Chapter Two: A Breath Away

(Prussia's POV)

I held the radio close to my ear and turned the volume up as loud as I could. The connection is awful so I'm having trouble hearing what was going on (if anything is going on yet). This old radio Russia gave me is on the verge of dying. I wish he could have given me a better one, but he was in a hurry to get to the nations meeting so I didn't really have a chance to ask him (not like I could have even if he wasn't busy). Well, I suppose I should be thankful he gave me radio at all. I mean, he wasn't letting me go to the meeting (despite the fact that I am a country even though I lost the war) so why should he let me hear the meeting? But then he did sorta explain why I can't go to the meeting. Something about England, France, and America planning to do something and it'd be better if I wasn't there. I wonder what that's suppose to mean. If it's about Germany, I'm seriously gonna kill Russia when he gets back. My last bullet may have only gotten his shoulder, but my next one will definitely hit it's mark. Russia did say something strange before he left my room. I furrowed my brows. What was it?

~I am kinder than you think, Prussia. Perhaps after today you will understand.~

Eh? I still don't get it... Russia kind? Heh! Beating me up some after shooting you in the shoulder is kind? Yeah right. I doubt you're really kind, Russia.

Brrrr. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Buzzz!

I tightened my grip around the radio.

"Okay guys let's get this meeting started!"

Ah that must be America.

"All right. It seems like everyone is here. Hmmm? What was that? Oh where's Prussia? You have to ask Russia."

Beep buzzzzzzz buzzzz.

I growled under-breath and messed with the knobs to get a better connection. Maybe if I left my room? Naw... better stay still on this bed rather than risk getting disconnected from the meeting.

"Anyways, it's okay that he's not here anyways. What? What's that suppose to mean? Well, you see we already planned to- HEY! Don't interrupt me, England!"

Beeeeeppp! Buzzzz! Buzzz!

"What America means to say, Germany. Is that *buzzzzzz!* have planned to *beeeeep! Buzzzz!*

take away Prussia's status as a country."

I nearly dropped the radio. They didn't really mean to do that... did they?

"We as the Allied powers think it is best *beeeeep!* he should no longer *buzzz!* be a country. After all he's the *buzzzzz!* who actually began *buzzz, buzzzz!* whole war and was *beep!* charge of those concentration *buzzz, buzzz*."

I fell back onto my bed. So... they were planning to place all the blame on me, huh? Well... I'll take it, but it is only for the sake of my bruder. If I was not in existence... they would wipe him off wouldn't they? I can't let that happen.

"Once Russia signs it, it'll be official, okay?"

Dear kind Russia...

Scratch scritch.

"There, it is done."

My fate had been sealed. Just by the signing of Russia's pen, and I have been wiped off the map. Well, at least I haven't disappeared yet like the other nations have. It's not like I'll die, right?

Thu-thud! Thu-thud!

I dropped the radio and clutched at my chest. What was this feeling all of the sudden?

Thu-thump! Thu-th-th-thud!

I screamed in pain. What in the world was wrong with me?! I clawed at my chest. What was this... this thing that seemed to be digging into my heart trying to squeeze the life out of it?!

Th-th-thu-thump!

I screamed again and again until soon my voice was hoarse and my throat was dry. The pain just got worse. It kept digging deeper and deeper into my heart and it started to attack my lungs. Was I even breathing now?

Th...th...thu...thu-thump.

I clenched my eyes shut and screamed silently. I guess this is the end... Tears rolled down my cheeks. Why did this have to happen to me? Why was I the one dying like this? The other countries just disappeared... but why am I the one who doesn't? Does the world just hate me?

I struggled for another breath, wondering if I was now just a breath away from the death I was dreading.

"I would like to make Prussia be East Germany."

Thu-thud.

I coughed and gasped for a breath. Was that Russia speaking?

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Russia?"

"Yes, I am."

I panted heavily. My breaths were suddenly becoming easier to obtain. What was happening? Was I finally dead and waking to heaven or something?

"Prussia? Prussia? Are you all right?" a worried voice above me asked.

I forced my eyes open. They felt rather dull as they focused onto the figure of Ukraine hovering over me. So, I'm not dead.

"I don't think I'm Prussia anymore," I croaked softly aloud although I had meant to say it to myself.

Ukraine seemed a bit surprised at my words as she helped me sit up. "I think you over strained yourself..." She picked up the radio and set it on my desk on the far side of the room. "You must have been through a lot during this past war. Just rest and relax. Things will get back to normal soon." She turned and gave me a sad but somewhat encouraging smile. "Take it easy all right? I'll be back with something to help you sleep."

I nodded slightly and glanced down at my chest. My shirt was unbuttoned and a bit frayed due to my clawing earlier. I gently rubbed my chest. Something... feels strangely different. My heart feels better but... it doesn't feel like my original heart I guess. It feels, well like someone resewed it together and forgot to sew something back or didn't sew it all the way together.

A small flash near my chest caught my eye. I smiled slightly as I pulled out my iron cross necklace from underneath my shirt. The metal's cool touch on my chest made me relax. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the soft pillows. Maybe... this had all been a dream.

Author's Note: This chapter was slightly inspired by the song "Hero" by Skillet. X3 Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! :D