Poppet Puppet

Chapter Three

Antonio shivered after falling in the snow three times. It was freezing, of course this was part of the reason he wanted to check on Lovino and Feliciano, thankfully Gilbert and Francis didn't mind. Acceding to Gilbert it was best he got out of Roerich's before Elizabeta woke up and Francis had nothing else to do so he joined them.

"You going to live Antonio?" Francis asked helping Antonio to his feet.

S"-si just a little cold." Antonio answered with a small shiver." Thanks." He smiled after he was back on his feet.

"Your welcome!" Francis smiled at Antonio.

Antonio looked over at Gilbert who had been waiting in front of them the whole time. His frown started to turn into his usual grin, soon the trio started to laugh for no reason in peculiar. The laughter died down in to lively chatter as the three continued to walk over to Ludwig's house.

The sun lifted high in the sky behind the dark clouds that threatened to drop another two or three inches of snow.

The three fell silent when they stopped at Ludwig's fence. The house seemed darker than any of them could remember. Francis, Gilbert and Antonio exchanged nervous glances.

"Right, mi amigos we have nothing to be scared off, it is just Ludwig's house. The scariest thing we may see in there is a mess no?" Antonio joked easing everyone nerves.

"Ja ja, that will be the day!" Gilbert said Francis agreeing with a laugh and a nod.

"Oui, well here we go." Francis said opening the door.

They stepped back as the door slowly creaked open by itself. A sudden cold harsh wind forced them into the building, clumsily they stumbled to the floor. With a gentle breeze the door closed behind them.

"..Ohh, it's colder in here then it is out there!" Antonio shivered as he stood up.

"Seesh! You think they would have the heat on in this place!" Gilbert hissed hugging himself trying to stay warm.

Francis walked over to the thermometer, the thermometer said 20 degrees, but the heater's switch was off, He shook his head in disbelief, Feli could handle the cold a lot better then Lovino. Because of this Lovino always kept his house or someone else's hot during the winter time. Quickly he flipped the switch, within seconds the heater came to life. So did the dogs, they barked from a room at the end of the hallway past the kitchen.

Francis looked at the others, they also seemed confused. Well almost, it seemed like Antonio was the only one that knew that the two bothers also had to watch Ludwig's dogs. He didn't understand why sense the two normally got up around noon if no one was around to get them up.

"Shhhhh." Antonio looked at Gilbert thinking for a second that he did that. Gilbert looked at Antonio not sure who that was, nor was he sure what to really think. If he didn't do it, and Francis didn't nor did Gilbert that meant someone was up.

Quietly the trio crept around the corner surprised to see Feli standing in front of the dogs door. The dogs barked and snarled at the nation who just giggled at their actions. Especially when he tapped the door, one of the dogs known as Aster lost it. It also seemed like he was about to take the door down if he could.

"Uhhh, Feliciano, maybe you should get away from them for now." Antonio suggested in a shaky voice.

The three dogs always loved being around Feli, what made today so different. The all knew it was because they were hungry when they were hungry they would bark and whine before going to sleep.

Feli looked back at them tilting his head slightly. He wondered when those three had gotten here. Not that he cared, it was jut more people to play with. Feli wanted to play a few games with Lovino but he was still down for the count.

"…When did you three get here?" Feli asked them quietly.

They exchanged glances again, was Feli feeling alright. What was up with everyone today, first Ludwig's dogs and now Feli?

Gilbert realized the door knob was moving he opened his mouth to warn Feli but the door slammed open before he had the chance. The dogs where out and crazier then before. Every time Antonio, Gilbert or Francis tried to get near them the dogs turned on them.

One of them, Antonio amused it was Blackie who reached up at bite Feli's arm. Well Francis as Gilbert tired to figure things out Antonio watched Feli with ease threw Blackie back before falling to his feet. A whimper filled the air sending the room into silence.

"Blackie?!" Gilbert ran over to him then looked over at Feli. Feli, he was losing a lot of a blood from were Blackie bite him.

"Gilbert and Francis deal with Blackie, Antonio you help Feli then go look for Lovino." Kiku sent them that thought with a snap of his fingers. The darker Kiku scowled, that wasn't what he wanted to happen.

Still the damage had been all he could do was watch the three closely.

Carefully Francis and Gilbert picked up Blackie, Gilbert actual looked like he was about to cry. Although he held it in, and helped Francis see what happened. From what they could tell the only thing that was actual harmed on Blackie was his back leg.

Meanwhile Antonio helped Feli into the kitchen and gently grabbed his arm with a shiver as he put his arm under running water. Feli was freezing, then again the house was too. Antonio looked away for a few seconds wondering how things were going with Blackie, only to regret his sudden curiosity.

"What the hell was that about.. Feli freaking threw my brothers dog back into a wall! You expect me not to be pissed off?!" Antonio heard Gilbert snap Francis. The Spaniard green gaze fell to the floor his usual cheerful smile was gone.

" I know, I know but Blackie also attacked him. Listen we will fix Blackie's leg first then ask Feliciano what happened. And I know that you also have grown attached to him just like Ludwig don't deny that." Francis said in an unusual serious tone.

Antonio let out a sigh resting on the counter his mind racing with questions.

"Antonio, can I take my arm away now?" Feli asked him quietly, smiling when Antonio suddenly jumped.

"Ah..S- holy Feli get your arm out from under there! "Antonio exclaimed quickly turning off the scolding water off. Antonio bite his lip when he aw steam rising from Feli's arm, why didn't he say anything? No doubt that hurt but Feli chose to stay quiet, did something happen last night?

Francis looked over at the kitchen door after helping Gilbert brace Blackie's leg. Gilbert glanced at Francis before walking into the kitchen.

"What's going on in here?" Gilbert asked Francis following behind him.

"Nothing, just..uh little …..burn?" Antonio said still slightly unsure sense a towel was covering Feli's arm.

Antonio glanced over at them giving them a small smile before taking the towel away from Feli's arm. It was defiantly burned after that, half of that bite was closed the other half just stopped bleeding. The Spanish nation let out a stressful sigh.

"Okay Feliciano I need you to be honest, are you sure your arm doesn't hurt?" Antonio asked Feli looking into his eyes.

"…No…Is that thing going to die?" Feli asked calmly.

Antonio took a step away from Feli and looked over at Francis when he had to help Gilbert back. Feli cocked his head to the side watching Gilbert with a faint smile. Gilbert in the mean time cussed at Francis in German trying to get him to let him pass.

"Uhh, n-no Blackie isn't going to die. " Antonio replied slowly looking away from Francis and Gilbert.

"..I see…" Feli replied sounding almost ..disappointed, then took the towel off of his arm. Antonio watched Feli closely as he studied his arm. Then he suddenly looked up at Gilbert holding an eerily steady glare.

"…Bastard." Feli hissed suddenly lunging for him.

Quickly Antonio grabbed Feli and pulled him back ignoring every time Feli slammed his feet into his legs. Finally bam, Feli head smacked right into Antonito's nose and mouth. He stumbled back in surprise blood spilling from his now busted up nose and spilt lip.

Feli took two steps before falling to the floor.

"…A-Antonio…F-Francis…Gi-Gilbert.. help me." The actual Feli whispered tears stinging his eyes before Feli fell unconscious.

The three of them stood in silence staring at Feli. Finally Antonio lifted Feli up, Feli slumped forward almost falling forward. Carefully Antonio took him to the living room

"Okay let's rule it down to a break down." Gilbert said watching Antonio from the kitchen lay Feli on the couch.

Antonio looked over at him shaking his head.

"Non, that can't be right." Francis spoke up practically reading Antonio's mind.

"How can it not be, why else would he purposely hurt Blackie and nearly knocking out Antonio. "Gilbert retorted.

"..Hmm what do you think?" Gilbert and Francis asked Antonio in unison. He looked over at them as he stood up.

"I think…" Antonio paused looking over at Feli then over at Ludwig's resting dogs. "…I don't know what to think." He finally replied walking past them.

"Whoa, where are you going?" Gilbert asked sharply facing his friend.

"Isn't it a bit strange we've only seen Feli here so far, where do think I'm going? To looked for Lovino." Antonio told Gilbert.

"And what if mister let's beat the crap out of everything wakes up?" Gilbert asked in a harsher tone.

Antonio looked over at Feli.

"Give him pasta, maybe he'll calm down." He replied before running up the stairs.

"'Give him pasta'" Gilbert mocked looking at the floor when he saw Francis frowning. "Just saying, that kids gone bonkers."

Antonio reached the hallway, it was colder then it was down stairs. Way colder, and no door was open. It felt like Antonio had taken a step into a stranger's house as he walked down the hallway. He started opening doors looking for Feli's older brother, and so far was having no luck. The nation opened the door at the end, the room was dead. Or that's how it felt, he could tell it was Feli's room but even his room seemed different.

The Spaniard crept on when he spotted the shattered mirror lying on the ground. Carefully he picked it up and leaned it against the wall then froze.

"I swear to god you turn around and I will blow our fucking head off." It was Mathew's opposite. He sounded hurt and stressed out.

"M-Mat it's me Antonio." He stammered raising his hands in the air showing he meant no harm and had nothing to attack him with.

Mat slid his gun in his pocket watching Antonio turn around. Mat held his left hand to his shoulder blood oozing between his fingers.

"Ha, the kid got you too?" Mat laughed dryly.

"…F-Feli? He did this to you?" Antonio asked.

"Nah Casper did, yes he did this then trapped me in here….But thanks to you I van get back home." Mat explained vaguely before turning away to leave.

"Wait why are you here?" Antonio asked him yet another question.

"My world's Feliciano and Lovino met with your Lovino last night, so they called in a favor. Last time I help out those sorry suckers again." Mat said coughing a bit.

"..Damn, bye." Mat said before walking out of the room.

Antonio stood there in a still silence before leaving the room as quickly as he could. As he continued to open door after door he wondered what Mat had meant, did Feli start acting weird last night? Was Lovino even alive, quickly Antonio shook his head. He couldn't afford to think like that, someone had to keep a reasonable mind right now.

The last door, this had to be Lovino room. Antonio paused when he spotted spidery cracks going up the wall not far from his bedroom door. The Spaniard shuddered then quietly opened the door that almost fell off it's hinges. Quickly he opened the door until it leaned against the wall.

Within seconds he found Lovino passed out on the floor besides his laptop. Antonio walked over to him smiling slightly, at least he looked normal. The Spanish nation wondered how that happened as he kneeled down beside him not realizing the knife beside him. Gently Antonio shook Lovino by a shoulder trying to wake him up.

"Lovino. You gotta-AHHH!" Antonio fell back when Lovino shot up.

Lovino quickly grabbed the knife beside him pointing past Antonio though to due to Antonio angling it didn't seem that way.

"…R-Roma?" Antonio stammered watching Lovino stand up.

"Get the hell out of this house." Lovino growled at the person standing in the door way.

"…Lovino, will you please put that thing away." Kiku said calmly frowning at him.

Slowly Antonio stood up carefully taking the knife from Lovino half expecting Lovino to attack him. Instead he continued to glare at Kiku with cold unforgiving eyes.

"…Everyone waiting down stairs for you two." Kiku said breaking the silence then walked off.

Antonio jumped back when Lovino ran after kiku and grabbed him by his collar pulling him back.

"Sorry son of, do you really think I'm that stupid!?" Lovino snapped at the nation.

Kiku laughed darkly then disappeared his laughter echoing off the walls.

Lovino looked around flinching every time a door slammed shut. Kiku appeared behind him his eyes going from a pale brown to red.

"Lovino.~3 You really do have so much to learn, don't you?" Kiku taunted laughing when Lovino looked back to a door. Where did he go?

"Of course I can make you relive that horrid nightmare over and over again until you go insane.~3" Kiku said in hi ear then walked in front of him.

Lovino glared at him, Kiku however didn't seem to notice. Quickly Lovino went to punch him, but Kiku grabbed his hand and twisted his wrist until he fell to the ground.

"This is a warning." Kiku started keeling front of him." Do not screw with us? Okay?~3" He asked pushing Lovino onto the floor before walking away.

Quickly the doors slammed open and Antonio stumbled forward. He shook his head trying to understand everything that just happened.

"Lovino are you alright?" Antonio asked walking over to him.

Lovino nodded silently getting to his feet. Lovino held his in other hand. His hand trembled showing Kiku did some pretty bad damage.

"That's good, no?" Antonio asked cheerfully, Lovino looked at him and shrugged.

They both jumped when they heard a blood curdling scream from down stairs. Antonio ran down the stairs first Lovino following behind him vey closely. Antonio looked around, where did everyone go? Slowly he walked out into the living room looking around. Quietly Feli snuck up behind Antonio raising a chair behind Antonio and just as he went to slam the chair into him Lovino warned him.

The chair flew into a wall as soon as Gilbert grabbed Antonio pant leg and yanked him down by his bruised shin. Feli glared at his brother his eyes looked dead and trapped.

"…F-fratello…"He said quietly looking over at Lovino."…..Do you wanna play a game?" the younger Italian asked giving his brother a devious grin.