Hello everyone! I'm back from my little vacation. I know you're mad that I haven't updated in a while, and I apologize. I had a lot of personal issues over the summer that's somewhat getting resolved, as well as school, which started in August, and I got a job at Party City! They actually let you dress up in costumes! How cool is that?! Anyways, I'm sorry, and I hope you forgive me. So a few announcements before I start: 1. I am not discontinuing or abandoning this story! some of you guys might have gotten the impression that I had, but I assure you, I'm not. I had to swear that I wouldn't abandon this. 2. Thank you for the guys that sent me messages to check up on me. You guys know who you are. That was so sweet, and I was really touched by the messages, so thank you from the bottom of my heart. and 3. This chapter is not one of my best. I admit it. A lot of you guys might be disappointed with how this went, and you have every right to be. I don't do very well with fight scenes, but I will try to get better. Major thanks to EliteKessu for pretty much betareading this for me! So, here's chapter 10! Read and review, and enjoy!
Subplot Three: Hope's Sunday off: Italy & His Lost Love
Part 3: The Battles of Wit and Strength
Unknown Part of The Forest: Present Day 2012
Japan vs. Wy
The sound of a sword clanking against the wood on a paintbrush can be heard throughout the forest. Wy and Japan are going at each other as much as possible. Wy is fighting as hard as she can with her paintbrush in fear. She knows that if she fails with her task, then dire consequences will head her way. Japan on the other hand has an emotionless expression on his face. He still continues to follows the way of the samurai, even after all these years.
"Who are you? And why are you doing this?"
"I'm the Principality of Wy. Unlike you, I am not an official nation. I am, what you call a micronation. And my intentions for doing this is none of your concern since you won't live long enough to find out why."
"Why are you working for him? Is there anyone else working for the Phantom?"
"You think I'm going to tell you everything I know so easily? The only way I'm telling you anything is if you defeat me." Wy said as they jump away from each other to catch their breath. Japan takes a deep breath, and looks at his opponent.
"Then I shall defeat you to find out the information you are hiding." Japan says sternly to the micronation as he prepared to face her yet again. Wy smirks at her opponent.
"You could use some color in your life. Allow me to help you with that!" Wy swings her paintbrush, causing paint to fly toward Japan. Japan dodges the paint, and jumps away from it. The paint drops on the ground, confusing Japan.
"Paint. Surely that cannot be your big plan."
"Maybe you should watch the paint instead of talking, my fellow nation." Wy says as the paint slowly turns into figures that are reminiscent to the pictonians. Japan's eyes widen at the paint slowly forming into figures.
"Do you like my little paint blots, Japan? You see, not every masterpiece can be as complex and amazing as Heinrich is. Sometimes, art can be simplistic to have that same powerful effect on a person. And Japan, you will be experiencing first hand how art, whether simple or complex, can have a lasting effect on you. Now, my lovely pieces of work, destroy him!" Wy screams as the paint blots obey her command and rush toward Japan. Japan readies his sword and waits for the blots to make their move. The paint blots run toward him. They throw punches and kicks left and right at Japan. Japan dodges them easily, and proceeds to slice through one blot with his sword. The blot's remains are spilled onto the ground. Japan does not show any sign of happiness as the blot is defeated. Suddenly, two smaller versions of the original blot are created from the one that was split. Japan's eyes widen in shock.
"You silly little man. Did you honestly think that my creations can be defeated easily with just a swipe of a sword? Pathetic. And I thought you were the sensible one of the group." Japan's grip on his sword tightens in anger and determination.
"No matter, you and your pathetic resistance will all end up the same way. My master will defeat you all, and then the world will be his."
"No. Regardless of how my situation rooks, I will not rose to you. We will not let your master win. We will defeat you and your master at all costs!"
"Is that the Imperial Japan talking or is that Samurai in you that refuse to give up even though you know you will fail?"
"I assure you that I am the same, whether Imperial and Samurai. My values and beliefs have remain unchanged as time went by. I will not surrender or rose to you."
"You won't have to surrender or lose if you choose wisely."
"What?"
"What I am about to offer you Japan, is a chance at greatness. A chance at supremacy and leadership. All you have to do to attain all this is pledge your eternal allegiance to my master. Once you do that, all of your wildest dreams will come true. Don't make the same mistake the stupid human did. That mistake can cost you your life. So what do you say? Will you take my offer?"
"Absolutely not! I will not join your and your corrupted master! What your master is doing is wrong. He is damaging history and hurting innocent rives just for his own selfishness. That human who you said was stupid for refusing to join you made the right choice. She is trying to save it because she knows it is wrong. History is not something to be tampered with." Wy rolls her eyes at Japan's speech. She sighs heavily as she looks down, then back at Japan while shaking her head.
"Fine. It's your funeral. Attack!" Japan readies his sword as he watches the blots run toward him to attack him once more. As the blots attack him once more, he dodges them with much ease. He stops to catch his breath, but one blot catches him off guard. He manages to hit on his arm before Japan dodges the blot. Paint that emitted from the blot managed to get on his sleeve. Japan thinks nothing of it, until a painful sensation starts on the arm covered with paint. He drops his sword and grasps his arm in pain.
"Oh? Did I forget to mention that the paint is poisonous? It paralyzes any body part it touches, like you arm for example. Looks like you won't be able to hold your sword anymore." Wy says with a smug look on her face. Japan takes deep breaths as he slowly gets up from the ground while still grasping his paralyzed arm.
"Last chance Japan. Surrender now, and join us. I'll spare your life if you do."
"For the last time, I will not join you! Not now! Not ever!"
"I assure you, you will not win. Your arm in which you hold your sword in is paralyzed. There is no chance that you will defeat." Japan does not seem fazed by her words. In fact, he's actually smiling, much to her shock and dismay.
"For a micronation, you are wonderful."
"Thank you. I've worked very hard to become so."
"I admit, you might be be more clever than I."
"If that is true, then why are you smiling?"
"I am not left handed." Japan says with a smirk as he kicks his sword in the air, and catches it in his right hand, slowly turning his smile into a devious grin. Wy's mouth literally drops, and her red eyes widen at the sight of Japan gaining the upper hand. She grits her teeth, and clenches her hand into a fist as her grip on her paintbrush becomes tighter.
"Kill him now!" Wy screams at her minions. The blots all rush toward Japan once again. Japan smirks again as he runs past each blot while beautifully dodging the paints that is thrown at him. Instead of attacking the blots like he did before, he makes Wy his new target. Wy puts her defenses up as she sees him coming her.
"You won't defeat me that easily!"
"That is where you are wrong, little one." Japan says as he throws his sword with pin point accuracy directly at her face. Wy puts her paintbrush up to block the sword, which does the job quite nicely.
"Ha! It seems that you're the one wrong here, old man. I guess time really is your enemy huh, old timer?" Wy says as she smirks and rubs it in his face, but he, and his sword are nowhere to be found. Wy starts to get nervous and scared as the minutes go by without any sign of him.
"You shouldn't let your fear get the best of you." Wy turns around and widens her red eyes as she sees Japan striking her with his sword. The force of his strike literally pushes her onto the ground. She drops the paintbrush, and it rolls toward Japan's feet.
"Destroying this infernal thing should revert your creations into regular paint." Japan says as he kicks the paintbrush in the air, and slices it in half. The blots rush toward him (Makes you wonder what they were doing this whole time) scream in pain and agony, as they slowly melt and revert back into blots of paint. The paint on his sleeve also loses it's power, and Japan realizes that he could use his left arm again. Wy looks up from the ground, with red eyes wide as Japan breaking her brush. She becomes hysteric with fear.
"NO! My brush! My creations! Do you realize what you've done?!" Wy says as she slowly gets up from the ground. She has some cuts and bruises as she runs to her paintbrush. She tries to fix the broken paintbrush, but to no avail.
"No! Please! Please! Stick together! Please!" Wy screams desperately with tears in her eyes that are falling down her cheeks.
"You have failed, Wy." Wy looks up instantly at sound of the voice, and turns to her left to see the one person she dreaded the most.
"M-master." Wy whispers in fear as she sees a man wearing a black cape that covers everything except his face, his dark green pants, his black boots, and a white mask that covers said face.
"Master, I can explain-"
"Silence! You only had one job, and that was to bring me Italy Veneziano. I thought that would be easy to handle because of his ditzy, crybaby personality. But alas, you couldn't even do that right, could you?" The Phantom says as he slowly walks toward her.
"But master! That damn reader got involved, and then got reinforcements to help! We were about to finish her off, and grab the Italian until he came along!" Wy said desperately as she pointed to Japan. The Phantom stops and looks at Japan for a few seconds. Japan gives no emotion on his face as they have an intense stare off for a few moments. The Phantom looks back at Wy to see her smirking.
"You mean the reader who I said was very passionate and caring about her friends got involved? Now that's a shocker indeed. Spare me the excuses Wy."
"But...but."
"You fail me for the last time, Wy. And now, you must be punished." The Phantom says as he snaps his fingers, turning her red eyes back to her original color. Wy starts to tremble in fear and tears starts to fall from her eyes.
"Please don't hurt me! Please!" The Phantom smirks at her begging, and finds it somewhat enjoyable.
"Hurt you? I'm not going to hurt you dear. I'm going to kill you!" He says as he starts to cast a very big and powerful dark energy ball toward her. Japan watches the interaction, wondering what will she'll do to counter this. Wy stays in the same position she's in, waiting for death to come to her. He releases the dark energy ball toward the micro nation. Suddenly at the last minute, the ball hits it's target, but there was no body, or remains in sight.
"You would intervene, wouldn't you Japan?" He turns around to see Japan in a different spot then before with his ex-minion in his arms.
" I couldn't r\let you hurt someone else. Even if it was your minion."
"I see. Well I couldn't care less. She's your problem now. Hope you don't regret saving her." The Phantom says he is once again surrounded by a dark aura, and disappears. Japan sets the girl down carefully.
"Are you alright?" Wy nods at the Japanese man. Japan nods back, and puts his sword back in it's sheath.
"We must go find Mr. Germany, and then go back to the others. Ret's go." Japan says as he turns away and walks back the way he came.
"W-wait." Japan turns around to see Wy standing there in shock, with her broken paintbrush in her hands.
"Why did you save me? Why didn't you let me die?" Japan looks at her with his emotionless face for a few seconds, and turns around.
"You have the answers to our questions." Japan says bluntly as he continues walking. Wy looks around, hoping to see someone or something, but doesn't. She takes a deep breath and follows Japan.
Germany vs. Heinrich
Unlike Japan and Wy, who are mostly using their words as weapons, Germany and Heinrich are full blown using their fists to do the talking for them. Neither men have gone unscathed from this. Both men are sporting bruises and cuts from their others' attacks. Germany mostly has bruises on his arms because he used his arms to block most of Heinrich's punches and kicks. Heinrich also has bruises on his arms, and on his chest.
"It seems that we are evenly matched in strength." Germany says as he's panting with fists still in the air, ready to defend and fight like a true soldier.
"Ja. It seems ve are. That is no surprise mein Sohn (My son)."
"What do you mean by that? And why are you calling me your son?"
"Ve are more alike than you could possibly imagine."
"What do you mean by that?! Stop talking in these riddles, and answer me with a straightforward answer."
"I see now. Big bruder Prussia or those other countries never told you the truth about your past? Vat a shame."
"What in the hell are you talking about?!" Germany says calmly toward him with his stern face. Heinrich smirks at the German, absolutely loving the fact that he doesn't know.
"Are you sure you vant to know? I don't think you can handle vat I have to say."
"As if anything you say could actually have an effect on me."
"You may vant to choose your words visely from now on."
"And why is that you pathetic excuse for a man?"
"Because..." Heinrich's smirk becomes much wider and more sinister than before. Germany's fist clenches tighter and his eyes narrow even harder at Heinrich than before.
"You're going to have to find out before I can tell you."
"Why won't you tell me. Perhaps you were bluffing."
"Nein. I rather you found out for yourself. I am a decent man."
"Decent? No man with the slightest bit of decency in his soul wouldn't do half the things you've done. No man with decency would have threaten a person the way you did." Germany says sternly, slowly losing his temper as he think about Italy and Hope and what they went through.
"I only did vat I had to to achieve my goal. Surely you out of all people should know that."
"I do not hurt or kill people I care about along the way to achieve said goal. I have morality. Integrity."
"And I don't have any of that? Vere do you think you got it from? It did not come out of the blue."
"Regardless, I still have those traits.
"Do you really think you can defeat me?" Heinrich says as he runs toward Germany with full intention of punching him in the face. Germany grabs his arms and twists it.
"My fighting technique has changed over time." Germany says sternly as he elbows him in the face, and punches him in the stomach. He finishes it with a strong kick to his face, knocking some teeth out of his mouth, and blood from his nose and mouth. Heinrich falls onto the ground with a grunt. He spits the teeth and blood from his mouth, and wipes the remaining blood on his face with his hand. Heinrich recovers from the attacks as he gets up from the ground. He spits a small amount of blood from his mouth, and rushes toward Germany again. The German once again dodges and attacks him, but is having a harder time hitting him for some reason. Heinrich smirks and he gets better and faster at dodging the German's punches and kicks. Germany kicks once more, but his leg is caught. Heinrich snickers as he spins him around using his leg, and throws him against a few trees. Germany lands on them really hard, creating some more bruises, and cuts, and even a splinter or two. Heinrich laughs at his failed attempts to get up from the wreckage.
"Pathetic. The great Germany has fallen so very easily." Heinrich says mockingly as he walks toward him. He spots something shiny on the floor, and realizes it's Germany's gun. He picks it up with a smirk on his face, and checks to see if it's loaded. It is and he points it at his face.
"Shame you had to go like this, but ve all can't have great deaths. Farevell Germany. I'll let the Italian know that you died vain." Heinrich says as he is about to pull the trigger.
"That's enough Heinrich." Heinrich turns to the sound of the voice, and sees it's the Phantom. Heinrich turns right back around to the injured German.
"Go avay. I don't take orders from you."
"You do now, so I suggest you follow them or else you'll end up like your creator." Heinrich turns his head towards him instantly at the mention of his creator.
"Vat are you talking about? Vat happened to Lady Vy?"
"She's no longer with us, and you'll join her if you don't put the gun down and come with me. You failed your mission in grabbing the Italian, and killing him won't do us much good, now will it?" Heinrich clenches the gun angrily as he throws it down and walks away.
"This time, I had no choice but to spare your life. Next time, you von't be so lucky, Germany." Heinrich says as he and the Phantom are surrounded by a dark aura, and disappears. Germany slowly gets up from the wreckage, and assess the damage on him. A couple of cuts and bruises, and even a splinter or two, but he'll manage. He picks up his gun, and puts it back in his pocket.
"Mr Germany! You are alright?" Germany turns his head to see Japan walking toward him, calmly as ever.
"Ja. I am fine. But the damn thing got away thanks to the Phantom guy." Germany says as he stops and sees someone else walking with him.
"Japan, who is this?"
"This is the young girl who created the thing you went up against. This is Wy."
"Hello." She says in a small voice, mostly out of fear for the German.
"And she is with us why?"
"The Phantom was about to kill her, until I stepped in. I figure we could get some answers and information from her that wirr herp us on our journey." Germany nods and gives a glare at the young child, who starts to tremble at his intimidation.
"Fine. Let's go." Germany says as he, Japan, and Wy begin to walk back together.
America and Hope
America is never the type to show his worries and fears. He's a hero. And heroes were never supposed to show fear, no matter what was in his way. Even when he was in the Cold War with Russia, he never showed one ounce of fear towards him. But this time is a different story. He is literally scared out of his mind as he continues running like his life depends on it while carrying his beloved citizen, his reminder of everything he stood for, and his newest friend's injured body in his arms. He's afraid that he won't get there in time to save her, but he can't think that now. Heroes always stay positive! Even when the situation looks bleak! He's also afraid that his friend Japan might end up the same way as her. But he knows that's a silly fear! Japan could easily handle himself, as well as Germany. His thoughts are interrupted when he sees her starting to lose consciousness.
"C'mon Hope. You gotta stay awake, okay?" America says to her sincerely, trying to hide the desperation and worry in his voice.
"But...I'm...so...sleepy." Hope says as loud as possible, struggling to keep her eyes open.
"I know you are, but you need to stay awake. Pretty please?" He gets a small, chuckle and smile from her. It may not be a lot to some people, but to America, it is more than enough.
"I'll...try." Hopes yawns once more as she continues her struggle to stay conscious.
"Hey Hope, if you can keep awake till we get back to the house, I promise you get to sleep as much as you want." Hope looks up at him warily.
"Promise?"
"I promise. And heroes never break promises." America says while flashing her his famous smile. Hope smiles back weakly, but shuts her eyes and winces.
"Hope? Are you okay? What hurts?" America says panicky as he stops and looks her over.
"You're kinda holding onto my wrist a bit too hard."
"Oh. I'm really sorry about that." America says as he releases his tight grip on her wrist, and she slowly and carefully pulls her broken wrist toward her chest.
"It's alright." She leans into his chest and slowly closes her eyes. This isn't good. We're only halfway there, and she's already losing consciousness. I need to think of something to keep her awake. I'm the hero! I have to save her!
"Hope, don't fall asleep. If you do, you won't get to sleep when we get back." Hope opens her eyes warily.
"Sorry. It's just really hard to stay awake."
"I know it is, but you gotta stay awake. For me?" Hope looks up at America warily. He may not have shown it, but she knows he is begging her to stay awake. Hope smiles, and nods at him.
"Okay. I'll stay awake for you." America smiles widely at her words. And he slowly starts to get an idea.
"Hey! Why don't you tell me about your college?"
"My college? What do you want to know about it?"
"Everything. Your friends, your sports, your dorm, you classes. That's it! Tell me about the classes you're taking." Hope nods as she begins to talk about the classes she's taking so far in her second semester. America is secretly relived that she's focusing on something else instead of her tiredness. He runs even faster than before just in case she can't keep up talking for long and the urge to sleep comes back to her with a vengeance. After a few minutes of talking about her classes, she stops talking and looks away, worrying America instantly. America looks down to see Hope with a guilty look on her face, really throwing him off.
"Hope? Are you-"
"I'm so sorry America."
"What? Why are you apologizing?"
"This is all my fault. If I hadn't kept my big mouth shut, we wouldn't be in this mess."
"Hope, it wasn't your fault. You are as much as a victim in this as Italy."
"But if I hadn't opened my big mouth and flat out talk about Holy Rome being dead, Italy wouldn't have ran away. If Italy hadn't ran away, he wouldn't ran into that fake. You see my point?"
"But Hope-"
"Don't you get it America? None of this wouldn't have happened if I kept my damn mouth closed. Italy wouldn't have known the heartbreaking truth, he wouldn't have been almost kidnapped by the Phantom, Japan and Germany wouldn't have to be fighting for their lives, and you wouldn't have to be taking care of me, the cause of this damn mess. If anyone should take the blame for this, it should be me. I'm so sorry, and I know sorry doesn't make it any better, or make the whole thing go away as if it never happened. I just wanted you to know how I'm sorry I am. So very sorry for this." Hope says sincerely as tears slowly start to fall from her eyes, unable to look at America directly out of shame.
"Hope, look at me. Please." America says softly and sincerely as possible. Hope slowly looks up at him as her face is stained with tears.
"This is not your fault." Hope opens her mouth to retort, but is cut off by America.
"Don't even try to argue with me. This isn't your fault. This was something that was out of your control. You didn't know this was going to be happen. You didn't tell him on purpose, nor did you created that Hein dude to kidnap Italy or to kill you. I don't blame you for this. Not one bit. Neither does Germany, Japan, or anyone else. And I know Italy definitely doesn't blame you for this. You saved his life by almost giving up yours. The only one to blame for this is the Phantom. Don't ever forget that. Okay?" Hope nods as they finally manage to reach the house.
"Can I go to sleep now?"
"Yes Hope. You can."
"Thanks. You'll be here when I wake right?"
"Of course. I'm not leaving you. Heroes never leave anyone." Hope smiles and slowly closes her eyes.
Italy Veneziano and Italy Romano
"Romano! Veneziano! You two are alright! ¡Gracias a Dios! (Thank god)" Spain screams cheerfully. He doesn't even wait till they reach the door. He runs outside to meet then a few feet from the house. He hugs Romano first as tight as ever. While Romano complains and curses him out as usual, he's secretly happy and grateful to see Spain again. He then hugs Italy, who is very grateful for the hug, but isn't really in the mood for it. Spain lets go to check both of them for injuries.
"Are you two alright? Does anything hurt?"
"Lay off tomato bastard. I'm fine. You make me sound a damn weakling! You okay Veneziano?" Romano says as he turns to his younger brother, who hasn't said a word since he came back. Italy nods as he walks into the house, not making a sound as he enters. Romano and Spain look on in shock, which quickly turns into worry.
"Romano, is he okay?"
"I don't really know, tomato bastard. He hasn't said a word since we left the potato bastard and them behind." Spain looks back at the house, worried about Italy. He then realizes something, and proceeds to look around and behind Romano.
"What the hell are you looking for tomato bastard?" Spain stops looking around, and looks to Romano.
"Lovi, where's Esperanza? Didn't she come back with you?"
"No. She didn't."
"Then where is she?" Romano's face pales as he looks away from him in shame. Spain starts to get impatient and angry at him.
"Lovi, I asked you a question."
"I know you did. I just...don't know the answer."
"What do you mean you don't know? You went back to get help for her! To find her! You brought your brother back safe and sound, but not the girl who saved your brother?"
"Don't you think I fucking know that! I left her like she asked me to dammit! I left her alone with that thing! And when we got there, he said that he silenced her for good, Spain! For good! He was basically telling us that he killed her! He fucking killed her! Dammit! If I had only been there! If I only gotten there sooner with that damn potato bastard! I could have done something to help her! Anything! She could be dead and it would be all my fault! Stupido! Stupido!"
"That's enough Romano!" Spain says very angrily, silencing him. Romano gives a look of shock with widened eyes as he stops talking, and looks at Spain. Spain slowly takes him in his arms and hugs him. Romano puts a little fight against him, but succumbs and cries on his shoulder as Spain rubs his back soothingly.
"Romano. Esperanza will be fine. She's a strong, smart senorita, and pretty too! She'll be okay."
"Spain! Romano dude! I need your help!" America's voice rings through them and possibly the whole forest. Spain and Romano look to see America carrying a badly injured Hope in his arms. Spain and Romano's eyes widen at the sight.
"Esperanza!" Spain screams as he runs toward them.
"Is she..." Romano asks in a small voice, assuming the worse.
"No dude! She's sleeping! I need Britain and China!"
"They're inside! I'll show you! Quickly!" Spain says as he and America rush inside, leaving Romano outside, still in shock. Romano gets out of it, and follows behind them.
So that was chapter 10. And I forgot one more thing! In a few chapters, I was planning on doing a Q&A with the cast of 'The Reader'. If you like the idea of that, then here's what you gotta do. Send me a PM of questions for any of the protagonists that are featured in this story as of now. Here's the rules:
1. Each person gets to ask a maximum of five questions.
2. The highest rating they can be is T. I have kids reading this fanfiction you know?
3. You must send a PM. It's much easier for me then to look at the Reviews to find each question.
4. It has to be related to the story. Not directly related, but somewhat related to it.
And that's it! Now, if you excuse me, I have to get on my train to school. So I'm signing out! Until next time!
~Hopefaith2