Playing the Fool

Chapter 36

Watching America argue with his state for a little while, Samuel grew rather bored as well as a little nostalgic. Thinking back on the arguments he'd had with his own country back when he was still 'alive', the former London almost smiled. But he knew he was running low on time as the remainder of his hour was wasted away over a petty argument. Minnesota wasn't giving up in her plead to release the 2p's, and her reasoning where starting to be rather sound. With a bored sigh Samuel finally walked over and pushed between the pair.

"Enough of this nonsense."

"But he-!""But she-!"

Snapping his fingers sealing both of the aruging pairs mouths shut, Samuel glared at them both.

"I said ENOUGH! This silly arguing is not going to solve anything! YOU!"

Pointing to America,

"Learn to listen with more then prejudice, she has clearly spent more time with them then you have. And YOU!"

Pointing at Sarah, who backed away as he approached the mirror.

"Learn to hear out someone who has a reason against such a rash decision, America may act like a fool but he's been around and experienced more then you have."

With a huff Samuel rubbed the bridge of his nose to sooth the all too familiar headache signaling his time was nearly up.

"Why must I all ways deal with such childish personifications?"

He muttered under his breath, side glancing Arthur who didn't notice.

"As you seemed to have summoned me here only to waste my time, consider yourselves lucky I have decided to help you after all."

The 2p's who'd gathered to watch the fight backed away as Samuels hand glowed with silver fire, placing one hand on the mirror he spoke in a voice that sounded far away.

"I'll even give you a compromise, Minnesota can leave when she feels like it but Oliver is going to be put back within the mirror. Your body isn't human and won't rot, so a few days or years of your soul in there shouldn't be an issue. This mark will allow the mirror to be exit when ever Minnesota wants to leave..."

His hand print glowed a cherry red before fading to nearly invisible on the glass, lifting his hand away Samuel wiped the sweat that had built up from the strain of using that much magic. Turning so he wouldn't have to face the former friends he'd locked up, the third London turned to Arthur with a dark tired expression.

"Lets get this over with... where's Oliver? I'm running out of time."

He stated dully fallowing England from the room, America gave Sarah one final sad look. But she only turned away,

"It's not fair... their important to the world as well."

She said quietly, America sighed before leaving saying.

"So are you."

Missing her startled expression as he walked down the hall to where Samuel was finishing up the soul exchange. A ghostly version of a sleeping Oliver rested in London's arms, while the old capital was starting to look older. His cloak was starting to fray, his skin grew a sickly gray in color.  Injuries from his last battle started to appear across his body, but Samuels' stride was not slowed. In fact America watched in a horrified fascination as the edges of the pirate very being started to grow pale and see though like the 2p in his arms. But when Alfred turned to England to ask what was going on the look of pain and regret on his brothers face kept his mouth shut.

Walking over to the mirror, Samuel easily walked through the glass as if it was an open door. The 2p's scrambled to get away, each haunted by what they'd seen the former Capital do. As he was about to set Oliver down, Samuel froze when he saw the brightly dressed Brit staring up at him in shock.

"Samuel? It... it can't really be you... can it? Poppet is that you?"

He didn't respond or move as Oliver reached up to place a hesitant hand on his former capitals face.

"You look dreadful, Samuel... though I suppose you would after that... Still you did get even, remember? Your curse was a success... just not in the way you'd hoped."

Samuel carefully set Oliver down, silently walking away before the strawberry blond had a hold of him. Blue eyes searching for something in that wavering forced blank gaze.

"Don't go now, I hardly ever get to see you anymore. Last time was when... that was awful. It's awful what you've done to us poppet. Why did you lock us away Samuel?"

Pulling away the silent ex-capital swiftly walked back towards the mirror, but before he could step through Oliver called to him.

"You're running away again. Still running from the past Samuel. Why? Can't face what you created? You're the reason we're here, in more ways then one London!"

Diving through the mirror as memories tore through his mind, Samuel held his head tightly. Pushing past Arthur who rushed to his side trying to help.

"DON'T! JUST, just don't touch me right now... I... I'm sorry England."

America felt there was more to the ex-captials words then just avoiding Arthurs touch. Samuel rubbed the chain of the pocket watch for a moment before stating,

"I'm out of time."

and vanishing in a bright flash similar to how he arrived.