"It's because of how much he loves you."

Ludwig's words had struck Lovino hard. He had simply meant to try and get Ludwig to feel hopeless, but what Ludwig said shocked him.

Not that Lovino would let anyone know that. He was good at hiding what he was feeling, and had done so when Yao entered the room.

Now, as they made their way to meet up with Ivan and Natalya so they could finally kidnap the Pope, Lovino had done one thing he never allowed himself to do before: Remember what it was like to feel abandoned.

Weeks…or was it months? The little Italian couldn't tell anymore. All he knew was that some male had grabbed him and fled.

He was supposed to be the next pope, and whoever that man was left him in this tomato field.

Lovino growled in annoyance. No matter what he tried, he couldn't get his powers to work.

"This is him?" a voice from behind him asked.

Lovino spun around, surprised that someone had found him.

There were two people. The one on the right had a mask to hide his true identity, but it was clear to Lovino this was the man who had taken him away from Feliciano.

The other one was just staring at him with a smile on his face. He was Spanish; that much was clear.

"Hello little one," the Spaniard said, leaning down so he was eye level with Lovino. "I'm Antonio. Sadiq is going to be leaving you with me for a little bit."

Lovino glared. "I want to go home!" He cried. Feliciano needed him, who else was going to help Feliciano stay safe if he couldn't?

"I'm afraid we can't let you do that," Sadiq said from next to the Spaniard. "You see, you know too much now."

"I'm Antonio," the other male said, smiling. "Don't worry Lovino, you'll like it here."

"Tomato bastard," Lovino grumbled, crossing his arms.

Antonio chuckled, picking up Lovino. "Come on, it's been a while since you've eaten, right?"

In answer, Lovino's stomach growled.

xxx

Eight years had passed and Lovino was still living on the tomato farm with Antonio. Their only visitor was Lovino's kidnapper Sadiq, but Antonio's ancient machine of a radio allowed them to know what was happening in the world.

"You know what today is, Lovi?" Antonio asked, grinning.

Lovino rolled his eyes. He had told Antonio repeatedly that he didn't want to be called 'Lovi'. "It's been eight years," Lovino grumbled.

Antonio nodded. "Lovi, you don't need look so down," Antonio sighed. "Do you really hate it here that much?"

"Eight years at a tomato farm with no one but you and that Turkish bastard for company?" Lovino asked. "Of course I hate it here!"

"Well, why don't we just remedy that," Sadiq said, walking through the door. It was clear that he had heard their whole conversation.

"Hello Sadiq!" Antonio greeted him.

Lovino glared. He never knew when Sadiq was going to arrive, but Antonio always knew and never said.

"Have you listened to the news yet?" Sadiq asked.

Lovino shook his head and walked over to the radio, turning it on.

"—the next Pope has—kssrt—been fou—kssrt—fter eight years of—kssrt—the lost—"

"Stupid thing," Lovino grumbled; giving the table the radio sat on a hard kick.

"—We have received word that the next Pope is to be the lost Lovino Vargas's little brother Feliciano Vargas."

Lovino's kicking the table allowed the radio to find that sweet spot and communicate the news without problem.

Much to Lovino's shock. He wasn't concerned with the radio anymore, but he was shocked by the fact that his little brother, dear little Feliciano who couldn't hurt a fly, was supposed to be in such a position of power.

"Looks like your brother does not care that much for you after all," Sadiq muttered from behind Lovino. "If he's going to be taking your position…"

"It was first realized when Feliciano Vargas was in school," the reporter continued. "Unknown circumstances while he was in gym led to Feliciano Vargas to activate his powers for what many believe is the first time in his life."

Lovino shook his head, not able to believe what he was hearing. "This-this can't be possible…" he muttered.

"But it is possible," Sadiq muttered. "The people have found their pope; your little brother is going to have the life you should've had. No one cares about you. Especially not your little brother; he's going to have so much to deal with now. He won't put a second thought towards the brother he had lost."

Lovino was hurt. If he had thought about it, he wouldn't have believed what Sadiq told him because what Sadiq had said didn't sound like Feliciano, but his mind had been numbed by overwhelming worry for his little brother.

"Feliciano Vargas has already been placed into the Pope's care so he may lead us towards a better future," the reporter finished.

Lovino blinked, feeling his heart break.

Antonio was clearly concerned. He had watched Lovino grow from a young boy into a teenager. They worked in the tomato fields together. Antonio was closer to Lovino than anyone else, and he didn't want to see Lovino hurt.

"So…would you like to prove to the people how wrong they were? That they never should have done this to your little brother?" Sadiq muttered, grinning.

Lovino closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes again, there was a fierce determination in them.

"Yes," Lovino replied.

After that, he left Antonio and the tomato farm behind and went to the same city that Feliciano was in, only under different circumstances than the younger Vargas brother.

xxx

Lovino had learned from Sadiq everything he knew about running the Mafia and how to plan raids, though he had remained in the shadows under Sadiq's orders until the Mafia fell. Lovino didn't see it, but he had heard that Sadiq had died and it was written in Sadiq's will that the Mafia was to rise again under Lovino.

This had seemed strange, but no one questioned Sadiq's commands, and his last one was that they were to follow his apprentice.

And so the remains of the Mafia formed again under Lovino. It had taken years, but finally Sadiq's teachings would pay off.

Lovino's plan would be completed.

Only now the ruthless leader of the Mafia was starting to have doubts about this whole thing.

If only Antonio was here… Lovino thought, but quickly stopped that train of thought. He hadn't seen Antonio again after that, he didn't even know if the tomato farm was still there or if Antonio was still alive.

"Sir," Yao said, interrupting Lovino's train of thought. "We're here."

Lovino nodded. "Yao, you'll help me keep Ludwig restrained. Matthew, find Ivan's and Natalya's teams and wait for further orders."

The trio moved quickly. Ludwig was out of the car and standing on the corner with Lovino putting the gun to his head. Only then was the blindfold taken off Ludwig's head and he could see. Yao had disappeared, though.

"This is how it's going to happen," Lovino muttered to Ludwig, watching as Natalya approached the Jeep. "If the Pope is handed over without any trouble, you won't find a bullet in your head. If they try anything, you aren't going to see another day. If you try anything, though, you can expect Yao to deal with you himself."

Ludwig winced; watching as Natalya had the gun pointed into the car and was talking to Gilbert and Feliciano. They had hit a dead end; the Mafia had won…

Gilbert and Feliciano's heads appeared over the dash, both in shock.

"Ludwig!" Feliciano cried.

/AN

And so, with a few flashbacks, we're at the same cliffhanger as a few chapters ago.

What's going to happen next? That's for you readers to find out.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

R&R Please!

AN/