Author's Note: I have to admit, I never saw this coming. Even now, as I'm writing this, I'm thinking, "What on Earth are you doing? You're already working on another story, not to mention all the schoolwork you have to do!" Despite that, thanks to the inspiring words of a few fellow authors, as well as the number of favorites I've received (which is far larger than I could've thought), I'm going to take a shot at continuing this story.
Now, with that announcement comes a few more announcements. One, I have a vague idea for a plotline, but if anybody has suggestions, I'd love to hear them! Secondly, I'm thinking of having a pairing for this, that pairing will be AmericaxVietnam. Personally, I just love the two of them and, due to the lack of fanfics on them, feel it is my duty to write one! So, that's all I have to say for now. Until next time! Enjoy!
Today was a good day.
The earliest stages of autumn had just begun to creep into the atmosphere. The mornings were brisk, leveling off into mild temperatures by the afternoon. The leaves were still green, but Alfred knew that, in a few weeks' time, his capital would be awash in golden trees. Rarely did his citizens share such an appreciation for the latter season, however. To many, it represented a return to school and the end of a balmy summer. It was an understandable feeling of course, shared by the great multitude of people around the world. Alfred, however, took a much more philosophic approach to the changing of the seasons.
To him, fall represented a period of winding down. After the warmth and liveliness of spring and summer, a time of rest was not only necessary, but obligatory. The other nations never asked for his opinion on the subject, of course. How could Alfred, that, "ignorant, selfish superpower" have any capacity for higher level thinking?
It vexed him how the other nations, who, at least in theory, were wiser and more mature, could not even guess at the complexities going on within his mind. It was mainly for that reason alone that, whenever asked his opinion, he gave a rehearsed, half-hearted answer, feigning the stupidity they believed came natural to him.
There were some of course who did know the truth. The number was woefully small, but enough to give Alfred hope that perhaps not all nations were so one-dimensional. The list, however, was rather unlikely. Arthur didn't know the truth, save for a few rare glimpses he'd seen during the tumultuous history he shared with Alfred.
The nations who knew the real Alfred, as he'd taken to calling his intellect, consisted of Germany, Japan, Russia, and, to a certain degree, China. Each nation had witnessed Alfred's fury being directed solely against them at one time or another. Japan, being the only one to taste his true wrath, had become his closest friend as a result.
He found it strange how near apocalyptic war could form such powerful bonds. Perhaps there truly was something to this imperialism his old self had championed so strongly…
The World Meeting began as always. Arthur and Francis would bicker about one centuries' old argument or another, China, flanked by his siblings, would open up a discussion on economics in the Asian markets, and Germany, taking the unofficial role of chairmen, would finally call the meeting to order.
Alfred quickly found his seat at the massive round table, finding, to his delight, that he was seated next to Japan and Russia. Ever since the 90's, he and the 'commie bastard', as he still playfully referred to him, had patched things up. Their friendship/rivalry was not the most overt in the world, but that was by design. It would take at least another decade before his people, and indeed, some of his own politicians, could accept the idea of Russia being an ally.
Germany opened the meeting with a brief review over the most pressing issues concerning the world at the time. Alfred immediately knew several of the topics beforehand. It had been the same for quite a few months now: the economy, peacekeeping missions, U.N. resolutions, carbon reduction, and energy consumption, to name a few.
Others, however, had more profound effect on him, the biggest issue being the turmoil going on in the Middle East. He had felt the storming of his embassy in Libya; the North African nation had apologized up and down for the attack, realizing that, if Alfred so chose, could lawfully declare war. He had forgiven Libya, of course, he was still going through a rough transition into democracy and the number of terror groups in his country and grown to rather staggering proportions.
Despite his forgiveness, the acts riled up a great anger inside America. Back when Jefferson was president, all it took to start a war in North Africa was the capture of a few of his sailors. One of his ambassadors was just killed. He would question his own compassion if he were to just brush such a thing aside. The embassy attack, however gut-wrenching it was to learn about, was not the whole issue. He had been having problems in that region for years now.
Iran was becoming more and more hostile it seemed, continually threatening, not just America, but his good friend Israel. The strife between the Persian nation and himself was far more storied than that, however. He knew deep down that it was initially his fault; his government had supported the overthrow of its government back in the 50's, something which he had not been made aware of until after the fact. Nevertheless, it did not excuse Iran's actions in the 21st century.
Did he not realize who he was threatening?
Alfred had stared down the barrel of over 40,000 Russian nukes during the Cold War and he didn't budge an inch. Iran had, what? Uranium, at best?
The media and his country and blown the whole situation way out of proportion, but worse still was that Iran was starting to believe it. He actually thought he was intimidating Alfred, and was going to get away with his saber-rattling.
"Iran would make a good colony…," his old self whispered softly.
The thought didn't set well with Alfred, and he immediately banished it away, grimacing at the thought of imperialism.
"Something troubles you, comrade?" Ivan whispered, noting the sour look on his former enemy's face.
America snapped out his thoughts at that, unaware he had not been paying attention for quite some time.
"Nah, it's just….," he trailed off for a bit, scratching his head in thought. "Some things from the past have been coming up."
Russia nodded slowly, accepting the vague answer. His past was certainly dark enough to evoke such powerful feelings. America, despite being far younger, had seen more than his fair share of dark moments as well.
The meeting droned on for about another half hour. As usual, only minor issues had been dealt with. Tackling anything bigger than the length of the flagpoles outside the U.N. headquarters took weeks of arguments, endless speeches, and more than a few threats of military action.
It had finally ended at around 5:00 that afternoon. Alfred was looking forward to returning home, fighting his way through his own paperwork, and relaxing for the evening with a copy of Caesar's Commentaries. Fate, as it seemed, had other plans.
As he gathered together his things and proceeded to head for the exit, he noticed a rather heated discussion going on between two of the remaining nations in the room. Normally, this would be no cause for alarm, but once he recognized who they were, he immediately headed over.
Whenever Israel and Iran spoke to one another, it was never pleasant.
"Ardeshir, I'm not trying to start anything with you," Israel said calmly, trying to refrain from pulling out his Glock pistol. "Just let me pass by, and we can both leave here."
The smaller nation attempted to side-step Iran, only to be blocked once again.
"Not this time, infidel," Ardeshir retorted, glaring daggers. "No one's around to protect you this time, so I'm going to speak my mind! Have you heard about the advances my enrichment program's undergone? It won't be much longer now…it won't be long at all."
"What's going on here?" Alfred demanded, immediately coming to Israel's aid.
Iran's anger instantly turned on the western nation.
"This doesn't concern you! Be on your way you imperialist dog!"
There was that word again….
Imperial.
Iran didn't realize it, but the more he said it, the more the title seemed, not only fitting, but….satisfying.
Alfred stood stock still for a moment, his eyes staring directly at the Persian nation. Ardeshir, unaware that he was provoking the giant, continued his verbal tirade.
"I said leave!" he shouted. "Middle Eastern affairs do not concern you at all! You can't control us!"
Oh, but he could.
It would be so easy…. a nice, "splendid little war," and the whole of the region would be his to command.
"Alfred, it's okay, really," Israel said, trying to get a reaction out of his ally. "I can handle this."
Iran, his patience having worn thin, was through with words. Without even realizing the consequences of his actions, he clenched his fist, taking a swing at the western nation.
He never made contact….
In the blink of an eye, the immobile Alfred had intercepted the blow, catching Ardeshir's fist in his hand.
"That's not gonna cut it," he said emotionlessly, his eyes glazed over.
Releasing a fraction of his power, he lightly squeezed Iran's fist, breaking several bones in a matter of seconds. Instantly, the pain shot through his body, his hand feeling as if it were on fire. Ardeshir tugged with all his might to free his hand, but Alfred's grip was like a vice.
He didn't even appear to be trying.
"Let go of me!" Iran shouted, trying to mask the pain in his voice. "I said let go!"
"No," America stated flatly, releasing another fraction of his strength.
Several more bones were instantly crushed. Iran, unable to handle the agony, shouted in pain, dropping to his knees. Try as he might, Alfred's grip showed no signs of so much as loosening.
"I'm fed up with your actions, Iran. This has gone on far too long for my liking. You've made three mistakes here today, so let's review. First, you threatened a close friend of mine. Second, you refused my attempts to arrive at a peaceful conclusion. Thirdly, and most importantly, you keep acting like I'm beneath you. I am your superior in every way imaginable. I could turn your country into a parking lot in a matter of hours if I so chose! Are you not aware of the power I possess?! I could turn you into ash if I so desired! In a week's time the whole world will be trying to remember who you were! I will not be intimidated by the likes of you!"
Israel was shocked, and a little scared, at the amount of power America was projecting right now. Had he really been holding back this much for so long?
"Let…..let me go Alfred..," Iran asked weakly, using his real name for the first time in over thirty years.
"'Let me go Alfred' what?"
"L-let me….let me go…please."
With that, Alfred released his grip, allowing Iran to drop to the ground completely.
"Consider this your first, last, and only warning. Leave my friend alone."
Turning swiftly on his heels, he walked away, leaving Israel dumfounded at the complexity of his greatest ally.
Russia, having witnessed the conflict from a safe distance away, immediately recognized that look in Alfred's eye. He himself had it once before. When a powerful nation like Alfred realizes the true power they possess….bad things could happen.
Catching up with the retreating American, they exited the meeting hall together, neither saying a word about what had just happened.
"This is a dangerous road you travel, comrade," Ivan pointed out honestly. "I won't try and stop you, but you must know that darkness will await you. It happened to me too; you remember the Soviet Union, da? My actions took many lives, nearly including my own. Do you think you'll be able to overcome the darkness which will surely come?"
Alfred smirked at Russia's question, unsure himself of an answer. But, knowing better than to remain silent, gave an answer which seemed to work quite well for him as of late.
"Perhaps…"
Author's Note: So, there it is! I hope you all enjoyed the second chapter to "Perhaps"! Now, before I go any further, allow me to say a few things. One, as I'll be dealing with a darker America, force and power are going to play a key role, and there's a possibility that an 'empire' may emerge. As this is fiction, I just want everyone to know that if your nation is on the "chopping block", so to speak, it has nothing to do with my own personal opinions.
Now! That said, I have only a few ideas as to what I should do with this story, as I stated above. Any suggestions, compliments, criticisms, etc. would all be greatly appreciated.
Once again, I thank you for reading, and I hope it has been an enjoyable experience for you as it was for me! See you next time!