So Cold

A Hetalia songfic to Breaking Benjamin's So Cold, which I do not own.

'Crowded streets are cleared away, one by one.'

A deserted street. Civilians running out through alleyways or ducking into houses. The Axis and Allies stared each other down, only Italy, France, and Canada seemed nervous.

'Hollow heroes separate, as they run.'

China and France charged, while America and Russia made a barricade just in case.

'You're so cold, keep your, hand in mine.'

France, who had tried to rush Germany, had been knocked out pretty easily. Germany looked down at the man that he had hated most of his life, and sent a bullet through his head.

Italy, who was hiding in a nearby alley, didn't see his elder brother's death.

'Wise men wonder while, strong men die.'

Japan and China, both with sword in hand, were glaring at each other. Japan went against his usual nature, and spoke first.

"I never thought it would end like this, Aniki-sama." "Neither did I ~aru. I thought that you would grow up differently. Peacefully. I guess that was just a stupid dream ~aru."

"Perhaps not a stupid idea, but a dream nonetheless." China's eyes narrowed, and his grip on the sword hilt tightened. With a cry he charged, and while he did hit Japan in the side, injuring him, he ran onto his sword.

Japan pulled his katana out of China, and laid him on the ground, closing his brother's lifeless eyes. "May your dreams be peaceful, Aniki-sama."

'Show me how it ends! It's-all-right!'

Canada and Italy were hiding in separate alleys, waiting for the heavy fighting to stop. Italy looked out into the street, seeing Japan fighting England.

Germany was creeping up on the barricade that Russia and America had made, placing a small, blinking device on the wall of wood and leather. He ran from the wall before Russia saw him.

'Show me how defenseless, you really are!!'

Germany grabbed Japans arm as he ran, pulling him into the alley that Italy was hiding. He pushed them both far into the alley, and pulled a small, handheld device out of his jacket.

He pushed the button on top, and the sound of an explosion rang through the air. Canada, who had run out to help England, was caught in the blast and was blown back into the alley.

'To satisfy the em-pty-ness, inside!'

Russia and America lurched to their feet, covered in burns and scratches. England was only on the edge of the blast, and got a few scratches from flying debris.

Germany and Japan ran back out onto the battlefield, and Italy peered around the wall of the building that shielded them from the blast, taking a knife into his had.

'But that's alright, let's give this another try!!!'

Russia found that his usual weapon, the lead pipe, had been blown up in the explosion. He instead grabbed a gun from inside his coat. England and America did the same, while Germany grabbed his second gun.

Italy stepped out of the alley, looking around the parts of the battlefield that he couldn't see before. What he did see, actually made his eyes open.

'And if you find your family, don't you cry.'

Italy stared in disbelief, his eyes going wide. "France-nii-san………"

His brother's wide, fear-filled eyes. The gaping, screaming mouth. The once-blonde hair, now soaked in his own blood.

France. Dead. Tears flowed from Italy's eyes, but his attention was soon drawn to the battle nearby.

'In this land of make-believe, dead-and-dry.'

Japan and England were facing each other, England missing all shots he made, and Japan learning that England was very good at dodging a blade.

Germany was at a standstill with America and Russia. He had a gun to each of their head's, but they each had a gun pointed at him.

England's final bullet, hit. Going through Japan's skull just as Japan ran him through the heart. They both fell, dead, as Italy watched in horror. 'It's not real…. This can't be real! He can't be dead!!'

Germany glanced over at Japan, bowing his head to the fallen samurai. 'He was still so young… '

He looked back between America and Russia. Pulling both triggers would make it impossible to aim correctly. If he shot one, then the other would kill him, leaving only Italy to fight.

Who would Italy do better against?...America. Russia would kill Italy. America was stupid enough to make a treaty with Italy at least.

'You're so cold, yet you feel alive!'

Germany's hand tightened around his guns, as he switched the one pointed at America to Russia, firing both through the large nation's skull.

As Russia fell, America fired, and Germany collapsed on top of Russia's corpse.

'Lay your hands on me, one last time!!'

Italy pulled away from France, rushing to Germany's side. "No! Germany!!"

Germany's clouding, dying eyes turned to him, wincing from the bullet wound in his chest. "I..Italy?"

The Italian boy's tears made his sight even blurrier. There was a calmness past the pain. Is that death?

"You idiot… don't cry over a corpse… and don't surrender……..promise me tha….th…" Italy nodded repeatedly.

"Germany…don't go, okay? Please! I still don't know how to fight! Without you by my side…."

Germany's lips twitched, as if he were trying to smile. His bright blue eyes dulled, and his head fell.

'Show me how it ends! It's-all-right!

Italy was always told that he was loud, but the haunted cry that left his lips at Germany's death could have shattered glass.

All the tears that he had shed from fear and joy was nothing compared to the drops coming from his eyes now, staining his cheeks and soaking Germany's clothes.

America, watching this, dropped his gun and froze. "Italy…"

'Show me how defenseless, you really are!'

At the mention of his name, Italy turned to America. His large, chocolate-colored eyes gained a hatred that he never knew he could summon. He looked up at America, glaring for all it was worth, his tears not getting in the way now.

"You…..you killed…." He grabbed the gun that America had dropped a moment before, and stood, pointing the gun between the larger country's eyes. America put his hands up, shaking his head.

"Don't do this Italy. Taking a human life…" "And what about you!? Did you think before you pulled the trigger? Did you think 'a human life is too precious to take in a petty fight'!?! Don't give me that bullshit!! You killed Germany and didn't feel a thing, did you!!?!!"

The tears returned, the gun shook, but he kept his grip on it.

'To satisfy the emp-ty-ness, inside!!'

"Italy….the hero's not supposed to die." "The hero's not supposed to kill! You are no hero America! Not while you still take lives!"

Italy looked down at Germany's body once more. 'No more hesitation. His final wish. I will not surrender anymore. I will win this, if only for Germany and Japan.'

Italy gripped the gun tight. Steadied it, just like Germany had showed him too. Shifted his feat for the recoil like Japan had taught him.

'But that's alright, let's give this another try!!!'

America opened his mouth to protest again, but the gunshot's blast rang out over his voice. As he fell to the ground, Italy's tears increased. He looked at the gun in his hand, a small line of smoke still leaving the barrel, and sobbed.

'It's alright!'

A scream came from a nearby alleyway. Canada ran out into the blood-soaked street, rushing to his brother's side. "America! No!!"

Italy noticed that his arm was broken, and he was covered in scratches even though he hadn't been in a fight yet. 'He must have gotten caught in the blast Germany made.'

Canada was crying over America's corpse, and as Italy looked down at him, he realized.

'It's the same. This is the same scenario as Germany's death. Canada has replaced me as the victim, and I have replaced America as the murderer. It's a cycle. A cycle of revenge and hate. There is only one way to end it.'

'It's alright!'

"Canada."

At the mention of his name, Canada looked up at Italy, eyes still watering. "You….you killed…"

Canada grabbed the gun that Russia had dropped when he fell, pointing it up at Italy, slowly getting to his feet.

'It's exactly the same. But one thing must end differently.' "Why…? Why did you kill him?!?"

"It's a cycle. It will never end." "What are you talking about?!" Canada asked, the gun shaking in his hand.

"Germany killed Russia, America killed Germany, I killed America, and now you want to kill me! It's a cycle of blood, revenge, and pain. So if you kill me now, someday someone will kill you looking to avenge me. Maybe Romano, or Spain, maybe even Holy Roman Empire if he ever returns. Only more blood will be spilled."

Canada stood, frozen at this realization. "Italy…… I don't think I've ever heard you this serious before…."

Italy's eyes widened, just realizing this himself. 'Is this what trauma does to you? Is this what killing does to you? To change me this much so fast…'

"You know what has to happen then? To end this cycle?" Canada slowly nodded, aiming his gun, steadying his hands. Italy lifted his hand, pointing the gun at the larger nation's forehead.

"Are you sure, Canada? You don't have anything else to live for?" the Italian asked the blonde-haired boy before him. Canada just shook his head.

"I have no one left. No one will miss me anyway. They hardly know I exist." Italy's eyes narrowed, as he and Canada pulled their triggers together.

'It's alright.'

Pain shoot through Italy's chest. Blood flowed quickly from his wound. He fell. He heard the thud of Canada's body hitting the ground, and felt more pain coarse through him as he hit the street.

He felt a certain calmness. Perhaps that was death coming. Italy strained with the last of his energy, and turned his head over, so he was looking at Germany and Japan.

'I couldn't truly win, but you can both rest peacefully. I didn't surrender Germany. I promised…… We may all die here, but this at least will stall the cycle. I can only hope…..that the fighting can stop……with our deaths………………….'

And as Italy's eyes closed, his final breath escaping his lips, he died with a smile on his face.

'It's alrighhhtttt………'

There is going to be an aftermath chapter, and possibly an epilogue (not in songfic)

I hope that you enjoyed this. I have nothing against any countries listed here, and the personification is from Hetalia Axis Powers.

Italy was very OOC here, but whatever, I'm the author.

-Veitnam

-KunaiBlade

-Natsuki