Hello Everyone. Here we are again with the forth chapter. While the previous chapters were violent in their own right, I urge a special warning for this chapter and the next few to follow. This chapter involves a major character getting severely injured. If you cannot handle something like this, then I strongly urge you not to read this chapter.
~Westen
Soon the bombing ceased and some of the Russians were pulling back. Someone came over to him and spoke to him. He had silver hair and blue eyes and an innocent like face.
Feliciano tried backing away. He couldn't hear what the other was saying due to his eardrums being burst. "I can't hear you!" He screamed, but he couldn't even hear himself. He kept backing away feeling to melting snow soaking through the mittens.
Blinking he nodded and grasped the other's hand, telling him that he is his ally and not one of the Russians. He looked at him in the eyes, saying, 'It is okay, I won't hurt you, come with me'
Feliciano didn't try resisting. He grabbed his hand and followed him. He could see the bombs exploding around him, but for once he couldn't hear them. He winced when he saw a gun explode and a man fall into the snow on fire. He suddenly realized the pain in his ears from them bursting. He cried out holding his ear with his free hand.
The silver haired male picked him up and ran across the field and towards the medical tent. He made it there and met up with Germany. He said, "Sir Ludwig, he has burst ear drums." He looked down at the young Italian whom was holding his ears in pain.
Ludwig showed the sliver haired man inside the tent and indicated him to lay Feliciano on a cot near the back of the tent. Feliciano was so disoriented he couldn't tell what was happening. He held his ears trying to ignore the pain. Ludwig left to get a medic.
He set down the young Italian on the cot and put a finger on his nose. A mark on his wrist glowed green and the other's pain started to decrease. He looked into his eyes and communicated with, 'Feel better?' From the way he looked, he came from the same era as Lightning did.
Feliciano nodded at the other and removed his hands from his ears. He saw the blood on his hands, but it didn't register with him what it was. He was slightly dazed and tried to understand what was happening. Ludwig came back over with the medic who began to examine. Ludwig looked at the silver head man standing across from him on the other side on the cot. "Thank you, but I must ask, where did you come from?" He would've demanded more information if he wasn't standing in the medical tent. "Judging from your clothes, you are from the same place as that Lightning person."
He blinked and said, "Ah, forgive me. My name is Hope Estheim." He kept a straight face and then heard what the other said and his face lit with surprise, "Wait, did you say that Lightning is here also?" he tried not to sound too shocked. He honestly didn't know how he got here; he just woke up in a tree near a battle field. It all baffled him. This era… could it be that they traveled back to WWII? He waited for the German's answer as he edged away from Feliciano.
"Ja. Feliciano here found him in the middle of no man's land." He looked at him suspiciously. "Lightning said he was shot down by the Soviets, and landed his plane in the middle of the field." He went on to explain the events that happened in the past twenty four hours. He paused and stared at Feliciano who was now falling asleep. "This is second time a stranger has saved one of us."
Hope looked at Ludwig and said, "I woke up in a tree." he said and then paused. Thinking a bit and then stating, "What year is it...?" He looked around and summarized the things that were around him, trying to figure it out.
Ludwig looked at him suspiciously. "It's 1942. December. You woke up in a tree?" He motioned for Hope to follow him. "We should let the medics work on him. We can talk more in my tent." He led him out of the tent and toward the German lines barking orders every so often at his troops.
He blinked and nodded. He remembered learning about this year in school. He followed the other out of the tent and watched how he ordered his troops. He knew enough German to understand what he was saying. He asked, "Do you always assemble troops like this?"
Ludwig turned toward him and nodded. "This is how my boss wants me to assemble. I can't disobey his orders. Despite how much of an arschloch that man is." He showed Hope into his tent indicating him to sit down on one side of a desk as he sat on the other. "This is war, Herr Estheim. Despite you saving Feliciano, I still need to know more about you. "
Hope sat at the other end of the desk with his legs crossed like a man. He looked at him with his blue eyes and said, "Well, Sir Ludwig. My name is Hope as you know and I am 17 years of age. I am a retired ravager but however I am now one once again. I saw my mother die when I was 13 and I also saw my best friend die the same year. I only completed school up to 12 years of age and I have been on my own since 14 years of age. "He informed him.
Ludwig looked at him completely expressionless. He stood up and walked to the front of the tent and stared out at the battle in front of him. "We've been at war for three years now. And nearly 30 years ago, we had another war. Ever since I can remember, I've been at war with someone." He turned to face Hope. "I've seen a lot in my lifetime. Everyone suffers. It's as simple that."
He nodded and said, "Exactly. I do have military smarts, perhaps I may help assemble your armies for attacks?" he blinked and looked at him intentionally as he stood up. He then wondered if he wanted to ask him more questions.
He went back to his desk and looked down at the papers in front of him. "You are free to go." He sat down and starting working on the paper work in front of him. "I have one thing to ask. Can you go and check in on Feliciano? He is going to freak out when he wakes up." With that he continued working.
Hope stood up and walked over to the entrance and looked and him and nodded, "Certainly. Is there anything else you would like me to do Sir Ludwig?" He asked before taking his leave from the tent.
He shook his head no. He was completely focused on the work on in front of him. "If you find Lightning tell him to check in."
He nodded and walked over to the Medical tent and opened the flap. He proceeded in and over towards the Italian's cot. He then pondered at a few things. If Lightning was alive, then she didn't die on Cocoon like he thought. He smiled and then looked down at the Italian, wondering if he was awake yet.
Feliciano turned facing the silver haired man. He smiled tiredly at him. "Grazie. They told me you saved me." He looked around. "Where's Germany? I though he was with you?" He sat up. His head was wrapped in bandages.
He said, "he is doing paper work... Do your ears still hurt?" he sat at the floor of the cot and looked at him. He had porcelain skin. He looked at him with a straight face; he was Italy's age so it really wasn't all that weird to talk.
Feliciano looked down at his lap. "He's always doing paper work. My ears don't hurt as bad anymore." He looked up and smiled. "My name is Feliciano Vargas, Italy Veneziano, but you can call me Feli. Are you also from Coccoon? Your clothes look like they came from the same place as Lightning's. How did you get here from…"
Hope blinked and said, "I see" He smiled back and said, "Nice to meet you Sir Vargas" he then said, "Yes I am from Coccoon. My name is Hope Estheim. And how do you know about Coccoon? It's 2100 years from now..." He blinked and then said, "I don't know how I got here exactly, I woke up in a tree" He stated dumbfounded.
Feliciano stared at Hope. "Lightning told me about Coccoon and your war." He looked down and his hands. The medic had helped him wash the blood of them earlier, but he still could see some dried bits of blood on them. "I told you to call me Feli. Only Germany calls me Feliciano. No one calls me Sir. Vargas. It's way too formal for me."
Hope blinked and said, "Sorry uhm... Feli... Why do you look so sad?" He asked and put a hand on the others. He tried to get the other to look at him again so they could converse.
Feliciano blinked and looked at the other's hand on his. He didn't look up at him. "This whole war. I wish it was over all ready." He looked up at Hope with amber eyes glistening with tears. "I want to see fratello again, but he's leading La Resistenza against Germany. We haven't seen each other in in 3 years."
He pulled the other into a hug and said, "Don't cry..." Lightning was the same way to him when he was upset in the labs in Coccoon. He said, "You will see each other again someday, have faith..." He patted the others back softly.
Feliciano cried softly into the other's shoulder. "I haven't heard anything from him in forever. I know he's fighting against Germany, but I still miss him. I don't even know he is still alive." He held tightly onto him and cried quietly. He looked up seeing Gilbert standing at the foot of his bed. "How are you feeling, Feli?"
Hope held the other securely and said, "it's okay... He probably is still alive... Don't lose hope..." He then heard Gilbert and wanted to slap him. How did he think he was feeling?! Geez, a lot of people in this era were idiots...
He looked down. "I'm feeling better, Gil." He didn't want Prussia to see him crying again. Feliciano hated it when people worried about him, but he didn't show it. Gilbert frowned and looked at the silver haired man holding Feli in his arms. "You better not let mein bruder see you like that."
He looked at the Prussian and said, "He knows..." He looked backed to Feli and then told Gilbert, "You should go and see how the Italian soldiers are doing since their leader is down at the moment..."
Gilbert smirked. "The Awesome Me will make the Italian army Awesome with his Awesome Leadership ability." He turned and left the tent. Feliciano watched him leave. "I hope he knows that they don't speak German." He let go of Hope and starting getting out of the bed. Feliciano looked around for his coat, but couldn't find it anywhere.
Hope stood up and said, "Take it easy..." He realized he was sitting on it and picked it up and handed it to him, "No use catching a cold" He smiled at him and looked at him with his blue eyes.
Feliciano took the coat from Hope and put it on. "I can't lie here all day. My men need me." He leaned down and put his boots on. "They won't respond well to the German way of doing things." He picked up his hat and put it on gently.
He nodded and said, "I can see where you are right. Jeez, that other one is so hyper while Sir Ludwig is calm." He held out his hand and said, "Let me help you" He smiled at him gently and kindly.
Feliciano blinked and took his hand. He was still slightly dizzy, but he ignored it. "Grazie, Hope." He walked outside and a cold wind blew strongly nearly knocking him over.
Hope walked along with him and caught him when he nearly toppled over. He said, "Remember, if you feel anything that bothers you in your mind and body, tell me. I used to be a medic as well" He smiled and pushed him back up and let Feli lead him, being there in case he needed help.
"Grazie." He turned the collar of his coat up against the wind and made his way through the lines. He turned and looked back at Hope. "Are you cold? We could stop by the supply tent and get something warmer to wear?"
He shook his head with a smile, "Nah I'm fine." he followed the other through. Japan ran right pass them and to his own troops, making sure they were fine while he was gone.
Feliciano saluted quickly at Japan and continued walking. The wind certainly made it hard to walk quickly. He walked further back from the front on the lines to avoid the gun fire and bombs.
Hope looked at Feli and asked, "Do you know where Lightning is?" He kept next to him so he didn't fall over.
He shook his head. "I left him a few hours ago in the morning. Japan was going to go look for him because I had to go check in with Germany. He took me to a grassy field not far from here." He winced slightly when a bomb landed near the front of the line. He didn't turn to see the damage. "I wonder if Japan found him…"
He nodded and said; "I see" He looked around and saw a fluttering of pink hair in the trees. He blinked and said, "Lightning is over there!" he pointed to where he saw the pink hair.
"Lightning!" Feliciano screamed and ran over to him. "You made it back!" He smiled trying to ignore all the explosions around him. "Um...I'm glad you're alright."
Someone blinked and looked down at him. It was a female with the same color hair as lightning but with green eyes. She said, "Uhm... I am too?" She giggled and looked at him. She wore a strapless top with a string that attached to the front and went around her neck with s shirt that stopped at her mid thighs. She also wore ankle boots and had a whip like object on the back of her waist along with some bracelets.
"Ve~! Oh um…" He smiled at her. "Si! Um… aren't you cold wearing that? Are you from Coccoon too? It must me really warm where you guys are from because none of you are dressed for winter. Why do you guys keep coming to 1942? Is there something wrong? How did you get here?"
She blinked and held her head from all the questions came at once. She said, "Woah woah woah! Calm down!" She squeaked and then looked at him, "Ask one at a time~!" She smiled at him.
He blushed slightly, "Oh. Sorry." He rubbed his hands together. "Oh um…..What's your name? My name is Feliciano Vargas, Italy Veneziano, but call me Feli please. I don't like being called Sir Vargas. It's to formal for me."
The pinked haired girl looked at him and smiled, "My name is Vanille Obera~" She giggled and said, "And Hello to you Feli~" She looked at him sweetly. She didn't seem cold at all.
He looked at her with a confused expression on his face. "Are you not cold at all? You can have my coat if you want it."
Vanille smiled and shook her head, "Nope~! I feel as warm as a cuddly bear~" She giggled and put her hands behind her back, "I grew up in the cold parts of Coccoon~"
"Oh. It must have been colder than this is you think this is fine." He turned around quickly when he heard a bomb fall behind the front line. 'The Russian's are getting closer.' He turned back toward her. "Did Lightning tell you what's happening here?"
Vanille gasped and clapped her hands together rapidly, "Lightning is here~!" She smiled and asked, "Well uhm no I haven't seen him. Shall I go and fight?" She brought out two whips, one in each hand. Both of them pulsed with electricity as well as an ability to make things to explode. She smiled sweetly still.
Feliciano ducked again as another bomb exploded. "If you want to help us, then any help will be welcomed." He looked down. "We haven't being doing well. Russia turned out to be stronger than we thought he would be."
Vanille nodded and smiled, "You go do your thing~" Hope sounded a bit away from the two, "Vanille!" She turned and smiled and said, "Hope!" She ran to him and literally almost glomped him, however she was shorter. She smiled and said, "I missed you~" Hope chuckled and said, "I missed you too!"
Feliciano watched the two of them and smiled sadly. More than anything he wanted to run up to his fratello and hug him like that. He sighed and drew his pistol running back toward the front lines taking over for Gilbert. He shouted orders at his men then looked back at Hope and Vanille.
Vanille let him go and then ran to the battle field, pulling out her whips. A pink glow came from under her skirt on her left leg and a giant yellow chicken appeared. She stood on its back and lashed the whips at the heavy guns on the Russian sides, making them explode.
Gilbert stared in utter shock and excitement. "It's Gilbird's mommy!" Feliciano shouted orders telling his men to give Vanille some cover. He shot his own pistol at the approaching Russian Army say a silent prayer each time he shot a man. He reloaded his gun and stared straight at the approaching army.
Vanille grinned as she saw the Russians start to fall back and made more of the heavy machinery explode. She crossed her whips and the chicken turned into a huge walker with 4 cannons on the diagonal angles. She grinned as they started to fire at the incoming tanks and missiles. Hope summoned his mechanical tiger and watched it go and take down incoming soldiers one by one. Every time it bit, it injected poison into the helpless body. Russia stood on top of a hill with his twisted grin and watched as the battle became bloody as well as gory. It made him excited.
Feliciano stared in disbelief. 'What is that thing she's riding? Wasn't it a giant Gilbird just before?' He ordered his men to advance on the retreating Russian Army. 'Maybe for once we'll beat him' He thought excitedly. Feliciano looked up seeing Russia on top of the hill. He aimed his gun and fired, closing his eyes.
Russia closed his eyes as he heard a bullet whistle right past his head just a millimeter from his ear. Opening his eyes, he pulled out an AK47 from his coat and aimed it towards the Italian army and aimed it right at Feliciano. He pulled the trigger and 21 bullets fired before he released it. He smirked and grinned even more crookedly.
Feliciano gasped as he felt the bullets rip through him. He dropped his pistol into the snow. His amber eyes met Russia's violet eyes from across the field. He fell into the snow quickly dying it red with his blood. He screamed in agony and writhed in pain. "Lightning!"
