Prologue

The air was musty. The sky was a mix of black and red. Smoke filled the atmosphere and slithered its way into the whole sight. Buildings that were once covering the city were now gone. Rats and cockaroaches were scattering the dirt ground. Guns and bodies were spreaded all across the area. All signs of sunlight were gone. All plantation was burned to the ground. Ashes and corpses were all that remained. Anything that once was was no more. It was clear as to what this no longer city is.

It was Hell.

The kids that were singing and dancing were now the bones of the burned side walk. The pets that played and ran were now leftover meat for the rats and bugs. The grown ups that worked and took care of their families everyday were now the proof that any living human that was here was gone. Nothing remained in this city. Nothing.

Nothing.

Of course, that was just the city. It does not mean that meant outside the city. In reality though, whatever had happened in that area must have happened out of it too, right? Right. Well, no two people are the same. What makes towns and cities any different? Browsing gets you nowhere. It's exploring that helps you discover the many treasures and miracles that this world offers. Of course, the statement may not be true, but it has a thing for working on others. Others being those people that believe. Believing is not for the young, but for the old as well. It's not a of living, it's a way of being. There are times when believing may get you nowhere, but there are also times when believing is just a way of staying alive. This is what Feliciano thought at least. He was young, three to be exact. By this time he could walk pretty well, talk decently and even read a few books. He was intelligent, no doubt, but there were some things a child could never understand.

Feliciano stood outside of this once called city. Tears were flowing out of his brown eyes. His hands were balled into fists. His auburn hair was scattered in different places on his head. Dirt was covering him from head to toe. He was the last one. The last survivor.

He was the miracle.

He stood there as he looked at this once beautiful city. He didn't want to believe what he saw. He didn't want to believe what had just happened. He didn't want to believe anything. Of course though, he was just a kid. These were one of the many things that children could never understand. You can never take back what has been done. The past is what it still is. Changing it would make the present and future change. Sometimes change can be good, other times it's not. Another thing children don't understand. Feliciano wanted to go back to the way it was. Back with his mother and father, playing in the yard with his friends, being with his brother. Nothing would be the same anymore. The hole in his heart was now as empty and permanent as the damage on this city.

At least that's what he thought. Children can be a bit dramatic at times, and they don't realize the things in this world. The good things. Things that are not so bad. Then again, who's to determine what is good and what is bad?

A footstep was heard on the right side of Feliciano. He gasped and turned to see a tall blonde man. He was wearing a navy blue, long-sleeved, button-up shirt. It was placed over another white, long-sleeved shirt. The two shirts were tucked into his black trousers. His feet were covered by a pair of black, leather boots. He looked at Feliciano as he walked towards the young boy. Feliciano started to shiver. He was probably here to take him away. To kill him. He started to cry even more. He couldn't take anymore of this. He fell down to the ground on his back and eventually bawled his eyes out. The blonde man was still walking to him. He had a serious face. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. He finally stopped as he bent down to talk to the crying boy.

"My name is Ludwig," he stated. His voice was deep. He kept it stern and calm. With his accent, it was no doubt he was German. Feliciano started to cry even more. Tears were flooding out of his eyes. This was his last moment to live. He just knew it.

"Can you stand up for me?" asked Ludwig. He was a bit more gentle now, seeing that Feliciano was terrified him. Feliciano stood up to face the stranger. He tried to stop his tears as much as he could, but being only a child, he could be frightened easily. Tears were something that children were known to shed. It's hard to get them to stop once they start. Well, some kids at least. In this case though, Feliciano was one of those many children that cry.

"Good. Now, I have something to tell you." The young Italian boy shot his head up to stare at Ludwig. The tears were coming in harder now. This was it. He was going to die.

Ludwig's eyes filled with worry. He didn't like making people cry, especially not little kids. People cry when he yells at them of course, as a punishment, but not when he's just simply talking. He never liked being stern, it just came naturally. He couldn't find a way to be more calm without scaring someone.

"Shh, shh, it's okay. I just want to tell you something." Ludwig tried to comfort the boy. Maybe if he was a bit more gentle, he could talk to the boy. Feliciano tried his best to stop crying. He stood perfectly still. His eyes were red and puffy from all his tears. It was almost impossible for him to stop. As hard as it was, he managed to stop. He faced Ludwig with the most serious face a boy like him could manage.

"Okay, good. I would like for you to come with me," Ludwig simply stated. His voice was back to the stern tone he had originally when he first came. He stood up and looked at the young Italian. "And don't worry. This is nothing bad. In fact, it's rather good news." He held out his hand for Feliciano. All of the boy's tears completely stopped as he looked at the German's hand.

"I wish to take you in. You will have a pleasent home and warm food. You may not be living with me, but I assure you that you will be most welcomed." Ludwig attempted the most comforting smile he could give. He wanted to assure Feliciano that he had nothing to worry about.

Feliciano thought about that one word. Home. Could it be true? Could he be going home? No, he wouldn't. Everything was gone. Nothing was left. He saw it with his own eyes. As he looked at Ludwig though, there was something about his face that made him feel almost... welcomed. It was a warm, nice feeling. He couldn't be promised that he would see his family and friends again, but maybe this life wouldn't be all that bad.

"Okay..." Feliciano said with a calm voice. He took Ludwig's hand. Ludwig smiled even more which also made Feliciano smile a little. They walked off. Out of the smoke. Away from the bodies. Far from the ruined buildings. This man could make his life better. He just knew it. A voice inside his head told him he was doing the right thing. He was finally getting out of this mess. He was going to a place where he would be welcomed with open arms and smiles.

Home.

Authors Note:

Okay! Wow, how's that for a beginning? I know, it's probably short, but I'm working on it! I think this story may actually turn out to be pretty good. I'm just improvising all this. I haven't planned any of it, so if some of these things don't make sense, it's because of my mind that can never think straight. Well, I do love reviews and constructive crtisism. I hope this story doesn't end up too bad! Hopefully I'll actually finish it as well...

Also! I'm sure none of this is historically accurate at all. If I have made this story sound like anything, movie, story, etc., please let me know, and know that it was by complete coincidence. As always, I do not own the characters or Hetalia. All go to their respective owners.