"Are you sure this is going to work?" Japan asked Germany nervously as Germany opened the door a crack. Even though his own doppelganger was disabled for the time being, it didn't make him feel better that there were still four others that had a good chance of overtaking them.
From what Japan knew, Dark North and South Korea were sure to have something to fuel their hatred (for example, the war) and the same could be said about Dark Vietnam. Dark Estonia, on the other hand, was a hatred that Japan didn't know much about. The only thing he knew about anything Estonia could have hated or disliked was the fact that during World War II, he had lost 25% of his population.
Japan glanced down at the weapon in his hands and wondered if he had the power to prevent another bad thing from happening; perhaps he had waited too long for them to come to him.
No, if I didn't wait, then I would have been overpowered and Germany would not know until it is too late. Japan thought firmly. I must help him defend.
Germany peered out from his room for a long minute. Then he raised a hand and beckoned for Japan to come. Even when Japan approached him, Germany didn't look at him; he was still watching the hall. Instead, he held up three fingers, then two...
Japan prepared himself as the last finger went down and they both bursted out from the room, firing shots at the doppelgangers trying to pick at more locks.
The force of the gun Japan wielded sent him back a step; he wasn't used to guns like these. But Germany covered for him as Japan adjusted himself. Pumping the shotgun, Germany watched as Dark North Korea slipped past Dark South Korea, whose head jerked back as a bullet hit him. Then Dark North Korea sprinted past the bullets, zig zagging from side to side, making his way towards Germany with a hungry look in his eyes.
Germany was ready for him; he turned the gun sideways so that he held both ends with his hands and clashed into Dark North Korea, the gun being used as a barrier. Dark North Korea was incredibly strong; Germany knew that but he refused to let him have the upper hand.
He heard Japan aim from behind and Germany yelled, "Now, Japan!" Germany released his shotgun and ducked as a volley of bullets flew overhead, drawing Dark North Korea's blood. Dark North stumbled back a little as he was hit and his blood splattered over the walls and paintings. The shotgun fell to the ground and Germany made a grab for it, standing up. Before Dark North Korea could ready himself, Germany butted him with the end of his shotgun and round-housed kicked him, sending the doppelganger away from his range.
The fight had aroused several countries that hadn't been captured; many doors opened and heads timidly poked out. "What's going on here?" New Zealand asked, glancing down the hall. He paled as others emerged from their rooms.
"Germany, why-" Vietnam started but she stopped when her gaze met Dark Vietnam's. Her face darkened as her doppelganger smiled slyly.
Back up. Germany thought as the doppelgangers regathered up at the end of the hallway. Germany reasoned he and the others would be okay even if they didn't have guns with them; there were now a good number of them that it didn't matter and the doppelgangers didn't look like they had guns. All he had to do was avoid hitting the real countries.
Doing a quick head count, there were nine of them all together (Germany, Japan, Vietnam, Russia, New Zealand, Estonia, Portugal, Malaysia, and Belarus) ; the others were outside laying on the ground somewhere. Germany would have to retrieve them after the fight, depending on the victor.
"That one isn't the real one, is it?" Dark South Korea regarded Japan with disgust. "He slipped by, da-ze."
Japan wondered if the doppelgangers would free the real Dark Japan and he also wondered if they were able to hold their own with five doppelgangers. His stomach sunk when he realized that Dark Japan would be furious at him and he would be merciless, no doubt.
"What do we do, Germany?" Russia asked pleasantly, rubbing his eyes. "Do we want to capture and torture them or let them go?"
"Why let them go when they can be valuable information sources?" Malaysia asked, rolling his shoulders. "Are we capturing them, Germany?"
The original countries jumped as Germany fired a shot. "Why are you talking when you can overwhelming them?" Germany demanded, walking towards the doppelgangers.
He saw a blur past him and watched with approval as Belarus drew her knife from her sleeve. "Please watch me, Big Brother!" Belarus yelled as she ran down the hall.
Dark Vietnam slipped her foot behind her, crouched down, and launched herself forward towards Belarus. Russia joined Germany and clapped the German on the back. "Should I leave things to her or should I assist?"
"She's your sister." Germany said as he lifted the shotgun once more to aim at Dark North Korea, who ran past Belarus's fight with Dark Vietnam. Malaysia and Portugal advanced towards Dark North Korea and with Germany assisting them from behind, they managed to keep Dark North Korea at bay for a while. "It's up to you if you want to help her or not." Germany added after firing another shot that ripped up Dark North Korea's shoulder. It healed right away and Germany scowled.
"Vietnam," Russia called from behind. Vietnam took her distant gaze off of her doppelganger and looked at Russia, somewhat startled. "How strong do you think your hatred it?" Russia asked with a sweet smile.
Whether or not the smile was really a smile or just a facade, Vietnam wasn't sure. She was troubled by the thought of her doppelganger and she realized why some of the countries were worrying over their hatred. "I never liked talking about my past." she said, defeated. "It's painful for me. I don't want to admit it, but I think...it's rather strong."
"That's good to hear." Russia beamed. He gave Germany a warm smile. "Excuse me, but I'm going to go and protect my sister."
"I thought you didn't like her."
"Yes, but America changed my mind." Russia said, smiling. "He's the first person to actually become my friend. I didn't force him to either. It feels nice to have a friend, and maybe Belarus would stop bothering me if I try being friendly."
Germany didn't want to break it to Russia, but he was sure Belarus would become more determined to marry him. He kept his mouth shut as Russia left him, heading towards Belarus who had barely dodged a kick from Dark Vietnam.
Japan swept the hall with his eyes, concerned about where Dark South Korea was. He hadn't seen the doppelganger for a while and he wondered what he could be up to. When the door to his room slammed open, dread filled him. Dark South Korea freed Dark Japan, and like Japan had expected, his doppelganger was furious.
Dark Japan surveyed the hall for a while, avoiding punches and swings from the surrounding fighters. He was pierced a few times with bullets but ducked away from Germany's shotgun and slipped past the brawl. His red eyes were glued on Japan, and Japan knew he wanted revenge.
Japan shot at his doppelganger but it was nearly futile. Frowning, Japan sidestepped his doppelganger as he approached. There was a lot of ducking and blocking on Japan's part, but every block he made and every dodge he did, it only provoked Dark Japan to hit harder, move faster, and become more agile.
Japan's defense began to get sloppy and he finally allowed a blow to hit him. And then another, and another.
"Tired already?" Dark Japan hissed dangerously, wrapping a hand around Japan's neck. He held a fist back, getting ready to deliver another blow. "You should have trained more."
Germany swept in and saved Japan from being pummeled any further. Dark Japan was sent crashing into the wall after Germany caught him with his fist. Japan fell to the ground, dazed and sore. Germany growled at him, "I expected more from you. What happened?"
"I am sorry." Japan murmured. He didn't even know what had happened. Perhaps he was apprehensive about his doppelganger, especially after what he had done to it. He grimaced at the memory of it; it was repulsive.
Dark Japan regarded Germany coldly. Then his eyes flickered to Japan, who stood up. "Allow me, Germany." Japan said, stepping forward with a glare.
"Good to see that you're regained your sense." Germany growled. Then he threw a look over his shoulder and yelled, "Hey! Watch your back, Malaysia!" And he sent a few more shots in the other direction.
While Germany was distracted, Dark Japan switched targets and went after the German. Japan, alarmed, made a move towards Germany, but he had to wonder if it was possible to reach him in time. Dark Japan and the other doppelgangers all had enhanced speed, and even though Japan was only three or four steps away from Germany, Dark Japan could reach Germany within two seconds from ten feet away (although that was from observation).
Japan's mouth couldn't work; he wanted to call out Germany's name but he just couddn't. Would he make it? Could he make it? Dark Japan was too close now, and Japan felt like he was stuck in this slow motion type of state, where he could only watch Dark Japan attack Germany.
I can't make it...I'm sorry Germany.
Dark Japan tensed as he was caught a split second before he could attack Germany. From his sleeve, he had brandished a tanto and was going to get rid of Germany, who had a range advantage. 'Rid' probably wasn't the right word; disable was more like it, like how his original tried to disable him.
But there he was, stopped an inch before the short blade could even hit Germany. His arm was held shakily by Japan, and he tried to force the blade forward only to have Japan apply his strength and push it away. Japan looked equally surprised. He recovered and sighed with relief. "I'm glad I made it in time." he murmured, and then he gripped his doppelganger's arm and rammed his body into Dark Japan.
The two crashed into the wall and Japan had wrapped his hands around Dark Japan's, forcing the tanto towards Dark Japan himself. Dark Japan pushed off of the wall with his foot and tossed Japan to the ground.
Japan barrel-rolled and lifted himself up to his feet in a crouching position, the tanto in his hand. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw that Germany was gone; Germany had left to help Vietnam fight off Dark Vietnam. Belarus and Russia were distracted by Dark North Korea and left the fighting to Vietnam herself.
Now that Japan had a weapon, he felt like he had more power. Panting slightly, Japan stood up and held the tanto out, the blade shining in the light. Confidence restored, Japan braced himself for Dark Japan, who lunged at him, red eyes gleaming.