DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Hetalia: Axis Powers
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Chapter II: The Pearl, the Powerhouse, and the Otaku.
1898 A.D.
His Philippines kicked him out. He was a man, yes, and was physically advantageous – and yet he lost. He lost to her will power. Did she hate him that much? Really, he shouldn't be surprised. After hurting her so badly for all those centuries – what was he hoping for?
In the end, that hateful glare from her was more painful than the physical wounds she had inflicted.
He was in the pub, drinking alcohol to oblivion. He felt a concerned tap on the back and he lethargically turned his head to him.
"Are you alright?" His friend Southern France asked, flinching. The man was not used to seeing his cheerful friend being so sober.
"I told you, you should have given her to me during the peace settlement. We had gotten quite close during our time together-" England commented out-of-nowhere earning glares from his friends.
"No way. Besides you only hung out in her house for tea, England. Seriously. You occupied the couch."
"But she is quite a sight you know, as Portugal once said. He added that you're still quite possessive, though- I second that emotion." England stated and smirked making Spain glower at him.
"I don't want to talk about it." He just answered and drank another shot. England let out a light laugh at the uncharacteristic atmosphere this guy was emitting, but wasn't surprised. He was about to tease him further, when-
"Well, Well… It's rare to see so many prominent figures gathering at such a place."
His thick eyebrow twitched.
"Go and eat your beef or something, America." England commented, willing himself to be classy. He was still quite bitter at his ungrateful brother.
And as if to prove England true, America ignored the thick-browed blonde and sat at the stool beside Spain.
"What happened to you? From what I hear your air-headed, simple, and an overall happy person. That person must have lied."
A vein popped in England's head. "I did not!"
America ignored him (again) and continued on asking Spain questions, and if one did not know him – one will assume he's actually concerned for Spain's well-being.
And Spain, being heartbroken, passively told him what he wanted to know.
"My colony chased me away."
"Which one?"
"The Philippines."
"Where is that?"
"Far-east."
"Oh." He voiced out as if he actually knew which island it is. "Is he strong?"
"The Philippine's a girl, dumbass." England commented out-of-nowhere.
America's eyes jolted, but the advent of officially being one of the powerhouses enticed him did not want the Philippines per se, but he wanted what Spain had.
After all... Spain used to be strong, but he knew he was weakening, and this event made him much more vulnerable.
He heard Arthur scoff from behind him and Alfred sighed.
America admired England, and as a child vowed to be just like him. But now that he's bigger – and stronger – he had found himself wanting more. And being the strongest country in the world was just one of them.
"Look, I have to go." Southern France muttered recalling his little brother wants a bed time story today. England nodded.
"Yeah, me too."
"Are you sure you want to stay here?" France asked America, who at the moment, did not seem to be going anywhere.
"Be careful on your way home." he replied and watched the two leave. America then looked around and saw the remaining countries – Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Guam. He stood up straight and yelled,
"Hey, everyone! Anyone wants to play dodgeball?"
…
All the countries left were actually Spain's territory. So, Cuba ended up with America for a 'fair' game…
As if 2 against 3 was fair. The three other countries were little, yes, but they were very agile-
"Hey, Spain!" America called the sober country and he glared at him. Why was he playing this stupid game again?
"Wanna bet?"
"About?"
"If I win, I want to have the Philippines."
"No way."
"Why not?" he pouted.
"What if I win?"
"Then I don't get the Philippines."
"That's stupid." Spain muttered and America turned around. His glasses shimmered and he arranged it like a stereotypical scheming nerd-
"Is the great Spanish Empire afraid of the young United States?" He feign whispered making Spain's eyes to twitch in annoyance.
"…"
"No wonder the girl beat y-"
"THAT'S IT! You are going down, newbie!" Spain yelled vehemently, not even considering he might lose. He had a follower on the enemy's side after all. Sure, he had a few rebellions… but Cuba had no choice.
Cuba would follow his orders, no matter what.
…
Spain glared at Cuba, who betrayed him.
"Traitor."
"Sour loser. *cough*" Alfred coughed.
"I did not lose."
"I aam on his te-eam y' know."
"Are you talking back to me?"
"Obviously."
America grinned and raised his hand. "Go Cuba, GO!"
"Shut up, America"
"Go, Cuba, GO!"
"Grrrr-"
And so the Spanish-American War begun.
It was a full-fledged war involving many countries, particularly some of Spain's major colonies. America even went to the Philippines and what England said was an understatement. The Philippines was such a beautiful country that he remained speechless for quite some time.
But he was America. What she could do for him must be considered much, much more beautiful.
"Hey, Philippines."
"Who are you?"
"I'm America. And I'm currently at war with your master- Spain." He said and grinned that classically charming grin of his.
Maria blinked at his friendliness, but she had learned to keep her guard. She did not speak, signalling America to just continue his speech.
"Want to collaborate?"
"I already kicked him out."
"But right now - he's powerful. He'll take you back in no time." America retorted convincingly making her eyes widen.
America smiled diplomatically at the obvious fact that he had convinced her. He was expecting it, of course. He was America.
Maria let out a deep breath. Her peace would have to be delayed for a little while longer after all.
"Very Well…"
…
Maria was arranging her house as a habit, while Spain was still in his main mansion. She halted when someone knocked to the door – rather rudely, too.
Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock
She frowned; she was holding a ceramic and had to place it back to where she took it. "Wai-"
Knock Knock Knock
Her eyes twitched. "Ei!"
Knock Knock-
"I SAID I'M COMING. Stop knocking!"
"Ask who's here?"
"It's obviously you America."
"…"
Knock Kn-
Maria sighed. What the heck is he up to?
"Who's there?" she said irritably.
"United States of America." He answered and she shook her head. She opened the door to glare at him.
"What was that about?"
"You were supposed to ask 'United States of America' – who."
"Why."
"It's a joke. You don't know it?"
"No. And what's the joke in that?"
"… I forgot. My brother is not much of a teacher…"
"Who's your brother?"
"England."
"Oh, him." She shrugged.
"You know him?"
"Yeah, he occupied my couch and didn't want to go. I had to drag him off there." She mumbled shaking her head in disapproval of the memory. America laughed cutely getting Maria to stare at him.
"What?"
"Why are you here, America?"
"Ah. That." He muttered and laughed awkwardly. He cleared his throat to give out the news with poise.
"Spain is sailing back as we speak."
…
The Philippines and the United States waiting for him in the forest. They set up a trap for Spain on his way to his house and they hid themselves well. They waited patiently – well Maria did. She had a lot of rock-throwing done to keep America from whining about why-the-hell-was-Spain-taking-so-long.
Tap Tap Tap
There he was- walking with a stature she knew all too well. It was odd, though, she could tell that he's weakening. He was still so poised- but she could tell he was near-limping…
Why was she not happy?
"GO!"
"GOOO!"
Maria blinked. She blanked out for a second but she still managed to pull the rope in time.
THUMP
And Spain fell face first to the ground. The trap was a success, and he did trip over their ingenious little rope trick.
America stood gallantly in front of his lying figure and Maria reluctantly followed. She stood behind him, and Spain still oh-so gracefully sat up. Maria narrowed her eyes. He wasn't standing up, he just sat there casually as if he didn't care America was standing in front of him ready to strike.
Did he still felt so superior as to not even bother standing up?
"Stand up, Spain."
"No way. I'm quite comfortable here."
"I said stand-up."
"What do you want anyway?"
Maria intervened, and Alfred went after. "We're here for my independence."
"Don't you think it's about time to end this war, yes?"
"What are you proposing?" Spain asked still sitting and America took out a piece of paper.
"A treaty."
"Did you write this? I didn't think you had a nice handwriting." Spain commented before actually reading its contents. It was hard, but he managed to look uncaring.
"Ah. France wrote it for me."
Spain read, and Maria flinched at his slowly worsening expression.
"What is this?"
"I just said it's a treaty. Yes, like the one you had with England. But this one is no longer for your freedom. It's for your selfish expansion, Alfred."
"Ah, but I'm the one who obviously won this war."
Spain glared at him and gestured to stand up. Maria's eyes widened at the shakiness of his legs and found herself running towards him before he fell.
Spain's eyes widened when his fall was cushioned by her, the person who hated him the most. She looked at him sadly.
"Y-Your l-legs."
America frowned at the scene and stated. "No compromise will be made." And stared at his pitiful figure. "You don't have power to go against that, anyway."
"He wants you, Maria."
"What?"
"Ah. For commercial purposes. I like the resources of your home as well as its strategic position. I want nothing else – and I can give you so many things you would want. Unlike him, who just enslaved you."
"…"
Spain vehemently shook his head. "D-Don't listen to h-"
Maria flinched at the side of Spain she had never seen. What was more surprising was that she longed for it. "I-"
"You're mine-"
"Ah. Oh, how that would change."
"Stop talking about me as if I don't have any bearing on this!" she retorted, but America just crossed his arms – ignoring her.
"But you don't."
Spain begrudgingly went back to his house in an attempt to get healed. Honestly, if Maria asked him to stay- he would. But his pride did not allow him to offer.
So there he was, sailing the deep blue sea, filled with regret.
1913
The Philippine- American war was officially nearing its end. Maria was losing, and for all those years she did not give up. She was weakening and this is the last battle she could fight – The battle of Bud Bagsak.
She let out a deep breath- and attacked.
…
America flinched. She was truly fierce to the point that he could feel that she was not afraid of anything – anything at all. But America wanted her – for commercial purposes, of course – so he could not hurt her too badly.
He let out a deep breath… and went for the win.
…
When the war ended, America did what he had promised her before – like giving her books to read, for instance, and this caught her off-guard. Memories of Spain hiding all those books from her surged through her mind, it took her so many years to find ways to read them and even more years learn the alphabet they were using.
America's actions were kind. Or so she thought. America saw how talented and smart she was. America told himself it was all business, and hence he will use this for the future of his house and nothing else.
He even made her believe that he was doing everything for her own good. He taught her his technologies, his policies, and many more so she could stand up on her own and slowly become a powerful country just like him.
A powerful country programmed to help him in his endeavors.
The most useful allies were always the powerful ones, after all.
…
A little part of Maria knew that she was just being used- and yet she did not care. She didn't understand why she didn't and slowly she was thinking of herself not as The Philippines, but America's country.
And slowly... her fairly tanned skin felt as if it was supposed to be whiter.
She sat down and placed her head on her knees.
What was happening to her?
1914
Spain's influence on her was slightly decreasing now – and that included her religious beliefs. She had a dream of her own- that what Spain taught her was wrong. And she was correct in this, for Rome really had only invented a lot of its religious belief for the sake of uniting the empire. Spain just followed, and she did too.
A little after that the first World War had begun. It was based on Europe, but she heard Spain took a neutral position- which suited her just fine. He would probably be her enemy if he participated, but she found that she did not want to fight him… Not with his leg, of course.
She wasn't quite sure why she got involved in it – or rather how and why America got involved… but again she didn't care. She just passively lend him a hand.
And after a while, she would question where had the old her- the her that pursued even under Spain's rule- gone to?
And then the 2nd world war came – but this time America wasn't as reluctant to join in. She of course was affected and attacked.
One day, though, a very unfamiliar person came to her shores when America was gone fighting with Germany. He looked very similar to Wang… only he had slightly larger eyes and a more serious disposition. He was holding an odd book with pictures that felt similar with America's comics…
"What is that?" she asked and he flinched at the sight of her. He cleared his throat before answering her question.
"It's a manga."
She blinked. "A mango?"
"A manga. Comics. It's awesome."
"Ehhh… May I?"
"I suppose." he uttered and then handed it to her. But... she could be a little clumsy.
"Ah." She exclaimed accidentally dropping it- the mysterious man's eyes widened and he attempted to catch it…. Only to accidentally throw it to the water.
A Dark atmosphere of despair surrounded him.
Maria felt guilty so she immediately ran to the water to get it. She apologized crazily at the man who was just staring at the book as if it was his dead mother.
He slowly took it, walked away, and just sat there at the corner. Maria frowned in sympathy and she went to him and patted his back.
"There, there…" she said, comforting him despite his still-stoic facade.
"What's your name?"
"Japan. And you are the Philippines, yes?"
"Yes… how did you know?"
"I came here to retake Asia. And of course, you're included." He just answered as if it had nothing to do with either of them. Maria, on the other hand, just winced.
'Oh no. Not another one-'
"At least we will be free of those westerners..."
Maria stared at him. How could he be so stoic when he was practically declaring war?
"No."
He gripped her hand. "There will be no escape."
"What is this?" A familiar voice asked in surprise. It was America, and he was all tired and bloodied. Japan quickly took his Katana and America was forced to flee.
Their eyes met, and she found herself pleading for him not to leave her. America stared back in apology and mouthed something that he will return.
And for the mean time, she would have to believe in him. Not that it was hard.
…
"I have returned." He said his famous line, and he fought a gallant battle with Japan.
He won of course, winning himself a tight hug from hugged her back and he promised he would free her soon.
It did not take long for that to happen. Maria was, indeed, liberated. But only in theory. Mentally and emotionally she was far from would not realize this fact for a while, and she would continue following Alfred's orders without question. How was the question.
It was a little after the war, she and Alfred signed beautiful-looking papers- in many senses of the word.
And in these papers, she was now an independent country. It was not like Alfred had any other choice. The United Nations had been established and he had to be one of the countries to set an example.
Alfred stared at her smiling figure.
He had to think of a way to keep her. She was much to beau- useful to let go. He had to think of something.
"You are free now… but before I go-" he muttered before he pulled her towards him, she flinched.
He leaned down and placed his lips on hers.
Her eyes could widen and she had no strength to resist. When they had finally parted, he smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
"Goodbye." he said, and Maria could only watch him sail away. She touched her lips and stared at his direction with a mix of emotions.
Great, now her mind is full of him. Nothing changed.
She frowned.
"That jerk... How is that setting me free?"
.
.
END OF CHAPTER 2
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REPLIES TO ANGELS:
DreamsLikeReality - Ahaha. Thanks for the review~ And here it is~
Jarta - Thank you for the review~!
Jhoi Marie Boli - I think its like the anime. hahaha. Besides, I've been kinda nice to Spain considering our histories together. XD
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