Ludwig looked at the gypsy. He did not know what to think because all this time he had been wondering what the hell was to become of the two children, and he did have some rather interesting questions about why he was having these strange dreams, or whatever the hell they were. As he watched her, she smiled down at the children, and then looked into the older nation's big blue eyes.
"Please tell me my Lord…what is on your mind, you seem very confused and anxious about something." She twirled her hand in her hair, and batted her eyes. Trying to win the nation over with a charm or something along those lines.
Germany could tell the woman had a sense, after all she was a gypsy, they were a semi magical people. As he cleared his throat to respond, Italy started to play with certain things on her cart, and giggled a little. Germany looked down, but did not say anything as he was entirely too focused on a remedy.
"I need to know an elixir or something that will help change a child to an adult…and…" Ludwig looked down with a heavy glare and cleared his throat at Italy. "Stop it Feliciano…don't touch anything!" He pulled the child away from the cart. Looking back up at the gypsy, the woman smiled, but looked confused.
"Change someone? Why my Lord…that is a very strange request. But, then again…I have many travelers, from many lands asking for different things. Where did this come about from? Why request something of this nature?" The gypsy seemed slightly nervous, something that Germany was picking up on.
She looked around, and smiled uneasy at other passerby's. The air around the cart was very still, and tension in the air was so thick, it could be cut with a knife. Looking down past Germany's legs, she stared at the both children, and they looked up to her. Italy swayed back and fourth slightly dancing, and Japan held on Ludwig's pant leg, shying away, not making full contact with the woman. Slightly annoyed, Germany spoke up.
"Hmmm…well it seems like you are not so unfamiliar with what I am talking about, otherwise you would not seem so nervous…am I right?" Gazing into her deep eyes, the gypsy gulped and stared at his blue eyed and callous look. She turned from him, but Germany's gaze just burned into her deeper and deeper. He wanted an answer.
"There…there was another like you…long ago…and…he was asking me about some of my powders." She stopped talking and held a hand to her mouth, looking to the German as his eyes widened and a strange smile formed on his mouth.
"That person…did he happen to have a head of silver hair, and beady red eyes?" He knew what he was saying was going to give him the correct information. Just like he had expected though, once the words came out of Germany's mouth, the gypsy stood back and gasped.
"You know him? He confided in me…and said something terrible would happen if I did not sell him the proper formula. I worried for my health, my family…I just was not sure of what would happen…and…and…" The gypsy stopped and then sniffed back a worrisome tear. "Why do you ask such questions…how do you know this man?"
"He is my Bruder…ridiculous of him to purchase such a thing and a foolish nation at that. He purchased this potent powder, and hid it in my home. These two I am accompanied with are the great nations of Japan and Italy…but as you can see, mistakes were made, and they happen to come across the substance. My own blood set me up for me to have this happen to me. But what I am confused in is why you are not in the same physical appearance that he described. He said that you were old…"
The gypsy smirked, and tilted back her head. Cackling slightly, it sounded as she was an older female. A glint arose in her eyes, and she suddenly sounded different. Then a change formed upon her face. Her skin growing slightly haggard looking, and her hair became a tint of grey. Looking up, with a wicked smile, and she opened her mouth, showing a disarray of horrible teeth. Germany stood back and shuddered. He held the two children nation to his body.
"Mein Gott…you…you are hideous. You are the one…why hide your appearance?" He held Italy who was now frightened, and whined into Ludwig's legs. The gypsy did not say anything, but just stayed quiet. This annoyed Germany, but he needed her help, despite everything that just happened. "Okay, okay…please…I need to buy the remedy, and get back to my home to help these two. And…well my Bruder was kidnapped…him being small in size too. I need help!"
"I will sell you the potion…but on one condition…"
"Ja what?" Germany shouted…he knew he shouldn't have, but he needed to get this done. With the Allied forces having apprehended Prussia, he was not sure how much time he had, and in a way, he was semi concerned about the well being of his brother. "What do I have to do?"
Laughing insanely, the gypsy reached down below where she kept certain stock and pulled out a bottle of purple liquid. It gleamed when she shook it. Holding it to her chest, she grinned and licked her lips. All these things that were making Germany slightly squeamish.
"This potion must be drunk at the first gleam of night fall. But word of caution…should the troubled potion be consumed more than once, the effects will be permanent."
Germany looked at the gypsy, and then back down at the children.
"What are you saying?" He was confused, had this meant the remedy was going to make them adult nations forever, because that would have been what he wanted this whole time. He shook his head, and looked back at the gypsy. "Ja, that's what I want! I want them back to the way things were."
"Ah…but you should listen carefully…I stated in my words…the troubled potion, not the elixir." She raised an eyebrow and smiled strangely. "Perhaps you should keep that troubled substance safe, so as to not have it fall in the wrong hands."
Germany gasped, and looked down to the two child nations. Clearing his throat, he shook his head. He knew that the green substance was okay. It was in the cabinet, and nothing could happen…it wouldn't be found. Reaching out a hand, Ludwig looked worried.
"Please…just give me the remedy…I need to leave now…please." He held out a hand, and waited. Italy and Japan huffed…and were bored because nothing exciting was happening.
"Germannnnnnnny…I want to goooo, this is boring, and I am hungry. I want pasta, and tomatoes. Come onnnnn!"
Shaking his head, and Germany yelled out in annoyance, and he dropped down on his knee. Pulling the little nation close, he smacked him hard on the backside. Italy jumped , and cried out.
"Oooowww…..ahhhh….ahhhhhhhhhhhhh…" The child burst out in tears, and stomped his feet. Germany held him near, and could not keep his patience.
"Feliciano…you will cease this annoying behavior. Can't you understand that I am trying to help you and Japan? Stop it at once!" The nation balled up his fists, and stood back up facing the gypsy. "Enough of this Scheiß! I am beyond pissed off. Give me the potion, and let me be on my way!"
The old shop keeper just stared, and smiled. She handed him the bottle, and looked at both of the child nations. Japan just stood still, frightened of Germany's outburst, and Italy holding on to Ludwig's pant leg was still bawling his eyes out from the one extremely hard smack. Germany grabbed it out of her hand, and bowed. He did not say anything else as he grabbed both children's hands, and they hurried on out of the village, back to the elder nation's home.
So much on his mind, he was not even sure how to begin. He now thought about what his brother was doing, and if the nation was alright. He paused while walking, and moaned. He had forgotten to ask the gypsy about his strange dreams. It would have to wait. Back at the Allied quarters, panic was arising.
"I don't know what the hell to do about a little kid…Arthur…really? Why do I have to be the babysitter?" America yelled, holding the child under his arm. Prussia in the time he had been taken to England's mansion where the Allied forces usually had their meetings was causing so much trouble.
He was so unhappy, and wanted his way, and was beyond surprised that his brother had not come to his rescue. So with all this, he decided to rebel. He ran throughout the hallways breaking several fine artifacts. He ripped off the head of one of China's panda dolls. England tried preparing something for all the nations to eat, but Prussia just slammed the Sheppard's pie on the ground. France's wine was dumped all over the parlor's floor. America's video game system was smashed, and Russia…well Russia was not bothered by the terror nation. Prussia just thought that Ivan was too creepy to even mess with. Enough was enough, and America finally had grabbed the kid up, with the others just standing there. England raised an eyebrow and looked at America with compassion.
"Ugh, I don't know what to do with him Alfred…why don't you lock him in a room?" Said the flustered England.
"I'll tell you what you ought to do with 'im! Take the petit brat, and tan the 'ide off 'im!" France looked more angry that he had ever been. Lacking his many glasses of wine, he was irritable. England stepped in.
"While chastising the boy may seem like an excellent idea…it only serves as a minor solution. But then what happens when he acts up again?"
"Then what shall we do Arthur? I am beginning to think we made a terrible decision kidnapping him." China said with a glare. He pat his panda that was horribly ripped apart.
England walked back and fourth looking at the tiny nation who was struggling to get himself free. He knelt down on his knees in front of the boy.
"How's about cooling off in one of the guest bedrooms…I am sure the little nipper is just tired. Isn't that right Gilbert?" England raised an eyebrow smiling.
"Nein…you stupid Arschloch! I don't want to be here anymore and you all are just pieces of shit…and…" He was suddenly grabbed by the ear by Arthur. The nation leaned in. and spoke to him in a slight whisper.
"You have no idea what you are in store for. I only hope your big brother will be able to rescue you in one piece." Releasing the boy's ear, he stood up. "America take that child up to a room, and if anything, wash that mouth out thoroughly…tsk tsk, naughty language."
"Sure thing big bro!" He slumped the child over his shoulder, and turned on his heel, headed up the stairs towards the guest room. Once the two were gone, England turned back to the other three nations, and shook his head.
"I am going down to my study, and get some thinking done, I am just done with dealing. I really don't know how Germany has dealt with the likes of Japan and Italy these past couple of days. Bloody hell this is bad. Go off you gents, do whatever you want…and France, maybe see about breaking open a bottle of wine…clearly you are in need of it." Shaking his head, the nation walked down the hall and closed the door to his study.
The other nations stood and it was slightly awkward. China pouted, and took his broken treasure, and walked down towards the kitchen to calm his sorrows with preparing something for all the nations. France cast a glance at Russia, and grinned.
"Oui…well…I suppose a drink is in order. Ivan do you want to come to the parlor with me? I believe England has some vodka that is…" He kissed his fingers to his mouth. "C'est magnifique!"
Ivan just nodded and the two nations walked down to the room, and were going to drink the troubled day away. Upstairs in the room where the rebellious Prussia was being settled in, America ducked as a pillow was thrown at his head, and several books that were on a shelf nearby the bed. Gilbert was annoyed.
"Whoa! Hey now…cut it out you little brat. Seriously calm down!" America could not believe this child.
Prussia just sat on the bed now, with his arms crossed over his little chest, and just stared at the stupid American nation.
"I thought you were supposed to be cool America, maybe even awesome like me…seriously…just get out, I want to be left alone."
"Hey now! I am awesome too…I mean, well I am the Hero!" He smiled at the child, but Prussia sat with an ugly mug on his exterior. "ugh, fine…whatever. You know, if you were raised by England, you would have had a sore backside right now…you better watch it!"
Gilbert did not say anything, but pouted on the bed. He watched as America walked away and closed the door. He sat on the bed, and decided to see about a possible escape. Jumping off the bed, he walked to the window. He saw the clasps on the window, and he knew that the Allied nations have thought of everything, well at least England had. The windows were secured, and Gilbert knew he was not going anywhere. So because of this, he decided to trash the room. He ran over to the desk, and took several objects off and slammed them to the ground. He then pulled off all the linens on the bed, and took the pillows, ripping some of them so the feathers poured out. He was creating such a mess, that a passerby maid opened the door, and gasped. She had no idea what to do, and quickly closed it, walking down to England's study. She knocked on the door.
Looking up from his work, England was annoyed. He could not even get a piece of mind with all the others in his house, but this is what he got for holding the meetings here.
"Yes, yes come in." He set his book down, and looked as the door opened and a frightened maid walked in. Sighing, he clasped his hands together. "Yes Genevieve, what can I help you with?"
"Master Kirkland…um…I am sorry to disturb you, but that little nation…he is causing all sorts of trouble, and well…the room is in despair. You really need to come and see. Its just terrible." She huffed, and watched as England got up quickly from his chair. Before he left, he grabbed up his slipper, and rolled back the sleeve to his left arm.
"Little bugger!" He turned back before giving the maid a nod. "Go and see if the others are alright please. I would hate to think France is obnoxiously drunk wandering the halls or something along those lines." He hurried up the steps and approached the room where the boy was. Leaning into the door, he heard crashes and bangs. Tucking the slipper into his back pocket, he opened the door.
Seeing the look on Gilbert's face was nothing compared to how England looked. His eyes popped out of his head, and he dropped to his knees. His guest room was destroyed. Ripped curtains, and messed rugs. Broken objects, he could not believe it. He just looked at Prussia and shook his head. The nation just grinned, absolutely not sorry for what he did.
Getting up, England reached into his back pocket and took out the slipper. Prussia saw this, and gasped in fright.
"Oh shit!" He quickly covered his bottom and backed away, but there was nowhere he could go. England waltzed right up to him, and grabbed him forcefully by the arm.
"Not amused at all by your little antics. How you were ever the descendent of a great nation like Germania is beyond me…simply beyond me." He walked the boy over to the desk chair, and pulled it out. He brought the boy firmly over his knee and pulled down Prussia's pants, and undergarments.
Shaking, and wiggling, trying to get free, Gilbert was terrified of the implement England was holding in his hand. It was a leather slipper, something very similar to when his Vati would punish him with his leather belt. The sting of the hard material, always made the child cringe. His brow becoming sweaty with little beads of perspiration, he wanted down.
England did not give the nation a chance to respond. His slipper rose in the air, and gave down, cracking across Prussia's plump and vulnerable little bottom.
"Ahhhhh! Nooooo!" Prussia jolted forward, waving his arms. This was such a painful hurt. He thought Ludwig had a hard hand, and now this. The leather crisply smacking against the child's exposed flesh.
Tears formed, and were streaming down as England let the slipper hit down again. Arthur was not going to let the boy be let up because this needed to be done. Such a smart aleck little runt the nation was. Ten times worse than America.
"Well, well…I guess you aren't so awesome *smack*. I would think the mighty nation of Prussia *smack* would be a lot stronger than this. How ever did you survive *smack* this long?" He smiled and watched as the boy held his hands tightly to his pants.
"Aghhh….huhhhhhh….huuuuuh…" The boy's eyes had grown so ted with the tears, and he responded the best he could. "I am going to get you back for his…wahhhhhh, England, you limey bastard!"
This talk only resulted in harder smacks. England did not respond. As the slipper fell a couple more times, the elder nation believed the punishment was suffice. Letting the boy lay down and compose himself, England rubbed his back. Gilbert shook the hand off his back, and jumped down from the nation's lap. Running a quick hand up and down his backside, the boy could do nothing but cry. England stood back up, and just held the slipper, crossing his arms and watching.
"Are you going to give me and the others any other troubles?" He just stared at the nation. Prussia got it together as much as he could.
"I…I am going to get you for this, and when I get to my original size you better watch out!"
England dropped the slipper and walked right over to the nation, getting down to the boy's height. He grabbed him firmly, and held the boy by the arm. He smiled, and reached into his shirt. Gilbert watched and his eyes widened.
"Oh Gilbert…you mean if you ever change back…" He shook what was in his hand. Gilbert swallowed hard. In his hand, Arthur held the bottle of the green powder.