DISCONTINUED

Chapter 40

Both groups rushed into the room, skidding to a halt. They had both obviously heard the violin screeching from up ahead.

"West!!" Prussia yelled, jumping up. "I killed myself!!" The sentence got a strange look from Germany.

"Er....What?" He asked, glancing over to England for help. The brit sighed, shaking his head.

"He means we ran into his arcana in our way." England replied. "I suppose you ran into Reve?"

"We did." America confirmed. "And he admitted that he was the one who killed Tower." Prussia threw a punch at the air.

"Gottverdammt!" He cursed. "That..that...Grah, I don't even know a bad enough name to call him!" 

"I know, right?" America agreed. 

"..Japan?" China suddenly said. All attention turned to both Asian nations. "You don't look so good, are you okay?" Japan, who had been looking at the ground with wide eyes, didn't seem to hear him. "Japan?"

"Japan, China's talking to you." Canada said, glancing over at the nation. Japan gave a small start, looking up to China.

"Hm?"

"I asked if you were all right." China repeated, still looking a bit concerned.

"Oh. Yes." Japan replied simply. 

"He's been this way since we went into the labrynth." Canada explained. "He went to take a break before we all ran into Reve and he came back to us like this. He seems...distracted, always looking over his shoulder."

"I wonder if all this is getting to him." China wondered aloud. Canada shrugged.

"It's possible. I'm keeping an eye on him for now." He assured China. "Surprisingly enough,  I'm the only one he responds to. That doesn't happen very often."

"Thank you." China said, nodding slightly.

"......I'm right here, you know." Japan said, glancing between both of them. No one responded.

"Did you all hear the violin screeching earlier?" Russia asked after a few moments.

"We did, we think it came from this direction." Germany said. 

"Us too." England agreed. "We think whatever it might be, it has to be Empress."

"Finally!" America exclaimed. "We get to fight a lady!"

"I wouldn't be so sure." France interjected. "Poland was Priestess, remember?"

"Oh come on, not all these guys can be guys!" America said, groaning slightly.

"We'll see, come on, this way." England said, turning to the only way ahead. The rest of the group followed, walking up yet another flight of stairs. At the top, Applebloom floated with her shop nearby. As if she was waiting all this time for them.

"Applebomb!!" Prussia exclaimed happily as they grew closer. "Wie gehts?" 

"That's....close?" Germany said, rubbing the back of his neck. Applebloom gave a small laugh.

"Hello! I am doing very well!" She answered. 

"Jolly good." England said, smiling slightly. "I wish we had more time to chat but we really must be going. I hope you stay safe." The group, after buying a few more supplies, began to head off once more.

"Mhm! You too!" Applebloom called after them. "...Oh, and you, sir!" Japan, who was a bit slower than the rest, stopped. He turned to face the faerie, a bit confused.

"Hm? Me?" He asked, pointing to himself. The rest of the group stopped once they realized Japan wasn't following.

"Tell him I said hello too!" Applebloom said brightly. Japan, suddenly growing extremely nervous, nodded and quickly ran back to the group.

"What does she mean by that?" Germany asked as they began heading down the hall again.

".........Unsure." Japan simply replied. They reached the end of the hall, which opened up to a huge throne room. One man stood ahead, a violin held at his side. It was Austria, in a white, military uniform. His own uniform from the War of Austrian Succession. He looked extremely angry to see the group, glaring at each of them.

"Dammit! Still a guy!" America cursed. 

"No way!! Young master!?" Prussia asked in disbelief. Austria's face showed no sign of recognition. 

"So, this is his domain." England muttered, already pulling out his wand. Austria pointed the bow at the group.

"How dare you!!" He yelled, taking a step closer. "How dare you kill the Emperor!!" 

"Austria, snap out of it!!" Prussia yelled back in response. He stepped closer to Austria, grinning like normal. "It's me, your ragamuffin awesome friend! Prussia!"

"Prussia, don't!" Germany warned.

"I will make you all pay!" Austria yelled, swinging the bow out at Prussia. The German leapt back with a yelp. slowly backing away even more. He then put the bow to the violin, moving it up and down on the strings. They heard the same screeching as before.

"I am the Empress, the third arcana and the king of the Castle of White!" Austria- No, Empress, shouted as the noise died down. "I will make you suffer just as he had suffered!!"

"...What?" England said, his eyes widening. 

"England, nows not the time for zoning out too!" America yelled, glancing over his shoulder at the brit. England looked at Empress again, as if he was trying to discover some kind of problem. It seemed to be a while before he finally spoke again. And it certainly wasn't what the others expected.

"That...isn't Austria."

Cliffhangerrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Why? Because I am evil. That's why.

Plus, it feels like a really good place to cut off. So until I update again, you guys just have to suffer not knowing what will happen next! But that's part of the fun, right? 

Right?

RIGHT?!?!?!

Anywho, I hope you all enjoyed this short chapter! See you all next time!