NOTES: 1. I switch periods here and there. It's a little experiment so tell me if it's too disorienting.
2. Hetalia's Spain is the Polar opposite of the Spain Filipinos remember, so I made his personality somewhat in the middle. But he shows different personalities depending on what country he's interacting with.

Thank you^^ and I appreciate any sort of Feedback!

DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Hetalia Axis Powers. This includes the human names of the Philippines (Maria) which is fan-made.

...

Chapter I: The Pearl, the Conquistador, and the Merchant

1521 A.D.

Young Muuma was swimming nonchalantly in the sea until she saw boats- much like the ones she had at home. Well, that was what she thought. Muuma had no concept of any other forms yet. But her instincts were telling her that there, indeed, was something different with these incoming vehicles of doom.

She continued to watch it with interest and eventually saw a handsome young man, who had a few companions with similar complexions, jump down the boats. She frowned. How could they all fit in that small boat?

She would find out in due time that the boat was much, much larger than she had perceived.

And with this change in perception came incessant attacks to her identity as a country. And all the unnatural and external influence by other nations would not stop- whatever their motives be. For better or for worse...

Not for hundreds of years...

PRESENT

Maria was tending her renewed, beautiful, and much-admired arrangement of plants. Sadly, though, more and more die as years passed and she, alone, could not have much effect on stopping it. What made her gorgeous garden even more miserable was because so many of those Caucasians – especially Alfred – seemed to have a knack on taking whatever he wanted from it an occasionally destroying it by accident.

He actually things he had the complete right to do so, too. Sure she 'helped' her back then, but that was pretty much aimed to preserve his image. Not to mention he told some country that he didn't know what to do with her, really, when he got her from Spain.

America was bigger than ever… but not anymore mature...

She combed back her wavy raven bangs and sighed. The bastard still had an effect on her. As a very small fraction as it used to be, but she couldn't stop worrying about herself.

"What was that about, Maria?" A familiar voice from behind her asked casually.

"My garden was destroyed again." She said, stating the obvious.

The person let out a slight laugh and approached her, the sound of wheels signalling her of his gesture. She turned around to see whom she had been expecting to see. Spain.

Spain was still unable to walk and was on his extravagant wheelchair. It was odd how he still loved to show-off, despite the fact that he was almost as poor as her now. He smiled brightly and did not halt in his approach.

She smiled back and stared with her enticing ebony orbs for a while. Memories of all those years he had served him. He was so tall, strong, and… mean to her. Those days she grew both afraid and angry at him, but now they were friends. He now showed her the Spain that everyone else seemed to know - opposite of the man she had resented.

"But, you love your garden." he commented.

"Obviously…"

There was a short pause, before he responded. "But... you don't seem mad, just upset. As always."

Maria blinked at that tone of voice she only hear occasionally now. Occasionally, yes, and it reminded her of those years...

She cleared her throat. "Yeah, so?"

Antonio frowned. "You still like him, don't you?"

She did not answer.

"You'd think you'd have learned your lesson by now." he said snidely, making her wince in recollection of those bitter memories. They weren't as bitter now, of course, but she couldn't shake the feeling that maybe that man was still a good part of this person in front of her. That maybe she had just fooled herself - that he did, in fact, hate her.

"Ah, but I still think it was a good thing he took me away from you." She spat, not really knowing where it came from. It was partly, true, anyway. But... she didn't really mean it. Too late though, she already slipped up.

"W- I agree with you, it's not like you were ever a good underling anyway." He snapped. "…brainlessly rebelling all the time..."

Twitch

"Of c-"

She was cut off by Spain raising his hand. Her eyebrows automatically arched at the gesture. She already thought it was annoying every time he did so- as he did it so pompously before- but now that she was an independent nation it was really just plain rude.

"Why y-"

Spain stared at her.

"Wha- The silent treatment? That is so mature-"

"Oi- Don't ignore me-" she yelled as he turned around.

"Wh-"

And so he wheeled himself away... from his former colony, hiding the sadness in his eyes.

1564 A.D. – 1898 A. D.

Maria Clara Dela Cruz. That was her new name. It was the name her new master had given her. He taught her how to dress, act, and speak. And he taught her things that she didn't even need... and deprived her of what she wanted to learn - like reading their alphabet for instance.

All she really needed to know was how to hunt, plant, harvest, and sing... and maybe read again- and that was all. She followed his orders and demands because he was strong especially with that blasted gun – but, still, she maintained the little Muuma inside her.

"Clean the house." He ordered sternly and she nodded.

She then preceded the house that he made himself, after that he made a town… destroying an ample fraction of the forest she loved – and still did- as a child.

She unconsciously clenched her fist in regret.

-Flashback-

Maria stared at the axe in despair. She was asked to pick some fruits, and she did not expect to see Spain holding an axe in her return. He was facing her favourite Acacia Tree, she so named Kali.

When he raised his axe, her grip of the basket disappeared… and all of her strength was absorbed in her shout.

"STOP!"

Antonio flinched at the sound of her voice, and his heart fell at the terror that accompanied it. But he needed to maintain this façade…

No matter what.

He let out a deep breath... and went in for a strong strike.

…

Spain frowned. He was irritated, very irritated. And by no one but his colony-

She was crying. Hard. Why the hell was she crying so hard?

It's just a tree.

"Be quiet. You're annoying me." He stated stoically, hoping like hell that no sign of his true emotions were leaking.

"I hate you."

"I hate you, too, then."

"Obviously." she muttered forcing the shakiness of her voice back. It was so obvious that he hated her, so why did him voicing him out surprise her so...?

"But you have no choice but to serve me. Now run to my house and cook my food."

"I can poison it, you know."

"Ah, then you'll be my taste-tester." he answered. He was surprised, really, at how well he could act like this-

"I hope you die in hell."

"Ah. But I'll have to drag you with me."

-End of Flashback-

Spain was watching her unknowingly. She was just staring into blank space. A part of him wanted to punch himself for inflicting her pain, and another part just wanted to tell her to shut up and stop confusing him. The latter was much, much more logical. And Spain will follow logic.

He scoffed. And his friends say he's thick-headed.

…

Maria immediately wiped her tears when she heard the door open. She let out a deep breath to calm down.

"Stop your crying." he said, pertaining to her dry tears.

"I'm not crying." she answered.

"Yes, you are."

Maria glared at him and concluded that he was not going to back down - as always. "Whatever you say, master."

He frowned and grabbed her chin tightly. "I don't like that tone you're using on me."

"Deal with it." She spat. He glared at her, thankfully. He almost looked at her with embarrassingly pleading eyes.

"Go and sob somewhere that is not here." He just said maintaining his uncharacteristic stoic expression. Really, his acting skills was honed in this very place… with her in the vicinity. All he wanted when he ended up in this place was to spread the words of God his ancestors taught him. He wanted Glory and Gold, too, since they wanted to but this girl was much too... resisting... to act his normal self with.

"Gladly." she said.

…and that, she did.

It was getting dark, and she hasn't returned yet. She, of all people, should know that a servant could not in any way be away unexcused for so long. He knew Maria, or at least that was what he told himself and that despite her hatred towards him she would not take advantage of his order.

His eyes widened.

Could she still be crying?

Antonio felt panic surge through him, and his body moved on its own to whichever direction Maria went. He looked and searched and shooed away mosquitoes until he found himself in Maria's favorite place- the sea. He walked the shore and silently admired the shore's beauty, until he heard laughter.

It was hers, he knew. For he heard it before – before he claimed her as his. Images of his first meeting with her passed through his mind-

"Wang Yao… seriously, how did you get all these silk? So soft…" she said to him sweetly. Antonio glowered at the Chinese. He knew the trades between the two were very prominent especially before he came – but weren't they sitting a bit too close? Their knees are practically touching!

"I grow it at home, silly, you've harvested beautiful pearls by the way."

Twitch

"Thank you. How do you wear this?"

The blasted yellow-skinned just smiled and stood up. He gestured for her to stand up too, and he helped her wear their traditional clothing. The Chinese grinned proudly as he assisted her while Spain glared at them.

"Ah, thank y-" she muttered just before he finished but she paused when she finally felt the invisible daggers getting thrown at her.

China batted an eyelid and followed her line of sight. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. It just felt like something wanted to kill us just now…"

"Nonsense, nothing woul-"

"Wang?" she asked anxiously as she stared at his frozen state. He chuckled immediately though, upon catching himself.

"-Nothing would want to kill someone as pretty as you."

She blushed and bit before uttering a thank you. Then she stared at him and thought of how he would wear her pearls…

"How do you wear my pearls?"

"I usually add it as an ornament in clothing… why?"

"I don't know… I just want to see you wearing it."

He smirked and then held the pearl in front of the lobe of his ears. He looked like a girl, really, but Maria did not mind. She was quite amused in fact, and she clasped her hand in glee.

"You look pretty."

China looked at her for an instant and then held out his hand and projected the pearl onto her ears.

"It looks prettier on you th-"

Rustle

They immediately turned to the sound of the unnaturally loud rustle of leaves.

Nothing.

They just shrugged, no use being so paranoid anyway.

Spain hid silently behind a large tree trunk holding his crazily beating heart as if it would calm down. He was almost caught, but thankfully he wasn't. In any case, whatever happened, he determined. Determined to getting rid of that annoying yellow-skinned merchant, that is.

Years passed, and he tried various methods. With all of his attempts - he had concluded that the guy was a bloody cockroach.

Attempt no. 1: Bury him deep under the ground

He dug a very deep hole. Seriously, he was meant for much classier things than digging up holes. He sighed before 'ingeniously' putting a light cover and adding leaves for camouflage. All he had to do was lure him there…

"Hey, China." He called when he 'encountered' China on one of his trips from house to house. He was with quite a large carriage carried by three horses, full of the goods he had managed to get a hold of.

"Yes, Spain?"

"Can you come with me? I have something to show you."

China looked at him comprehensively. "I can't. I have an appointment."

His eyes twitched for a moment and swiftly rummaged his brain for excuses.

"I-I saw so much GOLD!" He lied, and of course it caught his attention.

"Is that literal or a metaphor?"

"…Literal?"

"But I'm the one who trades with gold…"

"I-I mean metaphor!" he yelled in his normal energetic voice. "I just totally forgot what it meant!"

He smirked internally, who would've thought he can return to his normal self even with diabolical plans in mind? His acting was perfect!

Or so he thought.

"Why am I to go first?" China asked suspiciously when he told him to lead.

"Uhm… I know this part of the forest… a lot of blood-thirsty monkeys here… so I had to watch my business partner's back, yes?"

China stared at him making him wince. He looked at his side and thought of a lie. He sighed.

"Fine. I'll walk side-by-side with you then, just don't blame me if you get attacked by monkeys…"

And that, they did for a while. They walked in awkward silence, which Spain preferred just fine. They were nearing the trap, and he there's a limit on how much he can hold in his excitement. Well, that was until… China yelled out-of-nowhere catching him by surprise.

"Monkeys!" he shouted and pointed behind him. His eyes widened and he immediately went to China's direction-

THUMP

Spain's eyes twitched at the realization of his stupidity. "Darn i-"

And so… he fell.

…

Attempt no. 2: Get him eaten by hungry carnivores

Unfortunately he couldn't find… or catch… anything amusingly huge so he had to settle with snakes. He placed a number of them on one of his warehouses.

It was quite hard to find China now, especially after what he had tried to pull. But he knew very well, albeit it was hard to admit, that he was probably still going to see the Philippines.

Spain sneaked near her humble home – and there he was. Laughing his heart out with Maria. He shook his head and willed himself to maintain his cool no matter what happened.

So he followed him for as long as he could. But, in the end China had been more alert than ever.

"What do you want, Spain?"

"I… I want you to come with me."

"Why would I?"

"I arranged for a token of apology."

"I don't believe you." He stated with eyes not showing any sort of wavering. "You are much too good a liar."

"H-How rude! Is that what you hear from France and the others?"

"No…"

"It was just supposed to be a joke, China… which was why I'm willing to show you my rare shells collection and you can take whichever you want!"

He blinked. "Rare shells."

"Yes."

China narrowed his eyes in suspicion, but let out a deep sigh in the end. The advent of profit was too much of a temptation for him. China let out a deep breath of defeat.

"Very well…"

…

Spain waited just outside his warehouse and sat in an inconspicuous spot after locking him in. He was waiting for pleas for help, but nothing came.

'Instant death, maybe?' he asked himself in puzzlement, because normally people would shout in terror once they see all those snakes.

Knock Knock

His eyebrows arched.

"There is no shell in this warehouse, but I certainly like the gun power."

Spain's eye twitched again. He placed him in a warehouse of gunpower? And his eyes widened.

Weren't the guns with the gunpowders?

He immediately opened the door... totally not expecting what he saw-

It was China, playing with the snakes. He looked around simultaneously, as well, this was not a warehouse for gunpower-

China turned to him. "I lied."

And then he grinned, making Spain wince. "Didn't I mention I was friends with India?"

China breathed in, and raised his hand to do something ominous... for Spain, anyway.

Tweeet!

All the snakes abruptly turned to him. He gulped.

Crap-

…

Attempt no. 3: Convert him into Christianity and then brainwash him to leave

If physical traps doesn't work, then he'd go to the mental one.

This time, he blocked China's path on his way to the Philippines. He held out his bible and sang a holy Latin song. China winced when an orchestra appeared behind him.

"…"

"Cantate Domino-"

"Didn't you use to be Muslim?"

"…"

"Now if yo-"

"Adeste Fideles - can't you hear it! Jesus is calling for you!"

"Who is that?"

"God! God is calling you!"

China didn't move and took something inside his clothing. He held out an abacus, similar to how he was holding the bible.

"This is my God." He stated and rattled it to make his point.

"An Abacus?"

"No… Money. Money is my god. And so far he had helped me get rich- see?" he said, pompously showing his riches. He wasn't lying – he was definitely rich.

He batted an eyelid before rudely pointed a finger at him.

"B-Blasphemy!"

…

Attempt no. 4: Shoot him.

And that he did- straight to the heart, may he add. And yet he lived.

He sailed back home, but he knew China would return someday. But, he no longer had anymore time to worry about him for now. For the Philippines eventually found out about what he did, and this definitely angered her.

He just added more fuel to her already spreading fire.

…

He walked home, and saw that Maria was waiting for him. Normally, he'd like the sound of that… If only she wasn't carrying a huge knife she called the 'sibat'. And as soon as she saw him, she glared at him.

"I challenge you to a duel, Spain." She yelled sternly and threw him his sword.

He just frowned to cover the mixture of emotions he was then feeling. He had to focus, so he forcibly shook the confusing feelings away and took on his fighting stance

He knew she was good at fighting – the sight of Portugal returning to him all bloodied all those years ago was statement enough. He made sure she grew unaware of the advances of the world – he even ensured that she remain oblivious to the outside world. But in the end, she maintained her identity. And here she was, fighting for it.

He, too, was not a bad fighter. He had forced many countries to submission and he would do it again with her. He wanted her, and for more than 300 years he thought he did have her.

She changed her stance and he firmly held his. He cynically laughed at himself.

Oh how wrong he was.

And so, the Philippines went in for the kill.

.
.

END OF CHAPTER 1:

Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 2: The pearl, the Powerhouse, and the Otaku.

...

Thank you for reading!
I would appreciate it if you pause for a moment and tell me what you thought. :D