Moving right along in this story. ^^I can see this one being my first finished one. Thanks to everyone who is reviewing! It really inspires me to write more. Keep it up! :D

To the students' relief, the next morning was a free day; where students were able to actually have fun and do whatever they pleased. Most either spent their time playing video games or sleeping. Only a handful of those actually studied. But for Alfred, he was stuck playing hero for Arthur. The American watched glumly as the others around him had a wonderful time chatting, while he prepared to leave for the Spaniard's house.

"To think I could be sleeping, but no…I have to do rich boy's dirty work….but I guess it's worth it; I mean, when do you get to help out a ghost?"

Arthur had told him that Antonio lived about a mile from the school. Chances are that Antonio hadn't left the ruined mansion or at least, that's what he had hoped...

"Going to help Antonio?" Alfred turned around. It was that one kid from before hovering over him.

"Oh hey…Cong. And yes that's what I'm doing."

The Asian raised an eyebrow.

"And I'm guessing you have a pass to leave school grounds?"

"A pass? Whaddya mean?"

"Just last month a rule was passed that a student who wants to leave school grounds must have a pass from a teacher. The only way to get one is if the teacher believes you to be hard working and have an exceptional grade in all of yo-"

"Yeah, I know I'm screwed." Alfred interrupted. "Is there anyway else I can leave without having one?"

"You can partner up with someone who has one. I would love to, but seeing as the tests are only a couple of months away, I have to prepare." And with that, he walked back into the school. Alfred huffed; was there anyone who was smart, but cool enough to not study in this school? He was about to go back inside, when he spotted Matthew going towards the gate to the guard. In his hand was a little green slip. Bingo.

"Hey Matthew!" he called out while running over to the Canadian.

"Yes, Al? I was just about to go do some outside research on my history project."

"Well, uh…I was too! About that famous guy…er….Snakesphere?"

"Shakespeare." Matthew corrected. "And you were? What library were you planning on going to? I'm pretty sure our library has all the facts you need to know on Shakespeare. Arthur Kirkland was a fan you know. Did you also know that he had several business rivals and…"

"Got rid of every single one of them?" Alfred guessed. Matthew blinked.

"Why, yes. How did you know that?"

"Let's just say I have a pretty good source. Anyway, if you're so fascinated on Arthur Kirkland then why don't we make a quick stop at this one place I found out before heading out to the library?"

"Well, I guess we could." It's not every day that Alfred knew something that he did. The brother's face lit up.

"Awesome! Come on, it's not that far from here."

To the American's surprise, the abandoned mansion was still pretty much together. The two set their bags at the front entrance before advancing further inside. The place was completely bare, not furniture of any sort was still there, probably the work of robbers. Vines and leaves covered the rotting wooden floor. From what the American could see, there was no sign of the Spanish ghost. Matthew cleared his throat.

"A-Al? Are you sure this is the place?" What if this was private property and they were both arrested for trespassing on another's land? It was just like Alfred to risk the police to get what he wanted. Several occurrences in the past had proven that to be true.

"Of course!" Alfred assured. He was pretty certain that this was the place that Arthur was talking about. It looked creepy enough, didn't it? The duo walked deeper into the mansion, dodging overgrown trees that had found their way into the place through the large windows. It was like a jungle of twisted plants. And despite the Canadian's doubts that this was even legal, he followed after his brother up the stairs and into a fairly large room.

"This must've been a private library." Matthew said. "Whoever lived here must have read a lot." Alfred looked around.

"Yeah, do you see anything out of the ordinary by any chance, say, another person in the room?"

"Erm...no...listen Al, if were done here can we please go to the library now?" the boy asked. "this place is starting to give me chills."

The American sighed. "Yeah, sure...just give me another minute." Matthew nodded, heading back downstairs to collect their things. He took a look at the destroyed room.

"If you're in here Antonio, please say something now."

Even after several minutes, nothing happened. Alfred gave a disappointed sigh and began to walk out of the room. What were they going to do now? What was he going to tell Arthur?

"Excuse me?"

The American whipped around. Standing by the dull window was Arthur's old business rival. The ghost blinked before inching closer to Alfred. Raising a hand, he touched the young man's face. He jumped back in shock.

"Oh, no; we're not doing that again!" Were all ghosts this interested in feeling things, more specifically, him? The ghost backed away.

"Y-You can...see me?"

"Yeah, the same thing happened to Arthur when we first met." Alfred replied. So Antonio had been at this place the entire time. Thank God for that.

"Arthur?" the spirit questioned. "As in Arthur Kirkland?"

"Yep."

"Damn."

"Believe me; he's paying for is deeds. He can't leave either." Alfred said. "May I ask what's keeping you here?"

"I was hoping that bastard would come and apologize to me, but it seems he died right after I did"

"Why did you die?" asked the American curiously, his brow furrowed.

"...I just lost the will to live." Antonio said glumly. "Don't you ever get that feeling that when you fail to do something for another…you just go over? I did, and never woke up the next day."

Alfred gave a look of pity upon the Spaniard. Arthur's own selfish deeds had driven him to commit suicide. What a terrible way to go out. He gave a small cough.

"Well, if I play this recorded message from Arthur, will you leave?" Antonio blinked, slightly confused at what the American was planning.

"…Sure. As long it's Arthur's voice."

Alfred nodded. "Good." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the tape recorder. On the tape was a previously recorded message from Arthur apologizing formally. It had taken several tries to get it right. After getting several looks of confusion from the Spaniard, he pressed the 'play' button.

All of a sudden, there was a flash of green light. Antonio stepped back and watched in fascination as the young boy transformed right before him. He became smaller, his muscles were less noticeable. Those once blue eyes had melted into green. The eyebrows became darker and thicker. What used to be Alfred Jones was now Arthur Kirkland.

The newly transformed boy glanced around for a moment before directing his attention to the astonished Spaniard in front of him. He gave a small grin.

"Hello Antonio, it's been a while." The other ghost came out of his shock.

"I-Is that really you? W-What happened to that other fellow?" Arthur straightened out Alfred's jacket.

"He'll be back, which is why we don't have a lot of time; I can only control things for a few minutes." he took in a deep breath before continuing. "Listen, Antonio; I'm truly sorry about all the trouble I've caused you over the years. I'm also sorry for keeping you in this house for my problems. I was young and foolish at 17..."

"Not to mention a greedy bastard."

Arthur felt his hands and teeth clench together. "Yes...that also...I'm asking you for my forgiveness; will you accept it?"

The Spaniard pondered the question for a while. Arthur tensed up. If he didn't accept his apology, then he would never get out of that house again.

"I don't see why not." he finally muttered. "All I wanted was an apology from you; and I finally got it." he gave a small smile.

Arthur returned the smile, relieved. "Yes, well you didn't think I could do it did you?"

Antonio shook his head. "No, I thought I would be here forever. I'd almost given up on you." he looked towards the window; the clouds were breaking up to reveal light. "Well, it's time for me to go...look forward to seeing you on the other side when you get there."

The Englishman nodded and shook his hand. "As to you. Take care my friend."

"Adiós mi amigo." and with that he vanished from site. Almost instantaneously afterwards, the Englishman reverted back into Alfred who was plenty confused by the ordeal.

"W-What the hell just happened?" he looked around to see where the Spanish ghost went. Then he got the message? If so, then why couldn't the American remember giving it to him? Ah well, that was another mystery to be solved for another day. Alfred put the tape recorder back into his jacket and went up to meet Matthew.

"What took you so long? I was about to go back up to see what was holding you."

"Oh, I just had to take care of a few things." Alfred replied, patting his brother on the back. "Ready to go to the library?" Matthew nodded.

"Sure I guess."

"Alright!"

The two walked away from the abandoned mansion, a positive look upon the American's face. He was going to do it; he was going to save Arthur.

And there you have it, chapter 3 ^^ Personally, I don't like this one as much as the previous. One, it's a lot shorter, and two, I think I rushed it a little too much. Ah, well…I pay better attention to this story. By the way, what Antonio said about how died will be important later on...

Any ideas you want to give me? Review! Oh, and check my profile for the next update on any of my stories.