A/N: Fun fact about this chapter: I was listen to a Labyrinth by Oomph and 5. März by Megaherz while writing it. Don't know if that contributed to anything, but both songs go well with the story.

DISCLAIMER: I no own anything but the plot! So don't sue!

Ch. 6: Revelations

"Self-revelation is a cruel process. The real picture, the real you never emerges. Looking for it is as bewildering as trying to know how you really look. Ten different mirrors show you ten different faces." ~Shashi Deshpande

"Some mystery should be left in the revelation of character in a play, just as a great deal of mystery is always left in the revelation of character in life, even in one's own character to himself."

~Tennessee Williams

The conference room was silent and empty as he closed the door. He was the first there instead of the last. A small smile crept into place. Taking his seat, he set his briefcase on the desk in front of him. Opening it, his smile grew.

'Time to see how the world reacts when truth is forced in front of them.'

Setting his black fedora on the desk, pulled out papers and began to wait for the others to show up. His smile never vanishing.

An hour later the door opened again. Feliciano looked up from his work. Sandy blond hair, big, bushy eyebrows, and dark, green eyes.

"Ve~ Buon giorno, Inghilterra." Said Englishman's head jerked toward him, emerald eyes widening in shock.

"Oh! Um, Good morning to you to Italy. It's odd to see you here so early. Usually Germany is dragging here barely in time for the meeting." England stared at the brunette. Something wasn't right. Usually the room felt a bit warmer with the air-headed Italian in it. With his naive smile and kind words. But the room felt deprived of that warmth even though that same Italian was smiling right at him. Something most defiantly wasn't right. And where was Germany? The Kraut was always around Italy, or at least not far.

"Ve~ Germany isn't here if you were wondering. I decided to come early for once. Besides, I had some paperwork to catch up on." England nodded his head.

"Good. Good. Well, I should get some tea and coffee brewing. I'll be over there if you need anything." All he got was a nod in return. This wasn't like Italy at all. Usually he would babble about pasta or some other useless topic and cling to Germany. But Germany wasn't here and Italy was quiet, to the point that it sounded like he wasn't even there.

England prepared the coffee and tea as he said he would, but kept an eye on Italy, who feeling his gaze glanced up from his work. England gasped and returned to the task in front of him. There was no way what he saw was real. It was just his mind playing a trick on him or the light or the distance or, God forbid, he was getting old. There was no way that those dead, hollow eyes belonged to the vibrant, talkative idiot that was the Italy that he has known for years. He would have to ask Germany if something had happened to cause this change in Italy.

England chanced one last peak at Italy before continuing on with his usual pre-meeting tasks. Yes. He would have to ask Germany once he got there.

~*~*~* Time skip: 30 min*~*~*~

Nearly all the countries had arrived and were seated. All but Germany and Spain. Germany they were used to being late. After all he usually was dragging Italy out of bed several times just to make it to the meeting five minutes late. Spain usually was here smiling like an idiot with a scowling Romano next to him. Therein was the problem that all the nations, save for Greece who was a asleep again, saw. Both Italy's were present. Romano was scowling at anybody and everybody, while his brother sat there cool and collected. Neither commented on the lack of their respective 'partners', as the world referred to them. That alone caught everyone by surprise. Though, if anyone felt like voicing their thoughts, it seemed as both halves of Italy seemed unphased at the absence, almost like they expected it.

Once more Italy shocked the world. "Ve~ I don't think Germania o Spagna are coming today. We should begin." Romano just 'humphed' in agreement before sinking in his chair. Several nations just shook their heads, not trusting their ears at the moment. While several other mumbled words of agreement or disbelief. Despite the oddity of every meeting they had always run with the same type of format. This meeting though was going to be the strangest yet, at least, the world thought so.

~*~*~* Time skip: 1 hr*~*~*~

The meeting had gone just as Feliciano had planed. No one had expected his insight or comments. Nor his confidence when talking with others. Russia bringing up the recent deaths of his Mob members just made everything that much easier for him. Felicano just smiled. Not saying a word. No one made it seem like they noticed, but Felicano was sure that they had. The room itself felt tense. Something was about to break. He could feel it.

"SIE DENKEN, DASS SIE MICH DRAUSSEN BEHALTEN KÖNNEN!"

All heads looked towards the door. Most flinched when it was brutally kicked open. Feli just chuckled. Prussia stood seething in the door's wake, wearing his usual black and white on black attire. His red eyes flashed with anger and his white hair looked more messed up then usual.

"Vhere is he!" Feli chuckled some more.

"Gilbert, who are you dalking aboud?" Aw, good ol' Austria.

"Feliciano! North Idaly!" Of course. Must be about Ludwig.

"Ve~ Why?" Oh, how such an innocent question can hold such a painful answer.

"You know vhy! Ludvid came home vith a bullet in his arm and looked stoned! He vas shaking and mumbling your name! I vant to know exactly vat happened do him!" So this is about Ludwig.

"Ve~ If you think I shot him, then you're wrong. It was Russia's men that shot him. I was in the bathroom." The warm smile on his lips faded to a hollow smirk.

The world watched as Felicano got up, placed his fedora on his head and grabbed his briefcase. The brunette walked slowly over to Prussia. The hollow smirk never faltering. North Italy stopped directly in front of Prussia. His brown eyes held red ones. He spoke with no emotion. Words empty of the warmth and feeling that the world had come to expect when speaking with the Italian.

"As for his state. I'm afraid that he found out a truth that he couldn't handle." All of Prussia's anger melted into realization. Ludwig had seen this version of Italy and it broke him. No one who was supposed to be so warm should ever be so dead.

Italy walked passed him. Not even stopping to throw back another statement at Prussia. "You shouldn't worry about the man who shot Germany. I made sure he is returning home punished." Then he was gone. Through the splintered door frame, into the unforgiving world of men.

Prussia stood in shock as he stared at Austria and Hungry. Neither of them knew what to saw or if they should say anything at all. The world had just witnessed an event that none had expected. Even Russia stood in quiet contemplation. He never would have thought that it was the bumbling fool North Italy he was facing in this clash of wills.

The whole room was quiet. No outbursts or arguments. No decelerations or laughter. Just a tense, puzzled quiet. Broken only by a quiet, saddened voice pleading to God in a broken mixture of English, Latin, and Italian to save his brother.

A/N: Okay I know it's not very long, but I wanted to get something to you guys quickly. I actually had planned on going in a different direction, but I liked this way better. Prussia may have more of a part of this story then I was originally planning. Next up! A drunk Germany and Spain! And who knows maybe Prussia and France will be the ones to figure out everything. With the help of Austria and Hungry of course. But will it be to late? Will Russia get his revenge of Italy before they can solve this mystery? I really need to stop watching murder shows...I would also like to apologize for the time skips. I'm just not as up to date with current events and politics to actually write a good meeting. (In other words I cheated. I know. Xp)

Transulations:

Buon giorno, Inghilterra – Good morning, England (Ita)

Germania o Spagna – Germany or Spain (Ita)

Sie denken, dass Sie mich draußen behalten können! – You think you can keep me outside! (Ger)

Names:

Ludwig – Germany

Feliciano – Italy

Romano – Lovino/South Italy/Lovi

Gilbert – Prussia