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Prologue

I Want to Save the World

October 1st, 2028

"Hey Vanya…"

"Hm?"

"Have you ever just… looked up at the stars and thought… the answer to all our problems are up there somewhere?"

"…Once, perhaps."

The American grunted lightly and shifted on the ground, removing one hand from behind his head to point it up toward the night sky.

"But look Ivan, the stars, they are so full of things we can't even understand..!"

Russia raised an eyebrow and tilted his head back toward Alfred, eyeing the other who was lost to his expression. "Maybe you do not understand..." he chuckled lightly, looking again toward the stars. If only answers were so easy… Ivan made a face, his view suddenly obscured by a looming figure. "Oh… now all the stars have run away… except two!"

"..What-?" Alfred's expression changed from an angry pout to confusion as he stared down at the larger Nation lying flat on the grass.

"Your eyes sparkle with same intensity as stars," Ivan answered, his grin expanding as he watched the glasses slide down the nose of the stumped Nation.

"Wha- wha- what could possibly-" the American stumbled to find words, his face heating up with terribly concealed embarrassment. Inelegantly he flipped onto his back, his face landing beside Russia's as they lay in opposite directions on the cool ground. "… Make you say something like that...!"

Russia chuckled. "Stars may not have solutions, but they do carry our dreams."

"…Yeah… yeah… you are so right!" America agreed, excitement rising in his voice. "Everyone wishes on stars, people put all their hopes into them! I… I won't give up."

"Give up?"

"Ivan… what is your dream?"

The large Russian was silent for a while, taking a deep breath as the gentle night breeze flowed over his body. "I have had many."

"I know but… if you could have or do anything in the world…"

Russia shifted and sat up, pulling in one foot to rest his elbow on his knee. His hand, hovering near his heart, tightened around the fabric of his coat. "I want… to protect everyone who has given me these warm feelings… protect everyone who has a place in here."

"…Your heart?" America inquired gently, shifting into a sitting position, leaning his back against Russia. "Do I… have a place there?"

"Da."

Alfred fidgeted, his face flushing. "Yes you are talking about your heart, or yes I—"

"-Fredka," Russia interjected, grunting lightly. "Tell me about…your dream?" The larger nation smiled to himself and leaned against Alfred, his heart beating ardently in his chest. He knew the blond's dream, had heard it all too often. Yet he never tired of hearing the enthusiastic words, filled with hope.

Because hope was scarce, slowly dying around them.

"Oh, right, hahaha… My dream is…" America looked up and took a deep breath, letting the rare fresh air enthrall his senses. "My dream is to—"

A flash tore through the sky, illuminating everything around them with a blinding light, followed by a sound akin to the heavens being forcefully split in two. As the light faded, two meteors shot across the sky in opposite directions, reflected in the eyes of the Nations like shooting stars.

"—Save the world."

There was a long silence, almost eerie, as though a lightning bolt had struck and life around them held its breath anticipating the thunder.

The pressure against Alfred's back lifted, and he turned in time to see Ivan slump face first to the ground, gasping in pain. He opened his mouth to call out, reaching for the larger nation, but found his attempt throttled as a burning pain shot sharply through his body, knocking the breath straight from his lungs. The impact sent him doubling over, the ground trembling and spinning around them.

Just as quickly as it started, it was over.