A/N: This story was written for the 100 Themes Challenge on DeviantArt...

Characters do not belong to me...they belong to Hidekazu Himaruya.


Emily Jones watched as, bit by bit, the massive wall standing before her fell, ending several decades of ideological warfare. Democracy had held out and won, causing Communism in Eastern Europe to fall. The young (by European standards) nation watched as families, friends, and lovers were reunited with one another.

The other nations were present at the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Iron Curtain that had separated the east and the west for a period of time. Germany was finally reunited with his brother Prussia after the latter's decades of rule by Russia. Austria was reunited with his ex- wife Hungary.

Despite the happiness surrounding her, Emily felt sadness. The only person she wished to see was not present. As the American turned her back to the now demolished wall and began to walk away, a voice spoke.

"Where are you leaving to, my little Sunflower?"

Emily's eyes grew wide and she quickly turned around. Among the rubble stood a tall, gray- haired nation, a thin smile on his face. Emily began to cry, running toward the Russian man. When they embraced, Emily continued to cry into Ivan's jacket. The Russian nation kissed Emily atop her golden strands of hair, smiling as he did so.

"You gave me nothing but hell since the end of the Second World War, you Russian bastard," mumbled Emily into Ivan's jacket.

"I am truly sorry, my little Sunflower," whispered Ivan, resting his chin on top of Emily's head, "That was the darker side of me that I wish you did not see."

Emily looked up at Ivan, a small smile on her face. Ivan leaned in and kissed her fully on her lips.

"It is over now," replied Ivan in a calm tone, "I am not that nation anymore. From this day forward, I am a new nation."

In Emily's country, they always say that it is darkest before the dawn. That day, Emily knew that Russia was living proof of that statement…