Chapter 3: Into the Light

Word Count: 4,964

To anon S: Well I'm glad you're interested enough in the story to continue, that flatters me, but I will warn you it's rated M for the sex that will ensue later, so that's how far it's gonna go. Sorry again. I just want to warn you though. If you are still interested I could always make a chapter with just the sex and tell you to skip it? I dunno if that'd work or not for you... But just throwing it out there.

To CandyCane460: I'm glad you liked it! Yeah, I did make all the other countries kind of dicks, especially England... oops. I seem to do that a lot. Anyway, hope you continue to enjoy~

To Guest/Random person: So many people not found of RusAme reading, the two above also said they didn't prefer it. Really, it makes me happy you would overlook the pairing for the plot! Thank you. And I hope you continue enjoying the plot as well!

To NoodleTheGreat: Cute really? Aww, thank you~! I suppose it kind of was x3

To the rest of you, thank you for reading!


"Ivan, we're going out, do you want to come with us?"

"Hm?" Ivan asked, looking up towards France, "Oh, da I guess I could tag along. Perhaps we can find some food."

"Well I did make some soup this morning, you're welcome to eat that! I did." England called. Right, the 'soup' made of dirt, some mysterious liquid and bugs.

"... of course, well that can only last so long." Ivan coughed.

"Let's get going." Canada muttered, saving Ivan from having to make excuses as they started towards the stairs. France followed the younger and Ivan brought up the rear. It was much better having flashlights to help see. They went through the staircase easily, but when they started getting to the top Canada slowed down remarkably, even coming to a complete stop right when they reached the door, "A-Alright, are you guys ready?"

"Yes." France said as he pulled out his sword, Ivan raised his eyebrow, wanting to ask what the other was doing as Matthew opened the door. Almost a moment later there was the familiar dull sound of metal hitting somebody and Matthew fell back to the floor. Francis let out a growl and went to Matthew as the door swung shut slowly. The blond was bleeding quite a bit, and holding his nose. Probably broken. Ivan turned to the door where he heard growling, "Every fucking time." That certainly was a quick attack. Ivan shined his flashlight though the small window, but he didn't see anything at all. There was no way it was that fast.

Turning back to look at the slightly wounded Canada and the worried France, Ivan supposed the reason they brought him along was for an extra body guard, "Why not duck? If it always does this then it should be easy to avoid, da?"

"No, because it doesn't stick to the same strategy. By either way it beats us back, alright?" France sighed out. Ivan tilted his head slightly, slowly opening the door and making sure to keep his head away from the door. Nothing happened, "Be careful." Ivan nodded, shining his light around. Nothing... perhaps it went somewhere else. He took a step through, the door closing. He shined the flashlight around him, towards the dead end at one end and then towards the bathrooms and main area. Starting that way, he only got a couple steps before he felt a hard hit to the back of his head and blackness filled his vision.


Ivan felt something shaking him. He opened his eyes painfully to see bright lights. Blinking several times, he eventually made out the flashlight lights and somebody basically smacking him in the face. There was the sound of gunfire nearby, "Russia! Russia, get up!" China yelled at him. Ivan slowly sat up, head aching painfully and trying to make sense of everything.

"Wha-?"

"Come on we have to go! Get up." Ivan stood up as fast as he could, being pushed back through the door and downstairs, hearing somebody following them. He held his head, closing his eyes and just letting China lead him.

"Hm... w-what happened?" Ivan asked once they stopped downstairs, opening his eyes to the slightly spinning world. The lantern was running at least.

"When you, Canada and France didn't come back we went looking. We found you by the door, unconscious."

"Da... my head was hit. C-Canada and France were behind me, still in the stair... ... place... um... way?"

"How's your head?" Germany asked this time.

"Painful, but I don't think I have a concussion... I am just disoriented. How long have we been gone?"

"Our guess is two hours... and we didn't see France or Canada anywhere up there." Germany said, running his hand through his hair, "Which means that they're somewhere out there... everybody, listen up if Canada and France do not show up they will have to be declared dead and this thing will have to be exterminated." Ivan frowned a bit, but could understand it. He would need to find France and Canada soon though, hopefully they wouldn't be dead.


"Can you understand me at all? I am even speaking English, da?" Ivan sighed, sitting close to the man. He was glad he had night watch tonight or he might not have been able to get out. They didn't respond, "Look, my friends are going to kill you because you took some of our friends, where are they? You didn't kill them, did you?" The thing made some clicking sounds, but they weren't like the language in Africa, it might be a similar form of communication though.

Ivan sighed, "Why do I try, you don't understand a word I'm saying, do you?" After a moment it picked up his hand and pulled him up to standing and started towards the stairs. Where were they going? Ivan's hand was let go after a moment, so he stopped walking and then he heard the sound that he sometimes heard during long days. Now he knew what it was, the rusty elevator doors being pried open.

Ivan felt the hand return, one on his arm that led him inside. Ivan felt the unsteady shaking of the elevator, obviously not made of metal but something else. Ivan heard the doors being closed again and a moment later the elevator went down a moment before very slowly starting to go up, the sound of something scratching very softly at the walls around them, and then Ivan realized why they were moving, it was a very large and sturdy wooden box and the other nation was pulling on some rope. Searching around a moment, he found the rope that was being used to pull them up. Grabbing some, he helped pull, making the progress go smoother and faster.

They grunted a bit, but not in disapproval as they slowly got into a steady rhythm. It sure was a workout, but it was good progress, faster than walking up the stairs anyway. Eventually the other made another grunting sound, tapping his hands. Ivan stopped pulling, loosening his grip on it. They must have found a way to lock it, which showed that they were more advanced than he had first given them credit for. Apparently the elevator doors were open because there was no sound of old, squeaky metal grinding against itself and the other just led Ivan out onto another floor. He didn't know which floor, if he would make a guess it would be near the top floor.

Perhaps the other really was leading him to France and Canada. They seemed to know their way around, avoiding walls and corners easily. A moment later he stopped in front of Ivan and let go, moving away. Ivan saw light through a window. Looking over to the nation, they were stepping back deep into the shadows so that they couldn't be seen. Well it might be a trap, but he might also be able to get France and Canada out. Stepping towards the door, he started hearing something like dripping or moving water. Sliding it open, he saw moonlight filling a large room, probably used for surgeries or something in previous years. There was water pooling into the thick concrete that had been eroded with time that made a nice indoor spring.

Blinking in surprise, he stepped closer and looked up, there was just one other story above this one but a chunk of the wall was missing to open it up. Moss was growing across the ground around the fresh, still water. It was breathtaking really. And above the sky was beautiful, with no lights for thousands of miles around to dim the light of the stars, he had forgotten how stunning it was. There was a nice breeze, but it was warm weather. Deciding to admire the view later, he knelt by the water, licking his lips, removing his gloves, Ivan cupped his hands together and brought a handful of water up. He supposed he should have checked to see if it was poisoned, and there were few organisms or poisons that could make him sick.

Drinking his fill of water he sighed in content. He had been very thirsty and he had drank all his vodka, of course there were probably some bottles in the supplies outside. Not that that did any good. Now, how to get some water to the others... he looked around for anything he could carry some in, but it didn't look like that was going to happen, it was bare of anything. Looking towards the door briefly, Ivan unbuttoned his jacket and reached into a inner pocket, grabbing his flask out that at one point had held his vodka. Well the water would taste very weird, but it was better than nothing. Dipping it into the water, he filled it as much as could fit before screwing the cap back on and putting it back inside his pocket.

Taking another handful of water, he splashed some onto his face, sighing and running his wet fingers along his scalp, trying to at least get a little clean. It was refreshing. Shaking his head a bit to get rid of the excess water as best as he could he grabbed his gloves, pulling them on again. Standing up completely, he took a moment longer to admire the small spring, ripples disappearing slowly so that it could once again reflect the sky. Turning, Ivan walked out of the room, leaving the door open to look around. He saw a black silhouette of his guide was in the shadows. Ivan stepped closer, they're outline could be seen if he concentrated. They had the metal bat resting on their shoulder.

They tilted their head to the side and moved his hand in a gesture to follow. They were tall, though not as tall as Ivan was obviously. It was clear they were wearing clothes, though he couldn't tell what they were wearing on their legs or feet, but there was some bulk around their neck, like a big scarf loosely tied around their shoulders. They stood with their feet slightly apart, one in front of the other and standing tall, almost ready for any challenge. Ivan hesitated a moment before reaching his hand out, brushing against the person softly. They jumped back, Ivan seeing the figure move. They're back was arched, only having taken a step back and the bat was more at the ready.

A moment later, they seemed to realize what he wanted, to have something to guide him and placed their hand in his, turning to start to leave. Ivan tightened his grip, well this might throw their very shaky relationship out the window, but he decided it was worth it. His eyes darted to see at what angle and level the bat was before he pulled the nation towards him, of course a moment later the bat tried to collide with his head. Ivan grabbed it, twisting it and yanking it out of their hands.

Then they tried to hit him, and actually got a punch in before Ivan grabbed that wrist after dropping the bat to the floor, looking at the other struggling angrily, eyebrows furrowed and lips curled into a snarl. Blue eyes blazing in challenge and blond hair worn and ragged, but small little cowlick peaking up weakly. Skin very tan and covered with dirt. Bomber jacket full of holes and stained, the clothes under it looking a bit better than the coat. Ivan let out a small noise, smiling a bit before Alfred kneed him in the gut. Right... the other was always a bit... well... there were no good descriptive words for him.

Ivan growled a bit, tempted to punch the other, but instead bringing him closer. Letting go of Alfred's wrists and wrapping his arms around the other. That certainly gave the other pause before he started squirming and struggling, "Shhh, Alfred, it is alright." Ivan muttered, ignoring the scratching and hitting. Really, this reminded him of his sister when she went through one of her episodes. Then again she usually calmed down quickly, mostly because she was probably still infatuated with him. But if Alfred had been trapped in this building for awhile and was desperate enough to risk dying just to have some sort of friendly contact then it might be easy.

Of course the pain in his ribs that came from each punch Alfred delivered were telling him otherwise. Biting his lips, he fought through it. Even without current technology or intelligence Alfred was powerful. After a while the hitting slowed before it just stopped, hands clinging at his jacket tightly. Ivan sighed, looking down at Alfred whose eyes were calmer, looking blankly away towards a wall, head now resting on Ivan's chest, "How long have you been down here?" Ivan muttered, holding the other like he was a child, "Do you not remember English either?" Ivan shook his head, "How are you alive?" The bat had been his real tip off with how the other had fought. He suspected then that it was Alfred... but- "You weren't breathing for over an hour. Not even a country could survive that." Especially one that was so weakened.

Ivan felt arms wrap underneath his jacket, hugging him back. Ivan smiled slightly, Alfred really was like a child, even in an apocalyptic world. Alfred clung to the inside of his jacket, nuzzling his cheek into Ivan's chest. And then there was a punch to his face. Well, he certainly wasn't expecting that. Falling back a little, he held his jaw, moving it around and looking up at Alfred angrily. The blond was unscrewing the cap to his flask, turning it over to pour the water out onto the ground. Ivan narrowed his eyes, stepping towards Alfred, who glared at him and dropped the flask before kicking it far into the darkness. Alfred turned to stare at him, not going for his bat, but seeming ready for a fight. Ivan smirked, rubbing his chin, "You little manipulator."

"Bastard." Ivan paused blinking a couple times, "Yeah I can talk, what of it?"

"Pleasant." Russia muttered, looking the blond up and down, "Then you can answer a couple questions."

"Like hell."

"Where are Canada and France?" Alfred picked up his bat, walking back into the shadows slightly.

"... You won't find those two."

"You took awhile to answer that. Do you not remember our names?" He saw Alfred shuffle just slightly.

"I don't need to know them."

"Why are you attacking us?"

"Why are you here?" Alfred countered.

"We wanted to see if this place was inhabitable and learn what sort of things lived here. That's all."

"Liar." Alfred snarled, "You came here to conquest." Ivan frowned slightly.

"Is that why you're trying to kill us?"

"Partly." So the other was trying to kill them.

"Then why are you giving me food and water?"

"You may live. But others may not know about me."

"Oh, why hide so much?" Ivan asked, taking a step forward, only to have Alfred take an equal step back. Ivan stopped moving, watching the other, "Or do you really remember us?"

"I know you are all somehow responsible to what happened to America." Of course, if his people didn't know the actual country wouldn't remember most the time. And considering that the invasion was so sudden, there were probably no humans that knew exactly what had happened. Just one day everything was gone, "You are Ivan, right?"

"You remember me?" Alfred didn't say anything, "How do you know my name?" None of the other countries had said it, because calling a country by their human name was very personal for them and none preferred to be called it.

"I know there is somebody called Ivan, who is very tall and other things like you. Things like me, do not age, strong, and many with a lust for control. A large group of them were responsible for killing my people."

"That is true." Ivan said, not sure how Alfred knew that much if he couldn't remember much else, "We did hurt your people... and in a very cowardly and destructive way. We launched bombs, or missile here and all over the country with only one real goal, to destroy everything. But vengeance is not an honorable act."

"Neither is what they did! You have no say in the matter. Be thankful I am letting you live."

"Why would you though? From what you know and what I just said, you know I am somebody who hurt your people."

"Sometimes the act is enough punishment to somebody then anything that could come after. That aside, it's to make up my favor to you."

"So you do remember."

"For the last time, no! I just found a letter to myself explaining all this apparently. I hardly understand anything!" Alfred growled, "Now I can still bring you food and water. But the others are going to die no matter what you do. You know the way back." He said, turning and starting away.

"Wait, Alfred." The blond paused, "I just found out you are alive after over a hundred years, I would like to talk to you more... if I could."

"About what?" Alfred snarled, while he could talk, it seemed like the animalistic side of him had not wavered.

"Well I have questions, but really I would like to just talk."

"I don't trust you. You came with the others all high and mighty and looking to own this place and me. You will not gain my trust."

"I never expected to." Ivan stated sadly, thinking of his and Alfred's relationship before everything. The memories were more faded now, but he knew that Alfred and him had never gotten into even a somewhat trusting relationship after the cold war.

"Good. Then we may continue speaking as long as you do not say anything to the others. Fear is the best weapon, I am sure you know that well enough." Ivan nodded in agreement, he knew that was true. He honestly didn't know what he was going to do though. He felt somewhat compelled to help his fellow nations, and he could see the good and bad of Alfred's plan. But really, he didn't want to be responsible for a nation's death. But it seemed that no matter what he did that was going to happen.

"Tell me something, you plan to kill these people, but if you could, would you kill their people?"

"No." Alfred said, "I am not so low as that. People are not guilty for the action of their Gods."

"Gods?" Right, Alfred was still more primitive, maybe not as much as he was originally hundreds of years ago, but then again when humans saw how hard it was to kill them and that they didn't age and their super-human strength... yeah, Ivan could see that mix up. It was actually popular if they were cut off from society, "Well I am glad." Killing a personification just made them be reincarnated. Destroying a nation could either make another own that land completely, or eventually spawn a new personification, different from the last.

Or apparently there was somehow the one that could magically be healed - Alfred. Ivan was still curious about that one, "I won't tell the other nations anything then. As long as you are just killing them and not torturing, I am fine with this plan. Though only because of what they did. Then again, I hope you do know I helped in the task."

"You did all you could to help, yes?"

"Clearly not, if it did nothing." Ivan said, looking at the destroyed building and thinking about all the lives that had just been in this single building alone. Done with the conversation, he started walking away, towards where he thought the elevators were, "I do not know the way back..." The dark was disorienting after all, and with so many twists, doors, and turns it was difficult to remember. Alfred hesitated a moment before the blond walked up to him, taking his hand and starting to walk back the way they'd came.

"If you ever want to see me, tap three time in that spot you all are staying at with your weapon and then go through the elevator to the top floor. But I will most likely meet you down on the ground floor."

"Then why tell me?"

"For when the others turn on you."

"What makes you think they will?" Ivan asked suspiciously, letting Alfred lead him back.

"I don't think. People forced into a small area with an unknown enemy somewhere makes one paranoid."

"...that it does."

"You may stay with me when that happens, though I will hurt you if you try anything."

"I recall you hit me in the head just earlier today."

"I did not know it was you. You had only come around at night before then."

"Fair enough. But in the future, no more hitting me for no good reason."

"They are good reasons to me." Alfred said, some humor behind it. Ivan just shook his head.


"Where were you last night?" Germany questioned. Great, what a wonderful thing to hear from one of the countries who had awakened first. Ivan looked up at the other before sighing, looking away again.

"I tried to go looking for Canada and France."

"And left the rest of us unguarded!"

"It hasn't ever come past those doors. I was out and a much easier target than the five of you down here behind doors that announce when a mouse comes through."

"That's still no reason to abandon your post and put others in potential danger!" At least Germany was hissing so that the others sleeping nearby wouldn't wake up and hear this. He did not need anymore gossip going on about him, "We will mount a rescue after this thing is dead and with all of us. Not somebody going off on their own."

"Who made you leader?" Ivan questioned, frowning a bit.

"Considering all of you fight like children and you rather work alone, somebody has to take charge who isn't a complete idiot. Now we are all going to leave to kill this thing and rescue France and Canada."

"I would rather not move in a large group to better attract its attention."

"We attract its attention in doubles. We are all going." Germany growled. Ivan could see his point, a dangerous enemy, them only having few weapons and two people missing. Their best chance was probably to overwhelm the singular enemy, surround, corner, and finish it off. An alright strategy for such situations. Seeing as they couldn't just knock down a wall as they were all underground.

"You should really ask nicer." Ivan said painfully cheerfully. Germany grunted, going off. Well hopefully he was the only one who had noticed that Ivan had ran off in the middle of the night. Hearing the Germanic nation doing something, probably making sure his gun was in perfect condition for this fight, Ivan walked away. Germany was the only one with a more advanced weapon. How he had gotten the gun past security, Ivan had no idea, but he wasn't going to question it at the moment. And he tried not to think about the fight coming up. Alfred may just end up killing him after all.


Germany was in the front, the lantern he was holding glowing brightly to see about six meters (twenty feet) in each direction. Behind him was Japan, then China, Ivan, and England bringing up the rear. At least Ivan wasn't in the very back. Everybody had their weapons either at the ready or within very easy access. He himself had his pipe in his hand, not that he was planning on getting involved in any of the fighting if he could help it. Still, he found himself maybe as high-strung as those around him when Germany opened the door.

Everybody paused, and Ivan swore that nobody even breathed for a moment before Germany stepped out, light illuminating almost the entire hallway. Alfred would have a hard time if he was planning not to be seen. Ivan couldn't see the hallway until the ones in front of him moved up and England had this habit of stepping on the back of his feet which was highly annoying. Like he could go any faster like this. Once in the hallway, they were able to stand side-by-side and everybody was walking down the hallway, nothing abnormal in sight.

Germany stepped out of the hallway and Ivan saw a glint of metal before there was the sound of glass shattering and everything going dark. Germany let out a couple choice cusses, his flashlight turning on at the front and everybody following suit. Ivan reached into his pocket to grab his own, but it wasn't there. Frowning he looked in his other one. He heard a gunshot and it hitting the concrete, "What's the hold up?" England hissed.

"I can't find my flashlight..." He hadn't taken it out very often, he hadn't anytime last night... the last time he remembered using it was with Canada and France. Then he was knocked unconscious, "Did you find my flashlight when you found me?"

"There wasn't anything around you." Ivan frowned, seemed like he would have to talk to Alfred about that one. There was no reason to take his flashlight other than to leave him defenseless. He wondered if Alfred really was planning to kill him and just being a cruel asshole, as the blond in question would probably put it. There was the sound of somebody moving ahead. Ivan noticed that Germany had his flashlight taped to his gun so that it would help - but not hinder - shooting whatever was out there.

Everybody was moving the light of their flashlight, trying to find it. Ivan saw Alfred in one of the lights, a quick glimpse that hardly told him that it was human either, but he knew better. It was gone almost a moment later, but a gunshot rang out before a loud shout. Alfred had been hit. Everybody paused, probably comprehending that they had hit it before they started moving to see where it's body was. There was blood at the place where the bullet had shot Alfred, where it had hit the blond Ivan wasn't too sure.

They shined the flashlights everywhere, but there was once again no sign, "Spread out, in groups of two or three and be cautious. It's wounded, not dead." Hopefully they didn't just piss Alfred off. Then again, if it was bad enough the blond would probably be gone for awhile. Which put Alfred in greater danger than before. Ivan stuck with England, might as well, and looked around, he wasn't much help considering he didn't have a light to look, so he could only see what England pointed at. Why was he even here?

"Hey, over here." Japan called to everybody. Ivan felt his worry grow that perhaps Alfred had been severely injured and that had just put him very close to death. Everybody went towards Japan curiously, there was no body, just some blood on the floor... right by a wall.

"What's this?" England asked, looking at it and the wall skeptically, but then the Asian island pointed the flashlight up, towards the ceiling, and there was blood up a few feet from the roof, smeared along the thick vegetation.

"How could blood get up there?" China asked. England ran a hand through his hair, looking pissed.

"It's been using the vines to climb across the ceiling." Germany growled, "Have any of us looked up?" No, none of them had thought of doing that ever. Not exactly one's first thought if the enemy came from behind, "Fuck. Well now we know how it's getting away so fast." And quietly, stone echoed, but vines were quieter. Well they were thick enough to hold plenty of weight it seemed. "Now that we know how it's getting the edge on us and know it's injured we need to kill it."

"If I may suggest..." Japan started, "Me and China could probably make a strong enough trap with some of these vines. We could catch it easily and then kill it from there." Germany thought about it for a moment.

"Do it." Interesting how everybody looked to Ludwig as the leader, well he was organized and could be very persuasive when he wanted to be. Japan nodded, going to a vine that seemed to be deemed worthy enough and started cutting it down, "And try to be quick, we probably don't have all day." Germany paused in a way that it was clear he was meaning to say something else, so everybody waited until he did continue, "Also, I found this. It was what broke the lantern." He said as he held up the bloody metal baseball bat. A chilling silence fell across the nations as they looked at the weapon that reminded them so much of the dead country. Ivan even felt some eyes even turning to stare at him, suspicious and questioning. He didn't look back, just stared at the bat. This day was not looking to be good.