Tony used his sword as a support so he could get back on his feet. The fall had left a few bruises but that was it. Tony looked at Hector who was on the ground right at his feet. It seemed as though he was unconscious. Tony pointed his sword towards the ground and was getting ready to finish off Hector when he was stabbed. The sword was lodged in his gullet or, stomach if you will. Tony dropped his blade and it made a metallic clink when it hit the ground.
"You shouldn't have hesitated."
The pain was so intense that Tony could not speak.
"What's wrong? Not such a smart aleck now, are you?"
Tony could barely manage to lift his middle finger and utter the words "F*** you."
Hector laughed at Tony's effort to insult him. "You really are amusing. You know that?"
The only response Hector received this time was Tony's slow shallow breathing. Blood trickled down the blade which was lodged in Tony's stomach. The dark red substance moved slowly and unevenly, until it reached the hilt where it collected. The sword, reacted to Tony's blood and repelled Hector by burning his hands. Hector winced in pain and let go of the sword's hilt. He grunted and looked at his hands.
What just happened? Damn you Tony! You always get f***ing lucky!
Then Tony ceased to feel the pain. He placed his hand on his sword and pulled it from his stomach. As he pulled the sword out of his torso, his wound began to steam. After retrieving his sword from his own stomach, Tony pointed the weapon at Hector.
"How the tide has turned." mocked Tony
Hector remained silent and could only reply with a hateful stare.
"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"
Damn him!
Hector rushed at Tony unarmed, but at the last second performed an acrobatic leap over Tony's head. Hector began running as fast as he could in the opposite direction of Tony.
"Where do you think you are going?!" yelled Tony
Tony threw his sword with amazing accuracy in the direction of Hector. The sword split Hector's left arm in two, just above the elbow. Hector could hear the bone crack and the flesh tear, they were terrible sounds. Hector screamed in pain and cursed under his breath. Tony picked up the Force Edge just before his other sword came back to him in a boomerang fashion. As Hector ran, he left a trail of blood. Tony let Hector continue running, for he could track him in the morning.
Tony didn't even bother using the stairs and instead jumped onto the balcony in front of his apartment. He walked through the door frame, which was ruined. Tony then picked his beloved Yamato off of his couch as well as it's sheath and joined them once more. After doing this he tied the katana at his side. Then, he crossed the two broadswords on his back. Tony grabbed the cash under his mattress and was about to walk down the stairs when he saw Maria looking at him.
"Tony, where are you going?"
"Nowhere, I'll be back soon."
"You actually expect me to believe that you are coming back?"
"Yes, I do. I expect you to trust me."
"Why?"
"Because you are my only friend. You are the only person who has ever befriended me. i have been an outcast all my life."
"You? Cool and smooth Tony?"
"Yes me. Who else? People are afraid of me Maria. Afraid of my past I suppose. It follows me everywhere I go."
"What are you talking about Tony?"
"Earlier, my past caught up with me again and I almost hurt you. I can't let that happen."
Tony walked over to Maria and kissed her. He didn't know what it was about this woman, but she made him feel, what was the word? Extraordinary was all that came to mind. Maria blushed then broke eye contact with Tony.
"Why did you do that?"
"I wasn't thinking."
Maria had hoped that Tony would just admit he was in love with her, but what were the chances of that? Actions speak louder than words anyways. Maybe that was Tony's style. Actions to express how he felt, not words. At any rate, Maria now knew how Tony felt about her.
"I want you to have this. Keep it safe. It is very special to me."
Tony reached into his pocket and pulled out the marble-sized object he called the North Star. He placed it in Maria's hand and walked away possibly, forever.
Death comes swiftly to those who fear