly stopped their own fights to look on at the one that was going on in front of me. The fight became more real. They were dealing heavy blows and attempting to catch one another off their guards in attempt to knock the other off balance. It was all down to the smallest of details as to who would win the fight.

Unfortunately, it finally happened. Jones twisted to block a blow from Altaïr's sword on her right, and Altair moved to strike a kick at her leg on the left almost at the same time. Jones couldn't twist out of the way on before he gave the kick. A low pop sounded from where they fought as Jones toppled to the ground. She was on her knees and her sword laid beside her.

"Fuck!" Jones yelled, as she sat on the ground, the tip of Altair's sword barely touching her throat.

"Davies!" Machiavelli yelled. "Watch your language!"

Jones grumbled under her breathe, swatting Altair's sword away carefully. "That hurt you jerk."

"What did?" Altair questioned. He probably didn't hear the pop that came from her knee. She glared at him as if he was a complete idiot, which he was at this point despite his win.

"My knee asshole." Altaïr looked shocked for a moment. "That sound was your knee?"

I walked over to Jones who was still on the ground. I offered her my good arm because clearly Altaïr was doing nothing in the way of helping her after he was the one who caused it. He really couldn't do anything. Everyone else went back to fighting after noticing it was over and that we were now looking at them. Jones took a step forward and yelped in what seemed to be pain.

"Now I'm all sore and my knee aches. I'm really going to feel this tomorrow."

It was a bit of a reassurance, but it was quickly distracted by the screams of Malik not too far from where we were standing. All of us turned to look at him. All I could see was the crimson river of blood, oozing out where his left arm once was. It was barely hanging on, but it still remained attached in some areas. Jones rapidly moved towards Malik, ignoring all of her own problems. I followed behind her to the gruesome scene where Malik was moaning in pain. We were soon joined by Machiavelli who immediately call out for some one to get a medic.

"Malik. I'll meet you in the infirmary." It wasn't long before the medics came and was taken away by them. I was just standing there watching everything as it went by quickly. It was very clear to all of us that the scene was in complete chaos.

It was Jones' idea that we go to Tim Hortons and pick him up a coffee. We stood in the line in silence. I knew that she was still in a bit of shock herself that Malik had his arm basicly chopped right off. When we got to the counter we told the cashier lady our order and exchanged our cash for the handful of drinks that we had just ordered. We turned around to spot Tyler walking by. He was looking back at us.

"Oh god. It's the templar again."

"I don't understand why he has a crush on you Jones. I thought it was clear enough that assassins and templars don't go well together."

"Yeah. Me neither."

"Let's get out of here before he decides to talk to us again."

We made our way towards the infirmary. It had probably been long enough since the incident that the anaesthesia would have kicked in and they have done whatever they need to do to help him begin to heal. I was a bit nervous to enter the room. Partially because it brought back some bad memories of my own and I didn't know what to expect when I entered. When we opened the door, Jones quickly found herself at Malik's bedside. It wasn't a surprise to me at all. I closed the door behind me and I stood by the wall so the two of them could get their moment without me interrupting.

"I guess they couldn't save your arm."

"No. It was too badly wrecked for them to reattach it."

"So now you're just a one armed Malik."

"Your one armed Malik, if you wouldn't mind being my girlfriend."

"What?"

"I want to officially make you my girlfriend."

"Why all of a sudden now?"

"It will give me peace of mind."

I could see her contemplating whether or not she should say yes or not. I wasn't sure why she would have to think about the answer. To me it was clear that she should say yes to him. There was no reason why she would say no; she likes him and he clearly likes her back, he's a great guy and it would probably get Tyler off her back because she is officially dating someone. Perhaps then he would leave her alone. She tapped her fingers against the side of her leg.

"I will."

Jones sat on the edge of bed and then proceeded to lay down beside him. Malik took his good arm and lightly wrapped it around her. She snuggled in closer and whispered I love you. I could see that they were both content, but I could help but clear my throat. I didn't care to see the rest of the love scene and that would was probably one of the few things I could do to bring them back to reality.

"Oh. I forgot you were here."

"Yep. So who's going to be wearing the pants in the family?" I replied with a bit of a sarcastic tone.

Jones smiled and said, "That would be me."

"Well not all the time."

"Of course not. I don't wear my pants in the shower. That would just be weird."

OoOoOoO

First off I would like to say sorry for not posting this sooner. I was kind of lazy last week a didn't work on anything. I should have done something, but it's too late now. It's here now and that's all that really counts right? I have some more of this story, hopefully coming sometime in the very near future. By that I mean, maybe tomorrow or Saturday. We'll see how things go tonight. It's ambitious, I know.

I have nothing else really to say and I'm sure you don't want to listen to my ramblings, so I'm going to end this here. Until next time, bye!