5 Ways to End World War II
Part VII: Epilogue
The world was stunned.
Then abruptly, life went on. Bemused soldiers filtered home to surprised, then joyful, spouses and families. Babies were born, homes rebuilt, and the persecuted reabsorbed back into life with a shamefaced sort of apology as hatred faded and reason returned.
But the governments collapsed.
America was shocked, but soon enough swore in the vice president. The lost leader was mourned bitterly, but the elected country moved on.
Germany collapsed. The corrupt rulers scrambled to control the people, but they failed. Oddly enough, the fall was not chaotic or violent. There was a steely-eyed kind of determination within the people to avoid such a hideous brainwashing again, and within half a year, there was a new government of the people, trying to restore the country.
It's ally Japan, on the other hand, noticed nothing at all. The empire brushed off the loss of its military leaders as the fate of weak and unprepared fools, and continued it's relentless stride for power.
England was not so lucky. The already precariously positioned country suffered one blow too many and the once-great empire fell to rubble. Anarchy reigned as numerous attempts to restore order failed. People fled the country, desperate to find food, money, and opportunity, and the island country faced starvation in the face of it's economic and political fall. It's former allies had no time or loyalty to spare for their faltering sister.
Italy survived with a minor coup-d'état. Before the week was out, there was a new, rich, opportunistic politician sitting atop. The grapes still grew. The trains still ran.
A crisis was diverted. But no one would know when those actions would come back to haunt.
After all, fear of the unknown is human nature, and a lesson not taught is a lesson not learned.
A.N. So I kind of added the last three chapters all at once, but those have been finished for AGES. The main hold-up was the second chapter because it was so long to type (from handwritten notes, at least). Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the story, and please tell me your thoughts- they're always welcome!