Chapter 50

Lithuania tried to look away, seeing Gil starting to shake again as the hours passed He knew Russia hadn't given him enough of the drugs to completely stop the pain. He wasn't going to make it that easy. Lithuania shuddered again, looking back at Russia.

Russia watched Gil, his book in his lap. His face was contemplative, confused… he set his book down and stood suddenly, walking up to Gil, stepping behind him, a flash of cruelty in his violet eyes.

"Are you in pain, Ptitska?"

Gil set his jaw, refusing to reply. He clenched his hands behind his back, standing straight like the soldier he still tried to remind himself he was.

Russia smiled, "You wouldn't admit it if you were, would you?"

Gil said nothing, looking away from Russia as the bigger man stepped beside him, looking at him like he was a possession. He winced as Russia grabbed his face, turning it to face Lithuania.

"Tell me," Russia smirked, "How does it feel to see him like that? You were enemies for years…" Russia let go of Gil's face, smiling to see he kept looking at Lithuania, "Don't tell me it gives you no satisfaction to see him so… powerless…"

Gil turned to look at Russia again. What are you doing, Russia? What's your game?

Russia smiled, walking up to Lithuania and forcing his head back, "Tell me there isn't a part of you that still hates him," Russia motioned towards Gil, "You can't have forgotten what he's done to Poland… and I don't just mean recently. You three have been at each other's throats for hundreds of years… It's been entertaining, I won't lie…"

Lithuania struggled, his eyes widening in terror. He'd seen this play before, and he wasn't sure Gil would be able to resist it, not in the state he was in. He winced as Russia released his hair with a hard tug and looked up at Gil, shaking his head, trying to get words out through the gag.

Russia laughed, "That's not going to work, Myshka, you already know that."

Lithuania looked up at him, his eyes flashing, then back down. He couldn't argue with Russia. He stopped struggling, closing his eyes. He wasn't going to win this. Prussia wasn't going to win this. There was only ever one winner when Russia played his games…

Gil felt a shiver of cold go down his spine as Russia stepped closer to him again. He tried to ignore the look he'd seen in Lithuania's eyes. He wasn't going to give in this easily. There was still fight in him… somewhere… he had to fight…

"What's your name?" Russia asked with a smile.

"German Democratic Republic," he answered without even thinking.

"What are you?"

"A communist state."

"Who do you belong to?"

"The Soviet Union… y-you…" GDR closed his eyes, his heartbeat quickening. He didn't know if it was fear or withdrawal. It didn't matter.

"Why was the wall built?" Russia smiled.

"To protect me…" GDR whispered.

"And what punishment do people attempting to cross it deserve?"

"Death…" The words stuck to his tongue, but he couldn't get them to stay in his mouth. He didn't want to say them. He couldn't say this. But he had to… because it was true. He tried to fight it. These were lies. This wasn't true, these were all lies created by Russia to-

"And your brother…?"

Gil bit back a cry as pain drove through his chest like ice, the scar on his chest burning as General Winter attacked him in his mind. He couldn't keep the answer down, "America's… dog…" he shook his head.

"And you… GDR… what are you?"

GDR shook his head, closing his eyes, trying to keep back tears, "Your bird…"

"And do you like your cage?"

Gil nodded, "Da…"

"Very good, GDR," Russia smiled, glancing back at Lithuania, satisfied to see the remnants of tears on the smaller country's cheeks. He turned to GDR again, smiling, "I'll let you think about that for a while," he smirked, walking back to his chair, picking up his book again. He could wait a few more hours. He needed the withdrawal to be worse. He needed GDR's mind to be easy to bend, Lithuania didn't matter. He was just along for the ride. He would do whatever he was ordered without a fight. Russia sighed, looking up at Lithuania again, a flash of grief sparking in his eyes for a moment. Lithuania had been so easy to break… but no matter how much satisfaction he wished it gave him to remember the once proud man crumble before him… it didn't. The memory stung. He closed his eyes, the memory of Lithuania chained to the wall, covered in blood, sobbing, begging, with Latvia's broken body at his feet, the boy just holding onto life… he didn't like it. It was too familiar, too painful. He sighed, shaking the memory away, opening his eyes and turning to his book again, reading:

Speak not, lie hidden, and conceal
the way you dream, the things you feel.
Deep in your spirit let them rise
akin to stars in crystal skies
that set before the night is blurred:
delight in them and speak no word.
*
How can a heart expression find?
How should another know your mind?
Will he discern what quickens you?
A thought once uttered, is untrue.
Dimmed is the fountainhead when stirred:
drink at the source and speak no word.
*
Live in your inner self alone
within your soul, a world has grown,
the magic of veiled thoughts that might
be blinded by the outer light,
drowned in the noise of day, unheard...
take in their song and speak no word.

…

"Sh, sh, you're ok, you're ok!" Hungary held Poland's arms, trying to keep him from scratching at his face, "I'm right here, you're ok…"

Poland screamed again, shaking his head, gasping for breath. He struggled against her hands. He was stronger than she was.

Hungary shook her head, "Oh no you don't!" She pulled him around, hugging him from behind, crossing his arms in front of his chest, holding him firmly, trying to get him to calm down, "Sh, Felek, please… come on it's just me. You're ok. You're ok, no one's going to hurt you!"

Poland struggled less, shaking his head again, tears streaming down his face.

"Sh… sh…"

Poland gasped for breath, his heart slowing finally, his vision clearing. He choked, trying to lean forward.

Hungary let go suddenly, closing her eyes with a sigh. She knelt forwards, pulling her little cousin's hair away from his face with one hand, rubbing his back gently as he heaved, his whole body shaking and sweating. She continued to pet his back, "Sh… sh… it's ok…" She turned away, sighing again. She felt his arms shaking as he tried to hold himself up. She took the band from her own hair and tied it around his, holding his hair back. Gently, she untied her apron and lifted it to his lips, helping him sit up, slowly.

He took the fabric gratefully, wiping his mouth. Tears streamed down his cheeks, he felt so weak. He hated feeling so weak. He sighed, looking up at her, breathing almost normally again, "I-I'm sorry…" he whispered.

Hungary shrugged, "It's a tile floor, no big deal, sweets," She smiled, pushing his hair behind his ear, "I'll get you some water, ok?" She smiled.

Poland nodded, but grabbed the loose fabric of her military pants as she stood to leave, "Don't leave me alone…"

Hungary sighed deeply, looking around for someone, anyone who could stay with him. She sighed again, seeing Estonia walk by at the bottom of the stars, "Essy!" she rolled her eyes, Estonia annoyed her, "Essy I need your help."

He ignored her, continuing to walk forward, looking down at his book.

"Estonia!" she called finally, putting her hands on her hips.

He stopped, looking up at her, pushing up his glasses. He nodded, seeing her motion for him, and walked up the stairs, he stopped, looking down at the mess in front of him. He looked back up at Hungary, expecting her to give him instructions.

"Are you staying with Poland and cleaning up the mess, or going to get him water?" she asked flatly. His passiveness drove her insane.

Estonia thought for a moment, "I'll clean up," he nodded, walking to the nearest utility closet. The house had several, one on each floor.

Hungary knelt beside Poland, smiling kindly, lifting his chin gently to look at her, "I'll be right back, ok cuz? Estonia will stay with you. That's ok, isn't it?"

Poland nodded, still shaking, "Liz…" he looked up at her again as she stood, "Never mind…" he shook his head.

Hungary sighed, knowing better than to push it. She walked to the kitchen to get him some water. He was going to be ok, she'd make sure of that. By the time she'd returned with the water, Poland had calmed down almost completely. Estonia sat across from him, not saying anything, but it didn't matter. The mess had been cleaned up, and Poland had wiped his tears. She smiled gently, sitting next to him, handing him the glass of water.

He drank gratefully, looking up at her as he handed her the empty glass, "Liz..."

"Yes?" she smiled kindly, hearing the worry in his voice.

"Do you think Liet's going to be ok...? And... and Gil?"

"I'm sure they will be." She smiled at him. She bit her lip as she turned away, she wasn't sure. She definitely wasn't sure.

…

Gil tried to force himself to count out his breathing, trying to steady it. His legs already burned from being chained before, and it was getting worse. He tried to ignore it. His heart beat fast. He tried to stay still, tried not to squirm. His body ached, he felt sick. Images of faces and bodies lying in piles infected his mind. He shook his head, trying to force them back, trying to hang on. He was slipping, teetering on the edge of reality, knowing he wasn't going to be able to keep his grip. He felt Russia's cold breath on his neck. He wasn't sure it was real, not that it mattered. He tried to make out the words the man was saying, his hearing and vision blurred, everything moving in slow motion as the walls of the room shifted.

"Poland…" Russia's words drifted in and out of his conscious mind, "Lithuania… battles… enemies… killed… Grunwald…

"Totally late…" Poland smiled up at Prussia, his face bloody, his eyes exhausted. He held a wound at his side, his armor dulled by the dirt and blood of battle.

Prussia turned to see Lithuania stopping the blade from striking Poland, gripping his arms, holding the sword back.

"I… I thought you…" he struggled to break free from Lithuania's grip. It was stronger than he'd expected it to be, "I thought you ran!"

"I came back!" Lithuania shoved his shoulder into Prussia's chest, sending him to the ground.

Prussia turned to his side, trying to get up quickly, the task made impossible by the heavy chain-maille he wore. He felt Lithuania's blade dig into his chest through the armor. He gasped, looking up at the dark haired country, blood dripping from his mouth.

Lithuania breathed hard, falling to his knees, leaving his sword in Prussia's body. He was exhausted. He felt Poland's arms wrap around his shoulders, and hugged him back, laying his head on the little country's shoulders.

Prussia looked at them, struggling to breathe. He grabbed the sword, pulling it out of his chest. He looked back at Lithuania, too weak to hand him his sword.

Lithuania stood, taking his sword from Prussia's hand. He looked down at the bleeding country.

Gil looked down at Lithuania, confused, angry. He shook his head, trying to push the past back into his mind, trying to force himself to see the Lithuania in front of him, powerless… helpless…

"Tell me, GDR, is there still a side of you that wants to conquer everything you touch? You don't give up… everyone in Europe was afraid of you… even me…"

GDR felt Russia's gloved hand closing his fingers around the cold metal pipe. It was heavy. He pulled it forward, looking at it. It had caused him, and everyone else in the house, so much pain… but it felt good in his hand. He looked up at Russia, his mind swirling. He didn't want to do this. He wasn't a monster anymore… but seeing his enemy so defenseless… but they weren't enemies, they were friends, he needed Lithuania… but Russia was right, Lithuania was a coward. He was weak. He needed to be stronger… but he didn't want to do this… He jumped, feeling the needle slip into his neck, giving him another dose of the drugs. His heart beat slowed, his vision growing clear again. He looked back down at Lithuania as Russia gave him the full dose he was used to, eight times the recommended human dosage… but he didn't care. He blinked hard as the pain faded. He didn't want to do this… but the pipe felt good in his hands. He felt powerful. He looked at Russia and smirked.

Lithuania trembled, looking into GDR's face. He struggled, shaking his head. He'd begged for Gil to just beat him before… but the bloodlust in the red eyes terrified him.

"Go ahead…" Russia smiled, motioning to Lithuania, who struggled harder.

"You should take your scarf back, Russia," GDR smirked, "I want to hear him beg."

Russia laughed, nodding. He forced Lithuania's head down so he could until the knot. He set the scarf back on his chair, and stood beside it, crossing his arms, motioning for GDR to begin.

GDR smiled, raising the pipe.

"Prussia, look at me!" Lithuania begged, fixing his eyes on GDR's, "Please… this isn't you… Gil…"

Prussia looked at him for a moment, confused, lowering the pipe for a second. He shook his head, raising it again.

Lithuania looked up at GDR, shaking his head, the hatred in the red eyes sent a chill down his spine. He closed his eyes, surrendering.

Eventually, Lithuania stopped moving… then he stopped screaming…

GDR towered over the dark-haired country. He'd untied him, kicking him off the chair, and left him on the ground, slamming the pipe into his body again and again. He'd kicked him, his back, his stomach, his face. He'd stabbed at him with the pipe, using the faucet end of it to tear at his skin. He looked down at the bloody mess in front of him, everything left of Toris. He kicked the smaller country onto his back, looking down into his face. No hatred, no anger, just pain.

"Go ahead…" Lithuania whispered, his voice choked with blood, "Finish it…

"Go ahead…" Prussia choked, "Finish it!" he lifted his chin, baring his neck to Lithuania.

"No," Lithuania shook his head.

"Coward…" Prussia whispered. He gasped suddenly as Lithuania brought his sword down. It sliced into the ground next to his head, close enough to cut his ear. He looked up at Lithuania, who pulled his sword back from the dirt.

"No. But you don't deserve to die. Now stay out of my country. Stay away from Poland. You lost," Lithuania took his sword from the ground and walked away without another word.

Prussia watched him with hatred. How could he have lost to Lithuania and Poland? Who cares how strong they were? He was the awesome Prussia, how dare they think they could just leave him like this? He tried to sit up and was immediately reminded of the injury he'd received at Lithuania's hands. He groaned in pain, bringing his hand to the wound, pressing into it. He closed his eyes, the world going black.

GDR looked down at Lithuania's face. He let the pipe slip from his hands, which shook too much to keep their grip, Oh God, what have I done….?

A/N: Well that was... intense... Gil what have you done!? Prussia historically wasn't usually the "good guy"... and Russia just had to remind him of that, didn't he? The dark side of Gil, the VERY dark side, comes out again. There is that side of him, the side of him that enjoys performing 'enhanced interrogations'. He's said before in this story that he's enjoyed breaking men before, that he enjoyed torturing Poland... he's not a saint. And now he actually managed to scare Lithuania, like really, really scare him... do you think Lithuania's going to forgive him for this?

I did give you guys a little bit of "happiness" in this one. Hungary is taking good care of Poland, and he's trying his hardest! He really is! He even asked about Gil, not just Liet. He's still improving! :D

Btw, the poem Russia was reading is apparently: "Silentium" by Fyodor Tyutchev, translated from Russian by Vladamir Nabokov So there you go. :)

As always, reviews are deeply appreciated! And 50 chapters woohoo! The battle of Grunwald was specifically requested by LunaTheBlackWolf, and since it REALLY worked with what I wanted to do in this chapter, I chose that. I also did add some Estonia and Poland in for those of you who asked for that! I still feel like I'm REALLY REALLY bad at writing for Estonia... (he doesn't like Hungary's nickname for him lol.) Anyway, cookies, scones, lemonaide, tea, and all things nice for all of you! :D :D Because I'm extra nice, here's a mini-recipe for my favorite tea drink:
Earl Grey + 1pt Water + 1pt Milk + Sugar to taste + Vanilla Extract to taste = AMAZINGNESS. Seriously guys, try this, and let me know what you think!

Song for this chapter: "Sound of Madness" - Shinedown. Listened to this basically the whole chapter. Usually I think of it for Russia, though it fits Prussia here to. Basically it's about the crazy one finding the other one weak...yeah it just kinda works lol. Anyway... thank you all for continueing to read and review! :D :D :D