(A/N) Haha! Only a five month wait this time around. Again, as usual, I apologise for the wait and I appreciate and thank you for your patience. First chapter of 2019, woo!
The chapter's name is strange, but I couldn't think of a suitable name, so it's name was kind of a reference to a paragraph near the end; you may know when you see it. Speaking further of the chapter, it was a pain in the ass to write; I was going through something where I knew what I wanted to happen, but I didn't know how I wanted to word it, add stress of college and thinking about my future to the mix, with a sprinkle of trying to address some plot holes I feel I've corrected while maybe adding some more and bam! Writer's block is created, yay!
Anyway, I don't want to prevent you from reading the chapter from any longer than I probably have been doing, so let's move on!
No flames please~! If you feel that some improvements could be made, don't be afraid to say so; tell what I did good and like I just said, improvements are good!
DISCLAIMER - I do not own Hetalia, or its characters; it belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya
New year, new disclaimer wouldn't you say! Happy Late New Year!
Chapter 12: Reality vs. Expectations
"So, what are we going to do?" Italy asked, as he and Luciano pushed open the door to the exit forcefully.
Rain cascaded down on the duo, as they stopped to catch their breaths. The rain didn't bother them too much, since they were already soaked from the previous time they had been outside, but the current circumstances and how to tackle these circumstances did. It didn't help that it was much darker outside than it was before, and it's not like the searchlights were helping; they were flickering, seemingly close to dying out completely.
Italy looked down at the gun in his hand, as he thought about the guy who once owned it; America, the "self-proclaimed hero," as Luciano put it. He was missing, in danger, and the auburn haired male couldn't help but feel like it was his fault; if he was persistent enough in persuading America not to enter that suspicious room, then they wouldn't have fallen into a trap that resulted in Italy, himself, being captured, which then wouldn't have caused America to save him and risk his own freedom, and thus, put himself in the terrible situation he was in.
'I promise I'll catch up with you; be strong for me, and go.'
Maybe if he had stayed instead of running like a coward, America would have had a better chance...? No... If anything, Italy would have slowed him down, like he had been this whole time... Hell, he was probably slowing Luciano down right now!
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Luciano's voice took Italy out of his thoughts, as he turned to look at the other him, who wore a frown on his face. "I understand why you're crying, but now isn't the time."
Italy turned away, as he rubbed the tears from his eyes; he hoped Luciano wouldn't notice, he thought his tears could be mistaken for rain drops, but clearly his counterpart was observant enough to not be fooled.
"Okay, and to answer your question," Luciano continued, removing his hat and running a hand through his hair with a sigh. "We evidently weren't fast enough in getting to Jones, but fortunately for us, I have an idea where they have taken him."
"Huh? Where?" Italy asked impatiently, turning to Luciano again.
"An old building with the necessary materials for what they want to accomplish..."
"Necessary materials? For what?"
Italy could have sworn that he heard Luciano mutter 'shit' under his breath, his face wearing an expression that told Italy that his counterpart mentioned something he shouldn't have. Growling, the 2P placed his hat on his head again, scowling when his eyes met his 1P's.
"Do you want to save your friend, or do you want to stand here talking?"
"I want to help my friend, of course," Italy replied, kicking a small pebble on the ground. "It's good that we have an idea where he is, but how are we going to get there?"
"I managed to find my old car after Jones and I split; my plan was to have the three of us escape with it after he rescued you," Luciano gestured for Italy to follow him, as he started to walk forward. "However, he got himself caught playing hero, like the wise-ass he is, so now we're behind on our plans."
"Umm...where is it?" The 1P asked, looking around the area they were approaching, and with the lighting conditions, he could only see pitch black; that kind of answered his question. "I don't see a car here..."
"Well, only an idiot will leave a potential escape vehicle out in the open," Luciano said this in a hushed tone, checking to see if anyone was following them before he continued. "It's not far from here anyway, just follow me and keep your eyes peeled; we don't want to risk being found."
"Okay."
'Why?'
That was the only word, only question, that played through Flavio's head continously like a chorus. He didn't think there would be anything to gain from this, only things to lose, and frankly, that was what he said to her when she brought up the idea of sacrificing his brother and one of his closest friends. However, she didn't like that, so she ordered little Elise to beat him while she watched, amused by the scene in front of her; then, he was promptly told to leave the office after the beating was finished. That was when he ran into Allen, who noticed his bruises instantly and showed concern; which only made him feel more guilty over what their 'leader' had planned.
After brushing him off and telling him to leave with his brother, he ran to see Oliver; not only because he could treat his injury, but because he might have an idea of what to do about this situation. From what he was told, Alfred and Feliciano were going to become the 'new and improved' Allen and Luciano, through a ceremony, a ceremony that he didn't know about whatsoever; all that he did know was that Alfred and Feliciano were going to become their 2Ps, but what would happen to his brother and Allen, would they die? And that was another reason why he was going to see Oliver; he was a magic user, and thus he would have an idea of how the ceremony works, what's needed and what exactly happens upon its conclusion.
He needed to get his mind off it, at least while he waited for Oliver to come back with the ice pack he had promised to get him from the medical room. Looking at the cracked grey walls and the matching stone floor with random yellow stains immediately got his mind off of things for a bit; could it have hurt for the man to add some framed pictures, posters, heck even wallpaper and carpet to hide the stains on the floor? At least a pink floral table cloth added some colour to the room, that was a start at least...
"Oh, Flavi," Oliver's voice had immediately shaken the Italian out of his thoughts. The pastel pink haired male grimaced slightly, as he handed the blonde an ice pack. "How on earth did you get that nasty bruise?"
"I don't want to be rude, but that's not what's important right now..." He trailed off, placing the pack on his eye, ignoring the puzzled look the Brit was giving him. He had to get this done quickly, he needed answers not pity. "Are you aware that Luciano is here?"
Oliver looked shocked at this. So, he didn't know?
"I was not aware of that, at all..." He replied, and from the look on his face, he didn't know how to feel about it; happy, sad, angry, or hurt. He then closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing before looking at Flavio again with a sympathetic look. "My intention is not to upset you by saying this, Flavi, but I do not believe it to be a joyous occasion that he has returned..."
"I agree," saying that earned him another look of surprise from Oliver; okay, time to cut to the chase. "I'm not sure if you know already, but Allen and Luciano are in trouble."
"Of course," the Brit replied, his expression looking slightly pained. "Luciano has, unfortunately, been exiled, and Allen is currently in Her office; which could only mean he has displeased the witch in some way..."
"No, Allen hasn't done anything wrong," Flavio choked, looking down at the ground, covering his mouth with his free hand. "You should know that, since you've been planning to save the..."
Oliver's eyes widened; he didn't need Flavio to finish his sentence to know what he was talking about.
"Does she know what we have planned?" He asked, in a hushed tone; it didn't hurt to be safe.
"To tell you the truth, I don't know if she does," the blonde composed himself and looked up at Oliver again, emitting a shaky breath before continuing. "The reason she called him to the office was to order him to hunt down his own 1P, Luciano's 1P, and Luciano himself; she said it's an order everyone will receive eventually...I've already received that order..."
"And I will assume that she wants them sent to her as soon as they are caught?"
Flavio nodded in response.
"I wonder why?" Oliver pondered to himself, resting his chin on his hand. "Allen and I have been wondering since he discovered Alfred and Feliciano; and we haven't come to a logical reason..."
"Something about a ceremony," Flavio said abruptly; startling Oliver out of his pondering. He waited for the Brit to calm himself down before adding to his statement. "She didn't say much, she just said that she wanted them for a ceremony that should turn Allen and Luciano into 'good boys'..."
Oliver paled.
"If what you just said is to be believed, that combined with the 1Ps being here..." Oliver's voice was panicked as he was coming to the conclusion. "She wants to convert the 1Ps into fresh 2Ps; starting with Allen and Luciano..."
"How would that work?" Flavio asked nervously.
"Well," Oliver stood up and started to browse through his bookshelf. After picking up a purple book, he sat back at the table. "What is needed to carry out this ceremony is obvious: a 2P and the 2P's 1P, a white candle, a red candle, a spell, and a magic user to carry out the spell. To carry out the spell, the 2P would have to be purged, drained of their blood, then the blood would have to be placed in a cup of some sort; the 1P would then have to drink the blood then die themselves; after that the spell user recites the spell of 'purity to corruption' then the 1P is the new 2P."
"What happens after?"
Oliver flipped to another page of his book.
"The 2P is dead obviously, and the 1P becomes the new 2P; but their minds will be completely wiped, and they will become cold blooded killers, but that period will not last long and we are proof of that..."
"Yeah...but what happens in the 1P world?"
"A new nation is born..."
"What does she have to gain from this?!" Flavio growled, clenching his fists. "Heartless wench!"
"She is doing this for her own satisfaction, clearly," Oliver closed the book, approached Flavio, then wrapped his arms around him. "She has a twisted sense of humour and thus, finds this funny; but do not fret, Flavi, we will not allow her to get what she wants...
We will save them...
...and dispose of her if we want to prevent an incident like this happening again..."
Allen looked down at the teary eyed Prussian, and for the first time in years, he didn't regret what he had just done; he felt no pity for this sorry excuse of a 2P nation, or ex-2P nation, if he was going to be correct. Not only was he aiding that bitch Héderváry with her scheme, thus getting in the way of his goal of saving the 1Ps, but he was overall her little pet; he'd do anything she asked of him, even if it meant hurting others, no matter the age or how close he was to the nation. Disgusting in his opinion. Risking others to save his own skin.
Speaking of the devil, he didn't bother to stand; he just chose to look down after glancing at the crimson haired man and rubbed his bruised cheek. Emitting a shaky sigh, he finally decided to speak.
"What is it you want to talk about, Allen?"
"I think you have an idea," Allen folded his arms, and focused all his attention on not exploding in rage, before he continued. "Let's just cut to the chase, I know who you're guarding behind that door and I simply want you to release him."
Gilen's eyes widened before he rapidly shook his head.
"What?! No, I can't -!"
"Gilen, I'm not in the mood for this!" Allen roared, as he punched the wall next to him, making Gilen whimper. "Release him, or you'll make me do something I'll regret!"
"Please! I can't! If I fail, I'll -"
"I don't have time for this!" He kicked Gilen in the face, knocking him out cold. Before he could start feeling regret, he searched the Prussian for the key, which he found easily enough. Why Erzsébet was stupid enough to leave the key on the guard, he'll never know, but he didn't have time to dwell on that.
Placing the key in the lock, he imagined what the 1P of his guardian would be like; he heard some things, like he couldn't cook to save his life and he didn't wear bright colours, but that was it. He thought maybe he'd be more strict than even Oliver; maybe he'd hate not only swear words, but food swears too, maybe he'd have an even bigger stick up his ass...
He mentally slapped himself, he was on a time limit, dammit!
Turning the key, he opened the door to be greeted with a punch to the face; Matt had told him once that Karma's a bitch...he never wanted to admit it, but he was right. Rubbing his cheek, he looked at the culprit; a man with emerald green eyes, messy blonde hair, and a face and overall build just like his old caretaker.
It was weird seeing a look of pure rage on Oliver's face; he's seen him angry, but not this angry.
Oliver's 1P, who he knew was called Arthur, folded his arms with a smirk, before releasing a small chuckle.
"Well, I've always wanted to punch America in the face, but I never thought I'd get the opportunity," he finally said, more to himself than anything, before anger appeared on his features again. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to save you," Allen unintentionally growled.
Arthur raised a thick eyebrow.
"Save me? That's rich."
"I'm not joking, Arthur..."
"Alright then, if you're not taking the piss, then get out of my way," the Brit proceeded to storm past the shocked Allen, and stopped when he spotted Gilen on the ground unconscious.
"Stay close, I don't want to risk you getting captured again," Allen said, trying to get over hearing a swear in Oliver's voice. He swore!
"What? Do you take me as a damsel in distress?"
"No, I just think we can help each other out of this situation and -"
"What are you planning?" Arthur growled, fingers crackling with, what Allen assumed was, magic.
"To save the 1Ps and get them home," Allen shrugged.
"Oh, thanks for reminding me," the blonde raised his hand and looked to be focusing very hard on something. His hand crackled, glowed then dimmed right after; looking at his hand he scowled. "The drug must still be in my system," he looked at Allen again, then the way out of the corridor behind himself; he turned to leave, but was stopped by Allen.
"Arthur, please, trust me -"
"Why should I?!"
"Because I want out of here just as much as you do! I want to save the 1Ps just as much as you do!"
"And what's in it for you? Why abduct them, then me, when you're just going to bloody release them afterwards?!" Arthur seethed. "That's a load of bollocks and you know it!"
"I had no part in the abduction...not many of us even knew about it."
The 1P's expression was unreadable, as he looked hard at the American.
"You sound sincere..."
"That's because I am," Allen said. "I'll explain my side of things if you want..."
Arthur looked to be in thought. "It's not a trick, is it?"
"Oh come on, you just said I sounded sincere!"
"You could be one hell of an actor for all I know!"
"Please!"
"Alright," the Brit folded his arms. "But don't betray my trust, you understand?"
"I won't."
And that is Chapter 12 done! Unfortunately, I have no idea when I'll get chapter 13 out, but know that it will be coming at some point in the future, so don't worry.
I hope this chapter was good and worth the wait; with some parts, I think you can tell where I struggled and I'm pretty sure I'm making more and more plot holes as I go, whilst making the story a convoluted mess...I dunno...
Improvements are appreciated, please tell me what I did right, wrong and how I can improve. If you would like, you could also favourite and follow this fic, as well as suggest ideas for future chapters. R&R and thanks for reading!
P.S. If you notice plot holes...let me know...kindly...thank you...
