Chapter 6
(May 13th, 1459. Spazzo's office. Afternoon)
(Zack: Age 6. Sam: Age 3. Gabby: Age 1)
*Spazzo has called Zack into his office*
Spazzo: Okay, Zacharias, lecture time!
Zack: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Spazzo: Relax, you're not in trouble. I'm just going to tell you stuff about the order. So pay attention.
Zack: Well… Okay, Maestro.
Spazzo: Have a seat.
Zack: *Grabs a chair and starts dragging it out of the room* Thanks!
Spazzo: Zack, quit acting like a fool!
Zack: I was just kidding!
*Zack brings the chair back to where it was and sits in it*
Spazzo: Are you ready?
Zack: I'm listening.
Spazzo: Let's begin with the origin. Our order was formed long ago during the-
*Zack falls asleep in the chair and snores loudly. Spazzo furls his brows and huffs*
Spazzo: Sveglia! (Wake up!)
*Spazzo slaps Zack across his face*
Zack: Ouch!
Spazzo: Pay attention!
Zack: Mi dispiace. (I'm sorry)
*Zack rubs his stinging cheek*
Spazzo: As I was saying. Our order was formed long ago during the Third Crusade. Why did we form this you ask? Are you familiar with the Templar knights?
Zack: Templar knights? Never heard of them.
Spazzo: They were one of the several knightly orders that formed during the Third Crusade. School history teachers would tell you that they were disbanded a long time ago, but they weren't. They still exist today.
Zack: Maybe when I go to school, I can learn about this from them.
Spazzo: Heh heh heh. The only schooling you'll be doing is at home. Besides, I know a lot more than those "teachers". It's only distorted history they teach you there.
Zack: If you say so.
Spazzo: Besides, what good would sending you to a public school do? I thought you hated being ridiculed by the kids in the town. Surely you don't want to be around by them all day.
Zack: I never thought of that.
Spazzo: It's not only the students, but the teachers too. They're too flawed for a fit society if they choose to shun you for your appearance. And this is why I take you into our order. You deserve much better than what those kids put you through. You deserve to be treated equally; to be accepted; to be loved. In the Assassin order, we treat each other sacredly, no matter of race, gender, or… whatever you are.
Zack: *Smiles* Thanks, Maestro. Now, on with the history lesson?
Spazzo: Ah, yes. I got distracted. Where was I?
Zack: You left off introducing the Templar knights.
Spazzo: Ah, yes. The Templars formed during the Third Crusade and although people believed they were disbanded, they actually weren't. They only took their work in secret.
Zack: Work?
Spazzo: The Templars' goal is to create a new world. They intend to create a world of peace; a world without war or suffering.
Zack: Wouldn't that be a good thing though?
Spazzo: Of course, but the means they wish to achieve it is the problem. To achieve peace, they seek domination over mankind. They intend to unite the world by force.
Zack: Wouldn't that be like slavery?
Spazzo: Exactly, and it is our job as Assassins to stop them.
Zack: Which is what you're training me to do?
Spazzo: Yes. Peace is something that must be learned, not forced upon. *Spazzo looks at the clock then snaps his finger while giving a disappointed huff* I just remembered there's some stuff I need to do around here. We'll talk more tomorrow.
*Zack stands up, stretches, then starts to walk out of the office*
Zack: I'll see you later then.
Spazzo: Think about any questions you want to ask about this until then.
(May 14th, 1459. Spazzo's office. Afternoon)
*Spazzo has called Zack into his office again*
Spazzo: Zack, have a- …sit.
*Zack sits in a chair like a dog and barks*
Spazzo: Do we have to go through this again?
Zack: I'm kidding.
*Zack sits in the chair properly*
Spazzo: Let's continue with the tale of the Templars.
Zack: I have a question.
Spazzo: Oh? What is it?
Zack: If the Templars are trying to make peace, then what do we Assassins go for?
Spazzo: The Assassins also strive for peace.
Zack: How does that work?
Spazzo: The Templars plan to bring peace by forcing it upon the people. But peace is something to be learned. This rule not only applies to teaching peace, but to teaching many other things as well. You can't force anybody to learn something; they must learn it on their own.
Zack: I think I get it, but it's still kind of confusing.
Spazzo: Well, for example; when you were teaching your brother and sister to walk. You couldn't force them to do it, but guide them to learn it.
Zack: I get it. So what the Templars want is good, but the way they want it is bad.
Spazzo: Precisely!
Zack: Alright! What do I win!
Spazzo: Focus.
Zack: Focus? That's not a very great prize.
Spazzo: There aren't any prizes!
Zack: Say, what kind of a game is this!
Spazzo: This isn't a game!
Zack: I'll say it isn't.
Spazzo: Do you think this is funny!
Zack: Yes I do!
Spazzo: I am losing my patience!
Zack: Don't worry; I'll help you find it!
Spazzo: *Sighs* Anyway, that's how this… war began.
Zack: They're still the bad guys, right?
Spazzo: Yes.
Zack: And it's okay to kill them?
Spazzo: *Chuckles* They are the enemy, until we make peace with them, IF we do.
Zack: I have another question.
Spazzo: Ask.
Zack: Is it possible that Vixenita is a Templar?
Spazzo: I doubt it.
Zack: Darn. I thought I was going somewhere with this.
Spazzo: I understand. Can we not talk about this?
Zack: *Lowers his head* I don't want to talk about it anyway.
Spazzo: Okay. Any other questions?
Zack: When will I get a weapon?
Spazzo: Don't worry about that. You will get your weapon when you're ready.
Zack: When will that be?
Spazzo: I don't know.
Zack: *Sarcastically* Gee, that helps.
Spazzo: Zack, a weapon is not a toy. You must understand the responsibilities of a weapon before you can get one.
Zack: I get it.
Spazzo: If you're done asking questions, then listen to me.
Zack: Okay, finito. (done)
Spazzo: Okay. The Templars seek to eliminate us whenever we get in their way, and this includes the hunt for the codex pages. We think they are after the secrets of the codex. If they get these pages, they could find what they need to fulfill their goal. Besides this codex hunt, we don't know what they're planning right now. And that's where we are now. Do you understand all of this, Zacharias?
Zack: Yes, Maestro.
Spazzo: Good.
*Scene transitions to the Living Room at sunset. Sam is standing in a fighter stance, challenging Zack*
Sam: Let's go, Bro!
Zack: *Takes off his Assassin robe and sets it on the couch* Sure thing, but you might want to fix your stance.
Sam: Why, what's wrong with it?
*Zack runs to Sam and puts his left foot behind Sam's right foot and pushes Sam. Sam is pushed back and trips on Zack's foot and falls to the floor on his rear*
Zack: That's what's wrong. You have to make it more stable otherwise you can get knocked over easily.
*While Zack is in the middle of his speech, Sam stands up and charges at Zack with his head lowered. Sam headbutts Zack in his gut*
Zack: Agh!
Sam: You have a big mouth.
*Zack pushes Sam away from him. Sam charges back, and Zack puts his hands on Sam's shoulders then flips onto Sam's back. Sam is brought to the floor on his belly. Zack holds Sam's arms to the floor while still sitting on his back*
Sam: Get off!
Zack: That's a pin!
Sam: Stop using your flip tricks and take me head on!
Zack: There are no rules in a real fight, Fratello.
(June 14th, 1459. Center Town. Afternoon)
*Spazzo has taken Zack on a walk around the district and they are now on their way home*
Spazzo: Keep close, Zack. There are many people.
Zack: I can keep up. I'm just a bit distracted.
Spazzo: Distracted?
Zack: Yeah. *Scratches his head dementedly* I haven't had a bath in days and my hair is sooooooooo itchy!
Spazzo: I'm sorry but we can't afford to use water at the house recklessly. Besides, you don't need a bath every day.
Zack: Says you; you don't have fur.
Spazzo: Just keep walking.
Zack: So what's all this stuff for, anyway?
Spazzo: Just a little experiment.
Zack: You never tell me anything!
Spazzo: *Chuckles* Fine. These materials are for practice dummies.
Zack: Why didn't you just say so?
Spazzo: *Thinks for a moment* You know, I'm not quite sure. Maybe I like to keep surprises often?
Zack: I could think of a good reason.
Spazzo: And what's that?
Zack: A reason is a form of explanation that-
Spazzo: I know what a- *Sighs* Just tell me what your reason would be.
Zack: The evil noodle-head queen could be around and think we're plotting.
Spazzo: *Laughs* "The evil noodle-head queen". I'm sure Vixenita would love to hear you call her that.
Zack: I wouldn't hesitate to.
*Spazzo and Zack arrive at the sidewalk along the river*
Zack: Ooh! A river! Perfect! *Looks around* But I can't take off my clothes here.
Spazzo: *Laughs* Enough jokes. Let's just go home.
Zack: Give me a minute. I'll just jump right in.
*Zack dives into the river*
Spazzo: No wait! That water is deep! No! *Looks around at other people* Does anyone have anything I can throw at him! *Waits for a response from the crowd but receives none* This is bad!
Zack: *Surfaces and swims through the river* That's so nice! *Dives underwater once more then surfaces again*
Spazzo: Wait… What's going on?
Zack: Hold that thought.
*The crowd mumbles to each other as Zack continues to swim*
Spazzo: Who taught you how to swim?
Zack: No-one. I just know how to.
Spazzo: Heh heh heh.
Zack: *Climbs out of the river and onto the sidewalk and shakes his head dry* I'm all clean now.
*Zack wrings out his ears and looks around at the crowd of people. The citizens are looking at Zack with confused and worried looks. Zack gives the people a fierce glare*
Spazzo: Let's get you home and dry you off. *Suddenly notices Zack glaring at the crowd* Are you okay? *Looks at the crowd* Have you people nothing better to do!
Woman #1: That's a weird child.
Woman #2: He's possessed by Satan!
Man #1: He looks weird.
Woman #3: That thing is a demon!
Man #2: How did he not drown in the river?
Man #1: What a freak.
Zack: *Growls* Shut up!
Woman #2: Dio mio! (My God!) What if my kids are possessed! Will they turn into that thing too!
Spazzo: I think we should go now. Come, Zack.
*Spazzo and Zack start walking home and away from the crowd. The people don't follow*
Spazzo: Are you okay?
Zack: That hurt.
Spazzo: I'm sorry. People like that are just stupid and can be incredibly thoughtless.
Zack: I just want to go home.
Spazzo: Don't let people like that get you down. You shouldn't care what other people think of you.
Zack: That still hurts.
*Spazzo sighs and continues to lead Zack home*