HRE: Heaven

"Who did it?!' Germany screamed at the group of nations in front of him. "Who set off those nukes?" He continued to yell. "Korea? America? Russia?" He pointed at the mentioned countries, who did not reply, and they nervously looked away. In fact, a few others nation stared to fidget. "All of you?! What were you thinking? This is horrible! Horrible!"

"Hey, hey, Germany." Italy patted his friend's shoulder. "It's not that bad."

"Not that bad? Not that bad?" He yelled. "Look at where we are!" Germany held out his arm at the vast and seemingly endless stretch of clouds. "We're dead!" Indeed. All the nuclear weapons, missiles and bombs had done off; killing all of the nations.

"Yeah…" Italy continued. "We could have died and gone to hell, but we died and gone to heaven! See, it could have been much worst."

"Idiot!" Germany grabbed Italy by the shoulders, and started to violently shake him. "We're still dead!"

"Waah!" Italy cried at his treatment. Soon all the recently deceased countries lamented their demise, and started to bicker amongst each other.

"Aya! I knew I was old, but I was healthy as can be, aru!"

"I'm not even Christian, so why am I here?"

"Why in hell isn't Russia in hell?"

"How can I be dead?" Prussia clutched his head, and scratched furiously.

"Oh, shut up." Hungary told him. "You should have died off in the 1940's, and you still hung around."

"That's what I'm saying!"

"Like, this totally sucks."

Japan carefully weighed the situation, and decided it was best to speak with his old friends. "Germany-san." He made his way through the crowd. "Stop throttling Italy-kun. We need to re-group and gain control of the situation."

At Japan's request, Germany finally let go of the disoriented Italy. "I'm sorry, Italy. I'm sorry, Japan. I'm just so angry I don't know what…"

"Germany-san, it is alright. You do not have to apologize to us. Certainly, the actions of America…"

"Hey! Hey! Why's only my name being brought up over here?" America poked Japan hard. "Just cuz I nailed your ass twice doesn't mean I started this. How do you know it wasn't Russia over there?"

Russia, who had been content watching the chaos, overheard the accusation. "Kolkolkolkolkol…" He abruptly stopped, and thought about the Kolhoz. "That's right. I don't have that anymore." He said plainly. "That makes me sad." He continued with a disturbing smile.

Whack.

Russia blindly punched a nearby country. He didn't care who (though Estonia's screaming "Latvia!" revealed the victim), he just wanted to hurt someone. "Ah. I feel a little better. Who shall I hit next?" He looked at England, and headed towards him with a pleasant smile on his face.

With Russia's interruption over, Japan stared at America. "It seems Russia-san has the right idea." Japan said, and took a karate stance.

"Ha! Sounds like fun." America put up his dukes. "Let's dance!" He took a jab at Japan who dodged, and countered. America blocked with his forearms, and a small grunt of pain.

"Is this gaining control of the situation?" Germany yelled, but Japan did not hear. Germany muttered under his breath while thinking the situation over. He did, like almost everyone else here, had a lot of pent up frustration, and perhaps Russia did have a good idea. With a battle cry, he charged at America, and was able to knock him down in a tackle. In this attack, Germany unintentionally took down another nation with them.

"Kyaa!" The small girl was crushed under the two heavy nation.

"Liechtenstein!" Switzerland yell. "You bastards!" Switzerland didn't even hear Germany's stutter of an apology as he kicked the Kraut off. He grabbed America, and tossed him off the girl he considered his little sister. She whimpered from the pain; tears already forming from beneath her closed eyes. He turned to the two offending nations. Already Japan rejoined the fight to help Germany double team America. Switzerland reached for his hand gun, but it was gone. He couldn't feel any of his weapons on him yet it hardly fazed him. "I can take you all down with my bare hands!" He confronted the closest nation, Germany, and engaged him in combat.

Their actions dragged in two more already stressed nations who started fighting. Then those two nations dragged in another two. Not to mention Russia had already started a fight with England. China finally snapped, and started strangling Korea. Turkey and Greece didn't even need a reason to fight. Poland didn't care about fighting, but if everyone else was doing it, he wasn't going to be left out (of course, dragging Lithuania into it as well). A handful of Middle Eastern countries decided to gang up on America. They ended up attacking Canada by mistake. Then the Nordic nations started fighting, and the South America nations… Everyone was fighting

Well, everyone except for a certain nation. "Waaaah! This is scary!" Italy cried, and waved his pocket white flag around. "Germany, Japan, where are you?"

"Veneziano!" Italy ears perked up at his other name being used.

"Brother!" Italy ran to Romano, who was also avoiding the fights. "This is awful! What are we going to do?"

"First we run." Romano said in true Italian spirit. He grabbed his brother's arm and took off towards the edge of the battlefield. "Second," he said as they ran, "everyone's here right? Well, if everyone's here, that means Grandpa's here too." They exited the battle field, and went up, what could be considered, a small hill of clouds. "He's not here which means he's gotta be out there, dammnit. You're going to go find him, bring him back, and then he can kick these guy's asses for us."

"But, what will you do, brother?" Italy asked.

"Are you kidding me? This may be my only chance to get some cheap shots at these bastards. Also, Spain…Ah! Just go find Grandpa, and bring him here." Romano pushed his brother, before he could protest, and went back into the fray.

Italy nodded, and took off for his mission. "Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa Rome!" He called out as he scampered through the clouds. No answer. Just clouds. Waves and waves of white clouds. White fluffy clouds. Fluffy clouds. Fluffy. Fluffy. Fluffy. Italy shook his head. He had a mission, and he couldn't be distracted. Fluffy white clouds. He supposed a minute wouldn't hurt…

"Yay!" Italy jumped into a patch of fluffy white clouds, and started to play. "I'm so happy we get to live here. It's so pretty and soft. He started to roll on the clouds. "Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! Ya~ooofh!" His face collided with the sole of someone's shoe. "Uhhh…" The perpetrator took his foot off, and Italy got a look at him. The man had long blond hair, and wore old garments. However, what stood out was the man's face: He looked exactly like Germany. Italy rubbed his eyes. Yep, still Germany's face. "Ger…"

"Who are you?" Angrily barked the man. Wow, even acted like Germany.

"Wah! I'm sorry." Italy cried and stood up. "I'm Italy. Please don't kill me! Although, if you did kill me, where would I go? I'm already dead. Can we really die again if we already died? If that's so, then…"

"Italy? Rome's grandson?"

Italy stopped his rambling. "You know Grandpa?"

"Hmpf." The man went. "Unfortunately, yes."

"Then you know where he is?"

The man stared at Italy with a lifted eyebrow. "I don't keep tabs on him." Italy's shoulders sank, and a disheartened expression crossed his face. The look didn't agree with the blond man, and he sighed. "I'll help you look for him though." Italy let out a happy little laugh, and the blonde man shook his head. "You certainly have gotten taller." He said as he started walking with Italy following behind him.

"Hey. Hey, mister. You're really nice when you're not being scary. Hey, have you know Grandpa long?"

The man stopped, turned around, and regarded the younger man. "Italy, it's me. Germania."

"Eh?"

"Don't you remember me? I know you were young but…"

"Germania! I remember you now. You're Holy Roman Empire's grandpa!" Italy excitedly bounced up and down. That's right: Holy Roman Empire was here too, and it made Italy feel giddy inside. He would be reunited with his first love.

Germania smiled. "Ah, so you do remember." Italy nodded with a gleeful expression. "Hmm, speaking on which…Italy, since I am doing you a favor, will you do me one?"

"Sure."

"Will you tell me how is that grandson of mine doing?"

"Huh?" Italy stopped his merry movement.

"Holy Roman Empire. How is he?" Germania asked, but Italy remained silent and confused. "Uh, if you don't know details, you can just tell me if he is doing alright."

Italy shook his head: He didn't understand.

"…He's not alright?"

Italy continued to shake his head. Fear filled his heart.

"Did something happen to Holy Roman Empire?" Germania asked solemnly.

"He's not here?" Italy asked very quietly.

"Excuse me?"

"If he's not here then where is he?" His fear vocalized.

"Italy, I don't understand…"

"He vanished a long time ago…" His voice was full of distress. "Germania, where is he?"

Germania darted his eyes back and forth. He realized what Italy was saying. What could of happened to Holy Roman Empire? "I'm here." He reasoned. "If I was allowed up here, there's no way he wouldn't be. Not after all I've done…" Italy breathed a sigh of relief as Germania continued. "If he's not here, he must still be on Earth."

"He can't be on Earth." Italy said.

"Why not?"

"Because all the nation are here."

"What?" Germania asked. Now he was very confused.

"Everyone died."

Germania didn't know how to process this information, and he repeated Italy's statement back to him. "What do you mean 'everyone died'?"

Italy pointed back in the direction he came. "Everyone died, and we came here. Then everyone started fighting, and I went off to look for Grandpa Rome. Then I met you, and then we started talking and…"

"Ugh!" Germania grabbed Italy, and dragged him back to direction he came. Like Italy said, all the nations were there, and fighting. Germania stared dumbfounded.

"Germania. Germania. Look. Look. I see Grandpa Roma over there. Grandpa! Grandpa Rome!" Italy ran over to the once mighty nation who stood watching the battle.

"Italy?" He turned around, and his face lit upon seeing his favorite grandson. "Italy!" He opened his arms, and his grandson jumped into them. They spun and laughed. "Ah, Italy, I'm so sad you died, but I'm so happy you're here with me."

"Haha! I'm so happy to see Grandpa Rome too. I missed you, Grandpa."

"Yes. Yes." Germania had made his way over. "We're all happy to see each other." He said dryly.

"Hey, Germania, took you enough time to get here." Rome set Italy back on the clouds. "What took you so long? Couldn't you hear the battle, ya old man?" Germania groaned. "Hey. Hey. Look at my grandson." Rome cupped the boy's chin, and smushed it back and forth. "Italy is still so cute. Oh, what a wonderfully adorable grandson I have!"

Germania crossed his arms, and looked away. "I suppose…" He grumbled. "I must say, I'm surprised you have not joined the battle."

"Mm. Mm. Brother wanted you to fight for us, Grandpa. He knows you'll win."

"Ah…" Rome considered the option, and shook his head. "I'm tired of fighting. Besides, I'd rather dote on my grandson."

"Speaking of which…" Germania turned to the battlefield. "Apparently, my grandsons are out there. Including the unaccounted one: Holy Roman Empire."

"Oh yeah, that little brat of yours who you wanted to take my glory?"

Germania smirked, and cracked his knuckles. "That's the one. I suppose I'll have to make my way through to find him."

"Ha! Have fun, Germania. I'll be here with Italy. If you see Romano or France, tell them to stop fighting and join us." Rome waved to Germania as he headed to battle. "So, Italy," he turned his attention back to him, "tell me what I missed? Did you have a good life? " He nudged him with his elbow. "Did you nab any cuties?" He asked with a wink.

"I…" Italy looked out at the battlefield with a sad look, "I did…"

"Ah-ha! My grandson's a sly dog. I bet that…"

"Holy Roman Empire…"

"Huh? Why are you talking…"

"He loves me…and I love him."

"Oh…" The news surprised Rome, however, as he saw the lovesick expression on his grandson's face, he couldn't fault him. Rome smiled fondly. "And Germania said that boy's out there." He playfully shook his head. "So, what are you doing hanging around with an old coot like me when you could be with your sweetheart?"

"It's alright, Grandpa?"

"Course! We have an eternity to catch up. Now go!" Rome patted Italy on the back, and off the boy went to find his love. Rome chuckled to himself. "Oh, Germania…Your grandson didn't get my glory, but he's got my grandson's heart. I think he lucked out on that deal."

The battle, for the most part, had thinned out. The victors knocking their enemies unconscious. Or in some cases, they had help.

"Mother! I could have…beaten Turkey…myself." Greece complained.

"He was hurting my boy. What should I've done? Oy, I haven't seen my baby in centuries, and already he's ashamed of his mother."

"Mom…it's not like that…Turkey's just going to…tease me now. For the rest of time!"

"If he teases my baby, I'll teach him a lesson."

"Mom! You don't…understand."

Italy kept looking for Germania and Holy Roman Empire while trying to avoid the fights. He started thinking about how he would recognize Holy Roman Empire. Maybe if he saw an unfamiliar nation, that would be him. Then he thought to himself that's be no good because he was familiar with Holy Roman Empire. "Let's see…" He said to himself. "Holy Roman Empire had short blonde hair with sideburns, and blue eyes. He can really scary, but really nice too. Heehee. After seeing Germania again, Holy Roman Empire is a lot like his grandfather. Which is funny because Germania looks exactly like German…nee" He stopped. "Huh?" He didn't have long to piece together the puzzle.

An African nation lifted Italy up by his jacket.

"Heh, Ethiopia. Hi." Italy managed out. "Uh, you look mad…are you still upset about…Waaaahh! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me! Ah! That hurts! Oh my god, that really hurts! Aaah! I'm sorry!" Ethiopia's revenge suddenly halted, and Italy peeped out from his arms held protectively in front of him. Once Italy saw his rescuer, he rejoiced. "Yay! You saved me, Germany!"

Germany tossed Ethiopia aside, and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Thank you, Germany. Thank you."

"Right, right." Germany said absently minded. After all, him saving Italy's keister was nothing new. Now Italy was clinging to him. Again, nothing new. Now Italy was sputtering how much he missed him and loved him. "Ugh…" Nothing out of the ordinary, per say, but still embarrassing. "Italy, calm down." Germany said. "We're still in the middle of a battle."

"I never thought I'd see you again." Italy sobbed, and kept sprouting off his feelings.

Germany groaned again. "Italy, we've haven't been separated that long." Then he thought perhaps the other nation finally realized the severity of their situation. Germany patted Italy's back. "There, there, Italy." He tried to soothe the nation, but it came out awkward and a little force. "It'll be alright. Please, please," he said the latter word through closed teeth, "stop crying."

With his head pressed against Germany's arm, Italy nodded his head, and finally wretched himself off. "Germany…" He said, looking up into the taller man's eyes.

Germany's attention shot elsewhere. "Ah, Japan. Did you and America take care of Russia?" Apparently a truce had been made during the battle.

Japan panted from near exhaustion. "America-san is," he took a few deep breathed, "still fighting Russia-san. You left rather suddenly after taking care of Ukraine-san instead of helping me with Belarus-san." He said with a bit of anger.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Japan. Italy here…" Italy was nuzzling his arm again, "was in trouble, and you know…" Germany looked down at Italy. He's really weak and useless, is what he wanted to say.

He didn't have to. "I understand." Japan continued with his deep breathes. "Shall we go back to the fight with Russia-san?"

"You sure you're still up to it?"

Japan raised his fist to the air. "Yes, though I am…"

"Japan, your hand!" Germany pointed at it.

"Whoa." Italy pulled himself from Germany's arm long enough to look. "It's all messed up."

Japan blinked, and looked at his hand. His fingers were crooked and bent is every which way that was not normal. "Ah. I have not noticed." He calmly said

"How could you not?" Germany yelled.

Japan thought about it, and held his arm higher. His forearm was bent and broken at the middle. "Maybe it is because Belarus did this also." He said in all seriousness.

"That's it. We're getting you out of here, Japan. Italy," he shook his arm, "Italy! Let go." Italy still clung.

"Germany, I don't wanna let you go. I finally found you. Germany…I love you."

Throughout their history together, Germany had heard Italy say this line to him on many occasions. Every single time it still made him blush even if Italy never meant it in a romantic way. Nonetheless, he didn't want people to misunderstand. Germany turned to Japan. "Ethiopia hit him hard on his head." Once he made an excuse for Italy, Germany started walking, pulling Italy along. "This way." He said, and Japan followed as the three of them made their way out of the diluting battle. They passed by England and France, both unconscious from their standstill fight. A few stragglers, with past issues, confronted them, but Germany was in a such a mood, he was able to take them out with one punch.

They reached the clearing, and, after prying Italy off, Germany was able to pull together some makeshift bandages. They sat down, Italy held the bandages while Germany treated Japan. All the while, Italy smiled happily at Germany.

It made Germany nervous. "Uhh…So…after Switzerland joined the fight," Perhaps talking about the battle would distract the both of them, "America saw what we had done to Liechtenstein, and stopped fighting Japan. He carried her off to safety, while saying how 'Hero's don't let damsels go distressed!'" He chuckled at the oddly worded phrase.

Japan continued the story where Germany left off, unfazed by his bones being re-broken and readjusted into place. "I realized I couldn't be mad at America-san anymore. Even Switzerland-san ceased his fight with Germany-san. Ah, but the warrior in us still desired the heat of battle…"

"We went to picked a fight with Russia." Germany summarized.

"America-san and I both had issues with him in the past. Also, he was hurting England-san."

"Then Belarus and Ukraine joined the fight, and, well, then I came to help you, and here we are." Germany tied the finishing knot on Japan's injury. He turned back to Italy. Italy's expression remained the same. Germany grimaced.

Italy tilted his head Japan. "Do you feel all better?" He asked.

"Err, yes…Yes, I do. Thank you, Italy-kun."

"I'm glad." He smiled. "Hey, Germany." Italy turned his attention back to him. "I'm really happy it's you because…well, I love you too."

"What do you mean 'too'?" Germany groaned. "I swear I'll never understand you."

"It sounds like a confession of love to me." Japan chimed in.

"I know! But this is Italy we're talking about here. You know how he… Hey, Japan, where you are going?" Japan didn't say; he only bid them farewell as he walked away. Italy wasted no time, and pounced into a hug with Germany. He sighed and gave Italy a squeeze before gently pulling him off. Italy gazed lovingly into his eyes, and Germany had to look away. His hands folded in his lap. He felt Italy's hand softly touch his cheek, and he turned back to him. Italy pressed their foreheads together. "Why are…why are you being so affectionate right now?" Germany asked. His face felt flushed.

"I'm happy…" He said; his eyes still looking into Germany's. "I'm happy Germany and I are such good friends, and we've always been together."

Germany laughed a little. "Is that all?" Italy closed his eyes and smiled: No. "Then what's this 'too' thing?"

Italy's smile grew. "Germany is my…" Instead of saying it, Italy wrapped his arms around Germany's neck, and nuzzled against his cheek. Unlike times before, this was gentle and more tender. And right now, Germany didn't care if it all turned out to be a misunderstanding. He held Italy close, and enjoyed all the love in that moment.

A short time passed in the heavens. Countries regained consciousness and more civilized talk resumed. Italy and Germany met up with Rome who was joined by France, Romano and Spain. Romano hated how well Spain and his Grandpa got along.

Germania and his other grandsons joined as well. Explanations were given, and Germania had a feeling his grandson, Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, would regain his memories soon. Until then, Italy and Germany were happy as is.

All seemed right.

"Hey." England started looking around and interrupted the story's ending. "I just realized… someone's missing…Hmm."

Meanwhile, back on the earth…

"Sealand shall prevail as the mightiest (and only) nation in the world! Ow!"

"Quit making so much noise!" A civilian yelled at him. "We're lucky enough this hunk of junk is even afloat. Stop rocking the boat, and help us row!"

"Y-yes, sir!" Sealand took a paddle, and helped the rest of the civilian survivors make their way towards land. There was still hope.

The end.