Erhmahgosh I didn't know I would get this many views just for a prologue, thanks for giving me a chance TTuTT

Anyways, second chapter in which we see a little more into Ludwig the thief's life, please enjoy :)

*DICLAIMEHR* I do not own Hetalia or any of the characters, if I did I wouldn't be able to idolize the great Hima-papa~

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Chapter 2: Another Day's Struggle

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"Father, why do we have to live like this? Without Mother, and away all the time?"

"It's because of an accident that happened when you were very young." The adult blonde pressed lightly against his son's back and looked down from the roof they had rested on. "Look at these people Ludwig. They have their own worries, their own cares. They don't have time to care about people like us. But these are just the commoners." He stood, motioning to be followed as the young boy copied. They traveled through the abandoned building until they reached the other side. There they reached a place with a large view of the city and its population. Alfher pointed to the highest building as far as the eye could see, a tower, and made sure his boy would stare at it too. "Do you see that building son? That is were the 'higher ups' live. The people who run this city, this country, meet and live there. Those people are the ones who are supposed to be looking out for us, for everyone."

"That's the King's house isn't it…?"

Alfher put a hand to the boy's head and pet him calmly. "That is, but a new Prince is coming into power now so things might change. Ludwig, please remember what has happened. Things may soon start changing for the worst."

…...…

The air was fresh and warm without a breeze today. Ludwig rubbed the back of his neck, his usual aching returning from lack of proper rest despite the peaceful weather on his skin. Once you got up, you had to keep moving; otherwise you risked giving up on moving at all. Besides, there were a few people who knew where he rested for the night and he did not want to be around when they were.

He walked around the labyrinth of alleyways, noting each twist and turn he had been down so many times. His eyes were drooping slightly; visibly being pushed up by effort after the blonde rubbed them with a yawn. Unfortunately it seems his tiredness today created a bigger risk than he'd wanted, he had forgotten whose routine he was about to intercept. Only the strongest, bravest and stupidest hide near the markets since a lot of people walk down those alleys anyway, and since Ludwig was trying to get an early start before too many eyes can watch him of course he would run into people he wanted to avoid.

"Well, if it isn't little Lutz."

Time stopped.

Ludwig growled silently at the familiar sarcasm filled brain jabbing voice. He did not turn to the three he knew stood close behind him, but he also knew well enough not to carry on walking.

"Where you going mate? Off to steal some apples? Some grapes?" Ludwig still did not move, partially because he refused to be held responsible for what he may do. "Oi, come on now, why don't you look at your old pal Diego."

After a pause, Ludwig stiffly turned his body the opposite way, keeping his posture and stern look despite the anger building up inside. The man named 'Diego' had been walking along with his two friends, all three as burly and unkempt as each other, when they stumbled upon something to pick on. "If you excuse me, I have to go and find my single meal for the day."

He turned once more only to hear them all laugh behind him. "Ha! Talk about worthless, if you had gotten a job than maybe you would be more than just a dirty scrounger!" Diego definitely knew how to push him the wrong way. Ludwig forced his mind to clear of the memories of his family being forced out of their work and home and even back then that laughing bastard taunted them. Diego would act like a high and mighty saint, but really all he does is tell lies to the higher ups. His body was begging to move but had to hold back. Last time he was almost arrested, and he didn't have time to give the guy what he really deserved. Ludwig decided to leave it and walk off down another route

"Aww, come on now mate, no need ta get all bitchy about it! It's not my fault you're just as bad as your worthless dad!" He began to laugh once more. He laughed and laughed, so much so that he didn't notice the rock flying straight towards his face.

The pudgy man cried out in pain and crashed onto the ground, holding his head were the blood was starting to pour.

"You know nothing about my father! All you did was take what he worked his hands to the bone for and claim it as your own!"

With the help of his two thuggish friends Deigo got back up and all three stalked towards him. "Heh, you're obviously looking for a fight pipsqueak."

Ludwig returned his ice cold glare as the other wiped his bloody nose. "No, I'm not going to sink to your level." He said simply, and began to turn around before a fist smacked him right in his face. He landed on the ground with a thud before getting picked back up by the shirt.

"Hah, that's rich!" Diego spat while his friends grabbed Ludwig's arms and legs. "Looks like we might have to teach you something about where your place is."

Ludwig would have barked back but it was too late to stop the first punch. He received punch after punch to his stomach and face, and soon it turned into harsh kicks. He closed his eyes against the tears and toughened his body, fighting against every instinct to show pain to the monster. Deigo took only one second to rest, assuming that Ludwig would relax his body and become unprepared for another attack – but he knew better. In that instant Ludwig used all his strength to throw one arm free, punching Diego right across his smug face. In two more thrusts from his limbs Ludwig was free and the two thugs were on the ground. He kicked Diego further away and put some distance between himself and them. They gathered themselves together and faced Ludwig again as he cleaned up the blood on his face, still ready to fight. Ludwig prepared himself, fists ready, stance ready, showing a glare that could kill. And then it hit him:
There was nothing stopping him from running away.

He would love more than anything to punch the guy's tiny brain out of his head, but if he left now he would be safe. If he ran now, he wouldn't get-

"Thug! Don't move."

Before he could react Ludwig's body was forced to the ground and the sound of clanking armour and harsh voices mixed in with each other. Through the rush of it Ludwig could not see past the shadowy figures, but he picked up conversations.

"Are you three unharmed?"

"Ah, don't worry about us. We're strong, hard-working men unlike that thug."

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"Well you see me and my mates were just walking to the market, and all of a sudden this crook just jumps us! We weren't doin nothin, just minding our own business!"

Ludwig couldn't take it anymore. The lies, the liar, the things that had been taken from him in every unfair turn – he screamed out loud and tried to escape the clutches of the guards. But there were so many, much more than there would usually be. Ludwig couldn't help but think the worst, and he was right to do so. They lifted him to his knees, tied and blind folded him, not giving him any way out. Out of the darkness he heard a deep and depressing voice.

"Take him to the dungeon. Don't even bother with the trial."

In one swift movement, Ludwig was out cold.

Everything was taken from him by wicked people with wicked smiles.

Poor Ludwig, how can he find a way out of this? The dreaded dungeons are nothing to scoff at, and without an ally Ludwig's future seems all but hopeful.

But we cant end a story like that can we? So come back to found out what happens in the next chapter~

Remember to review and tell me how I did, anything is appreciated at this point X3