Hey guys! I'm so sorry that this took FOREVER to get up -.-' school has been crazy so far, what with exams coming up and all . I'll try super hard to update more often…but I can't promise much. WARNING: this is about to get really emotional and cheesy at the same time…no lie I was tearing up typing this...don't judge. Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying this so, without further ado…

Alfred F. Jones

It's been almost two weeks since Will- I mean, Mattie and I had changed our names. Even though I didn't like "Alfred", I would keep it…if only for Mattie's sake.

Toour unwelcome surprise, China, the Asian who came to see Arthur a while ago, came every other day, and after the first few days, we began to see some…changes. The house began to smell strange, but Arthur was spending less time in the basement. He began to care about how he looked, to an extent, and he even notice Mattie and I a few times. But it wasn't always like this. He also began talking to himself…a lot, and he now spent most of his time in his office with China. This left the house in an eerie silence, since neither Matthew nor I wanted to stay in the house when it smelled so wrong.

"Maybe they're burning incense. You know, to keep Arthur calm?" Matthew suggested one afternoon while we were walking through town.

"Well they're burning something, that's for sure," I rolled my eyes and stretched my arms above me, "So, Mattie. When did you want to go?"

He suddenly stopped walking, so I turned back to look at him, "W-what do you mean, Alfred?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Dude, you forget already? We're going to leave remember? Get away from that asshole before he…well, before he kills one of us."

Matthew stood there for a few seconds, "I don't know anymore Al. I mean, I don't think Arthur's using magic anymore, but who knows if he'll break down and relapse."

I let my arms fall to my sides, "What are you saying Mat.?"

He swallowed and looked at his feet, "I don't want to leave anymore Alfred. Not until I'm sure he's alright, at least, but-"

"Mattie. I can't leave you here with him. He'll…he'll hurt you, I know it," I grabbed onto my brother's arms, "Come on, we'll pack and leave tonight Mattie. It'll be ok; I have been planning it for awhile."

Matthew just shook his head, "I can't leave yet Al. It still feels like I'm leaving Arthur to die and I won't do that, it's not right."

I leaned my back against a brick wall that was probably a store, and rubbed my eyes, pushing my glasses up in the process. He leaned beside me and bumped my shoulder, "Alfred, I still want to help you though."

I shook my head. It would be too dangerous for him to be involved if he wasn't leaving with me. All the blame would fall on him.

"Oh, come on. Every hero needs a sidekick, right?" He looked up at me with big, violet eyes, "Aren't I your sidekick Al.?"

My throat felt tight. I nodded reluctantly, he was my one and only sidekick, but, "The hero never leaves a man behind, especially not his own brother."

"Maybe, just this once, the hero can save only himself. Maybe this time, the sidekick can save the hero."

Mattie looked at me and smiled a soft smile. He really was my brother, my sidekick and my friend. There was no getting around that fact. Even if I'm not here for him, he'd be ok…right?

I snorted and pushed off the wall, "Come on, we came to get food. I'm already hungry just thinking about it."

Night finally fell over and around us. For once, it was clear out and the half moon above the house bathed the world in a silvery blue light. The stars covered the dark sky like millions of fireflies.

Mattie was standing in the doorway to our room, watching we pack. I couldn't bring everything, but I would collect it later if I could. When all of my clothing was packed tightly into two massive suitcases I sat down on the edge of my bed. But I needed to leave. I couldn't sit by any longer in this hellhole, but I couldn't believe I was going to leave my own brother behind…

"Mattie, please-"

He shook his head, not letting me finish, and picked up one of my bags, "Come on Al. Lets do this."

De-já-vu hit me hard as we went down the front steps. Light poured down on us as we walked out of the house, down the drive and to the gate. Matthew opened it for me and placed my bag on the other side.

I turned to him, my back to the world and future, my face to the past and my only brother, "Matthew, I don't know if I can do this. You're my baby brother."

"Hey I'll always be your brother Alfred. Nothing will change that." He tried to smile, but tears were starting to fall down his face.

I pulled him into a massive hug, "I guess you've grown up and you don't need a hero anymore."

He laughed, but it sounded forced, "Al. you'll always be my hero."

I squeezed him harder, "You're such a dork."

He laughed for real this time and pulled back, "Ya, I know," He wiped his cheeks and fixed his glasses.

"Mattie, you take care of yourself, ok?"

He nodded and started backing up, "And you have to visit me so I can show you the world to, ok?"

"Alright Alfred," He smiled and continued walking backwards.

"Do you promise to come?" I had to shout because he was so far away…

He nodded again and started to wave. A second later the front door slammed open.

"What the bloody hell are you both shouting ab-" Arthur stood in the doorway.

Light from inside pooled at his feet as he froze there. Matthew ran up to him and had almost reached the stairs when Arthur began running down them, "No, no, no, no, no! You can't leave. I won't let you Alfred!"

Matthew caught onto his arm as he ran by, but Arthur shoved him off and soon he was just feet away from me. His hair was messy and his eyes were black, but a different black than before. This time, his pupils were the size of dinner plates, and his hair was moved by the same wind that moved mine.

"Don't make me fight you Arthur. I want my freedom, and I'll do what ever it takes."

He tried to throw the first punch, but I blocked it with my forearm and pushed my fist forward, my knuckles meeting his gut.

I felt the air rush out of him and tried to knock his feet out from under him. He was able to jump back and slam his fist into my jaw in the same motion.

I could see Matthew from the corner of my eye running toward us, but soon Arthur's fist swallowed my vision.

I grunted and threw back the blows he was dealing. Suddenly I was glad that the General had taught me how to fight and smiled darkly at the irony that it was because Arthur had hired him.

"Stop it, both of you!" Matthew voice was drowned out by our fight.

My knuckles were broken open and throbbing, but I kept my fists raised as he struggled to stand. We were both panting and bleeding, but at least it was a fair fight.

"I'm leaving, England, and there is nothing you can do to stop me." I straightened my back and let my fists down a bit.

He shook, but copied my movements, obviously sick of fighting, "Fine then. Have it your way. Go be independent if you want, see if I care. But don't come crying back to me if it's not all sunshine and daisies!"

I stood there for a minute before nodding, unable to do anything else. He's really going to let me leave…I'm…

"I'm free? I'm free!" I jumped back and spun with my arms out, "I'm really free! I can feel it!"

I continued to laugh and spin for a few seconds before I noticed Matthew leaving, with Arthur. He had his arm draped over my brother's shoulders. He wasn't even able to walk on his own.

I watched them walk up the steps and even when the door closed, I stayed still. The wind blew my hair into my face and I brushed it away smiling. I lifted both of my bags onto my shoulders and headed out into the new world.

Well! Any other tears? No? T.T hate my life…just kidding! ;)

Oh no! How will Matthew fair without his big brother there…did that rhyme?

Keep an eye out for the next chapter, see you then! :D