Chapter 7: The 10th Level of Hell
Word Count: 3,082
Wow, this chapter is pretty short actually. But dramatic thing happens! So yeah...Don't kill me o.o
"What about Russia? What happened? What did you do?" Soviet looked away, not answering. Alfred, thinking much less than normal, walked up to Soviet and grabbed his jacket, forcing him to look at Alfred, "What happened." Alfred hissed through gritted teeth, "If you did anything-" Annoyance flashed through Soviet's eyes, he grabbed Alfred's wrists, ripping them away from his jacket. Alfred thought that he was going to be hurt, but instead Soviet kept his grip as he turned and started walking, effectively dragging Alfred along.
Ivan rubbed his eyes as he got out of bed, looking outside, it was day. He had spent the night in this world...there was now only a few of days before the meeting. Ivan doubted that people would miss the disappearance of two powerful nations. Though for the first day or two that was possible. The panic it would cause alone after the first week of being unable to connect either of them would probably be terrible. Ivan hoped that Canada could come up with something it they did not make it back in time, which was very likely at this point. Ivan looked out a window absent-mindedly. Well, might as well take a shower before having to deal with his other self.
Alfred was eating some food, sitting at the square dining room table with Jones sitting across from him. They had played like 100 questions, mostly to learn more about each other. Alfred was put out by the fact of how much the idea of freedom seemed to be gone from Jones. But when Alfred saw almost a spark of something like want in the other's eyes at the word, Alfred than knew that Jones hadn't completely lost it. It was just kind of suppressed...very much so. Still, Alfred was determined to get it back. But they had also just talked, which was nice too and cheered Alfred up. Even if Jones seemed to be completely different, they had some of the same interests. Alfred wished he could introduce Jones to a fast food hamburger.
It was about that time when Ivan stepped in...no wait, that was Soviet. Alfred promptly glared, "I see you two are still up, da?" He said, cheerfully, Jones looked over his shoulder to see him and nodded quietly, "It is good to see you two getting along."
'Let the earth open below him and swallow him and kill him, kill him, kill him.' Alfred thought, it turning more into a chant/curse which was not fulfilled. so instead Alfred continued eating, opting to ignore him until aggravated, which probably would not be long.
"Yeah...we have a lot in common." Jones said quietly, Alfred glared at Soviet, trying to get the message through that this was all his fault. Soviet ignored him as he went over to Jones, hugging him from behind and nuzzling his head into Jones' neck. Alfred felt his mouth drop as he stared wide eyed at the affectionate gesture. Especially when Jones smiled softly and leaned into the touch. Alfred promptly fell out of his chair, "A-Alfred? Are you okay?"
"No." Alfred muttered, feeling his face burning up. Alfred shook his head, trying to get that strange memory out of his head, "What the hell was that?" Alfred asked, standing back up. Thankfully Soviet had pulled back a little to see what the noise was. They were still too close for Alfred's comfort. Jones looked shocked, but then understanding covered his features.
"Wait...you and...Russia aren't-"
"Like hell we are! What's the matter with you too!" Alfred asked, waving his arms dramatically, trying and failing to stop the blush that he knew was there. Soviet hummed, letting go of Jones and going to the refrigerator for some food.
"I feel sorry for Russia, you really are stupid." Soviet said, taking out what Jones had cooked earlier and serving himself.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Alfred bristled, glaring at the others back.
"...nothing, it is not my place to tell you, da?" Soviet smiled at him, which only pissed Alfred off more.
"Whatever." Alfred hissed, storming out of the kitchen. He did not feel like being in the same room as Soviet. Alfred went into the room he choose, sitting on the bed. Alfred took the pillow and hugged it, burying his face in it and screaming in frustration, anger and confusion. It did a good job muffling the sound. Alfred laid down, staring at the ceiling. The scene came floating back involuntary, but specifically the small, sincere smile that Jones had had. 'He likes Soviet? But...how is that even possible after everything Soviet has done? I don't understand.' Alfred thought, letting his eyebrows furrow in thought. It wasn't possible, it just wasn't...but...Jones looked almost happy, no, it must be his mind playing tricks on him! Alfred turned on his side, hoping that a nap would help him think a little clearer. Alfred cleared his mind and started drifting off to sleep.
When Ivan stepped out of the small, private bathroom there was a pile of folded clothes on the empty dresser. Ivan blinked, wondering how they got there for a moment, but he could only assume that Soviet had left it there. Ivan shrugged, might as well wear a clean pair of clothes, he hadn't changed in a couple of days now and it was bugging him. Ivan pulled on the offered clothes and put on his own coat and scarf. He did not want to wear the black coat offered honestly. Ivan stepped out into the hallway, it was empty, Ivan decided to see if anybody was up as he ventured towards the living room. When Ivan reached the empty living room he heard voices coming from the kitchen. He followed them until he reached it. Ivan saw Jones and Soviet there, whatever they were talking about was cut off as Soviet saw him as he walked in.
"I see you are up, we are leaving soon, so I would suggest you eating something." Soviet suggested, going back to eating his own soup. Ivan had to wonder at the look Soviet gave him when he first came in, but the expression was gone too soon for Ivan to catch. Ivan went to the refrigerator and took out some already made food, after a little bit of searching he found a bowl to put it in.
After they had finished eating, Soviet had stood up and said that they had best be going, Ivan stood as well, following the other out of the door. Soviet got into the driver's seat instead of a miscellaneous human. Ivan decided to sit in the passenger seat, "Are we going to go see your boss?"
"Da, that is correct." Soviet said, starting to drive as soon as Ivan was inside, "I told you he was interested in seeing you."
"I remember." Ivan said, nodding and staring out of the window at the different world. The drive did not last very long, but if Ivan had been paying attention to his other self he would have noticed that when he pulled the car into a parking spot, that something was off. Soviet's knuckles where white from clenching the steering wheel tightly and the shielded look in his eyes.
"Alright, let us see how this turns out, da?" Soviet asked, stepping out of the car. Ivan nodded, following suit. They walked up the stairs of a heavily guarded building. Ivan looked around the building quietly as they made their way through it. Ivan was thinking of something to tell this boss, he did not want them getting any ideas of controlling another world, that would be very bad. Still, whoever it was knew that they were from a parallel universe. Ivan really wanted to ovoid a war between two different worlds. The best case scenario was that Soviet's boss was genuinely curious and would send them back, enlightened by the experience. That was very doubtful though. Soviet went through a pair of double doors, there was a secretary there, who nodded at them, though Soviet didn't even spare them a glace. Instead he opened the doors, gesturing for Ivan to enter, which Ivan followed. Soviet stepped in after him and closed the door behind him.
The office was well lit and quite a decent size. There were shelves lined with many different things that seemed to be from several different time periods. There were two large chairs with a marble coffee table before it. After that was a large desk that was bare, an empty chair placed at it. There was a large window overlooking the city itself. Ivan opened his mouth, about to ask how long they would have to wait when a door near the back of the room opened. The first thing that Ivan noticed was blood red eyes flecked with brown specks. But that was not what caught his attention. Standing there was none other than Josef Stalin. Everything stopped for a moment in Ivan's world, he felt numb and didn't realize that he had thrown his metal pipe straight at the ghost's head until it was embedded in the other's skull with a sickening crunch. Ivan still felt very out of it, like he was no longer in his body and just watching. When there was another sickening crunch and he fell on his knees to the ground, it took a moment to register pain. Ivan looked up to see the utterly shocked look Soviet had, who was holding his own pipe that had fresh blood on it, "What happened Russia?" He asked, but Ivan looked back at the man he killed. He wasn't suppose to do that, he knew it...but it did not really register. His vision was getting hazy around the edges. But he saw his old boss pull the pipe out of his head and his body starting to regenerate before Ivan's eyelids fluttered shut and he fell to the floor.
There was a knock on the door, Alfred spat out the water he was using to rinse his mouth out, "Coming." Alfred said, going to the door and opening it to see Soviet, "Fuck you." Alfred said instantly, about to slam the door, but Soviet put a hand out to stop it from closing, "What do you want?"
"Well...it's about Russia." Soviet said, looking a bit hesitant. Alfred narrowed his eyes, something was very wrong.
"What about Russia? What happened? What did you do?" Soviet looked away, not answering. Alfred, thinking much less than normal, walked up to Soviet and grabbed his jacket, forcing him to look at Alfred, "What happened." Alfred hissed through gritted teeth, "If you did anything-" Annoyance flashed through Soviet's eyes, he grabbed Alfred's wrists, ripping them away from his jacket. Alfred thought that he was going to be hurt, but instead Soviet kept his grip as he turned and started walking, effectively dragging Alfred along.
Alfred tried to get his wrists free, but Soviet didn't budge as he led Alfred into a kitchen. Soviet opened what Alfred had assumed to be a pantry, that instead led to some sort of basement. Alfred stopped struggling as they descended so he wouldn't trip and fall and hurt himself more. Soviet stopped in front of a door, seeming to wait a couple of minutes, Alfred was about to ask what he was doing when Soviet opened the door and pushed Alfred in, closing the door before Alfred even had a chance to regain his balance.
Alfred looked up into the darkness, but a hand clenched down on his windpipes, 'Oh no, I am not being knocked unconscious again you bastard!' Alfred thought, throwing a punch to where he hoped the face would be. It hit and he was released. Alfred let air back into his lungs.
"Alfred?" Ivan's voice said.
"Russia? That you? Dude, why the fuck did you attack me?" Alfred asked, figuring that since that danger was gone he would concentrate on finding the light. Alfred searched the wall.
"I...did not know it was you." Ivan said, there was something in his voice that made Alfred stop what he was doing for a second. Alfred had never heard anything like it, not even during the cold war. Alfred let his hands roam but he couldn't find the light switch.
"No light switch, just perfect." Alfred muttered, trying to open the door next, "Locked, the bastard." Alfred tried kicking it, it didn't budge, "Let us out!" Alfred yelled loudly. After a couple of minutes of this, Alfred gave up, "Hey where are you anyway?" Alfred asked, there was silence, "Russia? Are you alright?" There was a laugh that made Alfred freeze, it was sad with a hint of insanity. It made Alfred want to get out more.
"Nyet, I do not think I am." Ivan said shakily, a small sob coming out, he tried to keep that down as tears ran down his face. At least Alfred could not see him. Ivan pulled at his hair, trying to get a hold of himself, though that seemed impossible. Now Alfred was very worried. Alfred went towards where he had heard the voice.
"Ivan?" Alfred asked, "What happened?"
"I-I do not know!" Ivan said, pulling his hair until there was a constant pain, why? Why was he ruling this world? It was impossible! It was impossible! Maybe it had just been a dream and he had not been there at all. And the pain in the back of his head was just from dream pains...yeah that was it. It must be, it had to be! Alfred's arm reached Ivan's chest, he felt the other flinch away. Alfred grabbed the other's arm so Ivan wouldn't run.
"Damn it Ivan! Tell me! What the fuck happened?" Alfred yelled. Ivan shook his head.
"Nothing, just a dream...he died a long time ago. He can't...it's not possible." Alfred was about to yell some more but then he froze, dropping his hand. The only person that could get a reaction like this from Ivan...
"No..." Alfred said, "Ivan, it's not Stalin is it? God, please, talk to me, tell me something!" Ivan flinched at the name.
"D-da." Alfred stepped back, shocked.
"Da." Alfred repeated in shock, how was that possible? Ivan swallowed thickly, sitting down and leaning into the corner he was in, hands still on his head. Alfred stared at the nothingness for several long seconds, fists clenched tightly, "So there's more than one world that's cursed with that bastard's presence." Alfred muttered darkly.
"It is worst." Ivan said quietly, trying to get a hold of himself. He had stopped crying, but he still felt like he had to.
"How could this possibly get worst? What, Hitler is alive and they're running the world together?" Alfred asked.
"Nyet...I killed him and-"
"How is that a bad thing? That's awesome, you should be happy!" Alfred said, sighing out in relief.
"And he got back up." Ivan muttered.
"Fuck, figures he would wear a bullet proof jacket."
"My pipe went through his head...completely. And he just...took it out. Is that not funny? So weird." Ivan said, letting out a short laugh.
"Ivan, don't you dare go hysteric on me!" Alfred said, trying to find the other, Alfred felt the other's hair. Another flinch away. Alfred sighed, kneeling down and taking hold of Russia's face, making him look up at him even if he couldn't see him, "Ivan, do not do this! Not because of him! Not again! You've been through this! You came out insane then too."
"He shouldn't be here...he should have stayed on the ground..." Ivan muttered, not paying attention. Alfred felt annoyance rise up and he slapped Ivan with all his might with one of his hands. It was loud and hurt Alfred's hand. but it made Ivan quiet.
"Now you are going to listen to me." Alfred growled, "You have been through this before. And to hell if you are going to give him the satisfaction of seeing you tear yourself apart. Not after all you went through, it's not going to happen again, do you understand me?"
"How can you say that? How will it not happen again?"
"Because this time, instead of being a stubborn fucking commie and acting like nothing was wrong, you know that you can't handle it again. Besides, I'm involved, right? And one little human against two powerful nations? He can't control you here Ivan, remember that." Ivan stared into the darkness, only barely seeing Alfred's outline.
"But-"
"No, no buts! I don't care what kind of lame excuse you have to tell me he can't be killed and it's impossible. I don't care if he fucking became immortal, we are going to kill him!" Ivan's eyes widened.
" боже мой!" ((Oh my god)) Ivan breathed out.
"What?" Alfred asked, not sure he could take any more bad news.
"He is immortal." Ivan said, "So this explains everything..."
"What are you talking about?" Alfred asked, "How can a human become immortal? It just can't be done!"
"It can...and I caused it." Ivan said.
"God, stop blaming yourself! You've never been to this world!"
"While you two were asleep we were talking about similarities. And one of those was the fact that we both made a similar agreement with death."
"...What happened?" Alfred asked, Ivan fell silent, "Ivan, I'm going to help you, but you gotta trust me a bit and tell me these things." Ivan was silent and Alfred gave up on knowing what he was getting himself into. He would just have to charge in blind. But considering everything he was alright with that.
Alfred: Where's Neko?
Ivan: *puts tombstone on freshly dug ground* I have no idea.
Alfred: o.o ...you didn't *reads gravestone* Here lies NekoKayia, 1994-2011, killed in tragic but deserving accident. The cookie got her.
Ivan: She requested the cookie part.
Alfred: Tragic but deserving accident? Who's going to believe that?
Ivan: It made me feel better
Alfred: Now what? The story isn't finished!
Ivan: ...oh well, I guess that means by default we are no longer in the story. Too bad
Alfred: *face palm* I can't really blame you, but you didn't have to kill her!
Ivan: Da, I did
Alfred: ...right. And I once again fall asleep, imagine that! She promised I wouldn't be useless anymore! And what's with the sappy things I said, totally stupid! I can't complain to her, cause you killed her!
Ivan: Well, maybe her spirit can still hear you?
Alfred: That doesn't make me feel better.
