Heroes of the Past and Present

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

A/N:

Chapter 22 (Of Snakes and Men)

"H-Help! Damn it, is anyone out there?" Sarah Hawke felt nothing, except that of extreme fear. She didn't recognize her surroundings as anything from what was called the fade, or 'dreams', and nothing could move. Only her mind was awake, someone, or something had kept bringing her mind in and out of consciousness. From what she could tell, she was in some kind of glass structure, her entire body was frozen from head to toe.

Small candles surrounded her glass coffin, lighting her in what was a dark room. Somehow, she was able to see through her eyelids. On the other side of the room was a man sitting in some chair, he had dark brown hair and bushy eyebrows. His ears were slightly pointed and his body was tall and thin. He had long, slender arms, and scars that covered his body. Was this her captor? No, her captor had been that woman.

Who was this man? What was his plan? She watched a sadistic grin stretch over his face. Blood dripped from his fingers and his deadly, snakelike eyes burned her body. "You'll slip back into unconscious in a few minutes, Hawke. I am the one who keeps bringing you out, but only your mind. I cannot awaken your body by conventional magic, only your mind." She didn't quite understand the purpose of this. Why bring her mind back if he had no reason for keeping her up? "I merely wanted to introduce myself to you. I know you see and hear me just fine. My name is Zander. You've been transferred to me by my apparent descendent, Erin. I must say, I am proud my line lasts for so long, aren't you? I believe Erin said she was from, 2013?" He tapped his temple with his slimy fingers and pulled his hand away, laughing heartily. "Five hundred a and sixty three years from now. Amazing."

"This man is young, does he already have family? What are you saying, Hawke? My companions will find me, prick…" She tried in vain to move her body, struggling to mutter even the slightest whimper or growl. Her heart began to race as she watched the man rise up from his chair.

"My fiancé has taken my child and moved elsewhere." A slow cackle left his lips as he stepped before two portraits on a wall and spread his arms out. Sarah looked towards the portraits and felt her heart sink, she was eyeing portraits of Orsino and Meredith. She'd forgotten this was their child, did they know what was happening to her? "She said I was 'crazy', my 'obsessions' were without cause. You understand my plight, surely? You are without father, without mother. Left only with an uncle, am I correct?"

"How does he know these things about me?" A surge of hatred coursed through her and sweat began pouring down her body. "Goddamn it, let me out of here and fight me like a man!" Zander's eyes drifted over and his arms lowered to his sides, he chuckled softly and shook his head.

"Erin told me your story. She also confirmed my thoughts as to who my parents were." He turned towards her, his expression tensed and his demeanor flared into a terrible anger. "She wishes me to hold you and let my parents destroy each other, or at the very least, destroy Kirkwall. I don't care for her plans, however, I do know you would be a thorn in my side regardless, so I cannot let you out." Her eyes widened, could he hear her thoughts? He put his hands behind his back and began walking towards her. "My 'parents' dumped me. Tell me, Hawke, would you throw away your own kid?"

"Never!"

He smirked and moved a hand to the top of the case, leaving a bloody print on the glass. She felt her stomach tighten and tried to move her feet to kick through this case, but still it was to no avail. "That's what they did. They fucking threw me away!" He swept his hand through the air, raising his voice into a high scream. "They didn't want anything to do with me. I was told by the Grand Cleric that gave me to the people that raised me, that mother and father were adamant that I was to never interfere with their lives again."

Zander cracked his fingers before his face and pulled his lips back into a vile snarl, "They didn't want me to interfere with their lives? Their plans? Too late. I wasn't sure it was these people, not until my descendent showed up…and now that I know, do you have an idea what I am going to do to those two?" A lump formed in Sarah's throat and she tried to shout out against him, to tell him he wouldn't be able to do a thing. It angered her greatly to be vulnerable the way she was, all she could do was wait on Aveline and the others to find her, if that was even possible. She didn't even know where in the hell she was!

"Whatever you're planning…it will not work, I ensure you. Those two are crazier than you give them credit for."

Zander stared down at her with clear recognition, much to her surprise, he could hear her. The frown lines around his lips deepened and his eyes slanted further. He turned his back towards her and scoffed. "I suppose that explains quite a bit about me, doesn't it? I'm preparing my plans. You think I'm just going to storm Kirkwall and tear the place apart? No…I'm going to make this slow, painful, and I'm going to enjoy every minute of seeing those two screaming, begging for their lives. Then?" He turned back to her, the crazed expression had returned to his face. He leaned above the case, staring into her eyes with his own wide, frightening glare. "Just as they threw me away, I'm going to throw them away! Piece by piece into the harbor! An arm, a leg, all the way to their heads. I'm going to tear off their eyelids so they can watch me toss them into the harbor."

Bile shot up her throat and she fought against the growing disgust and nausea within. She had to get out of here somehow! She had to warn Meredith and Orsino! How could anyone kill their own parent? She couldn't understand it. "You're a sick fuck, I hope you know that." Zander leaned upright and lifted his hand, pressing his index finger and thumb together, speaking softly and with a distinct tone of arrogance.

"I'm aware. In all the excitement I almost forgot why I wanted to bring you into consciousness." She could feel herself starting to slip back into her deep slumber. Fear swept over her and tears welled up in her eyes. "Unfortunately it's only temporary, as I think I've mentioned. I was going to ask for secrets or tips, I suppose. I have no time though. I may as well save you the time slowly fading back out…"

"No! Damn it! If you think Aveline, Isabela or Merrill won't find you, you're wrong. They'll all find you! They'll stop you!"

"Then I wish them the best of luck." He snapped his fingers, and instantly her vision turned black. Her body twitched and grew numb as unconsciousness swept over her like a blanket of darkness. "They may not have a prayer, surely my parents would kill them first."

In Kirkwall, Trina stormed through the gallows with Sinjin, Tori, Robbie, and Cat. Jade was busy training with Aveline and Donnic. Andre and Beck were also busy, both in their own ways, but Trina had yet to ask them for any assistance. "There's no calming her this time?" Robbie asked nervously. Sinjin shook his head and Trina shrugged. Trina was fired up, seething with anger over Elthina's tale. She wanted to hate Meredith the way she had growing up, but she only felt pity. Meredith sold her soul to something that drove her insane, all because of Orsino.

Orsino was a snake, of this she was sure. Elthina's story spurred memories of her ex boyfriends and was the reason for her storming this place. She clenched her fists as she made her way into Templar Hall. Once up the stairs and through the door to the building, she glanced at two doors adjacent from one another. Meredith's office was to her right, and Orsino's to her left.

"I've been waiting far too long for answers…"

"Trina…" Sinjin put a hand to her shoulder and she snapped her glare to him, daring him, anyone, to challenge her. Tori stood behind him, gazing at her with a look of concern. "Trina, don't make this about him. This isn't about Michael, this is about your ancestor. Okay? Orsino may be a prick, but chances are he doesn't know what's going on here…"

Her lips thinned and she slowly turned away, "No promises, Sinjin." She pushed Orsino's door open, glaring at the grey haired snake sitting at the desk. He was wrapped up in a book of some sort. "Orsino!" The man's head shot up and his eyes widened for a second, then relaxed. A calm smile stretched over his face, the smile matched Michael's smile moments before he'd strike her. Her head pounded and anger stabbed her like hot knives into her heart.

"Champion. How can I help you? Have you come to reconsider siding with Meredith?"

"Of course you wouldn't want anyone on her side," she hissed. Orsino raised an eyebrow while Trina shut the door. She pointed towards the man and glared at the others. "Bind his fists, he is not to use them!"

"W-What?" Cat didn't hesitate to follow her order, having taken to kissing her ass recently like the rest of Tori's friends. Orsino was throw back against the wall, his wrists and ankles were bound by white light. He moved his chest forward, struggling in his binds. "What is this? Hawke, what is going on?"

"Just shut up for a second." His eyebrows shot up and Trina moved around his desk, poking her finger into his chest. "I'm here to deal with you. I don't intend any harm, but I don't trust you. Certain lives are at risk, and I blame you. I blame you for everything that's going on right now."

"What has Meredith complained to you about this time?"

"Oh nothing. Actually, I'm acting all on my own you abusive little asshole!" His jaw fell. Her anger shot up and clouded her. Trina's chest heaved and her muscles tightened. "You think you can push a girl around, treat her like shit, and get away with it? Well fuck you! It's over, leave Meredith alone. I see why she's been trying to expose you all these years, because you're a snake, vicious and poisonous! Her problem isn't even with mages, it's with you! You're making it about the mages though, and you know it. You're purposely avoiding the truth, poisoning her into thinking all mages are at fault. You're dragging Kirkwall down with the both of you!"

"Seriously? I'm not against mages! Why would I want Meredith thinking they're all shit?"

"Because you're shit!" All the things she was shouting at him, she wanted to shout at Michael. She wanted to shout at every man that ever hurt her. Sinjin had been right, she didn't want to make it about Michael, but she had. Sadly, Orsino had to bear the brunt of her assault. She couldn't control herself! "What is it with men like you? Think you can control a woman, so you beat her down to a vulnerable state. Killing her spirit…tearing apart her emotions and using her like some sort of ashtray. You're despicable, a pathetic excuse for a man."

She felt someone take her hand and quickly snapped her glare towards him. Her angry glare was flooded by Sinjin's calm and strong gaze, it warmed her and halted her fire. "Trina, it's okay…just take a deep breath…"

Trina closed her eyes and shook her head, she struggled but was able to put her personal vendetta aside. At least, for now. "Right, I…" She lifted a hand and Cat released Orsino. He dropped to his feet and rubbed his wrist, muttering under his breath. "I'm sorry about that, Orsino. Look, I just want to know about this son of yours…"

"Son? What son? I don't have a son." His eyes darted over to her, and a low growl left his lips. She rolled her eyes and looked over to Sinjin, resisting the urge to pummel Orsino on the spot. With a heavy, defeated sigh, she turned back to him.

"Save it. Elthina told me everything. I know what you did to Meredith and the baby over twenty years ago." His eyes widened and he began stammering, unable to comprehend that Elthina would willingly break the secret. "It's what Meredith has been trying to expose you for, isn't it Orsino?"

"I…I-look I'm a different man now." He chuckled nervously and moved to the window, gazing out and avoiding her gaze.

"How are you different?" Andre inquired. Trina raised an eyebrow and Andre moved towards the man. "You tried to kill a baby and its mother. You would have had to want to change somewhere around there. I mean, come on. The only way you're going to be any different is if you wanted to change."

"Okay, okay…" He rubbed his forehead and turned back to the group, still unable to make eye contact with any of them. "I mean, I wasn't abusive or anything, I just-"

"You were greedy, selfish, and power-hungry. You didn't want it getting out that you had a kid with a Templar, but you did. There's no denying it happened, there is no changing that fact. What have you done to show Meredith you're attempting to change? If you are at all?"

"Oh please, she wouldn't listen to reason now anyway, her head is filled with venom." Orsino crossed his arms and tilted his head towards the right. "Just, don't let anyone know…if Kirkwall knew Meredith and I ever-"

"Then it sounds like you two are perfect for each other," Trina scoffed, with sarcasm lacing her tone. "I think they might find out eventually, Orsino. Secrets don't stay secrets forever, lies are always uncovered at some point of time. Whether it's yesterday, now, or ten years in the future…it happens. Now this whole mess between you and Meredith is dragging all of Kirkwall down. If you're still so willing to cover up a secret, then that means you haven't changed. You're still as much a snake as you were all the way back then."

"You don't know anything about me, Champion…"

"And you know nothing about me. So, I think we're even." She stepped before Orsino, glaring ferociously into his eyes. He was a weakened man, by her own assumption. Powerless against her. Did it feel good? No, but at least she knew he wouldn't dare to strike her. Not without severe repercussions. Remembering Lindsay's final words to Michael, she recited them as if they were spoken yesterday. "This is not a threat, but a promise. You're a dangerous man. So, stay the hell away from Meredith, or you'll encounter a very pissed off woman." She leaned back and narrowed her eyes. She had wanted information, but she felt it'd be better to attempt to get info on the son from Meredith. "By the way, I'm not Sarah Hawke."

"Wha-"

"I'm her descendent. A blood mage has her." Orsino's eyes widened and his hand moved over his heart. "Your descendent sent her to her ancestor in this time. What that means is, if you or Meredith don't know anything about where Sarah is at, your son is the one who has her."

"I-I honestly don't know…" She could see a genuine honesty in his eyes, so there was no sense in questioning him further. She turned away and looked towards the door, sighing heavily as she started to debate what she could say to Meredith. Hopefully the woman's sanity wasn't so far gone that she wouldn't be of help.

"Oh, and Orsino?"

"What?"

"Remember my words, take them with warning. Not a warning against me or anyone I know personally, but…The past has a funny way of catching up with you. If you're not careful, you may find yourself face to face with the very son who the Grand Cleric ordered thrown away like he was nothing…against Meredith's favor…and I don't think you'd be very happy with what he may do, knowing that fact. Assuming he knows at all. Bear that in mind, because until we find him, who knows how safe it is for you or even Meredith…"

Well there is a lot of tension in this chapter, we see Zander for the first time and the mental torture that Hawke seems to be fighting through. Erin didn't plan very well at all, since all Zander wants to do is kill Orsino and Meredith. Orsino may need a new set of pants, but I think he got the picture. So let me know what your thoughts are on Zander and of Orsino.

I've also put out a oneshot that is linked to this story, "A Police Officer's Daughter", it shows a little more of Tori's, Trina's past and explains some depth for you that can't fit well into this story.