Free
The axe falls.
The lock breaks.
The door to the cage opens.
The eagle inside spreads it's wings, no longer confined to the small cage.
And it takes to the sky.
Wild.
Happy.
Because it is free.
England watches his former colony walk away from him. America is talking animatedly to his friend Japan, who is nodding politely to something America has said.
He is all grown up now.
England remembers when America was just a tiny toddler, with a mop of unruly golden hair like the sunshine and large sapphire blue eyes.
When England, having a little brother for the first time, was determined to take care of America and raise him properly.
He had known that one day America would leave and stand on his own.
Face the world and the many responsibilities that came with being a nation.
He just hadn't thought America would leave this soon.
He can hold his own against the world now.
England loved America as a father loves his son. And they had been happy together.
But the happiness hadn't lasted long.
Happiness is fragile. Like a bubble.
A tiny prick is all it takes, to pop the bubble.
And reveal the cruel, terrible world outside.
America's people had rebelled.
They wanted to be free.
To be American. Not British.
He can stand on his own now.
America wanted to leave. And they had fought.
America had won and left, leaving England with his heart broken.
France, standing beside England, sees him staring at his former colony.
"Let him go, mon cher, let him go free. He is grown up now."
England feels the familiar prick of tears at the corner of his eyes.
He looks at the sky.
Shadows of birds flying above. They flap their wings and fly, exploring their cloudy world.
Wild.
Happy.
Free.
England is holding an axe.
The eagle in the cage in front of him screeches.
It's giant wings strain to open against the confinements of the small cage.
It wants to be free.
The eagle is grown up now.
No longer a little innocent eaglet.
It is grown up and it yearns to be free.
To spread it's wings and fly.
Fly up into the beautiful cloudy sky.
To dart among the clouds and face the world.
Finally, England understands.
The axe falls.
The lock breaks.
The door to the cage opens.
The eagle inside spreads it's wings, no longer confined to the small cage.
And it takes to the sky.
Wild.
Happy.
Because it is finally free.
And he lets go.