NOTE: At least this next chapter is going to explain what's going on. I think it's important that you HATE ME EVEN MORE THAN YOU ALREADY DO LOL!
Italy looked at Austria's gigantic mansion. His black cloak whipped in the cool spring wind. He took a deep breath and walked to the doorstop.
Austria heard a knock at the door. He was very confused at why Italy wanted the four of them to meet up, especially this late. Hopefully he would find out.
He opened the door. For once, Italy's face was solemn and his eyes were open.
Austria spoke after a moment, thrown off by Italy's expression. "Come in. The others are waiting."
Italy gave a nod and walked into the mansion, removing his hood, the curl in his hair bouncing free.
He and Austria walked into the living room, where England and Prussia were waiting.
"Italy, what is this stupid meeting about?" England said, clearly annoyed.
"I'm going to get to that." Italy said, his sweet Italian accent contrasting the seriousness in his voice.
Prussia, for once, said nothing. He just assumed it had been some strange proposal planning session, but it appeared not to be the case.
Austria and Italy sat down. Italy began talking to the others. "Recently I was talking to Germany about when we were kids, when he was Holy Rome. The weird thing is," he looked right at Prussia. "He didn't even recognize his old name. Care to explain?"
Prussia's face went even paler than before, if that was even possible. "I… I hoped no one would find out." He said, his red eyes open with shock.
"What?" England asked, wondering what Prussia had to hide, a small hint of fear hidden in his sweet London accent.
"When Holy Rome fell and became Germany, I needed him to begin new, without his painful memories of the past. Especially…" he took a deep breath. "Especially his memories of Italy."
Austria gasped. England's eyes went wide in shock. Italy seemed to have guessed something like this had happened, since his expression remained the same.
Italy continued. "Anyway, it broke my heart to see him like that. I can understand why you would do that, but Holy Rome and I had so many good memories together, and it seems to be affecting our new relationship. He only sees me as a lovable, pasta-loving country whom he happens to love. I don't think he can ever be truly happy with me, at least, not without these memories."
"What does this have to do with our secret meeting?" England asked, sincerely confused.
"I was reading an old book. It was a book of magic," he paused, making sure he had peaked England's interest. "There was a potion in it that caught my eye. A memory transfer potion. But, it comes at an awful price." Italy looked at the floor.
England's green eyes widened. His familiarity with these sort of spells caused him to fear the worst. "You don't mean…"
Italy nodded. "In order to make the transfer, the memories must be taken from the dead."
Austria looked at him with wide, violet eyes, catching on to the plan. "You can't be serious…"
"Yes. I will have to die for Germany to remember our times together."
"So why are we here?" England asked, his expression serious. He had had experience with love, and he knew there was no way to sway Italy from his decision.
However, Prussia didn't understand this. "Are you an idiot? If you die, Germany won't have anyone! He'll be all alone!"
Italy gave a small smile. "That's not true. I'll always be there for him. Even in death, I'd never abandon my Doitsu."
"What do you need us to do?" Austria asked, trying to keep himself from crying.
"First of all, England is going to have to make the pendant the spell needs. I brought the book with me. The potion is on page fourteen"
England took the book. "I'll do it."
Italy turned to Prussia. "When I die, I'll have Germany take me back to his house. You'll need to get him out of the room and complete the spell. England will give you what you need. All you need to do is put a few drops of my blood on the pendant."
Prussia nodded, his solemn silence seemed to fill the room.
Then Italy turned to Austria. "You're task is probably the most challenging of them all. I am honestly sorry to ask you to do this." Italy said.
Austria swallowed nervously. He had no clue what he'd have to do.
Italy pulled a special knife out of his coat and handed it to Austria. The knife had the design of the HRE flag on the ebony handle. "When I tell you, kill me. I will call Germany before this so that he can take me to his house. Besides, I'd like to spend my final moments with him."
Austria's eyes widened. "Why me? You know that if I do anything to you, Hungary would kill me! Besides, I could never do such a thing! You're like a son to me!"
Italy smiled again. "You've always wanted my land. Now you can have it. Plus, you're the only country close to me who would kill me. Romano and Hungary couldn't even dream of it, and I need someone I can trust to do it with this knife!"
Austria realized that it was truly something he had to do. For Italy's sake. He glanced at the intricate knife in his hand and gripped it tighter. "I will."
Italy nodded. "Prussia, call me once you have the pendant. I'll go over to Austria's and then… you know…"
Prussia nodded. England and Austria looked at the items Italy had given them. "Any questions?" Italy asked the group.
England looked at Italy's amber eyes. "Yes. Why are you willing to sacrifice everything for Germany?"
Even though he understood a lot about love, doing all of this for a few memories was crazy, even if they did make Germany happier.
Italy gave a small chuckle. "That's easy," Tears fell from his eyes. "I love him with all my heart."
Two weeks later, Italy's phone rang. When he saw the caller ID, his heart stopped for a moment. This was it. It was time. He picked up the phone. "Are we good to go?" he asked seriously.
"Yes. Ready when you are. Remember, you don't have to go through with it." Prussia's voice was filled with sorrow, his plea making Italy's eyes tear up.
"I can't give up now. This is for Germany."
With this, Italy hung up before Prussia could talk him out of it. He looked in the mirror, seeing his reflection one last time.
Before he gave himself the chance to cry, he pulled on his jacket and walked to Austria's house. He didn't want Germany to see his car parked outside of Austria's place; that would raise too much suspicion.
He was soon on the front doorstep. Before he could chicken out, he called Germany. On the third ring, a familiar voice drifted through his cell phone. "Hello?" Germany asked.
Italy made his voice seem panicked. "Germany! I'm trapped in Austria's house!"
A sigh came through his phone. "I'll be right over."
Italy hung up and sighed. No going back now. He knocked on the door. Austria soon opened it.
As soon as he saw Italy, his face fell.
Italy looked at him. "It's time."
He and Austria walked into the living room. Austria picked up the knife he'd had ready for the last few weeks. Italy decided to lie on the floor. The violet eyes country walked over and kneeled down to the country who felt like a son to him.
His eyes teared up as his hands began to shake. "I… I can't…"
Italy looked at him and grabbed Austria's arms, steadying them. "It'll be okay. Remember, you're just doing a favor for your friend."
Austria nodded, wiping his eyes on his sleeves. He held the knife with both hands, holding it above Italy's gut. The Italian closed his eyes. Before he could hesitate again, he plunged the knife into Italy's gut. The country let out a small cry of pain.
Austria watched as blood began to soak Italy's blue uniform. He let out a small sob as Italy's eyes widened from the pain.
He bent down and hugged the country, soaking his own outfit in blood. Italy spoke to Austria, "It's okay. Please don't cry. I asked for this. Don't feel bad…"
He heard the door being pushed open. Italy made an involuntary sound of pain as Austria dropped him on the floor in fear.
Footsteps came quickly towards them, growing louder with each step. Italy looked at Austria, then he glanced at the knife.
Austria understood the message. He took the knife and once more forced the blade into Italy. Blood came from the new wound.
The footsteps stopped. Austria looked at the doorway to see the blonde soldier staring in disbelief.
In a moment his gun was drawn. Austria immediately braced himself for the bullet, but it didn't hit him. He glanced at Italy, who gave him a nod, as if it was a signal for him to leave.
Austria didn't hesitate to bolt out of the room, nearly on the verge of tears. Italy looked at Germany.
Italy tried to speak to Germany, but his voice was shaky. "You made it…"
Germany was kneeling next to him. Italy saw panic in the soldier's eyes. "You're going to be fine, don't worry. I won't let you die… You can't die…" his lover's voice brought the dying country peace.
"Germany…" Italy whispered. "You don't have to be sad…"
The last thing he wanted was for Germany to be upset. His only hope in life was to see Germany happy all of the time. Sadly, this couldn't be true.
Germany began crying heavily. "Don't talk like that!" he said to Italy.
Italy rarely saw Germany cry, but when he did, it was painful. In an attempt to comfort him, he lifted a shaking hand and touched his face. "Please… don't cry. I don't like it when you do that."
Italy felt Germany's tears run over his hand. His heart beat faster; suddenly he didn't want to die. He couldn't leave Germany like this; but he had to. He felt his blood on the floors around him. He grew dizzy; there wasn't much time.
He couldn't look at Germany; he couldn't do that without him seeing the guilt written all over his face. "Germany," he began to say, trying to stay calm. "Take me to your house. I need to go there. When I die."
Germany looked into his eyes. "I will."
Italy gave a small sigh of relief. At least he was reassured that the plan would work. His vision began to go in and out of focus; everything started to spin.
Before he could hesitate another moment, he pulled Germany in for a kiss.
It was the best moment of his life. But then he remembered that he'd never be able to do it ever again. Just for a moment, he allowed a tear to escape his sad eyes.
He suddenly felt his wounds pulse. He pulled away from Germany and gave a final breath.
And then the world went dark.
NOTE: I figured, in order to make my HEARTLESS FRIEND cry at this, I'd give you Italy's death from his point of view, but for another reason also. I feel you should understand the situation a little more. Also, for those who are reading Hiding Myself and are wondering why I haven't posted in a while, I've decided to post a chapter of any three fanfics I'm working on at least once a week.
