Hello! This is epicfrenchfry with another new story! This is actually a roleplay I've just started with my very good friend 2cute4lyfe- well, actually, a rewritten version of an old one that we realized was stupid and plotless and decided to fix.

I would like to thank my beta reader, but sadly I do not have one as of yet. If anyone is interested in betaing this story, PM me!

I am writing the parts of the show and therefore the characters in it, and 2cute4lyfe is writing Alfred and Madeline for this chapter, her other roles will come in later!

I do not own Hetalia, yada yada yada...

Hope you enjoy~!

Alfred bit the inside of his cheek, nervously awaiting the season finale of his favorite show, Agent X. He was wearing his Superman pajama pants and a t-shirt with Arthur from the show on it.

Madeline brought him a bowl of popcorn. "I'm going to go to bed." She spoke softly and smiled.

Alfred shook his head. "Nooooo," he whined, "watch the ending with me!" He pleaded childishly.

Maddy sighed. "But I don't like your show, and I won't know what's going on."

"Please Maddy, I need emotional support." He pouted, giving her the infamous puppy dog eyes.

Maddy stared at him for a moment and then reluctantly sat down. "Fine." She sighed and put her hair up after handing him the popcorn.

Alfred made some sort of squeal of happiness then started nibbling on the popcorn and the show began.

The screen lit up in a faint glow and opened into a dark scene where two young men stood side to side, their hair swirling silently in the dusty breeze. One of them had brown hair with an odd curl and tired leaf green eyes while the other was unique, with snowy white hair and bright crimson eyes filled with misery.

"It's been fun, Lovino." The white-haired man said calmly in a rough German accent.

"It truly has, Gil." The brunet nodded in agreement. "But I'm afraid this is where I must depart." This one was Italian yet the previous cheer was drained from his voice by the recent events.

An English voice narrated solemnly, "Our agency is falling apart at the seams... Matthias and his men have gotten access to leaked information previously kept top-secret and now our very lives are at stake..."

The scene shifted back to Gilbert and Lovino. The two friends shook hands briefly, smiling sadly before Lovino turned away and boarded the waiting helicopter. With a final wave, the Italian agent nodded to the pilot and the helicopter lifted him away from the ruins that were once headquarters. Gilbert looked up at the sky and watched it disappear into the dusk. He stood still for a moment with mixed emotions flickering in his eyes before sliding a leg over his motorcycle and revved the engine, roaring off and sending a cloud of dust across the screen. From this formed jagged words, Agent X, and the theme started to play.

Alfred's blue eyes flickered with sadness. "Bye, Lovino." He whispered sadly and reached over and grabbed a piece of popcorn and put it in his mouth, eyes glued to the screen as the intro continued.

Madeline wasn't sure what was going on but the man with white hair was quite attractive and his accent was nice, she knew a German man that worked at her hospital but the albino on the screen's accent was richer and more pleasant to the ears.

The theme song played through, the English voice from before singing beautifully.

"Keep running, on and on and on...

Keep fighting, on and on and on...

Never stop! Never fall! Never disgrace!

I keep going!

And that's what I call tough luck."

As the song and opening credits ended, the show faded into commercial.

Alfred closed his eyes to listen to the English voice and when it faded away he pouted. "Why is he so perfect?" He asked, looking up at nothing. "Arthur Kirkland is my idol, my celebrity crush, my favorite musician, and my favorite actor".

Maddy snickered. "I haven't seen you this in love since McDonald's made the steak burger."

Alfred shook his head. "Arthur is better than McDonalds." He smiled dreamily.

Maddy stopped laughing. "Damn... you're head over heels for some guy that's probably straight, probably has a hot model girlfriend, and you probably won't ever meet him." She said.

Alfred shook his head again and looked at his sister. "Nope, he is single, and he has meet and greets." He said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Maddy sighed in defeat and nodded "Okay, okay, keep living in your fantasy land." She smiled indulgently.

After a few commercials for fast food restaurants, Planet Fitness, and TV service providers the show was back on.

A blond man was running from a gang of men dressed in navy blue jumpsuits chasing after him. The man fired blindly behind him with a hand pistol, taking out a few men but took a bullet in the thigh and fell to the ground. "Dammit," he swore, revealing his French accent. "Antonio... Where are you?" He asked desperately. The goons all smirked and closed in on him.

Alfred's head quickly snapped back to watch the show and saw Francis running. "Come on Toni!" He mouthed as he saw Matthias's men chase after the Frenchman. Francis wasn't his favorite, obviously, but his character always was insightful, even if he was wimpier than Gil or Arthur.

Madeline raised an eyebrow. Something seemed very familiar about that man, but she couldn't put her finger on it. His long blonde hair was pulled back loosely and some strands hung free. Maddy continued to exam his features but it was slightly difficult because of the fast moving chase scene.

"You can kill me but you'll never take us down!" Francis spat, fury gleaming in his bright blue eyes.

The distant roar of a motorcycle brought a smile to his face and he started to laugh. Suddenly, with a quick succession of bangs, the men around him fell to the ground, blood spattering across Francis's prone body and pooling from their punctured bodies. A black motorcycle pulled up next to Francis and the rider lifted his helmet, revealing a tan face and light, cheery green eyes. "Get on! I'm being followed!" He said in a thick Spanish accent.

"Toni!" Francis said in relief. The Spanish agent grabbed his hand and pulled him up, helping him onto the back of the bike and handing him a machine gun.

"Just take out their tires!" Antonio instructed. "Hurry! They're catching up!"

Francis turned toward their pursuers and raised the gun, taking aim.

Alfred smiled. "What a badass!" He squealed and watched the two ride off into the night.

Madeline watched the Frenchman and saw him shoot at the guys and gasped a little "That's a little violent, don't you think?"

Alfred shushed her even though nobody was speaking.

Francis shot out the tires of all of their pursuers and turned around to face the front of the bike. "Done." He panted, wiping sweaty locks of hair out of his face.

"Good. Now call Arthur and tell him what's going on." Antonio handed him a phone but just before Francis could take it Antonio was blasted sideways and the bike swerved, falling over with its lack of a driver. Francis pushed the toppled bike off of him and crawled towards Antonio's body where a large crimson blotch bloomed on his stomach. Antonio's eyes were hazy and he smiled weakly. "Call Arthur... Get help... Lo siento, mi amigo." His eyes slid shut and Francis gasped.

"Toni?" He shook him lightly. "Toni, no! Stay with me! Antonio!"

Alfred's blue eyes became glassy and tears started streaming down his cheeks.

Madeline pouted as the Spanish man died in the blond's arms. Her eyes also began to water.

Even as Francis cried silently, he grit his teeth and picked up his friend, carrying him to the motorcycle and picking that up as well. He kicked down the kickstand and left Antonio propped up on the bike as he went back for the phone. He dialed the first speed dial and put the phone to his ear. The English accent answered with a swift "Antonio? What is it?"

Francis took a deep breath to calm himself and steadied his voice. "It's Francis. Toni's been shot, he needs help ASAP... Where are you?"

There was a short silence on the other end before Arthur replied. "We're at the Roadside Inn. I'll let Sam know, just get here as soon as possible."

"Right." Francis hung up and pocketed the phone. "Hang on, Toni. You'll be okay." But even with his confident words, the Frenchman's eyes held only despair as he started the engine and drove off. With Antonio's mystery shooter nowhere to be seen, Francis was forced to put his revenge on hold.

Alfred bit his lip hoping Antonio would live, even though a part of him knew he was gone.

Madeline watched as the Frenchman drove holding his friend, rage and sadness in his eyes. It was almost captivating.

Francis skidded into the dirt parking lot of an old rundown inn with a grimy neon sign that said 'Roadside Inn'. Francis picked up Antonio bridal style and carried him carefully inside.

A lean young man leaned against the wall with one foot against it and his head tilted down, messy blond hair casting most of his face into shadow. His mouth was set in a heavy frown and his brooding misery was easily broadcast through it. As soon as the heavy wooden door shut behind Francis, he started and looked up, pushing off the wall. He hurried towards them, bright emerald eyes alight with frantic worry.

"Francis! Sam is in the back room, hurry! He doesn't look so good." Arthur instructed quickly. Francis rushed off and Arthur watched them, the frown still marring his otherwise handsome face.

Alfred watched eagerly; even though he was sad about Antonio, he was giddy to see his favorite celebrity and he smiled at the sight of Arthur.

Madeline saw Arthur and that's the only one she recognized, because of Alfred's magazine clippings and posters.

Francis returned from the back room after being shooed out by a disgruntled old man in a doctor's coat. Francis sat down at the bar next to Arthur, who patted his back reassuringly.

The door opened again and two men strode in, the taller with snow white hair and crimson eyes and the shorter with silvery blond hair and dull blue eyes.

"Gil!" Arthur stood up and met his friend at the door. "Where's Lovino? I thought you were with him."

"He ran." Gilbert said bitterly. "They're starting to figure it out, Arthur. We were being targeted and he and Feliciano ran for it."

The shorter man nodded in agreement. "The same thing happened to Feliciano and I. We thought it was odd because we're not usually sought out like that, but Gilbert explained everything to me when we crossed paths on the way here."

"You're kidding, right? They really know? Dammit!" Arthur spat. "Our entire organization and it's us that they go after... Of course. Just our luck. Antonio's been shot, he's in rough shape. The doc is in the back room if either of you need medical attention. You alright, Lukas? You look exhausted."

"I had to walk most of the way until I found Gilbert. My bike was totaled by our attackers." Lukas explained dully. Arthur nodded in understanding.

"Go find a room and rest for a bit." He ordered. Lukas trudged off.

Gilbert's gaze slid past Arthur and landed on Francis, slumped miserably over the bar and had helped himself to a glass of wine. Arthur watched sadly as Gilbert sat next to his friend and the two engaged in quiet conversation. 'It must be hard for them. The three of them have been inseparable for as long as they've been on my team. To suddenly lose Antonio like this... It'd be unbearable.' Arthur's thoughts narrated.

Alfred pouted at the sad atmosphere surrounding the Frenchman and Gil. Alfred moved the popcorn which had been long forgotten already and hugged his favorite Superman pillow and watched intently.

Madeline smiled when she saw the albino again and then he walked off to Francis, something seemed very familiar about that picture. Long blonde hair sitting at the bar, sadness in the blue eyes, red wine… it was like dejavu hit her.

"What if he doesn't make it? This is all my fault." Francis said softly.

"It's not your fault, Francis." Gilbert reassured him. "You had no way of knowing this would happen, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it."

"I could have seen the shooter. At the very least, I could have gotten revenge!" As Francis spoke, emotional music played quietly in the background. "I could have killed the men rather than shoot out their tires, I could have taken the bullet for him, I could have-"

"Stop right there. What was that last one? You could have taken the bullet for him?" Gilbert said disdainfully. "You really think Toni would like that better? You know just as well as I do that he would rather it be him in there than any one of his friends. We all know the risk of being in the agency, yet we all stay with it. Why? To protect the people we love. That's what Antonio was doing. That's why he has that wound. And you know what? I bet he's pretty damn proud too. He saved your life. It could have been you being operated on. But it's not. It's not you, and he must be happy to know that. Who are you to take that happiness away from him?"

All throughout Gilbert's speech, Francis stared at him wordlessly. When he finished, Francis looked down at his wine. Tears pooled in his eyes.

"You're right, Gil. I'm sorry. I just... I just never wanted this to happen again. I never wanted to lose another friend like this."

Madeline's eyes also teared up and she looked at Alfred. "Who was the other fri-" She was cut off by the boy's favorite pillow being pushed in her face to quiet her.

Alfred on the other hand, was practically sobbing at their conversation, Gil was right, Antonio would be happy that he saved his friend.

The doctor stepped out of the back room, pulling bloodied gloves off of his hands. The two men at the bar jumped up and looked at him apprehensively. "Well you're in luck today, kid." The doctor said gruffly. "You're not losing anyone. He's going to be fine, it wasn't nearly as bad as you all thought. The bullet missed his stomach entirely and hit his liver, which was easily taken care of. The bullet punctured, but did not go through so it was a simple matter of stitches after the bullet was removed*. Good lord, you men know how to overreact."

Francis and Gilbert exchanged looks that said they could barely believe it. "He's going to be okay!" Gilbert said excitedly and he smacked Francis's shoulder lightly, tossing aside everything that he had just said.

Francis stood still, eyes wide and a small smile on his face. "He's... Okay."

"Yeah, so let's go!" Gilbert bounced around excitedly next to him. "Let's go see him!" He grabbed Francis's hand and dragged him towards the room where Antonio was resting.

"Hold it there, sonny. He's still out cold, so keep it down. He'll be in a lot of pain when he wakes up. Go easy on him."

"Thanks Sam!" Francis and Gilbert both nodded quickly before darting around the doctor and into the room.

Alfred squealed at the news and took his pillow back, drawn into the sight before him.

Maddy smiled and watched the one known as Gil and how his face lit up with joy.

Arthur sank down onto a bar stool and sighed in relief. Sam, who was also the inn owner, shuffled behind the bar and handed Arthur a Captain Morgan spiced rum. Arthur gave a dry smile. "Thanks."

"You look like you need it. No charge." Sam said kindly.

Arthur shook his head and passed five £100 notes** over the bar. "Keep the change. For Antonio, and the drinks I'm sure we'll be having tonight. Thanks for everything, Sam."

"Sure thing, Arthur. You're a good kid." Sam busied himself with tidying up the bar.

Arthur sipped his rum and sighed again. Sam shot him a concerned glance but said nothing. "Sam, when am I going to get my shit together? You said that I'm a good kid, but if that were truly the case then I would be able to protect my men."

"Arthur..." Sam started.

"No, really. I wish I could say this was the first time something like this has happened, but you know as well as I do that that's a blatant lie. You were here for Emil, after all. You were with us when he died."

"Now Arthur, that was more my fault than yours!"

"Don't. Please." Arthur drained his rum and stood up, taking a few steps away. "After this mission, I'm quitting the agency. I think it's better for all of us if I'm not around anymore to endanger my comrades." Arthur said with an air of finality. "I was already planning on quitting before this, but Antonio... He could have died. I can't take much more of this shit. I'm done." With that, the blond strode off. Sam watched him go, stunned.

The show cut to commercials after a shot of Arthur's face, once again miserable and brooding.

Alfred's happy demeanor quickly fell and his eyes started streaming again, the screen blurred because the tears covered his vision. He squeezed his pillow tightly, trying to hold in his sadness at the news.

Madeline was indifferent and actually in a decent mood, but she heard quiet sniffling and looked over to see her brother crying silently.

She moved over and sat right next to him and hugged him from the side to comfort him.

During commercials about Target, Direct TV, and Absolut Vodka, Alfred was being cuddled by Maddy so he would cheer up. He laid in her lap, a sniffling, upset lump. The TV returned to the show and Alfred looked up with his glassy sapphire eyes and watched.

It seemed to be later that night, for the sky outside the window was pitch black and speckled with stars. The agents were all gathered in the sitting area in the bar room, Arthur and Lukas snoozing peacefully but Francis and Gilbert stayed awake.

"Our squad seems so small all of a sudden... there used to be eight of us, not too long ago." Francis whispered.

"There would still be eight, if not for Matthias." Gilbert snarled. "He killed Emil, drove Lovino and Feliciano to flee, and he almost cost us Toni. I swear, I'm going to tear that bastard apart!"

"Where do you think they are? Feli and Lovi, I mean." Francis asked quietly.

"By now, they're probably back in Italy." Gilbert turned on his side and closed his eyes. "Dammit... It's gonna be hard without them."

"And we might be losing Arthur as well."

"What?" Gilbert sat straight up. "What do you mean?"

"I overheard him talking to Sam. As soon as we take down Matthias he's going to quit the agency." Francis explained.

"That's ridiculous! Is this because of Antonio? But he's going to be okay! He's resting now, he should be good to go soon!"

"It's more than that. And really, I know how he feels but we can't let him do this. He trusts you more than anyone, Gil. You need to talk to him." Francis said seriously. Both of them looked over at Arthur, sprawled on a couch with one arm over his chest and the other dangling over the edge. He looked so peaceful, so unlike how stressed he'd been lately.

"Alright. Yeah, I'll talk to him. But that bastard better not go through with this." Gilbert lay back down and sighed. "We should probably get some sleep as well. If all goes to plan, hell is going to break loose tomorrow. We'll need all the sleep we can get."

"Yeah. G'night, Gil." Francis yawned.

"Night." Contrary to his words, Gilbert did not go to sleep. He had an inkling of what Arthur was planning, and he refused to let it happen.

Across the room, on the couch, Arthur's eyes opened. He'd heard the whole thing.

Alfred sat up and now held his sister tightly like a security blanket. He was so drawn in that even if a robber ran in their house with a gun, Alfred wouldn't care as long as he could watch Agent X.

Maddy tried to break free from her brother but found it useless so she sighed and got comfortable and continued watching.

The screen faded to black and lit up into a daylight scene. The agents were all standing outside the Roadside Inn, even Antonio, who looked pale and a little worse for wear but otherwise okay. The only person missing from the scene was Arthur.

Gilbert was kicking himself. "I can't believe he slipped away like that! I can't believe I actually fell asleep! That arschloch! Dummkopf!"

"He went to take on Matthias by himself." Lukas muttered, rolling his eyes. "Fool."

Alfred pouted. "He might die." He whispered and his eyes widened and he squeezed the Canadian girl tightly in fear for his favorite character.

Maddy gasped and tried to watch the show while her lower half was losing blood circulation. She pinched Alfred so he released and she took a breath and looked back at the screen, watching Gil yell angrily.

The group of four looked at the two remaining bikes and sighed. "Lukas, you can ride alone." Gilbert, their squad's second in command, said. "Franny, you'll ride with me. Toni, you're still hurt so you'll stay here with Sam." The Spaniard nodded in agreement.

"Don't call me that." Francis grumbled.

"Right." Gil grinned, hopping on his bike. "Get on, Franny." Francis grumbled a little more as he sat on the motorcycle behind the German.

Lukas sat on his bike and they waited as the motorcycle engines purred, Gilbert checking his wristwatch- or rather, a device disguised as a wristwatch. He clicked the wind button twice and the watch grew into a small computer screen, from which he opened a GPS. Four blips indicated where they were and another blip indicated where Arthur was, approximately 20 miles ahead.

"Alright, if we hurry we can get there just after him. But we gotta go, now!" With that they sped off.

"Come back safely." Antonio said softly, looking uncharacteristically anxious.

Sam watched them from the window, an uneasy look on his wrinkled face. "Now why do I feel like this'll be the last time I see them?" He laughed it off. "Listen to me, an old man going senile. Of course they'll be fine. I bet they'll be back for breakfast." He wandered off back behind the bar and sat, waiting.

Alfred whimpered as he watched them ride off. "Dammit, Sam is foreshadowing." He said and as the three drove off he pouted. "I hope they will be okay."

Maddy pet his hair. "They are the stars of the show, of course they will be okay".

Alfred scoffed. "Apparently you haven't seen Game of Thrones." He commented then his focus went back on the television screen.

As the team drove, ACDC's Highway To Hell started playing in the background. They went full speed, Gilbert occasionally checking the GPS to see Arthur's position. They were gaining on him, but then he watched the blip that was Arthur swerve off the road and stop. Gilbert's eyes narrowed. He knew exactly what that meant. They were still four miles behind him even as they drove full speed and there was no telling what would be going down when they arrived.

"Get ready! We're almost there!" He shouted. His teammates all nodded and seemed to be bracing themselves for the fight.

Alfred watched and crossed his fingers that they would make it in time to help Arthur.

Maddy sighed and watched the show disinterestedly. She didn't know anything about Matthias besides what Alfred would yell about, how he is a spiky asshole and stuff like that

The two motorcycles pulled into the parking lot of what looked like an abandoned Walmart building. Already they could hear explosions inside. They exchanged looks, nodded, and ran inside.

To their mild surprise, Arthur was holding his own against a group of twenty or so of Matthias's minions. He fired rounds into their mass, taking down a few before ducking behind a checkout station and reloading his bullets.

Gilbert launched a surprise attack, taking down a few men with headshots and wounding another few. Lukas darted to Arthur and tossed him a box of bullets.

"I have a feeling that you need these." The Norwegian gave a rare smile. "Why the hell'd you run off without us, idiot? We can help you, you know. You're not in this alone."

Arthur gazed at him, eyebrows furrowed. After a short silence, he returned the smile. "Thanks."

Alfred smiled. "What a badass." He said again and he didn't take his eyes off his celebrity crush.

Maddy watched Gil shoot into the crowd "It's violent but I guess it's okay." she smiled and continued watching as the henchmen's numbers shrank.

Francis crouched side by side with Gilbert. "Don't get hurt!" He chided as Gilbert narrowly dodged a bullet to the arm and ducked behind a shelf for cover. "We're fighting for Toni too, don't forget!"

"Of course!" Gilbert scoffed. "Who do take me for?"

"Good." Francis grinned, stepping out of cover and firing more rounds into their opponents.

Arthur pulled Lukas down behind the checkout counter as another wave of reinforcements appeared and looked him in the eyes. "I know what you're thinking, Lukas."

"It's no different than what you're thinking!" Lukas spat.

"Listen to me. I had my moment of stupidity but as soon as I got here I knew that I couldn't do it by myself. Trust me, I know exactly how you feel. But you can't take him on alone. They have the advantage of numbers and we're already running out of ammo. We're screwed, plain and simple. We need to escape if we want to live. You can't go after Matthias by yourself."

"He killed my brother, Arthur!" Lukas's eyes flared with rage and his jaw grew tense. "Hell, he was like a brother to me! I need to be the one to kill him! This might even be my fault that he's like this!" Arthur adopted a puzzled look. Lukas sighed. "Look, in case you haven't noticed, this really isn't the best time to be talking about this. I know that I can't do it myself, but... Shit! He killed my little brother in cold blood! I need revenge!"

"You're not alone, Lukas. He killed my parents. He killed Francis's sister, and Antonio's mother. He killed Gilbert's little brother, too. The twins also lost their parents at his hands. We've all lost someone, so this needs to be a group effort. It would only be fair." Arthur cracked a halfhearted smile. "Come on, we gotta get out of here."

"Going somewhere?" They whipped around to see the subject of their conversation and their eyes widened in horror. Grinning, the henchmen slunk off. Their work was done.

Alfred gasped and started squeezing Maddy tightly again because he was so anxious. Maddy sighed and pinched his forearm again and his grip eased up.

Alfred watched as the men walked away. "KICK HIS ASS!" He yelled at the TV and then became silent, wanting to see where it went.

"You know, that was a very touching speech, Arthur. 'We've all lost someone...' Just brings me to tears!" The speaker was a man who couldn't be older than 25, with cobalt eyes and blond hair gelled into spikes. His eyes held a manic glint in their blue depths; he was nothing short of insane.

"Matthias..." Lukas hissed.

Alfred glared daggers at the screen, hating the blond villain. Ever since the series began, he has been nothing but treacherous and diabolical.

Maddy examined the man. "Hm, he looks like that kid from high school rig-" she was silenced by her brother's hand and she rolled her eyes a little and stayed quiet.

Gilbert and Francis raced over, but like Arthur and Lukas their guns were empty. Regardless of his appearance, Matthias was smart. Very smart. He waited until they emptied their ammo supply before he made his debut.

Matthias continued, "Don't make me laugh." He spat. "You ignorant fools. Your precious brothers, your sister, your parents... They all deserved to die for opposing me!"

The screen's corners went fuzzy as several flashbacks played. A teenage Arthur, watching as a handsome black coffin was lowered into the ground, tears spilling from his eyes. Lukas, watching his brother take a bullet to the head with his mouth stretched in a silent scream, arm stretched out to push him out of the way but knowing that he was already far too late. Francis, kneeling at a grave with a bouquet of pale pink roses and white lilies held loosely in his hands as tears rolled down his cheeks. Gilbert and his brother laughing and fooling around, and then Gilbert by himself, looking lost and confused, eyes blotchy from crying as he clutched a necklace to his chest, one that exactly matched the one he currently wore, an iron cross.

The flashbacks ended and the men featured in them all had identical looks of unadulterated fury on their faces.

Alfred teared up and snarled at the sight of Matthias, he wanted to see them get vengeance for there loved ones that passed.

Maddy also teared up at the flashbacks. The one that really got her was Lukas and Emil and the look on the agent's face as he watched his brother's life end right in front of him.

Gilbert shuddered, eyes screwed shut, and when he opened them it was clear he was fighting back tears. His voice shook with such emotion it was hard to believe that he was only acting. "My brother... Was my life, my whole world... AND YOU TOOK HIM AWAY FROM ME!" Gilbert screamed, an anguished sound. He raised the gun in his hand and charged at Matthias, taking him by surprise and clubbing him across the face with the heavy artillery weapon.

Alfred watched silently, completely thrilled that he was able to get a swing at Matthias.

Maddy cheered shortly that he got him and she ended up holding onto Alfred as well. The siblings were holding each other watching the season finale together, both intensely watching as the albino hit the tall blond man across the face.

"Hey now, I apologized. I play too rough sometimes." Matthias's eyes widened maliciously. "He was fun, though. I especially enjoyed making him scream."

Another flashback played:

Gilbert picked up the small package with an expression of great confusion as he tore it open. A painfully familiar object fell out into his hand. His eyes widened.

An iron cross necklace, splattered with dried flecks of blood. A sense of horror overwhelmed him. "Ludwig..."

And then another:

"What did you do to my brother, Matthias?" Gilbert had him pinned to the wall and was up in his face, snarling in a way reminiscent to a wild animal.

Matthias grinned cheerfully. "He was a very good toy, he lasted longer than I thought he would. But I'm afraid that I broke him. Sorry!" He said just as brightly as his smile.

Gilbert dropped the butcher knife that he had pressed against his throat and backed away. "He... He's dead? Luddy's dead?" His eyes were wide and vacant. Matthias dropped a glossy, framed photograph at his feet and strolled away while Gilbert was still in shock. The camera panned in on the photograph and the mangled subject wasn't even recognizable as the laughing blond from Gilbert's earlier memory.

The flashbacks ended and Gilbert had the same twisted look of fury as before.

Matthias grabbed his wrist as he made to hit him again. He tsked and twisted his hand, making Gilbert drop the weapon. "You're even more foolish than your precious little brother. He thought he could protect you, you know. He thought that he could kill me and save you. How badly mistaken he was." Matthias purred, pulling him close and stroking Gilbert's cheek. "His skin was so silky, so easy to tear up. I wonder if yours would be as nice."

Alfred gasped and watched closely. He wished Arthur would be the badass he was and help Gil. His eyes were slightly bloodshot from staring at the screen and from crying.

Madeline held onto her brother and a tear rolled down her cheek as the flashbacks played through. She was a nurse and she had seen a lot of people in terrible condition, but the human remains in the photo were horrific and morbid. Only a monster could do that to someone, a heartless, unstable, brutal monster.

Arthur followed Gilbert's example and threw his gun at Matthias, hitting him square in the face. Matthias yelped and fell to the floor, clutching his now broken nose. Arthur pulled Gilbert back and sheltered him behind him. "Get out." He muttered to the others. "Get out of here, I'll be right behind you."

Very reluctantly, Francis and Lukas nodded and sprinted outside.

"Go!" Arthur ordered Gilbert.

"No. I know exactly what you're going to do and I'm not letting you do it alone." Gilbert picked up his gun off the floor and smacked Matthias with it again as he started to get up. Arthur's hand went to his hip and an extremely anxious look came over his face. "No..."

Alfred's eyes widened and he grabbed Maddy's hand and squeezed it nervously.

Maddy let him and she also watched closely.

"I can't do it! Not with you here!" Arthur cried.

"Then you're not going to do it at all!" Gilbert shook his head. "Arthur, please! It has to be done, you know that!"

Tears beaded in Arthur's eyes because he knew that what Gilbert was saying was true. Matthias kicked Gilbert where it hurt and pushed him off of him, wiping his bloodied face on his sleeve. Arthur gave him one look and finally pulled the grenade from his pocket, pulling the pin and throwing it at his feet. Without wasting a second, Arthur grabbed Gilbert and hightailed it at the same time as Matthias, who swore and turned in the opposite direction.

One...

Two...

KABOOM!

The bomb blew with an explosion that shook the whole building.

Alfred whimpered at the sight of the grenade and he clung to his smaller sister like a security blanket.

Madeline watched, showing some sadness but not as much as before. She had a feeling that they were okay, or at least that's what she kept thinking. They were so sucked in that when the screen went to commercials they shouted in annoyance.

Alfred groaned in annoyance. "God damn commercials are going to ruin the mood!"

Maddy giggled. "I was actually getting sucked in."

Alfred's eyes twinkled. "So you'll watch reruns with me?"

Maddy smiled and pinched his cheek. "No."

The commercials were shorter this time. One was an anti-smoking commercial, then back-to-back Pepsi advertisements, a Planet Fitness commercial, and then finally the show came back on the screen and the blonde siblings looked back at the TV.

The screen went black with only a piercing ringing sound to indicate that it was still on. A few seconds later a dot of light appeared in the center that grew into a scene outside the Walmart. Lukas and Francis stood frozen, staring in shock at the building from which they had just fled. They stood for a moment and then broke into a run back inside.

"Arthur! Gilbert!" Francis shouted. The two agents were on the ground, bloody and lifeless. Shards of plastic, glass, and metal were everywhere. Several yards away, Matthias was in a similar state to Arthur and Gilbert, but they paid him no heed. Francis and Lukas both sank to their knees next to their friends.

Glassy eyes stared vacantly at nothing. Blood-stained clothing was torn from shrapnel.

"They're... dead." Lukas said faintly.

And the credits rolled.

"NO!" Alfred screamed which made Madeline recoil and cover her ears.

"NO NO NO NO NO NO! I REFUSE! IT CANT END LIKE THAT!" He continued yelling.

Maddy looked at her brother and took her hands off her ears. "Oh. I guess I was wrong. That's sad, well, goodnight." She smiled and went to get up but was yanked back down almost instantly. "Don't leave me in my time of need!" He pouted. "Hopefully there will be an after show interview or something! A message from the actors!" He said as tears yet again flooded his eyes and spilled down his cheeks.

Maddy held in another sigh and cuddled up next to her brother, who was obviously distraught.

Luckily for Alfred, he was correct. As soon as the credits finished, a voice announced "And now a live message from the cast of Agent X."

The screen turned to a camera feed, which someone was fiddling with if the close up of a rumpled gray t-shirt was anything to go on. "Is this on? This is on, right?"

"Yes, Gil, it's on. Sit down, you idiot." Arthur sighed. Gilbert moved away and the camera's view was opened to six smiling faces.

"Hey guys! I know you're all so psyched to find out what happened to me, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the final season premiere in September!" This was Matthias, looking as stupidly cheerful as he did in the show, but not in a sadistic way.

"Shut up asshole, no one cares about you." Gilbert said with a playful glare.

Arthur looked at them both disapprovingly and rolled his eyes. "Anyways, we're on a plane to Albany, New York right this instant, so if you live in or near Albany be sure to greet us tomorrow morning at 7am!"

Gilbert and Matthias started to scuffle on the floor next to Arthur and the blond sighed, standing up to break it up. "Honestly, we're live! Try and behave yourselves for once!"

Francis chuckled, sipping a glass of red wine to further darken the flush in his cheeks. "Oh Arthur, you're such a stiff." Francis smacked Arthur's ass, making the Brit jump and, of course, punch Francis in the face.

"You bloody pervert!" He shouted. Lukas and Antonio watched, the latter in great amusement. Lukas heaved a sigh and reached over. "I'll just turn this off then. I swear, they're children..." And the camera clicked off.

Arthur groaned. They had royally screwed up the live broadcast and they still had a good eleven hours left in their flight. He leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. Hopefully he could sleep for that long, because he forgot his Harry Potter books back in England and his phone was dead.

Alfred eyes lit up with joy and he looked at Maddy with big puppy dog eyes. "Can we go tomorrow?"

Madeline groaned. "Alfred, tomorrow is my only day off next week and I don't feel like driving for two hours just for you to see them walk past you."

Alfred's pout grew. "I'd go myself but I want you to be there with me, so please? Brother-sister bonding time?"

Madeline stared at him, wanting so badly to say no, but she couldn't find the strength. She smiled softly. "Fine." She spoke quietly and stood. "Then I should go to bed now. Set up the coffee so it will be quick to turn it on tomorrow morning." She said and stretched. "Good night Alfred."

The blond boy smiled and jumped up happily and hugged her and kissed her cheek repeatedly. "Thanks Mads!" He smiled and snuggled her close.

Madeline let him and then he let go. "Night Maddy," he smiled as she walked towards the staircase.

"Good night Alfie." She smiled at the dork and went to bed.

*I have no idea how liver wounds work, so please forgive me if I'm wrong.

**roughly $776

The next chapter should be out soon, it's already written so I just have to put it into chapter format and edit it for spelling and grammar mistakes. See you next time~