Author's Notes: Originally posted on DeviantArt, this is the first part of an Axis Powers Hetalia fanfic set in the RDNA-verse, an AU created a while back. To be more precise, it's an updated, rewritten version of an old fic started nearly 5 years ago that was never finished, Of Loss and Madness.

As with the old unfinished fic, this one alternates between the Nations of Loyalist Canada/Matthew and New Austria/Francesca. All while following both the 1940s Liberation of Britain mentioned in the RDNA-verse's backstory and the dark road New Austria took in it, resulting in that country becoming a pariah. Coincidentally, the other part of the plot involves Canada reopening ties with his New Austrian ally in 1949, opening up some painful memories and elephants in the room for both of them.

So expect things to be dark, graphic at points and possibly intimate. Still, whatever happens, don't expect things to be too dark and hopeless. I just hope that the new writing isn't so merciless.

All that being said, and just to be safe, this is a work of fiction. Neither do I own Axis Powers Hetalia; all rights belong to Himaruya and respective owners.

With those out of the way, I hope you enjoy this rather dark look back in time, in another world...

Of Loss and Madness

A RDNA-verse Tale from Two Nations' Eyes

(Chapter 1: Dual Crowns)

Montreal, Loyalist Dominion of Canada. 7 May 1949.

Not many people took the old Dual Crowns route. Once, the storied railroad line had symbolized the friendship between the British and Habsburg Empires. Now, there were those who thought of simply cutting off the connection at the last American station. Those who bought tickets these days were mainly on official business. One in particular was just delivered to an out of the way flat in Le Plateau-Mont-Royal. But at the moment, it was being waved frantically in front of its recipient by his twin brother. All to his eternal annoyance.

"You're really going there, Mattie? Look, I know you've got the envoy excuse. But seriously?!"

The host, one Matthew Williams, let out a quiet sigh as he stood up from his couch, glaring at his erstwhile sibling. "It's fine, Alfred. How many times do I have to say it, eh? There's nothing special."

"Bringing your bosses and a bunch of officers over ain't a simple trip, you know. Just call in sick or something." The American Federation's eyes narrowed behind his glasses. "This ain't gonna change anything either, I bet. Besides, you haven't been Kraut-side in years. No one has! Even if you all insist on pushing with this crazy plan, it's not like New Vienna's the safest place in the world."

"Heh. It's not like they'll notice me, eh?" He gave a soft, knowing chuckle. "But let's face it, Al. We both know why it has to be done. And the Commonwealth would benefit from it." Just don't play dumb with me.

"Yeah, I get it," Alfred retorted. "The fifth anniversary of V-B Day's coming up. Don't think I've forgotten everything about the Liberation."

Matthew knew him too well to not even bother, no matter how well he read the atmosphere. No point anyway. He got off light. In any case, neither of them, nor the rest of their kind could remove those events from their memories. They were there after all, five years ago. Fighting and freeing Britain from the Collectivists, all in the name of the British Imperial Commonwealth and the Free World. The Canadian himself bore the scars of his soldiers, the sights of the ravaged English countryside still fresh in his mind. None of them took any real pleasure in the worse parts of it. Except her. His thoughts quickly snapped back.

"Neither did I, brother. It's not that my leaders are dying to make the trip. But if this were up to me, this could have been handled much sooner."

"Ever the trusting one, Mattie. Though I think you're just in denial about Francesca," the embodiment grunted with a suspicious twitch. "Look, don't take this the wrong way, but whatever happens Kraut-side, I've got your back. I'm the hero, after all!"

"Don't you have some Russians in Alaska to look after?"

"Fine. I gotta get going anyway, the American shrugged as he gave a slight, though forced smile before turning his back for the door with a wave on his hand. "See ya around, Mattie. Just tell that Kraut I said 'Hi.'"

Sure that his footsteps were no longer heard, Loyalist Canada made his way to the kitchen. As was his routine, he took out some food for his bear cub, the pet nudging ever so slightly on the plate placed before her. There was more than enough time later, after all, for packing suitcases. Yet Matthew couldn't put his mind fully at ease. Then again, it hasn't been for a while. He needed no reminder that over 20 years had passed since the Terror, which consumed so much of the world died down. Millions were dead, the remaining Free Nations in the midst of a long standoff with the menace beyond the Red Curtain. Still, for all the turmoil and suffering he and the others, he wanted so much to believe that the worst was over. That this brave new, and insane world could be undone. That the one close friend he had in the New World wasn't the monster others paint her as.

Makes me wonder what New Austria must be feeling right now, eh? Matthew smirked bitterly to himself as he walked towards his little bear, the daylight outside beginning to fade. He sighed for a moment as he recalled the name he chose for her. It was from woman he fell in love with a long time ago. Whose people found sanctuary in his land even as she died with her homeland when the Terror came for them. Even now, a part of him wished it didn't all have to happen like this.

"Mon Dieu," he murmured. "What should I do now, Katya?"

For some trivia:

The Royal Dominion of New Austria is one of the major "Free Nations" in the RDNA-verse. Essentially, this is the result of the Austrian Habsburgs rather than the Spanish settling and raising up what our world would call Mexico. By the 2010s of the AU though, it's long since become home to the Habsburg Throne-in-Exile, their Austro-Hungarian homelands lost to the "Terror."

The British Imperial Commonwealth is what became of the British Empire and the Commonwealth in the RDNA-verse, and has been run by Loyalist Canada since 1945, when it became clear that power had firmly shifted away from the United Kingdom.

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is an actual location in the heart of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. While like in our world, there are a sizable number of Ukrainians in the country as well as close cultural ties, though due to historical differences and the Terror, the circumstances are far more painful.

Which also explain in part the "bittersweet" triumph that left the UK in shambles as well as why the British remain rather upset with their New Austrian "allies." Which will be explained soon enough...up close.

The preview image is from chaneljay, aka Marj's original fanwork The Other Side of Me on DeviantArt, which is about New Austria/Francesca herself. All credit and thanks go to her. Also, feel free to check her gallery there.

And yes, the American Federation is this AU's version of the United States. Who still couldn't quite read the atmosphere.