Hey there! Its been a very long time hasn't it? To those of you who are reading this for the first time, I have edited and rewritten this chapter due to getting better at writing. Those of you who are returning, I hope you enjoy the improvement. As before my weariness about this story still exists but I still would like to see where it goes. I'm sorry for the very long wait. Its because of school, job searching, lack of motivation, writers block, and plain laziness though I hope to make it up to returning readers by adding more. Thank you.
Everything was burning.
The buildings.
The people.
Our whole world.
Everything I knew and loved... Ah...
Where's Kuma? I can't... I can't find Kuma...
"Canada wake up! Snap out of it!"
England...?
Your arm... Where is...?
My head hurts... I can't move...
"Prussia get Canada and Italy out of here! Germany and Japan are waiting at the World Meeting building. Make sure my brother makes it there without a scratch."
No...
America... England... France... Russia...
Why are you guys...?
"Because..."
Kumajiro... Where is he? Kumajiro...
"I have him Canada. No need to worry."
To much fire...
Heat...
Gunfire and the loud cry of a Unicorn in the distance...
Why?
What is going on?
Why am I so important?
No one ever really noticed me...
Or remembered me...
So why me?
"Don't worry Canada, Japan can heal you with that stuff England gave him."
Prussia... Please tell me what's going on?
Why aren't we home?
Why aren't we lying on the couch... Enjoying the quiet summer days...
Me on your chest while you read...
Why is the world burning?...
It hurts Prussia... My chest hurts...
"I know Mattie... I know... Japan is going to save you. Don't worry."
I have to keep my eyes... Open...
Canada sat up with a gasp and was quickly embraced by Prussia. He held him tightly and kissed the Canadian lovingly yet with a hint of sadness.
"Canada..…. Canada I have to help them fight... I can't leave them behind."
Tears fell from the blonde's eyes as he shook his head. His body trembled. "N-no Prussia! Please! Please don't leave me! I don't want to be alone Prussia!" He cried. "Its one thing to be ignored, to be forgotten, but to be alone..."
He received another deep, long kiss that ended too quickly.
"You'll have Kumajiro... Live on Canada... Don't let our sacrifice be in vain..."
"Prussia no! Italy! Germany! Japan! Please!"
They stepped away from him as the doors slowly started to close.
"Why?! Why me? Why do I have to be the one to survive? Why did everyone die for me?!"
"Because Canada-San..."
Italy turned and said something just as the doors shut.
Canada sat in the darkness for so long, Kumajiro staying close to him. He clutched a picture of Prussia to his chest, and fell asleep.
3,000 years later
"... Is he alive?"
"How did he get in here?"
"Who is he?"
"Get him out of here. Once he wakes up, we'll ask him what we need to know."
Canada groaned softly. When he opened his eyes, he was met by the big wet nose of Kumajiro as he sniffed his master's face. He pet his head and sat up.
"Hey Kuma... You're up early..."
He looked around and wondered where he was. It looked like a small bunker that had a TV in the corner of the room. He was lying down on an uncomfortable bed though it was better than the floor of the meeting room.
"Where are we Kumajiro?"
He looked around more. A door soon opened up, bright light flooding into the dimly lit room, momentarily blinding the male. Three men in army uniform stood before him.
"Hi. You must feel confused." One of the men greeted softly.
"I am... Where am I?"
Canada slid off the bed and stood up.
"You are six stories beneath the Pentagon in America."
The blonde's eyes widened, welling up with tears. "A-america? Is my brother here? America is still alive?" His heart began to beat rapidly at the thought of reuniting with his brother.
VWe need you to answer some questions first and then we will provide you with answers-"
"Out of my way out of my way!" A familiar voice interrupted.
The men stepped aside and looked at the new arrival in surprise. "G-general?"
A man that perfectly fit America's features pushed his way into the room. He smiled brightly at Canada then frowned at the soldiers.
"He's a guest! Why is he being treated like a criminal? Get him a plate of pancakes and some food for the bear. And what's with this jail cell? Get him a better room." He ordered.
The soldiers quickly left. Canada hugged him and sobbed. How long has it been? What happened? Did the burning world get extinguished?
"Hey buddy. It's alright. I'm sorry for how you were treated but everything will be alright. My name is Alfred F. Jones, you can just call me Alfed. I'm kinda the hero around here."
That made Canada choke back a sob with a laugh. "S-same old America..." He mumbled happily. He had missed his brother so much. He had so many things to ask him.
"So, what's your name?" Alfred asked as he led the way to a cafeteria. This made the violet eyes male stop walking.
"I'm happy to see you America and I'm happy to you joke around but this one isn't funny... What's with the name Alfred?"
"What do you mean? Its my name... Oh um... So I remind you of someone?"
"America please stop. This is too far of a joke, even for you. Please don't be a jerky brother." Canada searched the other male's face for any implications that this was a terrible joke. Alfred nervously rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm sorry but, I'm not your brother. I'm General Alfred F. Jones. I was there when we found you in the ruins. I like to home but I wouldn't lie about something like this. I'm really sorry."
After searching his face more, Canada, letting out a deep sigh, concluded that he was telling the truth. Where was his brother then?
"How long have you been in there?" Alfred asked as he got a couple burgers. "The ruins I mean."
"I wanted to ask you the same thing since I don't really know or remember much about those last moments... The world was ending... World War 3 led to the destruction of all the countries... All accept mine... The others protected me from the governments and rebels who were struggling for power. My country was the only country that hadn't been affected because we decided to stay out of the war... My friends sealed me up to keep me safe and... I don't know."
Alfred stared at the depressed male with surprise and another emotion he couldn't read. Canada had never seen America make such a face before.
"Do you know if my friends are still alive? I wanna go home..." The poor guy was on the verge of crying again.
"Uh... Canada... If what you're saying is true, you'll have to come with me when you're done eating." Alfred said after a few minutes of silence. He had been lost in thought. Said male nodded and silently ate his pancakes. Usually eating pancakes would've comforted him but not now. The once comforting food now tasted plain and felt spongey in his mouth. After just two bites, he didn't want to eat anymore. They stood once Alfred finished eating. He may not have been America but he sure did eat like him.
As they ventured down long, dimly lit halls, Kumajiro repeatedly asked Canada who he was and said phrases he heard Prussia say in an attempt to cheer up his master. They soon reached a large conference room where many men in uniforms sat, mumbling amongst themselves. The room went silent as the trio walked in.
"Gentlemen, as you all know, while mining we found a long buried civilization and a sealed room. In that room, we found someone unconscious in the said room once we got it open. Gentlemen, please meet Canada."
He waved shyly.
"Once the lab tells us how old those ruins are, his story might be the key to The Reset."
"What... What is it?"
Alfred walked away from the table with a soft, seemingly depressed, sigh.
"The theory, which is now becoming more factual, is that 3,000 years ago, something happened to the world that caused all history within a 3,000 year span, to reset and repeat itself. Everything we have today, is just an exact copy of time 3,000 years ago. Meaning, this it a repeat of 2015. Whatever happened, it most likely happened to right a horrible wrong that could have doomed us all. For some strange reason though, the only land to survive, the only country that remained of that time, was Canada. What's even more strange, the country had been under extreme isolation for three thousand years, right up to the moment we found you. If my theory is correct that you are some kind of immortal, what are you?"
Canada sat silently as he took it all in. He had been asleep for 3,000 years... When he was finally able to speak, he told the room everything he knew, what he remembered, what he wished. He told them about America the hero, England the magic man, France the romantic, Italy the innocent. He spoke about his friends and all that they had been through. He then tried to talk about that day the world Burnes. His memories came with full force with such intensity that he couldn't even pinpoint where it all began. It was so overwhelming, he passed out.
After getting him medical attention, Alfred apologized over and over despite it not being his fault. He told Canada that he didn't have to talk or think about it any more. Once he was better, Alfred took the next couple months to get the blonde acquainted with the new yet familiar world. He then helped him settle in, checking on him frequently.
A year later, Canada, who was now known as Matthew Williams, had gotten used to his new life. His country was more than happy to see him again. It were as if he had awoken to a twisted version of Sleeping Beauty. If not Sleeping Beauty then this was a horrible Rip Van Winkle that Matthew wished was just a dream.
This version of 2015 was a bit different. For one, technology was more advanced.
Androids, robots, and cyborgs were a normal and expected sight in the streets instead of being just a farfetched dream of America's. Androids and cyborgs were made from human DNA and were used as replacements for lost loved ones, sex robots, love companions, pets, slaves, or just robot servents.
Matthew stayed away from that kind of life despite being offered an android companion. He was content with being alone with Kumajiro. Though his heart word ache whenever he thought about his friends. There were times when Matthew thought about about calling Alfred and seeing if he could bring them back. He always talked himself out of it.
They were gone.
At least the ones he knew.
If overwhelming loneliness wasn't enough, life decided to create carbon copies of his missing companions with no memories of him or their prior lives. He couldn't even interact with most of them. They were either highly respected political figures or just regular people in the street.
There were many times where Matthew found himself sobbing in the middle of the street, sidewalk, or super market whenever he saw the reincarnations. He wanted to scream out their names but instead he would just cry and die a little more inside when they comforted him. He cried so much, he never caught the look of recognition and relief in their eyes. As if their souls were content at knowing that their efforts weren't in vain, that Canada was safe.
Matthew wanted to live in his native country since he felt more comfortable there but Alfred persuaded him to stay in America ("Just stay here dude! It would be easier to keep you nearby! That and Canada is far and it's too much work to fly there especially when I'm not even allowed to fly my plane whenever I want").
He sighed as he entered his apartment. It was located in Baltimore and paid for by the government. Or really provided by Alfred. Kicking off his shoes, he did his usual call of "I'm home Kumajiro." Before putting down the bag of library books he had and checking the mail. As he went through it, he found a small yellow envelope from Alfred. He opened it up and saw that there was a note and a picture.
Matthew, we searched the room you were in and found the file cabinet with paperwork written by Germany. Thank you for the information. I found this picture on the ground and thought that it would be better with you than with the capitol.
Alfred.
The picture was of Prussia. On the back of it, the male had written a love letter for their anniverssary. After waking up, Matthew had forgotten about it. He lay on the couch with the picture clutched to his chest. Kumajiro slowly came over and nuzzled him.
"Who are you?" He asked.
Instead of his usual response, Matthew covered his eyes, fighting back tears.
"I'm nobody."
Thank you for reading! See you in the next chapter!
