Author's Notes and Disclaimer:

Here's another fic for the Hetalia/1983: Doomsday crossover tales, following a world reeling from a nuclear holocaust. This story in particular follows Hungary, or what became of her after her "death" in An Ocean of Flame Above, which would also tie in with the Austria-centric stories eventually.

After a number of edits and draft rewrites, I chose to have each part revolve around a specific place and time period. Also, this is meant to show the changing tides and conditions of the Doomsday-verse in general, and especially how these affect the Alpines (especially Austria and Sopron) and possibly Partium. And counting the lapses and vague holes in the source material, don't expect this to be by any means 100% "by the letter" to the timeline. Also, expect hints of the wider world as well as the story progresses. In any case, I hope you enjoy this!

As for pairings, there's AustriaxHungary. Though expect shades of SwitzerlandxLiechtenstein and the familial angles for Sopron and Partium to show up eventually.

For some reference and translations:

Sopron, as mentioned in the previous fic, is the Magyar city and region bordering Austria, which is also affectionately known as A Leghűségesebb Város ("The Most Loyal Town"). Owing to its location at the crossroads of the two countries (it's also known as Ödenburg), it is in many ways genuinely Austro-Hungarian, with the area practically half-German and half-Magyar. Also, the Firewatch Tower is an actual landmark, dating back to the 13th Century.

In the source material for the Alpine Confederation's (and thus Austria's) involvement and background during the time period, it mentioned them being forced to do some drastic measures just to survive. The article also mentions the survival of Monaco and her eventual relationship with the Alpines, which could make for some interesting story ideas.

Szerelem - "Love" (Hungarian)
Gyermekem - "My child" (Hungarian)
Nem - No (Hungarian)

The title was paraphrased from the English-translated lyrics of Hungary's National Anthem, the Magyar Himnusz.

I don't own Axis Powers Hetalia or 1983: Doomsday. All rights belong to their respective owners.


Her Guarding Arm

Or, A 1983 Doomsday Tale through a Once-Nation's Eyes.

The afterlife had been called different names over countless generations. Elysium. Nirvana. Heaven. Paradise. The Great Beyond. Either way, it was far beyond anything she could have possibly imagined. At one moment, she was naked before a vast plain, as wild horses and their riders galloped into horizon. In another, she witnessed the Budapest of her people's dreams break out in endless celebration. At once, she found herself in an immaculately elegant gala, surrounded by the great kings, revolutionaries, heroes and so many others she had called her own. Even her distant ancestors beckoned on with open arms. By any conceivable definition, it was bliss.

Or rather, it should have been. Even in eternity Hungary remained restless. So much was left undone and unsaid. All while the thought of losing her children and Austria to a slow fate even worse than the once-Nation's own death continued to shatter what sense of peace or closure she still had. And she was not one to let things slide.

Doomsday may have given her a cruel hand. But death had not taken away her fierce spirit. She already made her choice long ago. And she would see through it to the very end.

-o-

Vicinity of Central Sopron. 1989.

It still felt strange for her to actually be here in the town's center when she had failed just four years earlier. But for all the indescribable bliss the afterlife offered the once-Nation wouldn't have it any other way. As most of the surviving world was concerned, neither the name "Elizaveta Héderváry" nor the country she embodied existed anymore. Yet here she was, whisking and swirling about with such ease that it would probably catch pilots by surprise if there were still any in the air.

If they could even see me, she thought. Whatever she was becoming, some things were easier said than done. This didn't damper her enthusiasm, however, as she drew closer to a rather lively orphanage close to the old Firewatch Tower, tarnished by neglect but still standing proud over a city that seemed more like a besieged fortress from her old battles. Slipping inside, she could hear the pleasant sounds of children playing as well as the exhausted though satisfied sighs of the men and women looking after them. But as the once-Nation went through the rooms and hallways, she couldn't help but sense something very familiar surrounding her.

The accents. Bilingual signs. The depressingly long ration lines just across the flaking walls and the tired but disciplined soldiers keeping order. This is your work, isn't it, Szerelem? As much as it pained Hungary to sense her former people barely scraping by even here, the fact that Austria was clearly trying to aid them despite the chaos gave her both immense relief and consolation. You still care after all. Had there been a face, a tearful smile would have crossed it. She was so close now.

It was at the farthest corner that the once-Nation finally found her: a disturbingly malnourished child barely past five taking a nap alone on an old bed. The caretakers called her Julia, which Elizaveta coincidentally had chosen for her so long ago. The young girl's face and hair were very similar to her own back when she still had a physical body. Yet the delicate frame was reminiscent of her former husband. Her presence brought up memories of an old world. Of a crossroads and union between two Nations. Of identities merging into a society at once old and new. If anything, she knew the answer far more intimately than anyone else. I'm glad you're safe. After all these years…

Then to Hungary's surprise and horror, she suddenly woke up, sweating and breathing heavily. It must have been a nightmare, yet her daughter refused to cry. Her eyes were wide open and her mother could sense in her glare a mix of Magyar defiance and childhood innocence. Yet even as Sopron attempted to perk herself up, the first faint signs of trauma and despair began to appear on her face, threatening to tear whatever dreams the Survivor-Nation had. The years ahead would make things even more difficult. Alone…broken… Her former husband, whether or not he was even aware of the girl's existence, could only do so much.

Gyermekem...You're not an orphan. Never will be! She wanted so much to envelop her in a warm, loving embrace, telling her that everything would be fine. That they would always watch over her and when the time comes, be a real family. Together again… But before she could even draw close, there was a sudden sensation of being dragged away, which grew harder to resist the more she struggled. Please…not now…give me this chance…

"Mama? You're there, aren't you?"

Hungary managed to see her daughter glancing towards her direction. There was soft, hopeful smile on her face, which seemed to make the girl glow for a brief moment. And it was the last thing she saw before vanishing once more into oblivion.

-o-

"Is this really what you desire?" a voice asked her. There was no anger in its tone, except perhaps a nagging concern which served little more than to frustrate her even more. "You are no longer bound by the laws of the world. By all means you're free from everything. But to interfere with the living brings its own consequences. Are you willing to risk the integrity of your Julia and Roderich when they too will meet their turn in due time?"

"And just sit back while they suffer?" Elizaveta snapped, only for a more quiet resolve to take hold. "We were all robbed of closure. Doomsday saw to that. But to find peace while they rot away from the inside…Nem. I just…I can't abandon them. Not like this…"

"Please don't be mistaken. I do understand." The voice spoke on in an assuring tone that came across as both sympathetic and detached. "With or without my consent, there have been others who have also considered this path. It's not to be taken lightly, given the dangers involved. Should you opt to go through, know that there would be no return to the way things were. It's not often such chances are given."

The nod she gave was all that was needed. Whatever happened from that point on, the once-Nation knew, the world had not seen the last of her. And she would make sure of it, one way or another.