Choose Your Player
Chapter Six: Hockey's the Game, Canada's My Name
***xxxXxxx***
"Whatever do you mean, Italy?" Germany asked after an exasperated sigh, not wanting to deal with more of the country's nonsense. "And where on Earth have you been? For an hour, everyone has been searching for you!" Feliciano paused where he had been approaching his blonde friend.
"Well, I was actually eating lunch with Nikolai." Ludwig's face contorted, practically shouting his inner confusion as Italy rubbed the back of his own neck.
"Nikolai?" The brunette turned his head to look over his shoulder, raising his finger to point at the questioned individual. Several gasps circled around the room as Nikolai stepped forward and into view. He smiled genuinely at them, allowing his eyes to skim across the audience until they finally landed on the rugged appearance of Prussia.
"I see that you have arrived, Klaus. Have you had the chance to acquaint yourself with them yet?" Prussia, or Klaus, shook his head as if to say no. Nikolai then turned to address the other occupants of the room. "Klaus is mute of course, so he will cause no problems."
"Prussia… mute?" America failed in stifling his giggles, and England elbowed him harshly in the ribs. Germany's face formed a grimace.
"I have yet to comprehend exactly why we now have two alternate countries on our hands instead of just one." The German sighed due to the stress the situation was putting him under. He was concerned that by the time this was over with he would be sporting a few gray hairs.
"Perhaps…" Arthur began to suggest. "… the half day change ratio, we had presumed as correct, does not apply to those who arrived at the mansion at a later time."
"I suppose that makes sense, but that would mean more complications for us…" Ludwig huffed in frustration. Nikolai sheepishly provided a smile and a comforting hand on his shoulder. As a result, Germany jumped at the contact.
"As long as two neutral countries appear at the same time, you have nothing to worry about." Ludwig expected for himself to shudder out of instinct, but the urge,… surprisingly, never came.
"What do you mean by that…?" He asked rather uneasily. To his surprise, Italy was the one to respond to his inquiry. The brunette popped up on his unoccupied side, smiling and waving his hands to gain the blonde's attention.
"That's what I was trying to explain earlier, Germany. Nikolai is our ally; there is no reason to fear him." To his utter dismay, Feliciano appeared to believe everything he was currently saying. "I admit that at first I was uncertain what to believe, but… after I gave him a chance to explain himself Nik began making even more and more sense."
"Did it not occur to you that this illusion of Russia could possibly be just feeding you lies!? And, here you are willingly accepting each one he hands to you!" Northern Italy glanced at his feet, twiddling his thumbs.
"It had crossed my mind…"
There was an exasperated sigh. "Italy!" The nation in question wilted at the look his ally was giving him. Just as another lecture was about to leave Ludwig's mouth, Nikolai coughed in order to interrupt the oncoming argument.
"If I may,… Germany, I would like to say something." The blonde hesitated for a moment before nodding in confirmation. "Спасибо. (Thank you)" He cleared his throat then began to speak. "I understand your insecurities concerning our world and its inhabitants, but as Feliciano said… I am not your enemy; I can assure you of that fact. You suspect me of being a pathological liar, which is only logical,… but allow me to tell you this… I would never permit myself to stoop so low." For the first time since Italy met him, Nikolai glowered, his lips pulling into a thin line. "Prussia and I are not like Luciano and a few of the others… We would never willingly hurt you."
"Luciano…?" Veneziano questioned timidly, just barely being heard by the others. Nikolai merely smiled before he answered the brunette.
"Your counterpart, Italy…" Feli could not help but shiver slightly at the thought. Nikolai paused momentarily then continued his speech. "Now, as I was saying…" He then relayed the information that he first told Italy to those now currently present. As expected, some refused to believe him, still wary of the reflections. What if he spoke lies? After all, who would blame them for making such an accusation? Northern Italy was surely gullible enough…
"It still sounds like utter nonsense to me-aru." China muttered to more himself than the others. "How can we trust him?"
"How about I share with you all that I know? I can tell you all of their weaknesses."
"Well, if you are so willingly, I suppose we will accept your offer." Germany grasped the Russian's hand in his own so as to agree to the deal. That evening, they sat around the fireplace in the sitting room. The crackling fire kept them warm as they talked and sipped the beverages of their own choosing. Plush seating made the scene perfect as most relaxed in the warm atmosphere.
At the beginning, all sat in close to near silence. However, after a short period of time, some of the nations grew restless and went off to do their own thing. Germany, from where he was leaned over a huge table in the back, stopped to look up at those leaving. "Make sure to stay together and be safe."
"Yeah. Yeah, mom; we know!" America chose to ignore the blonde's following comment.
Five minutes before midnight, the group gathered together once again so as to see alternate Russia and Prussia's departure.
"I suppose it is about time that we take our leave." Russia smiled sadly. Italy went up to him then and gave the country a large hug, or at least as best as he could. It was a struggle to wrap his arms around the gargantuan nation, but he still managed to hold him in his embrace. At first, Nikolai was surprised, but then he smiled once more and returned the gesture.
"Nik, I wish our Russia was more like you. Maybe then I could have been his friend…"
"Do not fret, Италия. (Italy) Maybe you will still be able to become friends with him." He gave the short man a pat on the head.
'Not likely…' All of the other countries thought.
"I'll miss you…"
"And I you, friend…" With that said, light engulfed the two alternate nations, spinning around their beings as they slowly began to fade. Some gasped at the sight. When the remainder of the glow finally dissipated, Russia and Prussia descended to the floor as their ordinary selves. After a few seconds had passed, they slowly began to regain consciousness.
"What in Gott's name-!? …!" Prussia had his words cut off by Germany taking him into his muscular arms. "West, what's going on!? Don't… Please don't tell me that we changed…"
"Ja; you and Russia both did, but they were no threat to us. Actually, they have allowed us to gain knowledge on the other's weaknesses."
"No way… But, still… why are you suddenly hugging me?"
"I have decided that while the alternate you's silence was pleasant," Prussia appeared a little crest-fallen. "… I far prefer your non-stop chattering." Gilbert paused then began to laugh along with his younger brother, who released a few snickers.
"Well, at least we now know what it looks like for them to disappear." England interrupted. "This might prove useful for the future… The only question now is who has been turned next." They each looked among themselves, but nothing appeared different. "Come to think it, where is the frog?"
"And where the **** is the Spain *******!?" Lovino shouted from the back of the room.
"Are we seriously just now noticing this!? Aiyah!" China rubbed his temple in frustration.
"It's safe to assume who the next two alternates are." Britain sighed. "Still, it is getting late, and we all need to go to bed…"
"How can we sleep with them in this place!?" Italy shouted in fright, clinging to his brother.
"Yeah; what the **** are you thinking!? Feli, get off of me!" He jerked his arm out of Veneziano's hold.
"We all need to try and get some rest." England stated. "Throughout the remainder of the night, a few of us can take turns keeping watch. I will be the first to-."
"You will not-aru."
"China!?" Said country stepped forth.
"You are still healing, England, so I will take the first watch. After all, I owe it to you after injuring you so."
"You don't have to; I've already forgiven you for before."
"But still, I insist."
xXx
The morning after, France and Spain both appeared. France, being the first to be discovered, was found in the wine cellar drinking away. He turned out being harmless much to the other's relief, but danger lingered just around the corner. When the group returned to the drawing room they had occupied the night before, they were ambushed. Spain, now quiet and extremely sharp, had laid a trap at the foot of the door and the wall located across the hall. When America had triggered the net at the door sill, a second one immediately shot out from behind, capturing the remainder of the nations. Their eyes widened as the reflection of España appeared above them, a battle axe fabricating in his hand before their very eyes. America released a feminine scream of terror and clung to Prussia, who just happened to be beside him.
"This day sucks! First, I lost my burger, and now I'm going to die!?" Alfred sobbed and forlornly looked at the said food, where it had fallen from his grasp when they got captured. Just as everyone winced and Spain slowly walked toward them, yielding his weapon, the brunette slipped on America's meal and fell to the floor. On the way down, his head collided with the end table and hit the hardwood with a resonating crack. The impact surprisingly knocked him out, and Prussia released a loud guffaw. In truth, it was amusing to witness something of pure evil fall so easily… Just as the group had done with the alternate China, they picked up Antonio and lugged him to a nearby room that held no windows. Romano promptly gave his shin a harsh kick and proceeded in slamming the door, dusting off his hands once finished.
"So, are we all accounted for?" Germany inquired, looking over the congregation of nations. Italy strained on his tip-toes, envious of the blonde's height at that moment.
"Ja; I think so!" Prussia shouted from the back. Francois, the reflection of France, then raised his hand while remaining silent. Once he had gathered their attention, the scruffy fellow proceeded forward with what he wished to say.
"I have a question. Where is this world's Canada?"
"Um, who?" Alfred scratched his head in confusion.
"… Your brother, Amérique, or at least that is how it is in our world. Is it different here?"
"Are you referring to my seat cushion that I use at World Meetings?" The Russian asked. It was clear that light bulbs then turned on over the heads of the remainder of their party.
"Oh, that guy, Canada!" America thumped his fist into his open hand upon realization.
"What other Canada is there?" Francois grumbled.
"Nevertheless, France is correct." England frowned to himself, thinking, 'Never in my life would I imagine I would say such a thing…'. A pause then a sigh. "Canada…," The name felt odd rolling off of his tongue. "… is the only one among us that is absent. When was the last time we saw him?" A series of grumbles and shrugs were his only answer. "Really? None of us kept track of him?" Arthur groaned.
"What wonderful friends you all are…" Alternate France lit himself a cigarette, taking a puff absently. A few glares were sent in his direction. Francois then took a glance at the father clock in front of him. "Well, it looks like my time's up. I would like to say that it has been a pleasure, but then I would just be lying." At that moment, the clock struck twelve, and Francois faded away. Once he was completely gone, China huffed.
"Alternate France was pure ***!"
"Amen to that, China, dude!" America caught the falling body of France and placed him on the couch beside them. As this was being done, a knock then came from the nearby door.
"Um,… guys, can you please let me out now?"
xXx
Above the nation's heads, and further above the second, third, and fourth floors, one personification remained. Alone on the estate's roof, Canada hid against the door leading to the inside. He curled in on himself, not being able to prevent his mind from immediately thinking the worst. The nation was not blind to what was happening below. For, he had been present at the scene of the first incident, and -of course- no one noticed as he had fled upstairs to his now safe haven. The area was mostly bare except for a rooftop garden. Herbs and glowing flowers grew out of various pots placed here and there, no doubt ingredients for England's supposed magic.
His body trembled at the idea of the evil nations reaching him. Canada whimpered, grasping his head as a migraine formed. However, as he then looked up at Kumajojo, who sat before him, he smiled tenderly.
"Don't worry, Kumakichi. We're safe up here." A pulse caused his temple to ache.
"Who are you?" Another throb. Was it just him, or was the air getting hot and dry? It was a struggle to even breath…
"I'm Ca… na… da…" The nation slumped against the brick wall behind him, and slowly but surely his appearance seemed to change. Where there once were short, coiffed, blonde curls, long tresses took their place. Stubble grew on his chin, and sunglasses masked his now lavender irises. Matthew, now known as Jasper, promptly stood and pulled a cigarette from his flannel shirt pocket. Placing it between his lips and lighting it, he took a long slow drag. Jasper scowls as he puts the lighter away and kicks the roof door in. He re-enters the building and Kuma is left outside with a dark expression on his furry face.
"Who are you…?"
xXx
"Dude, I'm telling you, something is here…!"
"Oh, please don't say that!" America was clinging onto Northern Italy's shirt sleeve, each of the countries trembling. "Why did I have to be paired with someone who is scared of spirits too!?"
"Hey, it wasn't my choice that we got paired together. It was just by chance that we drew the same colored stick!"
"Hopefully, the others are having more luck than us…" Veneziano sighed as they ventured forward. A noise resonating from the end of the hallway caused both of them to jump in fright.
"See!? I told you that something is here!" America whispered harshly, temporarily frozen on the spot. Italy was in a similar state to how he was, tears threatening to fall.
"M- Maybe we are just hearing things…!" Alfred looked around at their surroundings.
"Hey, Feli. Doesn't that statue look familiar?" He pointed to the one in question. "Didn't we pass it a few minutes ago?"
"Oh, great! Now on top of being scared, we're lost too!" A scraping sound caused their tears to finally fall. It was then that Italy screamed as he was pulled from behind. America gasped as the Italian had been pulled into Jasper's hold, a hockey stick adorned with a heavy number of nails poised at his throat.
"Italy…! And you, who the **** are you!?" A gun was aimed in America's direction.
"One more step, and I will kill him…"
"Alfred, it's alright! Don't worry about me…" Italy attempted to grasp onto the little glimmer of hope he had left, his eyes still glossy from the for mentioned tears.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you. After all, maybe if I murder you in this world you will die in the other as well." Veneziano's eyes widened. "We are connected in the long run… How else would we have access to take over your bodies…? Maybe in this world, I can level the playing field and rid my realm of such a tyrant…"
"So, you're doing this because of the other Italy…?" The United States voice was the lowest Northern Italy had ever heard it. "You're going to kill an innocent for that reason!?"
"He will die. Since our sole purpose is to annihilate the countries of this realm, we have the power to destroy you. However,…" He gestured to the Italian in his arms. "… all I ask is for his death. His counterpart is the leader of our nations. Destroy him and all of this will end, all of it."
"But, still, this is madness! What will happen to his citizens then!? You claim that it's just one life you will be taking away! Do you really think that I'm that dense!? More will happen than you let on!" Jasper shrugged.
"So, what if there are a few more small details? It is for the greater good."
"Greater good my ***!" America charged toward the alternate of his brother, dodging bullets left and right. One just so happened to ricochet off the metal on one of the nearby doors and graze Northern Italy on the jugular, hitting the hockey stick in the process. The alleged weapon was sent flying, and Alfred managed to tackle Jasper to the floor. Both brothers fought for the gun located in Canada's hand. America pulled at Jasper's long hair and dragged him away from the pistol.
"You dirty, rotten ****!" Their brawl continued until Jasper was straddling his brother and choking him. "I've despised you for so long!" Alfred was gasping as Jasper grinned in disturbing delight. Italy felt useless, where he was collapsed on the floor trying to keep too much blood from leaving his body. But then, suddenly out of nowhere, another shot was fired… straight through Jasper's heart. The light instantly vanished from the reflection of Canada's eyes, and he fell on top of America. Jasper's body quickly transformed back into a perfectly healthy Matthew, but the blood on Alfred's shirt remained. Feliciano peered up from his position on the ground to see… a polar bear wielding a gun?
Kuma had grabbed the weapon once the brothers began to fist fight, and no one had noticed him pulling the trigger. Crimson was now splattered onto his ivory pelt, and the bear merely looked down at himself in silence.
"Canada's bear…?"
"Mein Gott! What the **** happened here!?" The other countries had entered the corridor at that moment. "We heard gun shots!"
"Well, we found Mattie…" America chuckled, still in mild shock. Japan then approached the bear and removed the pistol from his paws. How the animal had even managed to pull the trigger went beyond his comprehension.
"Kumajirou-san, why don't we get you cleaned up?" The other nations went to tend to America and Italy's wounds. "Then we can go see Canada-san… Does that not sound acceptable?" Kuma cocked his head, intrigued by the Asian nation who stood before him.
"Who…?"
xXx
"Ow, ow, ow! That really hurts!"
"Oh, stop being such a cry baby, Italy!" Germany scolded the brunette from his bedside as China cleaned at his neck. The formaldehyde burnt like acid, and the rag soaked with alcohol stung worse than any hornet. "You've been through this before. We all have."
"That still doesn't mean that I've gotten used to it over the years…! Ow, ****!" The needle pierced his tender olive skin, and China snickered as he sewed the tear… Once finished, he tied the thick sturdy thread and clipped the needle free. The oriental nation once again took a clean alcohol rag to further clean the flustered skin. Northern Italy sighed in relief as a large gauze pad was taped onto the inflicted area. "Grazie, China.'
"It should heal in no time-aru…' He threw the plastic gloves he had on in the small bin and then returned to the nation's side. "Just rest for a little while and you should be fine."
"Overall, America just has a few bruises here and there, nothing too serious." England finished his own assessment right beside them. In the aftermath of Canada's attack, the ensemble of nations took those injured and unconscious to the fourth floor's infirmary. A few asked why they had not taken England there before, when he was injured by the alternate China. Yet, the answer was a simple one. Russia and Japan had not known of the room at the time while England had just been struggling to stop the blood…
Canada now stood behind the huddle of people doting on Northern Italy. He grabbed Kuma's paw and held onto it for comfort, his bottom lip quivering in both guilt and disgust at his reflection's actions. Canada could never forgive himself…
"Italy, America, I am so sorry… I know that my apology isn't nearly enough to atone for my actions, but…" Italy looked on in mild surprise as the American dozed at his side.
"Canada,…" The brunette prevented Matthew from speaking any further. "… I think that I can speak for America and me both when I say this… We do not blame you. None of this was your fault, so please stop blaming yourself. Don't beat yourself up over something you couldn't help." Canada sniffed and wiped his face, where tears began to fall.
"Thank you, Feli,… so much… You are too kind." France took Matthew into his arms and allowed him to weep into his shoulder. "Again, thank you…"
***xxxXxxx***
(A.N.) Hello, readers! We finally meet again! I would like to inform you that at the end of this story I plan to make a video dedicated to you readers! So, if you have any questions about the story, my writing process, inspiration, etc., go ahead and send me a private message! I will answer them in the video! Also, let me know if you think I should read certain excerpts from my story and which ones you would like if I do! This is your chance to send in requests and questions so as to get my views on this story! Thanks for all of the viewers so far! There is only a few chapters left for this story, and I look forward to sharing it with you!
~Ame-chan777