The Fall of Power

Word of mouth

(Germany's point of view)

"So, Germany. If the two of us are to work together as I have requested, you need a codename."

Sword and I were back in that same gray room with three chairs and harsh lighting. I had been pulled aside during a round of card games with Russia, so it must have been a sudden thing if I was pulled during a break.

"The Three have given you a temporary one." Sword continued on.

He slid a sliver pin towards me.

"It goes right under your Gray identification tag." He tapped the white feather on my vest.

I picked up the pin and rolled it around in my hand. It was round and cold, the word 'Crow' carved into its surface.

"Quit playing. Mr. Tokyo will be brought in here at any moment for further questioning." Sword swatted my hand, the pin tumbling out of my grip.

I snatched it back up and slipped the backing off.

"I have been tasked with gaining information on possible other Tainted, I need you to be focused."

I clipped the backing back on the pin, now securely in place.

Crow.

How lovely.

"It will be the same as last time, tap my foot if anything he says is a lie," He turned to me, "Understood?"

"Yes Sir."

"Good." He huffed and turned his attention back to his papers.

The door to the room creaked open and two guards brought him in. He looked the same as before, with white hair with a red spot and bright red eyes, but now dark eye bags circled underneath them and his clothes had been replaced with a simple white shirt and sweatpants, the prison uniform.

He's still alive.

He did not look at me, he didn't even glance at Sword, just a blank stare at the table he was cuffed to.

"So," Sword cleared his throat, "Japan Tokyo. Charged and found guilty in court for use of a Tainted ability in public and trespassing on Cleanser ground. May I say this, your sentence for those crimes is very light."

Japan didn't respond to him.

"Don't look so down, I might be able to shorten that even more." Sword gave that too much teeth grin again.

"All I need you to do is answer some questions for me."

Japan looked up, but not at Sword, right at me.

"And if I don't?" He whispered.

"Then there isn't much to do. It either stays the same, or it gets better. What do you say?" Sword tapped the edge of his clipboard on the table.

"I will answer what I can." Japan tilted his head down and to the side a little.

"Wonderful." Sword leaned back slightly. "My first question for you is, did anyone see you send the note?"

He hesitated a quick glance at me, a clench of his hands. "Yes," he seemed to decide.

"Do you know their name?"

"Yes.

"What is their name?"

"Point."

"I'm going to guess that is a nickname, what is their real name?"

"I don't know."

Kick.

"I think you do. What is their name?"