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Hetalia (c) Hima

Don't Lean On Me (c) Bringmemisery


Chapter 27 –Vol ou combat

Francis took in a breath as he looked up at the massive building before him. It appeared to be a factory of sorts. It had oddly shaped gray building which spanned a number of yards. There were tall thin chimneys on top of each part of the structure. There were higher areas that appeared accessible by ladders perhaps, and the lot that surrounded it was made entirely on minuscule rocks and pebbles. Not to mention the air smelled like metal, and the overcast sky made the area foreboding. At the very front of the building were two large dirt speckled glass doors.

Francis glanced over to Antonio, then to Cain.

"In there?" He scratched his chin, "are you sure?"

Cain gave a quick smile, "for certain. Don't let this place fool you – most things are not as they seem here, remember?"

Francis folded his arms as his eyes trailed over to Antonio once more.

The Spaniard returned a smile, "He's right. This place is kinda loco."

Francis drew his eyebrows together as he watched Cain approach the building. He still wasn't sure how he felt about the guy. Sure, Antonio trusted him, but Antonio trusted most anyone. And there was this odd feeling in the back of the Frenchman's mind that ate at him the entire way to this current spot.

He noticed Antonio start after Cain then.

Maybe Antonio was a little too trusting to others?

After all he trusted José, and that sure ended well!

Francis took a single step forward and continued to stare at the desolate structure. Knots formed in his stomach as he took another step.

Why would his friends be dragged here of all places?

And why were Cain and Antonio so confident in them being here?

"Amigo!" Antonio called out, "come on! The sooner we get in the sooner we get Feli and Lud!"

"Is shouting necessary?" Francis almost whispered as he pushed his way toward the front.

He stood next to his friend as he watched Cain push against one of the doors.

A long screech sounded overhead which caused Francis to flinch. He darted his eyes around expecting to see Damien's godforsaken eyes peering at him, but then he realized it was a hinge from the door being opened.

"Amigo?" Antonio asked, "you okay?"

"Oui," Francis didn't look at him, but instead at the immense room they were now in.

On either side of the gigantic walls were roll after roll of metal sheets. Some lined the ground while others sat high on the second story. There were a number of small wooden boxes littered about, along with a few metal pipes.

"A metal factory?" Francis found himself ask. "why would they be in here?"

"How knows?" Antonio replied as he walked up to one of the conveyor belts, "wonder what's in these boxes?"

"Antoni!" Francis tried to whisper, but his friend still jumped "don't touch that!"

"Why?" Antonio turned around.

"Because you don't know what's in there," Francis sighed as he looked at Cain, "I don't see them here."

"They're here," Cain walked along one of the belts, "they're probably hidden. This place is massive – they could be anywhere."

Francis frowned as he looked back at Antonio who once again approached that same box.

"Antoni! What did I just tell you?"

"Maybe they're in a box!" The Spaniard gave a quick laugh.

"Antoni," Francis shook his head, "those boxes are too small."

"Doesn't hurt to try," Antonio said as he started to shake the box.

"Well, keep quiet at least," Francis proceeded down a different row, "and be on the lookout for anything. . . odd."

"Aye Aye, Capitan!" Antonio's voice echoed a bit.

Francis started to glance at that boxes as he walked, but he didn't want to think too much on it.

He might be a bit curious, but not Antonio curious.

He proceeded past a few of the rolled sheets of metal until he had reached a handrail. He placed his hand against the cool metal and peered over the edge. Below him looked like a maze. There were conveyor belts everywhere, more shining sheets of metal, and large boxes. Side by side also stood massive black furnaces with more conveyor belts leading into them.

He glanced to his side and noticed a few steps that lead down to the area below. Without much thought he advanced toward the ground below. Once he took his foot off the last step he noticed how much larger everything was.

The furnaces had to stand at least a hundred feet high, and the ceiling could have been at least another thousand more.

Francis struggled to take in a breath - the air down there felt a bet more restrained.

He gave a quick glance back up to where the handrail was.

He knew he shouldn't be down there alone, but what choice did he have?

Staying in a group would take longer than searching alone.

He fixed the front of his shirt before he looked around some more. He walked past a few of the conveyor belts when his foot got caught onto something. He would have fallen onto his face had he not reached out for a wooden box beside him. He regained his footing and looked down at the box – turns out it was a wooden desk.

He tilted his head as his eyes searched around the top of the desk. There were dusty papers scattered about along with a few pens. He reached for one of the drawers, but found it was stuck. He tugged on it, and when it didn't move, he started to yank at it. The drawer gave way and soon it, along with Francis, collapsed to the ground. More pens and paperclips littered the floor as well as folders and some more loose papers.

With a sigh, Francis sat up and started to pick up a few of the papers. As he did so he noticed what appeared to be the back of a photograph. He plucked it up and noticed the edges were a bit worn out. As he flipped it over it seemed that the photo was covered in dirt. He rubbed his fingertips upon the front and noticed two people within the photo – both of which he recognized:

Antonio and his older brother Paulo.

The two of them were seated on the couch in Antonio's living room.

The last time Francis had even seen Paulo was the day of his and Antonio's parent's funeral. During that time Paulo had been running a steel mill overseas, so he entrusted Antonio with the family business and left the country not long after.

"Wait a minute," Francis said as he shot his head up, "it can't be."

Then a loud whistle echoed through the large space around him. He shuttered as one of the furnaces give a loud growl.

"Antoni!" He tried to yell above the noises surrounding him.

When he got no reply he shoved the picture into his pocket and started back toward the stairs. However, as he approached it he couldn't help but hear something.

It sounded like a muffled yell off somewhere behind him.

He looked over his shoulder, but didn't see anything. He glanced back up the stairs, then behind him again. He waited there a moment, and the whistle sounded one more.

After jumping a second time he turned away from the steps and proceeded past a few of the conveyor belts. As he went the furnaces all had been lit, and the area around him was cast with a bright orange glow. There were a few chains overhead that started to dangle, and even the belts had started to move.

He continued to walk when he noticed something odd seated on top of a distant motionless belt – there appeared to be two chairs placed back to back. A few chains had bound them together, and seated on the chairs were two people – both tied up, both of their mouths covered up.

"Feli!" Francis shouted as the Italian and German behind him glanced over, "Ludwig! Hang on!"

His heart skipped as he broke into a sprint. He noticed Feli start to wriggle around in his chair, which caused him to push harder. What the two of them were doing on there was beyond him, but Francis knew he needed to get them now.

When he was about three yards away a shadow cast in front of him and something slammed hard against his chest, causing him to tumbled backwards. He let out a groan as tried to lift his head up, and prop himself up back up.

He glanced forward and standing in his path was that good for nothing Damien.

"Now, now," Damien gave a wide grin, "you know better than to be nosy, Francis."

Francis grit his teeth as he jumped up to his feet. He started to run forward, but something caught hold of his arms. He looked at either side of him and he found both Antonio and Cain holding him back, both of them looking straight at Damien.

Francis shot his head toward at Damien who continued to smile at him.

"Still think it's safe to be alone?" Damien chuckled, "I'm telling you it's a bad idea."

Francis watched Feli and Ludwig continue to struggle to no avail.

"Oh, Francis," Damien spoke again, "you really are useless."

Francis gave him a look as the demon continued, "Truly, you are. You know, sometimes the things we want we can't always get."

"Shut up!" Francis tried to pull away from the tight arms around his own, "you underestimate me – you underestimate all of us! We're not as weak as you take us for. We will win this, and you will lose!"

Damien chuckled again, "You've really got yourself fooled, don't you? Francis, you can't control this world. It can only control you, don't you understand that? I mean, come on! I let you got for not even half an hour and you already found a few friends of mine!"

"Guy's an idiot," another voice said which caught Francis off guard.

He started to scan the room, but he didn't see anyone else arrive. That was when he slowly turned to look at where Antonio once stood. His eyes met vibrant red ones and an all too familiar, childish grin.

It was Alfred, or really something that looked like Alfred. His clothes were jet black, along with his hair. The only color on him where his pale skin and devilish eyes. His smile continued to grow as he let out a few laughs.

"Hiya, buddy," he tightened his grip on Francis' arm, "How ya doin'?"

Francis then shot his head to his other side, and much like the Alfred beside him, there was an Arthur there two.

"Pretty neat, huh?" the Alfred clone hissed in Francis' ear, "Cain's not the only one who can look like everyone else!"

Then Francis felt fingers run through his hair, and his head was jerked back. He clenched his teeth as his eyes once more fell upon the duo still strapped to that chair, still trying to free themselves.

"Francis," Damien said in a soft tone, "you know you can't do this alone. Let me help you—"

"Never!" Francis shouted as his head was yanked back again.

Then he heard the sound of another belt moving. His eyes fell upon his friends one more time, but this time he noticed them move farther away.

Their belt was moving, and it was headed straight into the mouth of wide furnace.

"Francis," Damien sighed, "you don't have much time."

"Let them go!" Francis pulled again, but still got nowhere.

"Only if you let me help you."

"No!"

"Then watch them die."

Francis' heart skipped at the thought of his friends being burned to a crisp. But there was no way that he would side with Damien.

That not only was pointless, but stupid!

But was being cause of his friends' murder really worth it either?

He continued to hear the belts clink against themselves, and he could even make out Feli's faint whimpers.

"Come on, buddy," the Alfred laughed beside him, "Time's a-wastin'!"

"He won't do it," the Arthur spoke this time, "he's too much of a coward."

"You don't know me!" Francis hissed.

Both clones started of laugh, each chuckle boomed in the already loud room.

Francis' heart sank as he tried to free himself one more time.

It was hopeless, there was no way out of it.

Either he agreed with Damien and hoped he wasn't lying.

Or he'd let Feli and Ludwig die.

Either way he was screwed.

"Francis!" the sudden outburst made Francis jump, "Don't listen to them!"

Francis glanced over and noticed that covering around Feli's mouth had fallen off. Distress filled the Italian's eyes as he and Ludwig continued closer to the flames.

"Don't give in to him!" Feli screamed, "He's lying! You know he is!"

"Francis," Damien spoke again, "they're waiting."

"Francis!" Feli called again.

Reluctant, Francis looked between Feli and Damien, still unsure of which choice was better. He turned back to Damien and as he was about to open his mouth, the Arthur beside him was slammed into the ground. The sudden movement pulled Francis down a bit, which caused him to look over his now free shoulder. As he glanced a bright green light flew past his face. His eyes flowed the glow as he watched it slam into Damien, sending him to the ground as well.

Looking over his shoulder again Francis noticed three figures standing a few feet away: Arthur, Lovino, and . . . Cain?

Then Francis was pushed aside, but he caught his footing before he too fell to the floor. With a quick burst of energy, he darted towards the belt where Feli and Lud were. Once he was close enough he heaved himself onto the belt and approached his friends.

"Francis!" Feli yelled, "please tell me you know what on earth is going on?"

"I'll explain later," He replied as he pulled off the covering off Lud's mouth.

"Forget my mouth," the Germany shouted, "get us off this thing!"

"I'm trying!" Francis yanked at some of the chains, "Dammit, how am I supposed to get these off?"

"Frog-face!" Lovino's voice called behind him, "the hell are these two doing here?"

"I don't know! Just help me get them loose!"

The two of them started to tug onto the chains, and Francis could feel the heat of the flames creep closer.

It was useless, he knew that, but he needed to try.

"New plan!" Francis said after a few more tugs, "we have to push the chair off."

"Are you crazy?" Lovino remarked, "you expect us to move the potato's fat ass?"

"Watch it!" Ludwig barked.

"It's the only option we have unless you want us all to be sautéed!"

The two of them started to yank on the legs of the chairs, but soon realized it wouldn't budge. Then the speed of the belt changed. It's original slow pace now shifted to a much quicker one, and the mouth of the furnace seemed to get wider.

The crackling flames and intense heat sped up Francis' heartbeat. The heat grew even more intense as he tried to pull again and again. The air started to grow thick, and they were approaching the entrance of the furnace. He started to choke a few times as a few sweat droplets started to trickled down his cheek.

They were all going to burn.

There wasn't any escaping it.

Then he noticed Feli wriggle one of his arms loose, and he pushed his brother off the belt. As Lovino slipped off the side Francis was blinded by a bright yellow light, and the belt vanished below his feet. But he soon realized that his fall was short lived, and he didn't feel the burning flames sear his skin. He found himself seated on what felt more like asphalt than fire. He rubbed at his eyes and was greeted by a bright blue sky and the warm sunlight. A wonderful breeze swept his bangs from his face as he noticed the backside of his café.

He turned to his side and also noticed Feli and Lud seated back-to-back, both of them just as dumbfounded.

Feli glanced over to Francis, "Are. . . are we dead?"

"I'm not sure," Francis got to his feet and walked over to his friends.

As he helped them to their feet, he looked back to his café.

Where they back home?

Or was this another oddball trick?

"Isn't this your café?" Ludwig questioned.

"Oui," Francis started for the backdoor, "and Basch and Matthias should be inside."

The trio made their way through the backdoor and soon found Matthias talking with Emil. The Dane glanced over and then did a double take before grinning.

"Francis!" he called, "Funny seein' you here on your day off!"

"Matthias," Francis looked around the backroom, "where's Basch?"

"He called off," The Dane shrugged, "said somethin' 'bout his boyfriend bein' worried 'bout Gil not bein' home?"

"His boyfriend?" Francis tilted his head.

"Yeah, y'know. That stuck-up music guy!"

"Roderich? Wait, they're dating?"

"They're not?"

"Whatever," Francis shook his head, "Look, something odd is going on, but it's not going to make any sense, okay?"

"Most things people say don't make sense," Matthias laughed as he pushed his hand against Emil's arm.

"Rude," the teen gave a quick look.

"I'm being serious!" Francis insisted, "Where is Basch right now?"

"I think he went to Gil's place?"

"Well, we need to see him. Can we borrow your car?"

"Sure! But can I go with you?"

"Why? Who'll watch after the café?"

"Well, Emil is here. And so are Lilli and Willem. Pretty sure they can man the fort."

"Fine, but let's hurry."

†††††

"Thank God you are okay!" Roderich almost threw himself into Francis, "all of you are going to kill me at a young!"

Francis shook his head, "Yes, we're fine, but what's going on here?"

"I don't know. Yesterday after we realized Gil was missing I went to Basch's house to tell him what was going on. But he wasn't home, so I called him and told him what had happened and I came back here, but all of you disappeared. So I tried to call each of you, but no one answered, and it was odd that none of you left with your cars. So I called Basch again and we called the police to see if they could find you guys. Where the hell did all of you go? I was worried sick!"

"I'm not exactly sure," he glanced over to Lud and Feli, "Have you contacted anyone else?"

"No one else is answering me! Not Gil, not Lizzie. No one!"

"Dammit," Francis pinched the bridge of his nose, "Arthur was still back there."

"Back where?" Matthias chimed in.

"In that . . . other world," Francis looked over to the confused Dane.

"Other world?" Matthias drew his eyebrows together, "what's that mean?"

"Roderich," Francis sighed, "not long after you left we got attacked—"

"Attacked?" Roderich yelled, "By what? Are you okay? Well, you look okay, but I just want to make sure!"

"I'm fine! Look, this is going to sound crazy but we were attacked by. . . a creature."

"What creature? What are you not telling me, Francis?"

Francis took in a deep breath, "Okay, okay. We are being hunted down by a demon, okay? Not only are Antonio's men pissed off at us, but some demon who calls himself 'Damien' is going around acting like he's some kind of god and is trying to get us to be on his side."

"Why the hell are you all so reckless?" Roderich plopped onto the couch closest to him.

"You're sure it's a demon?" Basch crossed his arms.

"Absolutely," Francis sighed again, "I know it doesn't make sense, but it's true. And this demon brought us all into his delusional world, and tried to get Ludwig and Feli killed because I wouldn't side with him."

"Then how'd you get out?" Matthias scratched his neck.

"Arthur found us. We'd all been separated once we were there, but somehow Arthur managed to save the day. . ."

"And we left him there," Feli pouted, "and Lovi, too. . ."

"Feli," Ludwig spoke, "don't blame yourself for anything."

"I'm not," Feli shrugged, "It's just . . . if I wouldn't have pushed him off he would've gotten out too. . ."

"We would have done the same thing, mon cher," Francis put his hand on the Italian's shoulder, "besides, with Arthur there I'm sure he'll be fine."

"But Arthur needs to be here!" Roderich went on, "All of you are so stupid!"

"Are there any others there?" Basch interrupted.

"Besides Lovi and Arthur?" Francis tilted his head, "I don't . . . wait! Lizzie!"

"What about her?" Roderich's eyes widened, "she got stuck there too?"

"Unfortunately," Francis scratched his arm, "sometime after you left she arrived, and then that thing soon after. Dammit, I didn't see her with the other two—"

"So then she's stuck there somewhere?" Roderich placed his hand upon his forehead.

"I don't know," Francis replied, "Maybe? Right now there isn't any way of knowing."

"Francis," Ludwig questioned, "do you think Arthur can handle all those things by himself?"

"I'm sure he can," Francis tried to smile.

He wasn't too sure if Arthur could handle them by himself.

He was one man against three.

That was literally suicide!

Francis ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to think of some way to help his boyfriend. He stuck his hands in his pocket, and felt some kind of paper graze against his fingertip. He pulled it out and noticed that said photo he'd found earlier.

"What's that?" Feli asked.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Francis responded as he handed it to the Italian, "I found it just before I found you and Ludwig. I didn't think I could actually take something from that world and bring it here."

"Odd," Ludwig glanced at the photo, "who's that with Antonio?"

"His brother," Francis replied.

"You have a photograph of Antonio and his brother?" Roderich rose his eyebrows.

"Yeah, but it was odd," Francis scratched his chin, "I found it in a desk in a steel mill. It was dirty and a bit out of place."

"Maybe it's a message," Basch suggested, "You guys are being hunted down by creeps anyways, right? So maybe this is the next target?"

"But what on earth does Paolo have to do with this?" Francis ran his fingers through his hair, "he hasn't been back for years."

"Don't let this slip by," Basch said in a stern tone, "Coincidence or not something this out of place shouldn't go unnoticed. We should probably call up that detective lady and see if she can run fingerprints or something?"

Francis shrugged as the photo was returned back to him. He stared at it for a few moments, pondering if it was in fact some sort of clue.

But Paolo?

Why?

"I think I might know someone who can help," Roderich said after a few moments.

"Who?" Basch put his hand on his hip.

"Isn't Arthur's brother here?" Roderich looked at Francis, "Can't he do something with his 'magic' or whatever he calls it?"

"Roderich!" Francis felt his eyes widened, "You're a genius!"