I was sitting at my desk. I had been sitting there, smoking a pipe for a while as I thought about what it would be like to step on American soil. I know I will regret the decision of ever coming here the instant I meet England's boy. However, it's better than being grounded by West. And for what? Scaring Austria! That was supposed to be fun! I put the pipe out so I could move on where my mind was taking me.
I took a key out of my pocket and unlocked the drawer at my top right. I pulled it open and then took out the pictures I had of West. I've always had pictures of West made since I first got him. I can still remember how small he was when I first met him. At first he was as small as I was when I took my first breath. But also like me, he grew quickly until he became the size of a small child. If I recall, I had the longest childhood ever. West didn't even have the same length of childhood I did. It took a while but soon West was growing every few years. Then he reached the size he is now. I would consider West to be a teen. I'd made up my mind though. I left Gilbird in charge of West and Prussia.
I looked through the pictures, stopping here and there at the pictures. Shall I say I am grateful for such great artists? I already miss West but I always did when I was off the land that we lived on. Like at sea or far away lands like Norway. I remember invading the place. That's where I got West some of the books he used to read. Of course, I stole from practically every country, in the hopes that West would learn how to speak many languages.
I stuffed the pictures back in the drawer when I heard my door get knocked on. "Sir?"
"Come in." I called. They opened the door and closed it, carefully, and walked over. They were holding a tray of morning tea, a shot of beer, and a pumpkin biscuit. Yeah I know West loves those but I loved them for a different reason. They reminded me of West. He sat the tray on my desk.
"Your morning routine sir." He said, bowing his head. I looked up at him.
"It's morning already?" I asked. He instantly turned concerned.
"Have you had trouble going to sleep sir?"
"Well let's just say I'm having a form of 'homesick'."
"We can always turn back sir."
"No. At least not yet. Not when we've come this far. I promised. A good man always keeps his promises."
"Sir, I thought you might like to know that land is in sight."
"American soil?"
"Yes sir."
"You know what to do then. Also, when you drop anchor tell the men they can enjoy themselves to one of our kegs. They deserve it. They've worked hard to get us here." I said, picking up my morning tea with a sigh. "The only thing I dread is meeting the boy. Like I have said numerous times, and shall say once more, the boy sounds like nothing more than a brat trying to rebel because their not getting their way. Just like it is with teens and their parents. What exactly is the relationship between America and England?"
"Well sir, England raised America so I believe they kind of have a Vater-Sohn relationship."
"Why does Germany never rebel against me? He never has. He has always staid by my side, through everything."
"I believe it is because Germany has no reason to rebel. America and England have been fighting for a while sir."
"So he's rebelling because they can't come to an agreement?" I asked. I began to drink my tea. The tea wasn't at all like the beer. We had an abundance of it because we had an abundance of water, we are sitting on it right now, while beer was taken from our homeland. We had tons of that, I wouldn't have left without tons of it. I just didn't want to run out quickly and that is why we drink tea or water only. Beer is for special occasions when on a boat. When on land, you can just steal others beer if you run out.
I finished my tea and picked up the biscuit. "Sir, when you get on the land will you want soldiers with you or would you prefer to go it alone?" I thought about it as I nibbled my bites from the biscuit. I finished the biscuit as I stood up from my desk. I grabbed my shot of beer before heading for the door. He quickly moved to open the door for me.
"You know I can open doors on my own right? However, thank you anyway." I had had enough of that a long time ago. They continued to do so. I headed out before stopping dead in my tracks. There was no one on deck. There was one man up in the nest to look for land but the one behind me and I were the only ones on the deck. It was almost pitch dark but there was a faint sign of the sun coming up. "How did you get this? I thought the men didn't wake until the sun was up."
"Sir, he came and woke me and I woke the kitchen crew to get breakfast ready. He'd been eager at the sight of land."
"Do you think I could pillage this land for things?" I asked before making my way to the head of the ship. "Maybe I can get West new books."
"Sir, I don't think the locals will be pleased to know you stole from them, and nor will England."
"So I'd piss off England?" I asked, smiling. "That sounds like fun. Maybe I'll ask first then though. There is a thing called trade. What we have we can easily resupply back at base." I reached the front of the ship and looked out, drinking my shot. Indeed the land was getting more and more in sight. "Is the captain well rested?"
"No sir."
"Then I will take his place." I said, heading back to the front, up the stairs, and reaching the helm.
We reached land, I got in a boat and headed for land. It was still quite dark but there was now a tinge of sun in the sky. I reached the land before tying the ship to the land. I got out and embraced the feeling of land back under my feet. I saw that Francis' and Antonio's ships were also in the bay, however, they were not on the land. They were just sitting there. Probably still sleeping. I laughed. I win. Losers. I turned back to the land and turned to my left, I had no reason to stand there. I could check out what the land was like.
On my walk I came across a man. He was wearing a uniform of an army. Amazing. America must have already made preparations. Just imagine England in his uniform vs America in England's uniform too. He'd be so confused.
"State your name and business." He demanded. I tilted my head.
"I'm here to be awesome and I am here to meet some boy named America. He's been asking me for help for months and I finally decided to meet the guy." He smiled.
"Then you might be one of the three?"
"Oh, I assure you that all three of us came. I am Prussia. I came from a land far away from here."
"I am George Washington. If you will, please follow me."
"I don't want to meet America until France and Spain come down. I don't want to waste America's precious time, just as I am sure that he doesn't want to waste our precious time. You are at war after all. Not a moment should be wasted." I turned back around and headed back for my boat. "Expect us at dawn!" I called back. "We'll meet you here and then you can lead us to America."
France and Spain had woke before dawn and I was pleased because that meant we wouldn't be late. I made sure to get them on land and started toward where I'd met the man in the first place. When we got there.
"This is Spain and this one is France. We came just as I said we would."
"Follow me and I will take you to our camp."
"I hope America is up? I don't want to wait around for him to feel like getting out of bed."
"I assure you he is." He replied before leading us to his camp. When we got there France and Spain tried to look around but I got them back before they could.
"Now is not the time to be mesmerized by his things. First impressions are important you know." I whispered to them. The next moment I heard shouting coming from one of the tents. I looked over, curious.
"Just five more minutes! That's all I ask!" A few minutes later and two people came out. The one who seemed to have yelled looked like a boy… man… boy man? Man boy? However when they came closer, I realized they were the same size as West. A minute my imagination went crazy and told me that it was West but then… I had left him at home. It couldn't be. When they came closer I could make out their features. A curl in his hair like Austria but smaller, blond hair, blue eyes… are you sure it's not West? He can't be West. He has a curl. Not to mention the clothes he's wearing. That isn't his army uniform. It was blue and red instead of red and blue. And there was a white cloth piece that made an x on his chest. He sighed when he came face to face with us.
"Hello, my name is America. Welcome to America. You're France, Spain, and Prussia right?" I smirked. No one likes being woken this early at his age. I remember once West complained but that was the one and only time he ever actually did so. Of course, being the awesome bruder I am, I let him sleep more.
"Mein name ist Preußen."
"Je m'appelle France."
"Mi nombre es España."
"Thank you for coming." He said flatly before his eyes widened. Then his eyes clenched shut and he waved his arms around. "You have to help me! My men are not exactly equipped to fight England! They lack the training it takes!" He said. Then his eyes opened.
"I warn you that my training is rigorous. You may not like it." I'd let his behavior pass for now. Maybe he'd be better later. I'm personally trying to let his disrespect pass. No one talks to the Awesome Prussia that way. Except maybe West…
"Don't worry! I'll teach them too! And when you're too hard on them, I'll pamper them with ways of how to look flashy."
"Not flashy! Then they'll be seen on the battlefield too easily!" I replied.
"I can also teach them!" Spain said, smiling. "I'll even teach them how to take the best fiestas!"
"Gah! No! Teach them how to sleep fast, wake fast. That is what is necessary for war!"
"Oh come on, Prussia. This'll be fun!"
"I'm sure he doesn't want fun, he actually wants to win otherwise he wouldn't request our appearance."
"Wait! No, I would love to learn the fun way." I was quiet before staring at him. "Please?"
"We'll see how you do." I replied. America smiled before looking at Washington. Washington was trying to keep a smile on so it seemed because America frowned.
"I suppose you know how to shoot a gun?" I asked America. He was sitting on the ground, legs crossed and holding his head up with his hand, his elbow on his leg. He nodded. "Good then I'm taking you hunting. To hunt you need precision, with precision you can always hit your target." He sighed.
"I want you to teach my men how to fight, not me. I already know how." I narrowed my eyes at him. Training him usually goes this way. When I tell him to do something he usually complains and states that he knows how to fight. Usually I just tell him to deal with it but he keeps asking the same damn question! Why? Why? Why? Why? It drives me mad! Some soldier he is.
"Don't question it, just do it! To question is to doubt and doubting in battle leads to death. Now take this." I threw a gun at him he gasped at the impact before glaring up at me.
"That hurt! Why did you do that?!"
"Get up! We're going hunting." I stated, turning my back, not giving him time to complain. I already knew his men were following my lead. "What we will be hunting first is big game, so that you can get the feeling of shooting something. And that way it is harder to miss. Next you will be shooting things like birds. Because you need to be a very good guns man to not miss. This comes in handy for when your enemy is far away. Of course you have to take into account that gravity is there to stop your bullet so I suggest you not try to shoot an Englishman from too far away. So you will also have to get a feel of how far your gun can actually shoot. Without the bullet missing it's target. Since you are using guns, every bullet counts."
"Duh." America said. I ignored him. "When do I get to train with Spain?"
"Whenever Spain actually wants your company!" I called back.
"You bastard!" He shouted.
"Any more of that and I'll make you dig the next trench!"
Well America finally did it. He pissed me off. "Drop your weapon and give me twenty push ups before you go dig the trench today!" I demanded.
"Screw you!" I glared at him.
"I thought you wanted to win against England! Now do you as you are told or I'll make you run laps as well!" He just glared right back.
"Make me!" It's very clear this is definitely not West. No matter how much similar they look. West would never say that.
"Make you! Did you just say make you?! You little brat!" I brought my gun around and smacked him in the head with it. Not too hard of course but enough to hurt. "Do as you are told!" He gasped at the pain, holding onto his head. He dropped and started his push ups. "It's clear to me that you never went to school America."
"England taught me!"
"Yet you need help beating him?" I was careful not to let him in on any of my strategies of winning war though. I didn't want to come up against him in battle and him know my tactics.
"Shut up!" I smirked.
"School is supposed to teach you how to fight in the first place. I bet if you had you'd not need me or France or Spain."
"Pay attention! I am going to teach you how to use that 'pointy thing' on the end of your gun! I know none of you have probably ever used swords in your life. Luckily you don't need to know how to use one for this sharp thing called a bayonet. It is attached to the end of your gun." It's rather a clever invention really. You can use the sharp point to get the other weapon out of the way to shoot your enemy. Austria got hurt once that way by me. "I want you to choose partners, partners of twos would be good. America, come here. I'm going to demonstrate with you. The rest of you watch carefully. Don't worry America. I'll go easy on you."
"You said you've used a sword before? I kind of thought those were antiques."
"That only proves how young you are." I demonstrated to America how he should hold it and then I started my demonstration of how to use the bayonet part of the gun, not even trying until America began to get the hang of how to hold it. Then I began demonstrating how to use the bayonet as a weapon. The instant I did, America dropped his. I pointed the gun at him, not shooting. "You lose. Pick it back up. Now you know how. I suggest you get practicing." I said to the whole lot. "America pick it back up and try to get me to drop my weapon."
"Are you crazy?! How am I supposed to make you of all people drop your weapon?!" He asked. I glared at him.
"Just do it! Never show fear to your enemy! If you let them take one inch, they'll take a whole mile!" He bent down and picked up his weapon and tried to make me drop my weapon.
"Why the hell do I have to do it?" America complained. I'd told him that it was his turn to keep watch. Not that I believed he needed to keep watch over anything. "Get someone else to do it!" I glared at him.
"Sometimes I swear that you are either a spoiled child or whiny wimp like Austria!" He looked up.
"Who's that?"
"A guy who looks and sounds like you!" He glared at me.
"You're a damn wanker!" His eyes widened before he just clenched his fists, glaring at me.
"And you are not fit for battle! I don't even know why you're trying!" I replied, glaring just as hard at him as he was at me.
"Hon hon hon." I lowered my bottom lip, looking over at France.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"Why don't I just stay up and keep guard?"
"Because America needs to do it! You do realize that while yes I can teach his men to fight that it will be useless in the end because they will all eventually need to pass this on! America will never die, even if he does lose this battle! I am trying to teach him how to be a soldier, France!"
"Yes but he's still a kid Prussia." I sighed, clenching my eyes and putting my hand on my face. Fine. A compromise.
"You mean he's still a brat. Every time he doesn't get his way, he complains or insults others." I looked back at America. "You can sleep and do twenty laps tomorrow or you can stay up and do as I tell you without the twenty laps."
"Twenty laps?! Who do you think I am?!"
"Then your choice is obvious, isn't it?!" I said, turning around to go back to my own tent. I heard America take an angry breath through his teeth. "France! Come with me! Leave the boy on his own!" I heard France follow me.
"Today I will teach you how to use the land to your advantage in battle!" I declared. I'd taken a break for two weeks, France and Spain had taken their turns teaching America. That's how we've been doing this so far. France, Spain, and I would take turns with each week that passed. America seemed to be happy with France's lessons and he was elated with Spain's lessons.
"Finally something that seems useful for once." I laughed at him.
"You wouldn't last one day in the battles I fight America." I'd had enough of his smart mouth, there was just no end!
"Yeah? I bet I would too!" I ignored him. I led them into the closest forest. It would be the easiest place to start with these soldiers. Besides for America, his men were quite pleased with my lessons. They paid close attention to them, just as much as America complained about them. Which made me happy but the one who was supposed to be learning it wasn't actually learning it!
I taught them how to use camouflage to their advantage in places that had places to hide and I even taught them what they should do if caught out in the open like in a field or meadow. America paid close attention at the very beginning of my speeches but eventually trailed off.
So when we got back to camp I turned to America. "Did you hear any of the stuff I said back there?" He smiled.
"Yeah, I did."
"Even the part where I said that England fights better than you?" He gasped.
"You said what?!"
"I didn't say that. No where did I say that. Had you paid attention I would have gotten a different reaction from you. Is this training going to be a one sided thing America? I teach while you don't listen? I'm not willing to do something like that. Let me just tell you that before we move on with any training I might give." I left him to ponder that while I walked back to my tent to have a beer. I miss West! He has a better behavior and better manners! Why did I even leave West? To train someone who won't even listen?
"Screw you! You're working me too hard! Slow it down! Or at least make it easier like France and Spain!" America complained.
"Do you think England is taking it easy America?! Because I can assure you he is not! England is planning and training as we speak and unless you can learn to work yourself to the limit to beat his soldiers you won't win! The only advantage you have over him is his soldiers inexperience with the layout of the land! England, I can tell you, probably isn't disadvantaged by that, he raised you! You do realize that if you do become independent then that means two things instead of one right? Not only are you no longer controlled by England, you are supposed to be your own country! I know you have no way of knowing this but being your own country is harder than this training! So if you can't take the training I doubt you can handle being your own country! So either try harder or go ahead and tell me that you're not going to try!" I know I'm being harsh but I want America to take up the responsibility.
"All I asked you to do was make it easier! You don't have to give me a damn speech! What the hell do you know anyway!"
"…I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning." I said, turning around. "Either I leave or you will dig a trench. You have until tomorrow morning to choose. I'm leaving at dawn." I headed back to my tent. I was through with his attitude, his behavior. Though I guess that's kind of what England was betting would happen. No matter what I try, he isn't doing what I tell him nor is he listening. He thinks France and Spain are giving him the lessons he needs to survive the onslaught of England. I'm sure they could win if they tried hard enough.
It was dawn now. I had packed my things, ready to go back to West. Someone who actually appreciated me. I've tried everything I could think of. Chores, digging trenches, laps, push ups, lectures, beatings, even push ups with things like a barrel or my body weight on top of him. None of them seemed to get through his 'I know everything' attitude. I'll tell you one thing. He proved me right. I picked up my things. I'd told my men to take theirs to the ship yesterday so that's where they were.
I packed up the tent and noticed that America's men were watching me. One in particular was watching me closely. Then he turned and headed for one of their tents. I turned around and headed back towards my ship. I'm coming home, West. I smiled at the thought that I would get to see my bruder again. I miss him like hell.
When I was at the shore I heard a voice calling. It was America. "PRUSSIA! WAIT!" I ignored him and a few minutes later, before I could actually reach the sand, I felt arms go around my waist. I looked down.
"What do you want America?" I asked, as coolly as I could. I didn't want to turn him off.
"I need you! Please stay! Without you I don't know what I'll do!" He begged. I shook him off.
"I tried to teach you, I tried to train you but you don't listen to a single word that is said. You seem rather content with just France and Spain." He grabbed me again.
"I admit that without you I probably- no, I won't win without you! I need you, please don't leave me! PLEASE! I need you're awesomeness to guide me on what to do when I actually have to fight him! Please Prussia, you're awesome and I've not been re- uh respecting?- you and I'm sorry." I can't help but think this is rehearsed.
"What made you change your mind America?"
"Wash- I mean I realized all you wanted to do was help me. I'm sorry I've not been respecting your awesomeness. Please stay." I shook him off me and turned around to see he had tears in his eyes. My stupid imagination turned him into West for a moment before my mind went back to reality.
"Fine. I'll stay. In fact, I'll make you almost as awesome as me before I leave. Next time you piss me off, I'll try something else instead though, agreed? And you have to let me take back to my home some of your things, like books, toys, and sheets of music. What do you say? Is that all okay with you?" He frowned before quickly nodding.
"Yes! Yes! It is definitely okay with me!" So I retrieved my men, telling them that Washington had convinced me to stay for a while longer. I headed back with him to the camp and I saw Washington smile wide at America. America blushed and looked away from Washington. Something clearly transpired between the two of them but I would not question him on it, it was not my place to do so.
"Gilbert, you should treat him more of like a friend. That is how you get kids to like you."
"I have never had trouble with someone liking me. Or at least someone I wanted to like me. I'm sure that there are people who don't like me, especially because of all the battles and wars I've had with everyone. Kesesese. Plus I'll bet you that England never taught America how to be his own country, because he never planned for America to revolt."
"Mi amigo, I finally came up with a reason why Germany never rebels against you." I smiled at Spain.
"And what is that Antonio?"
"Because you are brothers, you live side by side, and even if he did rebel it would change nothing." I thought about that. I guess it kind of does make sense.
"Or I'm better with kids than England is."
"If you were good with kids, Gilbert, then America would like you."
"Well Francis, I'm not exactly here to make America like me. But I'll do what you suggest. I'll offer him Prussian beer as a token of friendship."
"First make sure he's allowed to drink. I don't know the customs of this land."
"He's a country. Of course he's allowed to drink. I was allowed to drink when I was a very young child."