October 26, 2059

The war had officially begun three years prior when America took his battles in the Middle-East a step too far. He'd wandered into Russia's territory and Russia fought back much harder than the Middle-Eastern countries had. No one can say they were surprised by this, but they were surprised to find this little misstep was the catalyst for a full-scale war. Very few countries sided with one or the other, since most still heavily regretted the events of the 20th century, but over the course of the years, both America and Russia started invading other countries for resources, and before long, many were involved in the war despite their best efforts to remain neutral.

Within the first year, America had unofficially begun occupying Canada and Mexico under the pretense of a "friendly invasion," offering them his protection in exchange for their resources, workers, and soldiers. It was only a matter of time until he moved to South America.

On the other side of the world, Russia managed to successfully re-invade all his former territories in Eastern Europe in the last three years. Just last month, he started occupying a large portion of Finland's land. The invasion came too fast and too hard for Finland to properly push him back, and before long, all he had left was a small portion of land in the North. The other Nordic countries wanted to help him as best they could, but there were only so many resources they could spare without essentially letting Russia into their lands as well. They did their best to maintain solidarity in their neutrality, but Russia was testing it, tempting them to side with America in this dangerous war. America was content to leave them alone and not pester them into joining his side, knowing they would eventually seek his help out when their own war efforts didn't work against Russia.

The Nordics wanted to avoid this as long as they could. They had pushed Russia back before and they were confident they could do it again, no matter how long it's been since they last fought a war. Finland was out scouting in his occupied land, trying to figure out how well protected it was, what sort of resources the Russians had, and the best path to take through the forests and tundra without getting caught.

Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were in the base's conference room discussing strategy. Iceland couldn't figure out why they left him out of these meetings when they let him take part in all the other meetings—what difference did it make that this was a wartime meeting? He felt he had as much right to listen to these meetings as any other. He might have been the least at risk of invasion from Russia because of where he was located, but he didn't feel like that was a good enough reason to keep him out of the strategy meetings. If anything, it felt like the other Nordics simply didn't trust him with their secrets and that hurt more than anything. He hated being left in the dark on these important matters, so he made a habit of sneaking up to the door where they met and to listen in on them. He was surprised to find that today's meeting had an altogether different purpose…

"I insist, guys," said Denmark in his serious voice, the one that scared Iceland most because it seemed too out of place for the Dane. "We need to train him so he can defend himself properly."

"He's had plenty of training," scoffed Norway. "We trained him tons when he was a kid."

"That was play-training, and that was centuries ago when we still used swords. It doesn't fucking count and you know it, Norge!"

"I don't see the point in getting him involved! He's fine as he is," whimpered Norway.

Denmark sighed with frustration. "Nor, at the rate we're going, we can't always be around to protect him. This means he has to be able to protect himself."

"Dan, I don't—"

"Please, Nor," pleaded Denmark.

"I think Denmark's right," interrupted Sweden, speaking for the first time. "How bad do you think you'll feel if something happens to us—like what happened to Finland—and we can't protect him anymore, leaving him alone and vulnerable?"

There was a pause where neither of them spoke. It wasn't everyday Sweden and Denmark actually agreed on anything, ever, so Iceland stood there feeling a little stunned by the event. He imagined his brother realized it too and would be biting his lip thoughtfully while the other two watched him, waiting to see if he would cave. The silence seemed to drag on forever until a barely discernible sigh was heard from Norway.

"Fine," he said just above a whisper. "We'll train Iceland…"

Iceland could hear the other two finally breathe out the breath they'd been holding. Evidently, they thought it would be harder to convince Norway.

"Alright," concluded Denmark. "We might as well get started."

Iceland had heard enough by this point. He felt nervous and nauseous all of the sudden, so he started stumbling to the little room in the base where he slept with his brother. He wondered just how much trouble they were in to think they might not be around for him in the near future, and why they were keeping him from knowing the truth. Iceland hoped to himself that maybe if they started training him, then maybe they'll let him join in the strategy meetings, instead of constantly leaving him in the dark. What were they hoping to protect him from by keeping him in the dark on these matters?

He let himself fall backwards on his bed and laid there, staring up at the concrete ceiling. It was dawning on him that the others were very afraid of the outcome of this war. That's why he was going to start training with them: so he would be okay even when they weren't.

He rolled over onto his side and clutched his pillow to his chest, contemplating a world where he wouldn't have the others around anymore. The thought hurt too much. Before long, tears welled in his eyes and he had to push the thoughts back. He wasn't going to cry while he trained. He wasn't going to let it bother him. This was a good thing; nothing more. There was nothing to be bothered by.

Iceland wondered whether Finland was safe where he was before he drifted off to sleep, feeling emotionally exhausted.