Okay, I wanted to say something about the OCs warning.
I literally meant OCs. Like, not a Romania or Kenya OC or something. I actually made up the countries that are in here, aside from the canon characters. Seriously. I worked hard.
Another thing: the character point of view changes. In the prologue, it's all in third person. Chapter one is told from Prussia's point of view. From then on, I have no clue who will tell the story, but as the character changes, so does the writing style. Also, characters that you recognize may act differently and out of character. This will be explained later, please deal with it for now.
For example: Prussia is actually a little responsible and Germany is rebellious.
The prologue has a more formal, descriptive writing style.
Prussia's point of view is not descriptive of the surroundings, but it's got a lot of personality in it. The writing is a bit more, I don't know, colorful, I guess.
Now, things of lesser importance:
Hello, awesome readers. I am the author (no duh). You may call me by whatever name you wish to. In fact, if you've got any suggestions, tell me!
So, I'll give you the basics: this is my first multi-chapter fanfic. Any critique is welcomed, as are reviews, compliments, flames (though I'd prefer you not cuss at me), and any ol' thing you want to say. Also, this is only part one of three or four parts of the prologue. I split it up because it's too long. ^^;
Also, the prologue is not finished (chapter one is almost done, though). I just wanted to get this posted. :)
Sorry for the long description, here you go, now enjoy!
Adrenaline Rush
Prologue: A Rare Occurrence (very, very early 1400's)
The albino set a brisk pace as he exited the grand house in shame. He headed straight for the forest ahead of him, hoping its dark cover and cool breeze would help his inflamed emotions to simmer.
Though he moved with deliberate speed, he found himself slowing as the shadow of the woods embraced him. With his ruby eyes closed to the world, he threw his head back with a small intake of breath. All at once, the songs of birds and the sound of the wind became sharper. The scent of hazelnut and berries hit the roof of his mouth and made it water slightly. An image clearer than any reality appeared in his mind and he knew exactly where he was going.
His eyes still closed, he strode forward with more poise and grace than before as he instinctively left the trail behind him. He wove through bushes and trees that had not moved for centuries. He knew his path well; no one had dared to sway him from it.
He halted abruptly at the edge of the clearing he had been coming to for uncountable years, quite wary of its sudden change. What was the harsh sound that reached his ears? Irritated, he opened his eyes to place the sound that shattered the silence of the woodland.
Two very young girls sat on their knees in the clearing. He realised that they we playing a game. They clapped their hands together in a never-ending pattern. The noise that they were making was not quite as harsh as he'd first thought. In fact, it seemed to match the sweetly serene scene that lay before him. One was dressed in a very plain dress with a soft yellow hue. Her golden hair was darker than her dress and shone red in the evening sun with luminance of one thousand. Her blue eyes reflected that flame, but in a much colder manner. The other looked as if she might have Asian descent, though it was not prominent. Her hair was a short gradient that started black and ended chestnut. Her eyes soaked up the rays of the dying sun and kept its warmth in them. She seemed the weaker of the two, though it was hard to tell. Her dress was a simple blue, though it was every bit as poor looking as the first.
Their little game came to a sudden end. The dark-haired girl grasped the blonde's hand when they collided and whispered,
"Adrian? You'll always be here to protect me, right? And stay with me, too?" The blonde's face, once hard with concentration, melted with affection; the two were clearly very close.
"Of course. What makes you think I would abandon you?" The blonde, Adrian, gave a small, determined smile. The scene had become even more endearing than before, with the two petite girls sitting in the golden meadow as the day grew dark.
Strange, the albino man remarked to himself, how could it be that I've come across two more territories to claim as my own? It had not even been a week since his discovery of an even smaller region.
"Come to think of it," he continued aloud, "this is where I found the other one." His voice had startled the girls. They quickly arose, the blonde pushing the brunette behind her, as if to protect her.
They stood like that for some time, their only sound being the quick panicky breaths, their only movements being their hair billowing slightly in the breeze. Growing tired of the silence, the older man took a step forward and murmured softly to them,
"Relax. I have no intentions of harming you."
"The hell you don't!" the small blonde snapped, her voice an uprising crescendo. The albino flinched; he had not expected such vulgar language from someone so young. He stiffened his back and tried to look authoritative. If things went his way, by the time night fell, these two would be under his possession.
"You two look cold. And lonesome, if I might add. Would you like to stay with me?"
"No." He'd never heard a blunter reply. The blonde continued to glare frozen daggers - icicles? - at him. He took another step towards them. Once again, they mirrored him by taking a step back.
"Allow me to explain," he nearly begged, putting his hands up in the same gesture he'd use to calm a startled horse. The girls did not yield. A flash of uncertainty appeared in the eyes of the smaller one.
"Adrian, please. You've always been reasonable." Blue eyes met brown in a stare down that was eventually lost.
"Fine. Explain what benefits you provide that I cannot gain myself."
"First, let's sit down, miss." He moved forward and sat with them. They looked wary if not weary. Perhaps both.
"I'll begin with my name. I am Prussia, of the Teutonic Order. Benefits you have of staying with me... To begin, I have another small country with me. She's not too much younger than you two. She's quite submissive," Prussia explained quickly when he saw a dangerous shine in Adrian's eyes, "she'll give you no trouble whatsoever. I'll admit it now; you two are small and weak -" Adrian stiffened visibly "- but you have great potential. I will care for you until you are strong enough to join the Teutonic Knights. I can teach you to fight, to read and write, to ride horses. You'll gain friends and enemies along the way, I can assure you. There will be bloody wars and political wars, but, by the time you will have been exposed to that, you will have learned to fend for yourselves. If you decide to live under my care, I would keep you out of the knowledge of other nations lest they cause a war for you, and God knows we don't need one of those when you're growing up." Adrian tilted her head up slightly. Thoughtfulness replaced anger as she mulled over it again and again.
"So, basically, you're going to keep us cooped up until you're ready to have us join your cause?" Well. He hadn't though she's see through his argument that easily. He did a quick reassessment. She was sly and had a controlling intellect, though she seemed too stubborn for her own good. Adrian looked as if she were about to refuse when the other girl's - Allison, Prussia though she was called - stomach growled.
"Yes, that's exactly right. However, as a side deal, you get food, a warm place to sleep during winter, which, need I remind you, is approaching quickly, and an education."
They discussed hypothetical scenarios and plans until night fell upon them. It was strange that time seemed to pass so quickly, for they had not noticed it. By this time, Allison had fallen asleep.
"It's settled then. You'll come home with me," Prussia stated, with a nod of his head confirming the deal. Adrian turned, looking a little guilty as she made a move to wake her sleeping companion.
"Let her sleep," the albino man chided gently, "I'll carry her." He bent down to scoop up the sleeping girl. He shifted the brunette so that she was on his back, her little arms wrapped around his neck, her petite head resting on his shoulder. Prussia hooked his arms under her legs to be certain that she would not fall and set off in the same brisk manner that he'd begun his journey into the forest with.