Author's Note:
In war, as in life, everyone has a reason. Why we do what we do, and who we do it for: these are the questions that determine everything.
Pairings: The majority of the pairings can be taken however you want to take them. The important relationships will be revealed slowly, amidst the chaos. Expect to see some popular pairings from the fandom, such as PoLiet, SuFin, UsUk, VashxLili, PruHun, AusHun, as well as a few more unexpected ones, and you should see most of your favorite countries. You'll find something you love, I promise. Don't be surprised to see the older Kirkland boys (Scotland, Wales and Ireland) thrown in either. They've let England represent Great Britain long enough, and it's time they started showing why England has, for everyone's sake, let them stay home for the last 100+ meetings.
Warnings: I intend to tug at your heartstrings. If you can handle that, and the side of the world that isn't all daisies and roses, you're good. This is T rated, for you younger readers. Some of the themes get a little strong, because I don't cut corners. Don't read if you can't handle a little blood, a little pain, a little swearing, or a little heart-pulling. But fear not! There are fluffy and comical parts too. America makes that a definite. Oh, and there is a slight history alteration for Seychelles than can pretty much be taken as a headcanon.
Disclaimer: Hetalia is not mine. I'm simply borrowing.
Oh, and the characters who seem to be only there as "bad guys"? They'll have their moments, so don't throw stuff at me for casting them as antagonists. Like I said - the reasons we do things are key, and everyone always, always, has a reason.
Yes it's set 26 years from now. But chill out - it's not crazily futuristic, just a bit different from the political situations of today.
Enjoy!
Prologue
Braginski Mansion, North of Moscow
2039
The soft scratch of a striking match, followed the snapping crackle of a flame being born: these were the only sounds to disturb the stillness of the room. If not for the pains that had been taken to keep sound out of the mansion neither would have been audible over the relentless howl of the wind, whipping snow and sleet against the walls and roof. Snow nearly filled the view out of even the tallest windows now, leading the eye to believe that the world outside had been completely obscured by frigid white. This wasn't true yet, but it would be soon. General Winter was drawing closer on his eternal march, and he would return for his brutal season of residence shortly.
The Spaniard raised the match to light his waiting cigarette before smothering the flame between his fingertips. He took a long drag from the cigarette before blowing out a column of smoke that lingered in the chilly air.
"That's a nasty little habit you have picked up there, Anton'yo," the Russian commented with his usual cheer, violet eyes trained thoughtfully on his new ally. He would have sounded kind or sincere to a stranger, but his sisters could see the calculation in his gaze and the lack of concern in his smile. Russia didn't truly care about anyone unless they belonged to him, and even then his care was detrimental.
"Well, it's not like I have anyone to be setting an example for now, no?" Spain responded acidicly, lip curled back in a sneer. Everyone knew better than to say anything to that, even the albino who lounged in his chair across the table from him. The light from the candles cast orange shadows across his bone-white hair. Gilbert was worried about his old friend, but he knew there was little he could do to help him right now. One black-gloved hand reached into his coat pocket to scratch Gilbird on his head. A faint chirp greeted him wearily. The chick didn't like the cold, and he seemed to have every intention of staying in Prussia's coat until they were back in a warmer climate.
"So, we are all here," Belarus said after the brief silence, drawing the wandering attentions of the group. "And it is fair to assume this is our complete company?" Her chilly eyes rolled across the faces around her, looking for any contestant. A few countries nodded. "Then there is not much which needs to be done now. We all know what will happen." More nods from the others.
"Ought to be a piece of cake. They'll never know what hit them," Prussia said confidently, leaning back in the chair so that it hovered on two legs, squeaking in protest. He drove his fist into his open hand to emphasize the point.
"If nothing goes wrong, yes. I must confess that I was a bit surprised to see you back in power, Gilbert-san," the normally-silent Japan remarked, his quiet voice still carrying in the high-roofed, domed room. He tried not to let the squeaking of the chair bother him but it did grate on his sensitive nerves.
Prussia smirked. "Happy to keep everyone on their toes. I got all of my old land back, and a few chunks of Austria too, kesesese." It had given him immense satisfaction to watch the aristocrat's outrage when the one he'd thought would never be a threat again snatched some of his best land. The move had almost been more for spite than for anything else, just to prove to himself, and everyone else, that Prussia was definitely back in business.
"It is a shame that your brother could not join us," Ukraine said delicately.
"Ah, West. Poor guy's realized that he keeps picking the losing side, so he's going to sit this one out. No worries; he'll come around once the dust clears. He knows who his family is," the country said with certainty.
"And what of Elizaveta?" Spain asked in an odd moment of attentiveness. He had mostly ignored the proceedings thus far, with just the odd comment or quip. The others were happy to give him space, both to fume and to grieve. His volatile new mood-swings kept the others well beyond arm's length.
Prussia's smile faded. "Hopefully Hungary will come around as well." Though he had plenty of reasons to doubt it.
"Then she would do well to stay out of this war," Belarus said drily. Prussia shot her a glare, which she was clearly unaffected by. It seemed that nothing got to the cold girl, aside from Russia. The balance of power seemed to have shifted between the two siblings in recent years. He didn't seem very afraid of her at all anymore, but whether he had mastered his fear or simply gotten better at hiding it Prussia did not know. He only knew that if the fear had gone from Russia, it had gone into her.
Much had changed since the last World War.
Ukraine shifted in her seat. "Hungary's smart. She'll stay out of it unless Austria gets involved . . ." She stopped talking when she saw the look on Prussia's face. He let the chair fall back to all fours with a thud, his hand tightening into a fist on the chair's arm. Russia noted with interest how upset the mention of Austria and Hungary together made the nation he'd once controlled. Prussia had changed a bit in recent times, after his complete absorption by Germany and then his phoenix-like rebirth. He was more focused now and had a definite edge that had not been present before. Determination was a hard glint in his eye and a blatant challenge to any who might cross him. The gun never left his side anymore.
Ivan wondered what Prussia would do if the chance to crush Austria presented itself.
Belarus filled in the silence once again. "The other women will not get involved. Monaco, Vietnam and Taiwan will all stay out of it, leaving them to their squabbling as they have for the last half-century. Lili has no army, and Vash will keep her away the fight. They will just hole up in the Alps somewhere and count their coins. And Belgium has no interest in western matters, so we should be mostly fighting pathetic male nations," she finished with a superior air.
"Belgium may join us, though, if we can convince her brother. You're friends with him, Japan ana. Have you spoken with him?" Thailand inquired.
The dark-haired boy shook his head. "They seem to be taking the same path as Germany-kun." Though I would have been glad for Ludwig's presence, he thought to himself. His own grief was a dark hole inside of him, growing a little deeper and wider every day, and it was a small wonder that he hadn't fallen into it yet. He would never show his pain, of course, and certainly not in front of this group. But he missed the few he could have turned to for comfort.
He'd been disappointed when China didn't show up at his door after he heard the news. In fact, he hadn't responded to any of his letters. It made him sad that his brother had decided to hate him again, though he did know he deserved it. He had done terrible things to China in the second World War, and he was a fool to think those crimes would simply be forgiven.
But still. Hope lingers.
"That's a shame," Thailand said before turning back to Belarus, brow furrowed slightly behind his glasses. "You've forgotten someone ana." India gave him a look that said that he certainly wouldn't have pointed that out to the scary female.
"I think she's just deciding whether to count Feliks as a woman or not," Prussia sniggered, and even Russia fought a smile for a moment. Poland certainly had his eccentricities.
Spain didn't react.
Belarus rolled her cold blue eyes. "Nia; I assumed we all know what will happen to Seychelles." The laughter died away.
"Da," Russia agreed, standing. Belarus bowed her head respectfully, sinking back in to her chair. "We all know the agreement. The 'lost paradise' is for Spain." He looked across at the fractured nation, who had been dancing at the edge of his sanity for months. What Antonio had lost had nearly destroyed him, but he was sane enough to have entered into this alliance and given his terms.
Everyone at his table had a price, and so long as each was paid there would be little in the world that could stop them. A third world war was about to begin with a bang that would leave the new Allies reeling and divided, and with any luck . . .
Shattered.