Disclaimer: Axis Powers Hetalia is not mine. Nor is the Polish national anthem.
Warnings: Historical inaccuracy 100%. ^^
Feliks stepped out into the sunlight for the first time in—well, he supposed, almost years—and only squinted a little at the brightness of it all, even with the clouds, as he was ushered onto the balcony. Judging by the rustling and squeaking behind him, he assumed that the flag—that person's flag was being lowered, and his own being raised in its place.
He tried to tell the exact moment it was fully raised by sound alone, but could not. The only way he was, in fact, able to tell was when the faces of the older citizens gathered in the crowd suddenly lit up, and the faces of the younger citizens, the children, looking to their older siblings; parents; grandparents for answers. But they would receive no direct answer. All looked towards Feliks—their country, standing there on the balcony above them. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He had not thought of what to say to the crowd gathered, his people gathered. But before he could think of a thing to say, an old woman in the depths of the crowd began quietly singing, almost in fear of reprimand.
Jeszcze Polska nie zgnięła, kiedy my żyjemy...
She trailed off when no one else joined in, and Feliks began to lose hope that anyone even remembered it after so long of forcibly singing another tune. Hanging on to his hope, he picked up where the woman had left off.
Co nam obca przemoc wzięła, szablą odbierzemy...
Upon hearing the man on the balcony sing, a few people seemed to become a bit more reassured that there would not be retribution for this song being sung. There were a few more voices that joined Feliks' own upon the chorus.
Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski, z ziemi włoskiej do Polski. Za twoim przewodem, złączym się z narodem...
On the repeat, even more joined in.
Przejdziem Wislę, przejdziem Wartę, będziem Polakami, dał nam przykład Bonaparte, jak zwyciężać mamy...
Feliks wasn't sure where the children might have learned the song—unless his people were stealthier than he thought—but they, too, joined in. Within a few lines, the entire crowd gathered was singing, in unison.
…Dla ojczyzny ratowania, wrócim się przez morze...
He couldn't ever remember the time when this song—his anthem—had such a powerful effect on him, but something about so many people, singing it at such momentous an occasion, that made him almost begin to tear up. And as the final stanza was reached, Feliks could tell that the anthem was having the same effect on those in the crowd.
Już tam ojciec do swej Basi mówi zapłakany: „Słuchaj jeno, pono nasi,biją w tarabany"...
A/N: Um, first fanfiction posted ever. I hope to write more, but I'm embarrassed by my writing... R-review, please?
/this is what happens when I listen to national anthems.