Chapter 1- Punishment
I walked with his usual confidence down the hallway towards the meeting room. I was lead in chains next to my younger brother Germany, Japan and Italy. A grim faced Sweden and a smiling Russia. Today was a terrible day for the axis, we were to be judged for our crimes during World War Two. Japan walked with his head bowed, looking disgraced. Italy was quietly sobbing and taking peeks at Germany who refused to look at him. My bruder tried to keep his head held high but he looked broken. He was bruised and battered from the recent defeat. Everyone had major losses but none where hit as hard by the war as Germany.
The room we were lead to was full of nations. There was a long wooden table in the shape of a rectangle with the side nearest us missing. Russia and Sweden lead us to the center of the the gap in the table so that we could be judged by all the nations. almost every nation in the room was giving us death glares. They all blamed us for the war and I guess they are right, if it weren't for us millions would still be alive. We all keep our eyes on the floor and Italy tries to cling to Germany, but Germany pushes him roughly away. Germany has not forgiving Italy for switching sides during the war. He is angry at his once friend for betraying us and I don't think he plans to forgive anytime soon. Even though Italy switched sides, he is still being tried for crimes against humanity like the rest of us.
As I look around the room I see my friends from before the war. Hungary is sitting next to Austria, tears streaming down her face while she holds his hand. Even though they divorced after the first World War, they are still very close and she tends to go to him when shes upset. i remember when we were younger, she was my best friend and we could depend on each other for anything. We laughed together, played together and fought together. Austria and I have a love-hate relationship. Some days we can be good friends the next we can be at each others throats, threatening to kill. He looks at me with a mix of sadness and anger. I make eye contact with him and he nods ever so slightly. Thats a relief, its a sign he doesn't hate me, just my actions. Hungary is refusing to look at me, which is a bad sign, but I know her well enough that she won't hate me forever. My two best friends Spain and France look so sorrowful that its hard to look them in the face. "I betrayed and hurt my friends, how can they ever forgive me for what I've done " I thought
As we approached the head of the table, I noticed the main Allies were all seated at the head of the table. Russia and Sweden go back to their seats and the meeting begins.
"Axis Powers" began Britain "You are charged and found guilty of crimes against humanity. This meeting will decide what happens to you. We will start with Germany."
America then took over in a uncharacteristic serious tone, "Germany, you are to be striped of your title of empire, your military will be dissolved and you will pay for all the war debts..."
Germany began to protest angrily about these terrible consequences but America cut him off.
"... on top of all of this half of Germany will be occupied by Britain, France and America while the other half will belong to the Soviet Union. The same thing applies to the city of Berlin, half to America, Britain and France and half to the Soviet Union." concluded America.
"That is outrageous!" screamed Germany. "How can I possibly survive all of that!"
China lost his normal grace at this point and stood up yelling "How dare you! Don't you understand the damage you have done to the world?! Millions of people dead because of you and your Nazis! Be grateful we don't kill you and your whole country right now!"
America put a hand on China's shoulder "Calm down China this is supposed to be a formal meeting"
China reluctantly sat down but continued to glare at the disgraced nation.
Britain stood up to speak "Now we move on to Prussia"
I tensed up as they mentioned my name. What could they have in mind for me after the terrible punishment they dealt to my little brother. I took a deep breath and stood at my full height and tried to keep my dignity as Britain began to read off my fate.