Show Me A Hero and I'll Write Him A Tragedy.
Chapter 7
"Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain."~Joseph Campbell.
_
After everyone had decided to order a buffet breakfast they sat eating happily. Alfred was currently hogging the bowl of cherries, but no one minded as they laughed at past stories.
"Alright so Elizaveta here thought she vas a boy as a kid". Gilbert said, his arm around Matthew and tried to share his beer with the boy. "She thoughts a wiener wienie thingy grew". Gilbert lathes hysterically with some others, till he got a frying pan to the head again.
"One time I got so mad I burned Francis closet, he was so pissed he had to wear normal clothes". Arthur said receiving a cold glare and some chuckles.
"I remember when Al and I were children, we blew up our neighbors mail box with a fire cracker". Matthew said surprising Gil. "Do you you remember Al".
"Yah she was so pissed". He said throwing a cherry in his mouth.
"Sorry to interrupt but I believe it's time for you to start your classes Alfred". Arthur said and left to show Alfred where to go. Alfred followed with the bowl in hand.
Alfred was taken into the library where Arthur had grabbed some novels.
"I want you to start reading, since you pick on this quickly, I will tell you how to pronounce these words".
"Ok seems simple". Alfred sat down with the cherries in between him and Arthur while Arthur set a book in front of him. "What's this story about".
"It's about how a young war hero searches for his family, who thought he was dead and moved".
"What's a hero". Alfred asked with a bright smile as Arthur grabbed a cherry.
"It's a person who does a good deed at a certain majority, or someone who saves another persons life".
"Oh like you guys".
"Yes you could say so-no the story". Arthur said unaware of the others, they hide behind a bookshelf behind them and watched Arthur read. Arthur opened the book and laid it in front of the both of them. "Chapter 1, A Boys War. 'Uncle Sam stood for liberty, as a young boy I had chosen to serve my country. I have already told my wife and kids, I promised when I came back we would have a dinner together, like we use to". Arthur read to Alfred who followed along.
After the 45 minutes with Arthur was up, he was guided to math where his teacher there was Ivan. Yao watched them so Ivan didn't hurt the boy. After he was done with that class he went to Yao's class, which was a private lesson. Yao taught control and observed powers, he had a handful with Alfred.
The rest of the day was full with: Gym with Ludwig, Music with Roderich and Antonio, painting with Feliciano, therapy with Kiku, guns with Vash, cooking with Francis, and communications with Arthur. After a tiring day he fell asleep on the table during dinner, this resulted in a couple of people taking him to his room.
-HETALIA-
It's been about two months since then and Alfred had learned a lot of thing, some perverted from Francis, and he was now communicating a lot without quotes and threats. He has actually grown attached to Arthur, a little more than a brother or a father. He had started noticing that his brother might have been in a 'relationship' with Gilbert. He was confused since he hadn't been taught this one, it started when he saw them press their lips together.
He was reading one of the romance novels Elizaveta had given him when he saw a picture of a male and female pressing their lips together. 'A kiss what's that'. Alfred thought to himself and then the image of his lips touching Arthurs hit his mind. Alfred threw the book down and decided to start reading the files he had stolen over 3 months ago.
He picked up Gilbert's first and read to himself while sitting against the lock door, the files piled next to him.
"Neph: 18
Name: Gilbert Beilschmidt
Age: 20-23
Gender: Male
Birthday: January 18
Hair Color: Platinum Blond
Eye Color: Red-Violet
Height: 177 cm (5'9 ft est)
Place of Birth: East Germany". Alfred read lightly so no one hears him.
"He's narcissistic, has the ability to manipulate the body of humans. He has a wild spirit and a giant ego, but he's not a big threat". After reading Gilbert's file he went to Arthurs.
"Neph: 23
Name: Arthur Kirkland
Age: 23
Gender: Male
Birthday: April 23
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Green
Height: 175 cm (5' 9")
Place of Birth: England". Alfred eyes widened at the age. "He's no older than me, why does it make me happy". He said and shook his head. "Arthur is an easy tempered boy, but is no major threat to us. His abilities are fire manipulation, and mind manipulation". Alfred continued reading till about an hour passed and he had finished them.
He learned all the Neph's abilities, including Matthew who had nothing but that on his chart. Since Matthew had escaped their parents only wrote what they knew.
Matthew had the ability of Invisibility, Elizaveta had the ability to Phase through things, Ivan was able to control snow, France was able to tempt people to do anything but didn't control them, Feliciano had the ability to teleport, etc.
After he was done he burned the files so no one ever knew them, so they wouldn't get hurt. He had one last file to read and burn, his own and on the way to stand his stomach started hurting again. Off and on for the last month Alfred stomach had begun to hurt, it got worse each time. Alfred laid on the ground, after unlocking the door, and shook, holding his stomach. He knocked loudly on the door to get the others attention, this time he felt like he was dying he was crying buckets.
"Alfred". Francis said opening the door knowing what the knock meant.
"F-Fra-anc-cis". Alfred said as the Frenchman kneeled down to help the boy.
"How bad is it this time Alfred".
"I-I feel-l like I'm d-dAH". Alfred gasped and rolled over clutching closer.
"Alright let's get you in the bed". He said and picked the boy up. After sitting Alfred down Francis left only to return with Alfred's file and the rest of the house bosses.
"GA-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH UG-AH". Alfred cried out as Yao tried to use his ability to sooth the pain, but it didn't work and Alfred only screamed worse. Arthur patted one of Alfred's hands in between his as the screams blasted. "ST-STOP IT P-PLEASE I-I'M D-DYING UG-GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH". Alfred yelled as Francis read fast as he could.
"ZERE IS NOTHING ON 'IS FILE".
"Medication vithdrawal maybe". Ludwig said as Gilbert kept Matthew outside the door.
"P-PLEASE GIL HE'S MY BROTHER". Matthew yelled as everyone watched from their rooms.
"Sounds good to me West".
"M-MY STOM-MACH AAAAAAAAAAAH, PLEASE SOMEONE".
"Then what do we do if it's the medicine". Arthur said pushing Alfred's bangs back trying to calm him.
"We just wait till pain stops aru". Yao said and for the next 25 minutes everyone waited for Alfred to recover. When he finally stopped crying he was out cold, the pain had knocked him out.
Arthur waited for Alfred to wake up while the rest went to make a potion or some antidote. When Alfred woke up it was 1:53 in the morning and Arthur was asleep next to him. He decided to pick up the romance book again and read it, unfortunately he stopped at the kiss page. He decided to wake Arthur up and ask him what a kiss meant.
"Hey Artie". He said pulling on the sleeping Brits sleeve.
"Ngh-wah". He said and opened his eyes. "Oh Alfred how are you feeling, is something wrong". Arthur's face turned up seeing the younger boys pain free face.
"I feel a lot better and nothing wrong, I have a question".
"Oh okay then, what is it love".
"What's a kiss". Arthur had heat rush to his face, he carefully work around that type of relationship, thank you Elizaveta.
"Well a kiss is what two people do when they like each other a lot".
"How much a lot".
"Well, for example Kiku and Heracles they like each other to a certain level. They know a lot about each other, but they also don't know a lot about each other, they enjoy each others company…does this make any sense".
"I think, they love each other but not in a sibling way like Matt and me".
"See you got it".
"Alright then how do you know when you love someone".
"I'd ask you to ask Francis but that's torture, so here's my view. It's when you can't seem to get someone out of your head, when you want to be near them".
"What about imagining things like kissing them".
"Yes why, do you like someone".
"Please don't talk to me like a little kid".
"Come now Alfred tell me the name". Arthur said with a smile, but Alfred's eyes just wondered.
"Hey is that my file".
"Yes". Arthur looked at the thing on the dresser.
"Can I read it".
"Only if you tell me who you have a crush on Jones".
"All I can tell you is, I find joy in this person, they make me happy that I stayed here". Alfred said as Arthur handed him his glasses and the file.
"Well I'm sure they like you as well Alfred, what gender".
"Oh, um m-male".
"Oh really, I hope it's not the frog". Arthur walked over to the door, grabbing the knob.
"Nope, hey Arthur do you like anyone".
"Hm, You could say that". He said with a smile and left Alfred alone.
'Neph: 74
Name: Alfred F. Jones
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Birthday: July 04
Hair Color: Blond
Eye Color: Blue
Height: 177 cm (5'9.6")'. Alfred read in his head. "74 is a huge threat to the world, but is also the best Neph to test on. We give him a tranquilizer and it effects him greatly, along with the rest of the medication and blood. His body is that of unique, his body does not reject the blood that does not match his instead it changes the blood type to his. Currently we have more blood and medicine to give him, and after we solve his riddle we shall pull the plug so this threat doesn't escape into the wor-ld". Alfred stopped for a moment when he realized blood dropping onto the file. He looked up to see Faheem holding a gun, it had blood on it. Alfred suddenly fell over in pain and gripped his head.
"Time to go home Neph 74". He said and people came in, one held a needle and shot it into Alfred. It was a tranquilizer, he couldn't move anymore, he didn't know what was happening and only heard shouts.
"LIKE DO NOT LIKE TOUCH ME". Feliks yelled.
"SOMEONE THE HELPS". Katyusha yelled and that's all Alfred heard as he went limp.
After getting all the Neph's chained up they took them outside and to a truck. They looked to the side and saw Alfred chained to a metal pushing cart, unconscious.
"ALFRED". Matthew yelled crying for his brother, this caused Alfred to open his eyes with all his strength. He held out his hand as much as he could and mouthed 'sorry' before passing out for the last time.
When he woke up next time he saw a dimmed metal room with a cage around him. He started to move his arms, but found out he had a straight jacket on and was chained to a metal table suspended with chains. He freaked out trying to pull out of the jacket, but no success.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". Alfred scream bloody murder getting the other Neph's attention. They were in a huge room with a flat screen showing Alfred chained up. Everyone stared up after hearing the scream to see Alfred squirming.
"74 your awake, finally". A woman's voice said and Mrs. Jones walked into view. "You missed your birthday, I have a gift for". She said and a man pushed out a cart with those shocking things from the hospital.
"Ah". Alfred gasped seeing them turning it up as far as it would go. It made this buzzing song as the rubbed them together. Alfred had heart monitor next to him that went flat when they shocked him.
"AH". Matthew gasped and turned his back to the screen. For a while it went in a straight line and then his heart started again, but they kept shocking him. Over and over again he died and came back to life and around the 19th time they stopped.
"Happy late birthday". The mother said and they left the room with the shockers and leaving guards in their wake. For an hour Alfred kept his head his head down, and everyone watched him in worry. Suddenly he picks his head up and looks around to see a good number of guards. He then looked up at the camera in the right, front corner of the room.
"I'm sorry guys". He spoke and everyone looked down in sadness, he sounded hurt. "I promised you all that I'd never do this again". He said and looked back down. "Albert Einstein asked, "The question that sometimes drives me hazy: Am I or the others crazy".
"Hmph". The guards chuckled.
"Dale Turner mused "Some of the best lessons are learned from past mistakes. The error of the past is the wisdom of the future".
"Shut up yah retard". One guard sneered.
"Ralph Waldo Emerson said "In order to learn the important lessons in life, one must, each day, surmount a fear".
"SHUT UP". The guards yelled at Alfred, and the rest of the Neph's panicked.
"T.S. Eliot wrote "Between the idea and the reality, between the motion and the act, falls the shadow". By this time the guards had guns out pointed at Alfred.
"Shut up now or we shoot".
"Yah Yah". Alfred said rolling his head around. "Shoot yah fucking pussy". Alfred smiled behind his mask.
"WHY YOU".
"ALFRED WHAT'S ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT". Matthew yelled at the screen scaring the surrounding people.
There a splash sound and their eyes widened as blood covered silver. There was a crunching sound as the chains broke and Alfred fell on his feet.
"Ah". The group said as Alfred walk near the door, which was ripped open. A group of guns pointed at Alfred, who blew them up and continued walking. He sniffed walking down the hall to find his companions when a familiar scent.
"Faheem". Alfred said and the Afghani walked out from behind the wall, with a gun. "Bastard you sold us out".
"Hmph like I care, they're all going to die anyway". Alfred was pissed at Faheem and ready to kill him, so he made his move. Alfred swiftly cut his head and the gun went off. Faheem's head rolled down the hall as Alfred's blood stained his uniform, mixing with the other blood already there.
"Now where's my friends". He said sniffing the air, unable to get his hands free. He finally caught Matthew's scent and he ran toward the source, his stomach aching, and he stopped at a giant metal door.
The next thing the Neph's new was the doors being torn apart by Alfred.
"ALFRED". Matthew ran over to his brother and hugged him out of happiness.
"Ow-Matt". Alfred said as his brother hit the bullet hole.
"Oh-are you ok". He said and searched Alfred, pulling off his helmet and unbuckling his jacket while at it.
"My sto-omach".
"IS IT HURTING AGAIN". He said and looked at his brother's stomach. "Dear God, YOU'VE BEEN SHOT". He yelled and the others ran over to him.
"Alfred-San are you arright".
"N-No". He said clutching his stomach.
"Alright lad can you walk". Arthur asked just as Alfred fell against Matthew.
"Alright then I'll carry him". Allister said and picked up Alfred bridle style. They ran out and looked left and right.
"Left". Alfred said behind closed eyes and they ran by his direction. Soon they ran into guard and shook. "Guys don't be scared". Alfred said as the people exploded. "I'll take care of them, just run".
BANG.
It resounded as a bullet whizzed through Dylan's shoulder.
"AH". He let out as he fell gripping his shoulder.
"DYLAN". The Kirkland's yelled at the third oldest.
"I-I'm fine". He said and turned to see a doctor holding the gun.
"D-Dad". Matthew stuttered and was pulled into a hug by Gilbert.
Another bullet flew from the other way, hitting Yao's leg.
"YAOW". He yelled falling onto Ivan.
"YAO". Kiku yelled and ran over to the other Asian.
"I'M FINE". A woman now stood with a hand gun in her possession.
"Ok time to go back now, play times over". She said as the man came closer.
"Ugh…g-guys". Alfred said paling by the second.
"Shit". Arthur said putting his hand on Alfred colorless face.
"Hang in there lad". Allister said knowing he was a long shot from ok.
"I-I got one last trick". Alfred said with a weak smile.
"Save your energy mon ami". Francis said followed by a nod from Antonio.
"Si".
"I-I'll do whatever I w-want". He said and with another weak smile the man and woman started shouting.
"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING 74". She yelled as her legs turned to stone.
"Atonement, you'll spend the rest of eternity as stone statues". Alfred said as they were covered in stone.
"Nice I can't even do zat". Ludwig said.
"UGH". Alfred's hand dropped from his stomach, his head fell back, and his body went limp.
"SHIT". Allister yelled and ran to the nearest medical room. When they finally found one Alfred was laid on the metal table, and Francis grabbed non used blood bags.
"'e needs blood now, who is donating". A majority of hands flew up and Francis hooked them up to bags. After getting enough blood he hooked them up to Alfred and pulled the bullet out. Now all they could do was wait.