Chapter 3

A/N: Lots of history to learn in this chapter! I did a lot of research and it was hard to fit in with canon actions of course, but I stuck as close as I could. Austro-Prussian War, and WWII mentions, pretty much leading up to what's gonna be happening later on, and the turmoil between Germany and Italia.

Enjoy!

As Italia daydreamed in his bed, he couldn't help but be curious what Austria and Prussia were talking about. So, he peered out his window, and watched them talk. Well, less talking and more arguing. Prussia spoke words of fighting. Of war. Italia remembered that he was currently working on his kingdoms own independence against Austria, but he still lived and worked for him generally because he had no work or way to get money back home. To get a closer look at what they were talking about, he hopped off his bed and was standing by the door, watching them.

"Look, Roderich, you won't always be in charge of this continent." Prussia smirked with confidence. "Your German Confederation won't stand a chance against my growing army. I've even talked to some of Ita-chans leaders, and they agree it's about time you've been kicked to the curb."

Well, this was the first Italia has heard of it. He's fought against Mister Austria before, but his leaders normally kept him in the dark until something big exploded. And it looked like this may just be that thing.

"You talk big for someone whose own brother is against him." Austria shot back with venom in his voice.

"Why you.."

"What, can't take it? You bring him up to health again, and the first thing he does is betray you? How disappointing." His eyes seemed to shoot lasers beyond his glasses, if that were even possible.

Italia shook in his boots, staring at them. "W-what are they talking about..?"

"I-Italia," Austrias eyes spun over to Italia, who stood there watching. Whoops! He never really was the best at hiding. "Go back inside. This doesn't involve you."

"Oh, but it does." Victor Emmanuel the second, Italia's current leader, walked to his side and grabbed Italia's hand.

"V-ve?" He muttered in a confused tone, looking up to him and Prussia. "W-What's going on?"

"Victor, you promised we'd keep Ita-chan safe.." Prussia seemed hesitant to him grabbing him out of the blue like that.

"He's a country, Gilbert. Just like you. You guys may get hurt, but you can't die as easily. We need him to help convince the armies. I've been getting some bad blood spoiling in the forces.." His glared behind him, and then back to Prussia.

"I-I.. He's so small, though, it takes a while for the carnations of the country themselves to grow much.."

"I didn't know you became a goddamned preacher, and we shouldn't argue like this." He turned to Austria again. "Our business is with you." He spoke, lifting Italia up and placing him on a horse. "Either give up the territories we've requested, or face war. And, you've weakened so much. Do you think you can really last another war?"

Italia looked to Prussia scared, and Prussia merely looked straight ahead with confidence, hiding his worry for Italia. "Such an easy choice, kesese. Make it now, and your fate is sealed."

"….The German Confederation will not stand down, Gilbert." Austria finished with that statement.

"M-Mister Austria—" Italia tried to speak up, but Victor jumped behind him on the horse.

"So be it. Don't be surprised by the turn of events however." And with that remark, the horses left, and Italia along with them.


Italia stood on front lines along with his other men, many defeating and falling over. He grabbed his knees, crotched over, coughing up what he could only assume was blood, considering it was very difficult to see, what with smoke everywhere. It was a simple battle in German territory, and they won the battle despite the new territory. He fell over and sat on the ground to catch his breath, all battered, bruised, and bleeding. But he was strong.. Yes, he could totally do this! Prussia believed in him, and that was important.

Through the ash and dust, Italias eyes peered beyond to a figure walking his way. It was hard to make out a face, but he had blond hair, and he look just as hurt and battered as he was. He wobbled over, and Italia only looked it confusion. "Ve, are you alright, sir?" He asked, pulling himself off the ground, when the strange man placed a pistol to his head.

"I'm not going down just yet." The gruffy voice growled- Italia stared at him, and he barely appeared to be any older than him. His voice rung a memory. It was sorta like Prussia's, but younger and more anger of a tone. These thoughts barely let him have a reaction to the situation. Italia managed to make out his piercing blue eyes. "Sayonara, you bastard Italian." The voice spoke again.

Italia stared, and he felt like he could see Holy Rome in his eyes and all he could do was smile. He was so disoriented, and confused, and he wanted to hold him. The cross around his neck only confirmed it. "..Holy Rome~"

"Excuse me? You're not even begging for—Agh! I won't take this!" He seemed angry, and then everything went black with the sound of a bang.


"I wonder what that was for.." The young boy questioned, sitting in the living room of Saxonys home.

"Did you say something, Lud?" Saxony questioned, making his way over and handing him a cup of tea, and then sitting beside him, brushing his long gold hair out of his face. "You look troubled."

"Ah.. I sorta am," He admitted, sipping his tea and breathing and thinking about how he should explain it before talking again. "I met a boy today. Or at least, I was guessing they were a male. I could be wrong. Sorta girlish in the face, and they reminded me of someone.. I just couldn't put a finger on it. I mean, either way.. I shot them, probably dead by now, and I shouldn't worry about it.. But they called me by an unfamiliar name."

"And what would that be?" Saxony asked interested clearly, looking to him as he stirred the sugar cubes and watched them melt into his tea.

"Holy Rome." He informed him. "Who.. Who was Holy Rome?"

Saxony seemed to cough roughly and nervously. "H-Holy Rome, you say? Well.. I'll tell you a story. Long ago, lived a strong kingdom of Rome. We thought nothing could ever bring down his rein. But then, place from the Middle East, and the North, Religion started appearing in many places. Rome's destruction was that breach, and soon he fell, leaving behind two grandson, the Italian brothers. Everyone thought that Rome's fall was the end to it all. But then, the Holy Roman Empire, trying to respire its glory, was formed. A very religious empire, it ruled and tried to once again be great conquer, but not without consequence. He eventually spiraled down, trying so hard to spread religion and regain as the continents stronghold.. So, he's no longer here." Saxony lied. He knew the boy right in front of him was what Holy Rome was, but he was scared this young boy would attempt to try it again and dissolve for real this time, when they needed him most. "He's related to us, so it's no wonder you striked resemblance to him." He offered him a smile.

"….I see. That still doesn't explain.. Why I felt like I recognized them, brother.." His eyes stared into his glass, feeling a bit shaky. "Maybe it was a false sense of deja-vu? Or something else.."

"You said they were dead, so no need to overthink it." Saxony's hair fell back in his face, since it was so very long, past his shoulders even, and he chuckled. "Just drink your tea. We have a longer battle to continue fighting rather than internal conflict. Alright?"

"Ja.. Alright."


There was nothing. No feeling. No sound, besides that painstakingly annoying static sound you here when everything is in absolute quiet. No sight. No smell. Taste gone too. It was like all his senses had gone away, weary to the wind. Slowly, it came back. Sounds. The chirping of the birds outdoors. The smell. The place smelled of potato dishes, and sorta like sweat. Maybe it was him? The feeling returned too. Slowly he felt aching and fatigue, and tiredness. His eyes squeezed open and he could see things. The ceilings worn down beige color, the white window sill and the orange fading into a blue like color that filled the sky beyond the window. He could taste as well. It tasted like blood, and his mouth was sorta dry. He tried to speak up with his voice, sounding very rough. "Hello.." He managed to mutter out.

Within moments, Prussia appeared by his side, and Spain right by him. "I-Ita-chan.. You're alright, oh gott sei dank," He wrapped gentle arms around him and sighed.

"Big brother Prussia and Spain.. Vee, what happened?" Italia spoke roughly, looking to them in a sort of blissful state as he usually was. He was in pain, but it was sorta so strong that it numbed itself out to an extent.

"Ah.. Someone shot you in the head.. Were you human, you would've been dead.. But seeing as you're a country, you made it out fine.. Besides, it barely grazed your actual skull.. Whoever did such a thing must've been a pretty bad aim." Spain said, trying to lighten the mood with a soft chuckle. "Ah, your brothers here too! He was worried, he fell asleep on the couch crying over you."

"Fratello.. Ah, so sweet how he worried about me~ Veh~ Oh! Oh! Big brother Spain, I think I saw Holy Rome! You and big brother France were right~ All I had to do was hope again.. And you, big brother Prussia.. I think I saw him, before everything went black.. Eheh~" He smiled widely.

Prussia and Spain looked back and forth at each other, deciding not to tell Italia that it was probably him that tried to murder him. "I'm so happy for you, Ita-chan. I also wanted to tell you, you were strong out there. You managed to win us the war, even though you were out for a bit there." Prussia leaned down and kissed his head. "So, you hungry? 'tonio here got some ingredients and made a nice pasta, should be just like home!"

"Pasta? Yes~ Veee~"


"Italia! Wake up! And get dressed, verdammt!" The loud, angry voice yelled.

Italia woke up and yawned, nuzzling his pillow. The voice surprised him, but he was still tired and snuggled in bed. What just happened? He had a dream.. About seeing Holy Rome so long ago. How long had it been? Right.. 77 years since the Austro-Prussian War, and now fighting along with Germany.. 77 years since he had last seen Holy Rome. At least, what he believed to be Holy Rome. He shook his head, and sighed quietly, pulling himself out of his sheets, and getting dressed in his uniform. It was late July, and Victor Emmanuel the third, the son of Victor Emmanuel the second, was planning an attack on their fascist leader. But Victor told him not to tell Germany, so he wouldn't spoil it. He felt bad not telling him anything. He smacked his head.

"No, Italia.. It's fine.. You can't tell him until it's done, so you can escape from this.. What Germany is doing is terrible, and can't be allowed to continue.." He spoke quietly to himself, hoping Germany wouldn't hear, for he was downstairs already. Suddenly, the news came on over the radio, an announcement of Italias surrender, and Mussolini's death, he became terrified. Germany must've heard it, and—

"ITALIA! What the hell is going on?!" Germany bursted into Italia's room, walking over to him angrily. "Do you know the kind of things my boss is gonna do knowing you're leaving us? Are you scared?" Germany grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and Italia started crying.

"I-I am not s-scared! I just.. I don't agree with this, Germany!" He choked back a sob, trying to shove Germany off, he was really hurting him.. "I asked him to do it! He was a crazy man, Germany! You can't let this continue!"

"It's not like I can control it!" He dropped Italia, and turned away. "Just run away scared as always. I'm not even surprised. Just go ahead and abandon us as we are getting our asses beat."

Italia's eyes filled with tears, and he shook. "Coming from the boy that abandoned me so long ago!" He yelled sadly, "I didn't agree with you back then either!" Italia stopped, and placed both hands over his mouth. He.. He looks so much like him, he hadn't meant to burst at him like that.

"What are you-"

"Ack! N-Nevermind! I'm leaving!" Italia ran away, tears rushing down his face, going very fast like an Italian does when they're scared.

"I-Italia.." Germany tried to reach his hand out to him but he was too fast. His chest hurt, but he sighed, taking a deep breath and sitting down on the bed now. "….I don't agree with this much either…. But what is there that I can do? I'm sorry.. Italia…." Germany crossed his arms over his chest, feeling his heart although cave in, and he sat there, sad, almost lonely like now. He remembered what Saxony told him so long ago. Was that boy he shot really him..? Did Italia confuse him for Holy Rome? Or was he really.. God, this made his head hurt! Well, he'd have to talk to Japan later about this.. But for now, he jumped wanted to rest his heavy head, so he laid in the bed Italia recently laid in, and dozed off.


Italia ended up at home, and pushed the door open with a loud wham. He ran to his bed crying, and dropped his face against the pillows. He can't believe he just left him like that, and even burst out at him..! He.. He wasn't the same boy, but whenever he looked into his eyes.. All he saw was Holy Rome. He remembered Prussia told him.. Blond hair, blue eyes, and that necklace.. But, he soon found out all children of Germania wore one of them. When questioning Prussia, he stays awfully quiet.. Geez, Prussia needs to be more straight forward, and stop having so many brothers!

"Oi, idiota! Why'tha hell are ya coming home in tears like some maniac?" Romano's angry voice dragged Italia out of his mind, and he sniffled, lifting his head up to him. "Did the potato bastardo make ya cry again? I'll kick his ass, yanno!"

"N-No, well.. Kinda.." Italia scratched at his neck. "I was scared.. We officially left the axis, and I feel bad about it.. I never even warned him, and he insulted me.. And so I ran.. Like I always do," He coughed out, choking over his own tears really. "I know.. It was for the best, and the boss is doing all he can for us.. But I,"

"But nothing!" Romano shot back, walking towards him. "The bastardos gone mad with power. He may not agree with his boss, but he also gone crazy and he's only goin' ta hurt you, Feliciano. And I can't always be there to help ya. He fuckin' scares me sometimes too," He mumbled out the last part. He slowly made his way over to his bed, and sat down, getting placing a hand in his hair. "..You may love him because he reminds you of your first love, but I can assure you that he's nothing like him. He is not him. He's an ass just hoping to take our territory and the rest of goddamn Europe."

"Lovi.. You can't really believe that, do you?"

"Oh, but I do. I know so. Holy Rome's gone, and that guys just some ugly doppelganger who wants to bring about the end of diversity everywhere. And no matter how much we hate America, England, and he rest of those ass biscuits, especially.. Russia," He shivered at the mere mention of his name, "It's safer than Germany's side."

Italia lifted his head and then laid it on his brother's lap, and tried to calm his tears. "I miss him."

"..I know. But you'll be fine. Find yourself a pretty girl when the wars over and we'll never have to worry about him again."

"Even after all this, he's still my friend…."

"Ehh? Jeez, you're such a crazy lil shit, I swear."

"Vee…. Don't be so mean," Italia whined.

"Alright, alright. Whatever. Just calm down. I don't like seeing you crying. You do it too much."