Warning(s): Language, shonen-ai/slight yaoi
Pairing(s): Eventual America/England, slight Germany/N. Italy, Spain/Romano, and few other possible pairings
Summary: America was sent by the military to investigate Norydvask Zen, a land in the far north. He was about to return, when the sudden extreme weather forced him to back down... and survive. Will he be able to defy the military when the situation called?
A/N: Written in response to the extreme weather the northern countries are having, and also my first time experiencing minus 32 degree Celsius. Alternate Universe, more to the modern era technology... and probably crazy events.
Chapter 1
"America!"
Said man opened the cockpit hatch and poked his head out. "Yeah?"
"Come down here, will you? It's not funny for me to shout for you all the way down here."
A few seconds later the plane's engine slowed down into a stop, and America easily jumped from the cockpit, landing perfectly beside Canada. "What's up, Canada?"
"Wha- Oh yeah! Brigadier-General said that he wanted to meet you, so I figured I'd call you over along." Canada explained.
Tilting his head, America muttered aloud, "I wonder what it is about."
"You should go and meet him, seems like he's got something for you." Canada shrugged airily.
At Canada's answer America beamed up. "Oh yeah! Maybe he's got a mission for a hero like me!"
Nodding his head, Canada joined America in his excitement. "Yeah, maybe that's it!" But after a quick consideration, he added, "whatever it is though, I hope you could come back quickly. I've heard people whispering about General Yao's visit here few days later."
America had since been shaking even before Canada finished his sentence, and he looked like he could burst out anytime.
"Really?! As in, General Yao of the Huolong Base?!" He grabbed Canada's shoulder and began shaking him with quite some force that the latter's glasses were threatening to fall off.
"Y-Y-Ye-ah! That one!" Canada managed to stutter. When America released his grip he stumbled backwards first, before regaining his balance back and fixed his glasses. Really, this leader of his seemed to never realize his own strength. "You better be quick though."
Without any warning whatsoever, America bolted off, leaving Canada in the hangar. He could only vaguely hear Canada's yell, "…and don't forget to fix your uniform and take your jacket off!"
Canada could only sigh as he watched his leader disappear at the corner. He and America aren't genetically related, actually. But they had similar faces… and completely opposite personalities. For some reasons unknown they just got along well - very good, really. He was somehow able to keep America on the line, and the latter didn't seem to have any problem with it.
Sighing again, he rolled his sleeves up to the elbow, and began one of the final inspections on America's plane; as he knew that America would probably have to leave tomorrow morning.
Excited as he was, America could swear that he was far more ecstatic about General Yao's visit. For all he knew, the man was a great General of the far east, and he had lots of influences on other lands; even here, in the far west land of Altyan.
Oh, and by the way, speaking about ranks, he himself was a newly-promoted Captain with his own Alpha Team. It consisted of Canada, his long-time and brother-like friend; Japan, one of his best friend and the tech-master; and France, the well-known player but a veteran soldier nonetheless. And of course, a hero like him as the leader!
…But even as it was, he still stood there in front of the mirror, fidgeting around. He yanked out his watch from his pocket, glanced at it quickly before adjusting his collar for the last time.
Taking in a lungful of air, he finger-combed his fringes for the very last time, and rushed out of the washroom. He had stowed his bomber jacket inside his locker as Canada had told him, and now he had to try to stay calm… which he was failing rather miserably. Oh to hell with it.
He stopped in front of the Brigadier-General's office. Gritting his teeth and clenching his fist, America opened the door and stepped inside. "Captain F. Jones, reporting for duty, sir." He forced himself to salute and keep a straight face.
"Yes - ah? Captain Jones?" The Brigadier-General blinked, "never expected you to show up this fast." He gestured for America to take a seat, which he followed suit.
"Um… do you have something for me, sir?" America inquired.
The Brigadier-General pulled out a red file from his drawer and laid it on his table, pushing it slightly towards America. "Take it easy, young man. This," he began, "is your new mission. Personal mission, I mean."
The American could only gape at that sentence. Noticing his state, the Brigadier-General paused and blinked again. "Is there… anything wrong, Captain?" He was half afraid that his subordinate would faint or collapse.
Snapping back into reality America stood up immediately, saluted in a flash and sputtered, "n-no sir - I mean no sir!"
"Hey, no need to be that strict in here, Captain. Just take it easy." The Brigadier-General laughed light-heartedly. "So then, anyway, you'll be getting two additional team members because of this mission. And no, they won't be taken away from you after you did this mission. Oh, and since this will be your team's first personal mission, I hope you won't let me down."
"Sir yes sir! Nothing will stand in my way and I won't let you down!" The Captain replied back, grinning widely.
"Very well then." The Brigadier-General leaned back into his chair, joining the younger man's grin. "You are dismissed, and remember that I'm counting on you and your team."
So the blond left his superior's office with the wide grin still firmly in place, and the red file in his right hand. All he had in mind now was the mission, and he stormed off to the hangar, eager to tell Canada about their first mission as an independent team.
"Canada!!" He yelled from afar and skidded to a halt near Japan. "And hiya, Japan!"
"Afternoon, Captain." The black-haired man smiled in return.
America patted his friend's shoulder lightly and brought the red file up. "Guess what I've got," he drawled playfully, still grinning.
"A new mission?" Canada guessed from below America's Valkanus.
Nodding excitedly, America flapped the red file above his head. "Yeah! And this time it's our personal mission; we'll be doing it on our own! We won't be helping other teams but doing it alone!"
"Really?" Canada pulled himself out from below the Valkanus and stood up immediately.
"What is it about, Captain?" Japan piped up.
That question caused America to pause in his excitement. "Umm…" he started, rubbing the back of his head, "I haven't seen it yet?" He let out a nervous laugh. "But the Brigadier-General said that we'll get two additional team members though!"
Canada sighed, then looked around the hangar, "speaking of team members, have anyone seen Lt. Bonnefoy?"
"I've not been gone for more than an hour and someone missed me already?" France announced his arrival grandly, earning him a scowl from America.
"It's more than an hour already, France, and shut up. And button up your shirt." America warned, crossing his arms and glaring at the older man, "we only have a one-hour break and you even used that short amount of time to do that?" He shook his head, "you're impossible."
Japan and Canada had turned their heads somewhere in between, facing the Valkanus, and they were on a silent agreement that neither of them would interfere unless it got across the line. Canada was already below the Valkanus again, and Japan had averted his attention to his laptop. He has faced situations like this more than twice, but maybe it was just in his nature that he'd never get used to it.
America observed his subordinate bowing slightly in order to button up his shirt, but paused when he noticed something. Smacking his forehead, he shook his head and let out an exasperated sigh. "Man, you'd never stop doing that, huh France?"
"Oh no, not that, Captain," France winked. "I won't ask you to understand - even do - things like that… but well, you know." He chuckled.
At that commentary the captain's blue eyes took on a sharper edge. "France…" He growled dangerously.
Japan cleared his throat to get their attentions, and it worked. "Uh, Captain? I think you and France-san are about to pass the line here."
The younger blond did stop, but he was still glaring at the older blond. "Fine," he grumbled under his breath, "Japan, can you look for our two supposed-to-be missing team members?"
The Sergeant-Major stood up, placing his laptop on the small table beside him. "Sure, Captain." He answered lightly, "what do they look like?"
"Uh umm…" America tried to remember, but nothing came to his mind. "I didn't really listen to the Brigadier-General."
"Oh." The look on Japan's face was enough to make the peeking Canada shake his head. He was about to get out from the plane when a voice came.
"Ve~ Are you Captain F. Jones by any way?"
The three soldiers whirled around to see the owner of the voice, and since Canada couldn't turn, he only slid himself out.
"Good afternoon, Captain F. Jones, sir." The taller, more serious man saluted.
America had no idea of how to reply, so he just saluted back. "Yeah, and um… and who are you guys?"
"I'm Second Lieutenant Vargas, Captain! But you can just call me Italy, ve~" Italy waved, "and this one here is First Lieutenant Ludwig, or Germany for short."
"We're the two additional members to your team, Captain." Germany added.
Bolting towards the newly arrived duo, America shook their hands enthusiastically. "Hiya Italy, and Germany too! Welcome to the team, I'm Captain F. Jones, but just call me America!" And he pulled them near his team, "this is my team - you two are already in - that one's Second Lieutenant Bonnefoy or France; this one's our tech-master, Sergeant-Major Honda or Japan," he paused, pointing to Canada, "that one below the plane's Canada, our Head Engineer!"
"Nice to meet you all, ve!" Italy waved happily, while Germany only greeted with a slight smile. After the short introduction, he approached the still-chatting America.
"Captain-" He was cut off by America's slap on his back.
"No need to call me with those rank thingies, Germany! 'S just feels better to call each other with their names, 'cause those ranks only makes it harder to be friendlier!" The American laughed.
The German blinked once, twice; before he coughed lightly. "So um, America?" He called, "are you ready for tomorrow?"
"…Huh? Tomorrow? Ready for what, tomorrow?" The captain repeated, dumbfounded.
It was Canada who answered the question. "He mean the mission, America. Knowing you, it's not strange that you haven't read the document, instead rushing over here to tell us," he paused, "not like I'd complain though."
America snapped his fingers after Canada finished, grabbed the file and then sat on the floor. The rest of them followed after him shortly. He pulled the first paper along with some more that looked like maps. But America was America, so he let the maps untouched, leaving them to Japan to take care of.
"Where are we going to operate, America?" France asked.
"It's uh, this um…" He mumbled, brows furrowing as he tried to figure it out. "Uh, Japan?" He called, more for help though.
"That'd be Norydvask Zen, America-san, France-san." Japan answered lightly, "a land in the far north, probably one of the coldest areas in the world. Since nobody has really returned from there, the information about the land is very limited."
"…That?" France deadpanned, "you have got to be kidding me."
Germany piped up, "unfortunately, Lt., that's right. Though…" He didn't get the chance to continues because America exploded happily first.
"I'm gonna be the one to search the mainland!!" America yelled excitedly after being quiet for some time, causing his friends to turn to him. He stopped. "Um… is there anything wrong guys? Is it because I get to do all the cool stuffs?"
Japan sighed inside. "It's not about that, America-san… truthfully, we all are happy for you. You finally get a step closer to your dream."
"It's a wild nature over there, America. Only the strong will survive." Canada tried to coax his friend.
But instead of calming down, America beamed up even more than before. "No prob! A hero like me will survive through anything even against the forces of nature!" He punched the air.
All of the team members could only shake their heads, except for Italy. "Yeah, ve! That's the spirit, Captain!"
Grinning widely America smacked the red file on the floor. "Awesome! So now 's time to talk about our position and things!"
And so the six soldiers discussed their mission, locations and positions and other possible events that might occur. They started at about two o'clock, and it was supposed to be a quick and clear briefing… but as usual, it got much longer, and they finally finished their meeting at seven.
It was America who ended the briefing, as his stomach started to complain. "Boy I'm hungry!" He whined, rubbing his belly.
"You should go to bed, America. You'll have to leave early tomorrow." Canada suggested.
"Nah," he shook his head, standing up, "I'm gonna go and grab something from the McD first. You guys can go back and rest." He began to walk towards the hangar's gate, waving his hand to his team.
"America-san, wait up!" Japan called. He approached his captain and said, "I've created some new programs for your Valkanus in order to keep it alive in the cold. Don't be surprised with the changes, though… all important notes are in here." He took a small USB-like device from his chest pocket, and passed it to the blond. "Please don't forget to read it carefully, Captain. I'll be helping Canada out with the preparations."
"Ah, yes! Thanks a bunch, Japan!" Grinning, he continued, "I'm counting on you two, OK?"
The black-haired man bowed slightly, "anytime, America-san. If there's anything else you need, you know where to look for me."
After saying thanks again, the blond continued his walk to the McDonalds that was situated outside the base. It usually took him 15 minutes with normal walk, but this time he decided to do a little jogging, cutting the usual amount of time by about five minutes.
The weather outside was rather cold, as it was already approaching winter. On his hand America held a plastic bag, containing one Big Mac, a large French Fries and two cans of Diet Coke. Another half-bitten Big Mac was grasped on his right hand, halfway to his mouth.
He paused on his track, staring up to the dark sky. There was barely any stars up there, and America muttered to himself, "I wonder what'd be waiting for me tomorrow…" Shrugging, he continued to walk again, biting a part of his Big Mac.
"Whatever it is, I guess any future's not ours to see… but ours to change."
A/N: This is my first try on Hetalia fandom, and it's not beta-ed... so if you notice mistakes, I'd be grateful if you would point them out.