Heroes of the Past and Present

Disclaimer: Do not own Victorious, do not own the video game

A/N:

Chapter 17 (On Patrol)

Her muscles were sore to the point that ever step she took, Trina feared falling flat on her face. They trained for hours, and now Aveline had her on patrol with Jade and Donnic through the Docks." Her cell phone said it was around seven in the evening. This day was officially the longest day she ever spent consecutively training and studying without breaks. Somehow, Jade was able to walk with her ancestor without collapsing, but there was an evident strain on Jade's face.

"Some days you'll go all day fighting," Donnic looked over his shoulder to the girls. His tightlipped expression spoke volumes, concerning Trina to the number of criminals that prowled the streets. The Guard was just what modern day police departments were, they even had the same level of treatment and respect by civilians here as they did in her time. That was, treat them like nothing until you actually need them for something. "You may be sore as hell, but you keep going until you can go no more. That's our policy here."

"I guess I can understand that." She rubbed the back of her neck, sighing heavily as her elbow brushed the handle of her dagger. She now had two long daggers that heavily resembled fangs and were sharp as hell with spiked balls at the tip of the handles. Aveline said they were similar to the ones her ancestor had, so she felt a bit of pride at that. "I'm not sure how much more I can go, really."

"You'll know. When you can no longer push yourself, that's when you need to stop for a while." She nodded and looked to her left where an area was closed off by a large iron cast gate. Donnic and Jade followed her gaze and stopped walking. "That was the Qunari compound. Several years ago, they were a group of people who remained in Kirkwall while searching for some 'relic'. They disliked us. Your ancestor held a diplomatic relationship with their leader, known as the Arishok. She won his respect, and when the time came, the Qunari waged a war. They rampaged this place. Isabela had stolen the relic they were searching for, as well."

As he was explaining, Trina could feel a heavy energy coming from the gates. It was a frightening and vile aura, she desired to tear away. "What happened?"

"They killed the Viscount, which is one reason Meredith and Orsino are butting heads now. Both would see themselves rise up to claim Kirkwall. Aveline tells me Sebastian would like for Sarah to rise up, but she does not wish to. This town is far too covered in muck for that, anyway…" They continued walking, with Trina pushing down the overwhelming fear she received from that compound. "Isabela returned with the relic in just the right time, the Arishok wanted to take her with them when they were going to leave, Sarah and Aveline would not allow it. Having won the respect of the Arishok, he challenged Sarah to a one on one duel, if she won, Isabela would remain here and the Qunari would leave."

"Obviously she won…"

"Correct." Pride surged through her and her lips turned into a fierce grin. This was more detailed than the stories her father used to tell, it was great to hear more description on those old 'children tales'. "She won the respect of the people of Kirkwall, the respect of Meredith and Orsino. Both go to her for answers quite often in hopes she'll either side with one of them or help quell the fighting."

"She's pretty revered then?" Jade asked, smiling at her grandfather. Trina found herself getting caught up in a daydream, imaging her own ancestor standing in the middle of a room, eyeing her opponent in preparation for a fierce battle. There was a bit of envy towards the others, having their ancestors so close now, and she was unable to physically see or talk with her own. There was also a very minimal envy towards Jade, her ancestor being the near equivalent of what her own father was. "Hey Trina, what do you think of your ancestor so far? Quite the hero, right?"

She raised an eyebrow at Jade, shrugging her shoulders in acknowledgment. "Yeah…" What was she supposed to say? She trusted Jade almost as much as she trusted a rattlesnake not to bite. That being said, the last thing she wanted to do was talk to her. "Donnic, I thought you usually were on patrol in Lowtown."

"I am usually, but on occasion I'll be in the Docks. Aveline wants you to be well versed in the towns, both within the walls of the city and outside of Kirkwall."

"Understandable." There wasn't much she didn't understand, her brain was about ready to explode from all the reading and reciting they'd done throughout the day. She would welcome any criminals to fight at this point, just to try and pick up on anything that didn't require studying the history of some town or an ancient art of swordmastery. "Okay, what do I remember? We went over Sundermount, where Merrill and Cat are probably training." Sundermount was a mountain with a giant reputation, legend had it that it was where the final battle between the Tevinter Imperium of old and ancient elves. Both sides unleashed several horrifying creatures, demons that roamed the mountain even today. Sundermount was now home to the Dalish elves, whom Trina was told were highly racist to humans.

It was mind-boggling, however, trying to figure out why all these creatures and races were here when they didn't exist in their time. Sure, it made sense that in five hundred years time Elves could have been out-bred, explaining why Cat and Beck were normal looking humans without long pointy ears. However the other things were concerning, such as Ogres or even the mythical fade demons, which she had yet to see. Also, the thought of live skeletons being conjured up out of the ground was disturbing at best. How would one explain the lack of their existence?

"You know, centuries from now, a lot of things aren't even going to exist."

Donnic raised an eyebrow and turned up a smile, "A world without demons, dark magic, and the living dead? It seems too good to be true. I would love to see that world." It was a time that she was missing already, having had enough of this old time stuff. She expected action, and here she was spending more time studying. Understandably important, but either way, she was sick to death of studying.

"If I don't see some action soon, I think I'm going to go mad." At the same time, it was likely a good thing they weren't seeing any fighting right now. That meant the criminals were not prowling the streets.

When she saw, in the corner of her eyes, a group of thugs fighting one another, she let out a groan. "Spoke too soon, they are out tonight." Donnic signaled her and Jade to follow, and walked up to the group. It was a small group of about eight people, all short and with chainmail helmets, they seemed a bit out of place.

"What is going on here?" Donnic spoke with a deep distinction, his voice commanded attention. The people turned to him, all startled to see the guard. Jade put her hand to the sword given to her and reached for the shield attached to the back of her armor. The men wasted no time springing to action, their leader ordering everyone to kill them.

With that, Donnic and Jade sprang to action, drawing their swords and slashing at the thugs. Trina drew her two blades and twisted around to swing at one of the thugs coming up behind her. Much to her pleasure, the blade actually cut, unlike the blades from when she was ambushed in Hightown. The thug jumped back, glaring at her as he put his hand over the deep wound in his side.

She didn't like the feeling of having to deal with this, to strike down another human and to take a life was something she never foresaw herself having to do. It was necessary, sure, especially when they were criminals, but it still didn't sit well with her. "It looks like the champion," the man growled, "The champion is with them."

"If that's what you want to believe, then believe it," she breathed out and jumped forward, slashing at the criminal. She managed to ignore the burning pain in her body and went on with the fight, somewhat miraculously. The man dodged her and swung his own blade down against her, striking the back of her armor and knocking her forward. She spun around, twirling her blades in her hands and narrowing her eyes. "Nice try…"

The man howled out and started to lunge forward, screaming to the thugs, "Kill the cham-" Just then, he froze, a blood drenched blade had gone directly through his chest. Her eyes widened and she looked up, seeing Jade standing behind the man.

"One down," Jade muttered, "Come on Trina…"

"Well excuse me for not having had a full night and day of extensive and straight combat training, Jade." Jade frowned and lowered her sword. "Thank you, though. I appreciate it." Just then, Trina caught a guard coming up behind Jade with a knife towards her head. In a swift move, Trina bolted forward past Jade and swung her left hand dagger out, digging her blade into the back of the assailant's neck. Jade spun around, gazing in surpise as the man collapsed. "Watch yourself too, Jade. I don't think Tori wants me to let you die, so pay attention."

"Come on, I just-"

"There's more coming!" Donnic shouted. The trio grouped together as several thugs started dropping from rooftops. Trina heard arrows shooting through the air near her and glanced over her shoulder, seeing two archers nearby. She bolted towards them, swinging her arms outwards and pointing the two daggers forward.

The archers screamed out and turned, all too late. Her blades dug into their spines. She tore the knives out of them and let them fall to the ground. She was getting better, but really wanted to rest. She wanted this patrol to end, so she could go back to the estate and get some sleep."I wonder how the others are faring in their training…" She hoped they were all doing well, but was more concerned with her sister and Sinjin.

The battle was over almost as quickly as it had begun. They rounded off their patrol and started heading back to the Barracks. Jade walked alongside Trina, seemingly eyeing her. Trina wanted to ask what she needed, but she didn't think it was anything important.

"I'm really trying here, Trina. Honestly…"

"Save it...Nothing's going to change immediately. That being said, I'm not exactly sure why you followed us here, it's dangerous, almost reckless."

"We're here because we want to try and get to know you better. To talk to you, maybe even start a friendship…also, none of us knew what we were getting into."

"That would be the reckless part." She folded her arms over, giving Jade a disapproving look. "As for starting a friendship, it's really not going to be easy for anyone, and you're the one that did the most damage over the years. Ask Sinjin, I don't open myself up to anyone." Jade appeared hurt, but appeared to shrug it off. "The sooner we find my ancestor, the sooner we can get home, the better. I'll work with you now, but after this…I don't know what's going to happen. Do what you want with Tori, if she wants to be friends with you guys, I have no problem with that."

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