Author's Note: OMG, I love this chapter sooooo much! Especially my special song near the end that I made up, based on a certain song from The Sound of Music. Also, if curious about the Eagle kingdom thing, there was actually a fifth suit of cards marked by an Eagle, or if you were in Britain, they were marked by crowns and called Royals. I'm not sure if people just stopped using them, or are just very rare, but they're real! Also Akari, if you ever end up reading this, DON'T YOU DARE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT MY OC KAYLA! NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW! XD Anyway, as per usual, please enjoy and point out any writing errors I make so I can correct them! SAPPHIRE OUT!

Triad Skyline: Action FTW! Well... one of those people joins in. c: Aw, thanks for the compliment! You're so welcome!

Awesome11: Yeah, Jokers are mah faves as well! Oh, if you felt bad for Matthew last chapter, you'll REALLY feel bad for him this time. XD Awwww, thankies!

esdertytg: XD Well... Thanks? And you'll get to see if he wins or not this chapter~ :3

Warning: Mild language, OCs, or possible genderbends will be used! Don't like, please move along and don't read~

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia! If I did, I probably wouldn't be writing this. xD

Chapter Four: Violet-Blue Eyes

"But if I may say something before that..." Matthew unsheathed his rapier with a grand flourish, "You're an idiot if you think I'll go without a fight!"

"Oh no, we expected it," The man smirked and unsheathed his heavy, bulky broadsword. His two companions did likewise, one having a large battle ax, and the other with a simple longsword. Matthew stood his ground and stayed put, determined not to make the first move. He had learned from years of sword training that making the first swing often put you at a disadvantage, unless you did it in the perfect way. The three circled him and threw insults at an attempt to anger him, but Matthew remained calm. The black trump with the ax swung first, which ignited the battle.

Matthew ducked to avoid the ax, then rolled onto his shoulder to dodge a slash from the longsword. He jumped up and side slashed the apparent leader of the group, but the man easily blocked it. He had a surprising skill that could possibly rival even the Ace of his kingdom. Metal clinked loudly as he switched opponents every other millisecond. Adrenaline and years of experience coursed through his veins, but he was only one man against several. He had to find a way to finish the fight quickly, or...

"All right!" America finally laughed and stepped forward, "While your sword dance is very pretty, I can end this." He withdrew his pistol from his bomber jacket and released the safety. He didn't even look as he pulled the trigger, sending a bullet into the leader's shoulder. The older man yelled in pain and collapsed to the ground with a loud thump!

The remaining black trumps viewed their leader with wide eyes, and realizing that they were outmatched, abandoned the hurt trump and escaped the inn. There were murmurs of witchcraft and magic throughout the inn and even Matthew seemed startled. The tired prince sheathed his rapier and approached the wounded man, who lied in a heap on the floor. Matthew put a foot on his hurt shoulder as to ensure that he wouldn't escape, causing the man to let out a painful grunt.

"That's some aim you got there, America," Matthew complimented absentmindedly, the name oddly rolling off his tongue.

"I could've made a perfect headshot, but I figured it would be better if we didn't kill him."

Matthew nodded in agreement and looked at the people, still in a state of shock, inside Moonwater Inn, "I apologize for ruining your evenings. Please know that everything is being handled and you have nothing further to worry about. Once again, I apologize for the disruption." The inn finally broke into murmurs, either filing out the door or retreating into their rooms. Relieved that that situation was taken care of, Matthew turned his gaze back onto the black trump, which currently laid under his boot.

"I am going to make this very, very clear. I absolutely despise my subjects being hurt, especially the children. To know that a child was hurt because of me makes me extremely upset," Matthew explained and narrowed his normally meek, violet-blue eyes, "So it would be in your best interest to start explaining who you are, who you belong to, and why you wanted me." The blond pushed his foot further into the man's shoulder, purposely to cause pain, "And you might want to start talking quickly."

"Go Mattie!" Alfred cheered, but then whispered to Arthur. "It's not gonna last. I remember seeing him like this before. Just an adrenaline rush. He'll pass out 'll see," Alfred snickered, his sky blue eyes holding a secret that only he had seen before, and that would no doubt cause confusion later.

"F-Fine, I'll tell ye, I'll tell ye!" The black trump painfully interjected, but his dark eyes darted around his surroundings nervously, "But n-not here. It's not safe."

Matthew sighed and threw a vexed look towards Alfred, "America, take him to one of the rooms. I'll go ahead and pay for it. Oh, and remember to tie him up."

"Aye, aye, Prince!"

"Eh?"

"Never mind..."


"My name is Felix Florian and I am under the rule of the Eagle kingdom," Felix, the black trump leader, introduced himself.

"Eagle kingdom?" the Prince of Hearts asked incredulously, "You speak lies. There is no such kingdom."

"Officially, ye're correct. Unofficially, well, ye have a great deal of catchin' up to do," Felix drawled in voice that a parent would use for a very slow child, "Ye know how the four kingdoms were originally formed, do ye not?"

"Of course. The land of Cards had been united under one kingdom, but that can get risky. The people began to disagree and rebel against the monarchy, claiming the Royals' rule to be unfair and unjust. The people split into factions: the Royalty faction and the New Kingdom faction. There was battle after battle, massacre after massacre, and eventually both sides had reached a deadly stalemate. Every side would get hurt, but no one ever seemed to win. That was when the land had had enough. The land created itself in human form and interceded the Battle of Lavender. It broke up the kingdom into four smaller ones, giving boundaries to each of the lands. The land's personification chose four brothers, who were of lower class and had remained neutral throughout the entire war, and made them kings of the four kingdoms. The land also separated the powers by adding the Queen, Ace, and Joker. Ever since then, the land's human form has become known as the Guardian of the Four Kingdoms. It is said the Guardian will smite down anyone who attempts to sit on the throne and is not of the original brothers' blood descent," Matthew recited, knowing the story by memory.

"Ye do know what most of people know, but there's somethin' left out of the legend. Always forgotten," The black trump looked at Matthew, something hidden behind his eyes.

"Which is?"

"The four brothers had a sister, unchosen by the Guardian. She was left alone to take care of her sickly mother. Over time, she grew angry, which she had the right to be, that her brothers had left her and her mother to fend for themselves. She started a secret society of people who opposed the four kingdoms, marked only by an Eagle. When her mother finally died from disease, she moved into a place untouched by life and began to learn sorcery with all of the people that had joined her society, and so began the beginnin' of the Eagle kingdom under the colors of black and green."

Matthew remained silent. It was shocking to find a story behind the written words of the creation of the four kingdoms, hidden from view from many generations. He wondered if, perhaps, his father did know but had kept the information from him. Was this what his father was trying to keep from him? If so...what was so terrifying about it that his father would claim it to be too dangerous for him to be a part of?

"Okay. I understand that, but... Why did you want me?" Matthew asked the probably the most prominent thought among the three blondes.

"To be honest," Felix sighed, "I haven't the slightest clue. Her Majesty didn't specify. She only said that ye were vital for the Eagle kingdom comin' into power."

Matthew mentally groaned. The more and more he heard, the more and more he got confused. None of this made any sense! He absolutely hated things not making any sense. It meant that there was an obvious factor right in front of him, but he was too blind to see it. The feeling nagged and twisted in his chest, shouting at him to notice whatever he wasn't seeing. But before he could voice his frustrations, there was a loud sound of clattering hooves on cobblestone.

"What the bloody hell is that?" Arthur asked, frustration evident in his voice.

"I can guess," Matthew sighed and shifted over to window. Lo and behold, he was right, "Maple... I was right. My father and his men are searching for me. Oh wow... He even got our Ace out. He must be... really worried." Oh, and here comes the guilt. Greaaaat, "Okay, Felix, since you were cooperative, I'll let you go. But if you ever attempt to hurt one of my subjects again, I won't be as merciful. Alfred, untie him, please."

Alfred threw his brother an unsure glance, but did as he was asked (for once). Felix seemed surprised that he was being let go so easily, but didn't voice his thoughts as he left the room. Alfred stared at Matthew, who looked outside with a pensive frown on his face, "Okay, so I'm guessing that made as much sense to you as it did to me, broski?"

Matthew threw a perplexed look at Alfred, "Broski?"

"Broski! You know, the awesome version of bro?" Alfred faltered at Matthew's still perplexed face, "It's... what I called you before you were reborn here."

"I see. Well, yes, I guess I am just as confused as you are. Probably just a little less, since I understand the legends of our people. But... seeing as my father seems very adamant on finding me, I'll have to continue this discussion with you later. I need to see if he knows anything about this Eagle kingdom business."

Arthur nodded, "That should be fine. I'll call for Flying Mint Bunny again to watch over you, just in case. Remember to keep her close, even if she gets annoying and don't worry about other people seeing her. Only people with the Sight can see her, which is why Alfred here thinks we're crazy when I even mention her."

"'Cause you are," Alfred grumbled. Matthew and Arthur chuckled softly at the childish look displayed on the grown man's face.

"Oui, that should work out. I'll contact you through Flying Mint Bunny when I want to meet again," Matthew smiled, the adrenaline from the earlier fight finally seeping away.


"Matthew!" The prince was tackled by his worried father upon entering the inner chambers of the castle. He awkwardly hugged back, not entirely sure of what to say. The king looked up and released his son, moving back a few paces, "Do you have any idea how worried I was? You could've been dead for all I knew."

"Yes, and I apologize for worrying you so much," Matthew mumbled and got onto the point, "But why I was gone is the main reason I came back. I was attacked by three trumps at Moonwater Inn. Black trumps, who claimed to be of the Eagle kingdom."

His father froze and his soft green eyes turned into a poisonous hue, staring into Matthew's violet-blue ones, "Did they get away? Did they see your eyes and retreat?"

"Well, two got away, but-" Matthew's father didn't let him finish and grabbed his wrist. He rushed the boy to the stables and quickly ordered one of the maids to bring Matthew's cloak and pack some clothes, food, and water. Matthew could only watch in confusion as his father rushed his horse, Rain, out of her stall. Rain was an Arabian horse, her body a deep, almost purple, midnight black. Her face was delicately sculpted and her slender legs were obviously built for speed.

The king quickly put the saddle on the horse and strapped the girth tightly. He carefully put the bag that the maid had packed behind the saddle and put the bridle onto Rain's heart-shaped head. He looked back at Matthew, who now wore his cloak, "Get on Rain. Take the old forest path to the kingdom of Spades and travel to the town of Midnight. Ask for someone by the name of Tristan Hughes."

"But why, Father?"

"The Queen of the Eagle kingdom has seen your eyes. She's seen you. Now that she knows that, she can track you down. She'll probably storm the castle tonight, but you have to be gone by then. You'll need to be safely out of here," His father explained in a rush.

"But Father, if that's true, I can help fight-"

"No. Absolutely not. If she got a hold of you..." The king trailed off and helped Matthew onto his horse, "I'll send Kayla Beaumont in three days to give you news of the fight."

Matthew's eyes widened in shock and grabbed hold of the reins, "But Kayla is the Joker! Why would you send her?"

"Now that Queen Gloriana D'eu knows that you have the violet-blue eyes, she'll start a war to get you. It's time for the Joker to be deployed to keep you safe. She'll be able to contact the other Jokers from Midnight to tell the news. I love you, son. Now, go!" He whipped the rear of the horse, causing Rain to burst into a gallop.

Matthew gripped the sides of his horse with his legs so he wouldn't fall. Rain's legs thumped against the dirt road that lead to the forest like a steady drum beat. He couldn't believe that this was happening and his mind was having trouble coping with it. He was running, even though his heart told himself to stay. But from all the books he had read, he knew that even if he wanted to stay, the plot would come to bite his backside if really did. He just had to make it to the forest, camp for the night, and then make it to Midnight.

A thought almost made him stop. What about Alfred and Arthur? Matthew sighed. Once Flying Mint Bunny had caught up with him, he could get her to let them know what was happening, but he couldn't go back to the town. Not after what his father had told him.

He had a feeling that his life would never be the same after this.


"Do~ A Doitsu~ A female Doitsu~

Re~ A golden ray of sun!

Mi~ A name I call myself~

Fa~ Farfalle, a type of pasta!

So~ Soup pasta!

La~ La bella donna!

Ti~ A sucky English drink!

And we're back to d-" A certain Italian stopped his singing abruptly upon the sight of crinkled notebook paper. He swooped down on the page and viewed the written words with his usual, closed eyes (don't ask how he sees like that. NO ONE KNOWS!). He tilted his head sideways and furrowed his eyebrows, "Ve~ this looks like Latin! Britain must've left it at the world meeting! Let's see... 'Transport to the Land of Cards.' What does that mean? VEEEE! ROMANO!"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT, VENEZIANO?" Romano growled, angered that his younger brother had interrupted him while he was eating his tomatoes. He hated being interrupted while eating his tomatoes.

"Ve~ I think I found one of Britain's notes. It's in Latin, but when I translate it, it doesn't make any sense. It says: Transfer ad terram of pecto." The minute northern Italy had uttered the words, a light swirled around the brothers. Romano opened his mouth to yell, but the light seemed to have literally taken his breath away. The Italian brothers both took on a terrified expression as they were pulled into a black. The feeling of the black world was quite numb, but they had little time to think about as they were dumped onto a forest floor...

"WHAT THE CRAPOLA JUST HAPPENED?!"