The traveling companions arrived at the town, and the Spaniard parted from the four to return to the king and tell him of the disappointing news. The other four would look for a way to get to the other life sources.
"The docks perhaps?" the Austrian asked, looking at the white sails of ships in the not terribly far distance.
"By sea does seem to be the only choice for getting there quickly, I'm afraid." England sighed. He adjusted his pointed hat, and gestured to the docks. "We can't waste time. That mad man is getting closer to the life sources while we waste our time here,"
The group agreed and headed for the docks. It was filled with ships, sails of all different colors.
"Are we going to steal a ship?" Iceland asked.
"I guess we could.. I wouldn't advise it." Norway sighed, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Steal? Non non, that will not do,"
They turned to see a man in a frilly blue jacket, Knee high boots with slight heels. A large blue hat with a long white feather sticking out of it. He had wavy blonde hair, and dark blue eyes. And a little blonde scruff on his chin.
Mana sparked at the group's fingertips of England and Norway. "Who are you?"
The man chuckled, running a hand through his hair, eyeing them in a way that made them all feel uncomfortable. "Why I am Francis Bonnefoy, my name is well known among the seas, for I am the greatest gambler and pirate this world has ever seen."
Arthur spit tea all over the table, Alfred moving his feet just time to avoid the spray. Greece looked at the tea he had almost been hit by with a blank expression.
France grinned deviously from further down the table, "Problem, Angleterre?"
"You! You pompous frog! You're a Gambler not a pirate, first off!"
"I think it's fair to say that as a gambler my character is also allowed to be a pirate. It's characterizing him. Giving him a story. You're not jealous are you?" The Frenchman put a hand to his mouth, feigning surprise that Arthur might be upset.
The Englishman's face turned a bright shade of red. "Of course there is a problem! You-"
"Are you jealous that I made my character a pirate before you had a chance, better yet, before you even thought of it? But it doesn't matter. A black mage pirate sounds really stupid. And not logical. After all, your character isn't supposed be good in swordsman ship so it wouldn't make sense that you were a pirate. And if you did add that you were a pirate, you're just doing it cause I did it first. That makes you a copy cat. And no one likes a copy cat, Angleterre."
"Me… me copy you? Don't make me laugh you frog! It's you who is copying me!" Arthur pointed an accusing finger at the Frenchman. "You know very well that I was ten times the pirate you could ever hope to be! I ruled the seas, and your only doing this because after all this time you're still bitter about it all. So you're doing this to make yourself feel superior! It's not working frog!"
"Vraiment?" France's blue eyes sparked with amusement. "Because… it feels like it's working~"
"YOU!" Arthur made to leap over the table to sock it to the Frenchman, being held back by Spain who had the man by his collar. The Spaniard could only smile weakly at all the tension. Francis only laughing happily at what he had stirred up.
"Woah! Woah! Woah!" The albino in the room stood, his scarlet eyes gleaming as he looked from France to England and Spain. "I think we all know who the best pirate is." He gestured to himself. "This guy."
England sputtered, furious with the situation and Spain laughed cheerfully at Gilbert.
"And the best pirate in many ways." Gilbert winked, leaning over the table towards Roderich. "Isn't that write Little Master~?"
Austria stared at the Prussian not letting a hint of emotion pass. Violet eyes simply dull and unimpressed with Gilbert.
The sound of a frying pan colliding with someone's skull echoed through the room. "You didn't actually invade his actual vital regions! Stop telling everyone you did!" Hungary snarled, raising her kitchen instrument above her head to strike again.
"How to you know?" Gilbert cackled evilly, though holding the side of his head that had been attacked. "Kesesesesese~ I could have taken them by surprise while you were sleeping."
"Oh lord.." sighed the Austrian closing his eyes in exasperation, he adjusted his glasses, ducking slight as he did, avoiding the frying pan that was being swung wildly.
A fist slammed against the table, this particular fist did that often in meetings. "Silence!" "He grabbed his older brother by the scruff of his neck, pulling him away before he took another hit to the cranium and pushed him into his seat. "Everyone sit." He took a deep breath as everyone slowly sat back down. "Even when it's something fun none of you can behave yourselves. Japan is doing something nice for us. So shut up and listen to what he's saying and deal with whatever happens." Germany's sky blue eyes tossed a glare to England who look scandalized that he was being addressed for this particular issue. "Got it?"
The room was filled with mumbled "Got it" and "Okay" before the blond sat back down as well. Giving his brother a glare as well.
Scarlet eyes went wide, as he held up his hands up in front of him, playing the innocent act.
"I am the greatest gambler and pirate this world has ever seen."
"Then would you perhaps lend us a hand?" Norway asked stepping forward. "Our need is dire, and our mission true."
"Fool," Arthur pulled back the Summoner. "He's a pirate and can not be trusted. Ship or not, we can not put our faith in him!"
"We have no other choice," Iceland argued.
"But Arthur is correct," The bard sighed. Once we get onto his ship we are at his mercy. We could be mugged or killed… or even worse…Our vital regions could be invaded…"
"You git! Having your vital regions invaded is not worse then death!"
Roderich's violet eyes glanced over at the bard. "Clearly, you haven't-"
"Now now…" The pirate said stepping up to them. "I don't have the time to listen to this squabble. I'm feeling rather generous today. So I'll offer you all a deal. Just across the big blue is a rather large town. In that town is a theater. I would like one of you to perform in that theater. All of you are fairly feminine, so any of you will do for the part." The Frenchman eyed them all, licking his lips slightly.
The group in unison shivered slightly. "And if one of us do this… you'll take us to where we need to go?"
"Absolutely."
The group looked at each other warily. Arthur shook his head. "Don't trust this frog,"
"We need a ship though," The Summoner sighed. "And we can't waste anymore time…" He sighed stepping forward. "Very well, how will you pick one of us. And we will only go with you once our task is complete."
"Fair enough. And it's a gamble to see whom I will take. If you are so desperate you will have no complaints." From inside his jacket the man pulled out two dice. "Who will roll first?"
The Black Mage held out his hand with a sigh. "There is one more of our group. He must of course go with us, and roll too,"
The Gambler pouted for a moment as he thought. "I have no idea what he looks like, is he like these delicate flowers?"
"Isn't that part of the gamble, pirate?"
Blue eyes and emerald locked for a moment. Dislike clear for a few moments before the Gambler broke his gaze spinning on his heel. "Yes of course. Roll you little fireball. I'd like to be off sooner rather then later.
The black mage took a deep breath, kneeling down on the ground, his companions kneeling beside him. Arthur let the dice drop from his hand, the clattered to the ground forming a one and a two. "Ha!" He said triumphantly. Someone had to get something better.
The Frenchman sighed and shrugged. "What a shame, it would've been nice to have you, but those brows of yours." The pirate tapped his own forehead. "Perhaps it's for the best."
The Mage opened his mouth to retort rudely but Iceland nudged him out of the way to avoid another fight. He picked up the dice, and dropped them onto the ground as well. He flinched as the dice added up to the number nine.
The Summoner went next rolling the dice, breathing a sigh of relief as seven came up. Only adding a sad little moan from Iceland.
So what if the scholar had to go with the pirate at some point? He wasn't part of their original group. There would be no real loss. At least, that's how Arthur felt about it.
The bard feeling that his roll was safe, it'd be hard to out do a nine. He tossed rolled his dice, seeing snake eyes come up. A two. He smirked pleased. All that was left was Spain…
"Hey guys! Any luck finding a ship?" The emerald eyed man ran up to them happily.
"Yes in fact," Arthur said picking up the dice and handing them to Antonio. "All you have to do is roll these dice and we'll be on out way."
"Oh? That's it? Okay!" With a bright smile, he knelt down and rolled the dice on the ground. "Three," he said happily. "That it?"
"That's it." Arthur turned pushing the silver haired boy forward. "When we are finished, you get to have him for your little show."
"Works for me." The Frenchman narrowed his eyes looking over the Scholar. Yes, he'd do. "Alright. To my ship then, where are we going exactly?" The pirate turned on his heel leading them to a grand ship. Flags of white, red and blue waving in the breeze proudly.
Spain smiled having the information needed to finding the next crystal. "To the west lies the Evanstar! It's the closet one seeing as where this town is. It's hidden within the mountains. But I don't know anything much more then that."
"To the West it is then." The Pirate stepped aboard his ship. "Tous sur le pont! We head west. Stay within sight of land!"
Pirates scurried about the deck, getting the ship ready to go. And the captain of their ship stood at the helm, he tilted his hat up, a smile gracing his lips as he gazed out on the horizon. Blue eyes softening at the sight before him…
"Do you remember those days Angleterre?" France looked over at the Englishman, no more teasing behind his sapphire eyes.
The Englishman looked over at him for a moment. "Yes of course. Some of the best years of my life were on the seas, and just after that too."
Spain sat back in his chair, smiling slightly. "Just after our pirate days, the little ones came into some of your lives."
Arthur's emerald eyes darkened. As memories both good and bad filled his mind.
Francis sighed, "Of all of us who have raised a country I can't believe it's Gilbert who did the best out of all of us."
"Kesesesesese"
"Hey now, amigo!" Spain said, slightly offended. "Romano turned out just fine!"
"He's a brat Antonio."
The one Italian didn't look at all perturbed by the insults flying about him. "Well whomever raised my brother royally screwed up," He said in his defense.
"Ve~?"
The mouthier Italian looked over at the Austrian.
"That would be Hungary," Roderich said in his defense.
"What!" She said shocked.
"You put him in dresses,"
"You didn't even know he was a male."
"That's because he was always in dresses, what was I supposed to think, dear?"
"Don't speak condescendingly to me, Roderich," she practically hissed.
"Then don't use that tone with me, Hungary," he said pleasantly back.
Prussia's eyes were wide as saucers as he leaned forward hoping that Hungary would just sock the aristocrat in the face. He loved watching these once inseparable lovebirds fight.
"Prussia did a terrible job raising Germany, aru," China huffed clearly offended. All the countries that he had raised had left him if not done worse at some point. "Just because Germany never hated Prussia at one point didn't mean he did a good job, aru. Do we not recall TWO world wars thanks to that man?"
Gilbert lost interest in the Austrian and turned to glare at China. "The wars wasn't his fault! You have to do what the bosses say!"
"You have some say on what your bosses do, aru," China retorted. "You can say, hey, I think this is a bad idea, aru, And the effects of two world wars is all around us. Why some of us are in the situations they are in." Gold eyes drifted to the American, who looked back with a small frown.
"Like a butterfly," Japan muttered. China nodded at the reference.
"It's not West's fault!" Gilbert snapped standing up.
"Ost," warned the younger brother, warning the albino to sit down.
"It is, aru!" China stood as well. "Had at least the second war not happened, Japan would have never attacked America. America would have never attacked back. That type of war fair would have never been introduced, aru. The tensions between Russia and America would have never happened. And most importantly, America would be minding his own business, he wouldn't be in debt to me, aru,"
Alfred visibly flinched at the reminder of the huge bill he owed the Chinese.
"Enough," warned Arthur standing up as well.
"And you'd still be a country, Prussia, aru,"
Gilbert glared at Yao, a scowl clear on his pale features. Debating if he should tackle the Chinaman and beat the crap out of him.
"Enough," warned Arthur again. "The wars did happen. And it's thanks to Alfred that the allied powers won them. I think he deserves a hero complex, not as big as the one he actually has…but, stop calling him out on the flaws of today. Like Prussia said, it's the leaders who decide things. The nation has no choice to obey. It's not his fault his country is in debt,"
"Sticking up for the young one, Angleterre? Still guilty from the Civil War?"
Both America and England gasped softly at the mention of their dark past. Where England had supported the South in the Civil War. Helped ripped apart the American even more. Who was screaming in agony as his countrymen ripped each other apart.
"Y-You frog… You know,"
"Regardless of America's wins in the war, it doesn't give him the right to but into everyone's business. You all agree, da? It's why he get's attacked on his own land. Then bullies everyone into his wars and doing what he says. I wont be sorry when more of your b-"
"Russia!"
Ivan stopped himself once hearing the angry voice of China. The one who started this. "No matter what a country has done. Innocents don't deserved to be harmed like that. You never attack the innocent people of a country for the wrong doings of their leaders." Golden eyes fell onto Japan who couldn't hold his gaze.
"This is supposed to be fun, please… I must insist we don't bring up the past." Japan asked quietly.
Prussia and China slowly sat back down. Gilbert clearly furious, and Yao a little upset with himself it seemed. He held his panda tightly to his chest.
"I-I'm sorry. If we can take a small break." Alfred asked quietly still standing. "I'm going to break open the vending machines so we don't starve to death while we're here."
With that the American left without another word. England quickly following after. "A-Alfred." his voice could be heard as he went further down the hall.
Denmark let out a low whistle at the awkward and almost deafening silence that had taken a hold of the room. The muffled voices of Arthur and Alfred still heard in the distance. But to far off to make sense of any of the words.
"The past is the past for a reason, everyone," Spain said softly. His emerald eyes focused on the table. "We should forgive. But never forget."
They're were nods from around the room. And a muttered; "tomato bastard is right about something,"
"Empires will raise and fall. Wars will start and end. And some day, we'll shed the blood of each other again," Antonio said sadly. "It's inevitable. Humans fight. We've been fighting each other for hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of years. Since before Grandpa Rome, and we'll be fighting still, even after some of us are gone. War will make corpses of us all. Such is our fate. So let's hold onto these moments of peace we are granted. "Let's not think about the day when I may have to fight, Francis… or…or Romano. Those days may come. And if it does, well, I want to hang onto the fond memories for as long as I can. I don't want to ruin the peace by bickering about things like the past. Things that weren't always our choice." The Spaniard took a deep breath as the other nations in the room took in the speech.
"I'm sorry, aru. This wasn't the place." China said softly. He closed his eyes sadly.
"Can we start?" Romano asked, sighing. "All this touchy feely crap is pissing me off."
"I'd like to England-san and America-san to come back," Japan said softly.
"I'll go help them then." France said quickly leaving the room.
Everyone was silent for a few more moments.
"I wish there was a piano in here," muttered Gilbert.
"Why?" snorted Hungary.
"So specs can play and lighten the mood. You can't be pissed off when he plays. It's impossible. I've tried!"
Hungary and Austria both looked at the Prussian surprised. Roderich recovered first placing a gloved hand to his mouth laughing softly. The albino perked up, scarlet eyes sparking to life and a grin appeared on his face, at the not often heard laugh.
Hungary starred at the two men suspiciously, Finland smiled up at Sweden and received a gentle pat on the head. China and Japan exchanged apologetic glances. And Italy jumped up.
"Ve~ I almost forgot," The red head dug into his briefcase pulling out a very large container of… "Paaaaaaasta~"
Germany face palmed in exasperation. "Italy! You have important documents you need to bring not pasta!"
"Ve?"
"Oh!" Spain jumped up next. "I have tomatoes!"
"Of course you do," murmured Romano, though he was smiling, slightly.
"Vash and I have leftover cheese from our lunch" Lichtenstein said happily, wanting to be included, much to her brother's protests.
"Like, with the snacks that America is getting. This will be like, a great meal." Poland said excitedly.
"I have vodka!" Russia said, pulling several bottles out of his coat.
"I saw paper plates and cups in the lunch room," Canada said running out to get them.
"I always have food, aru~" China said, pushing over some leftovers from his lunch. Though it looked more like a second lunch.
"Beer~! Beer`! Beer~!" That's what I snuck into the meeting!" Prussia said, pulling bottles out of his brother's brief case.
"Ost…"
"I've been buzzed this whole meeting and it's still not tolerable." Gilbert cackled.
"Cake, it's leftover. It was to pretty to eat here, I decided, so I was saving it. But I'm happy to share now." Austria said pushing over the slice.
The other countries slid over what they had left over from lunch. America, France and England came in with America's bomber jacket being used to carry all the soda's candy and chips they had stolen from the vending machines.
"Oh! I have lunch to share," England said happily, moving over to his place.
"No" was the general consensus for England's food. Which wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't welcomed France's food.
"I'll eat your food with you Arthur," The American said happily, setting his jacket down on the table, earning a huge smile from the Englishman.
"Japan!" Gilbert shouted through a mouthful of pasta, once Canada had come back with the plates and settled in. "Let's get started. I want to win this thing before we have to go home."
Japan paused with a dumpling halfway in his mouth, he was going to correct the Prussian but decided against it. "Very well then." He glanced up at everyone. Dining on dishes from all over the world. Sitting in peace. If only for this one evening or even these few moments. He could at least say he saw it happen. Kiku took a deep breath.
"The pirate ship sailed through the seas. Hoping to make it in time to save the next life source before the Knight got his hands on it. With Francis at the helm, and the mountain peeks in the distance they could only hope they were not to late,"
Darker then normal, but I needed them to all fight and get that out of their system so I can work on maybe pairing people up at some point. Lots of references in History. So brief I'm not going to mention them all. If you catch them awesome :D If not, no big deal. The next chapter I'm looking forward too. More laughs again and randomness. It shouldn't get quite that dark again.
Thanks for all your reviews, hits, favs and alerts. They mean a lot