Philippines in Wonderland
Part 8: The Rebellion
Back at Minsk, however, things had taken a turn for the worst. After Philippines had fled, both England and Liechtenstein were arrested for crimes against the Dark Queen, as well as for harbouring a fugitive.
England hadn't done much since they were arrested. He sat in his cell, thinking all that he was going to leave behind in the real world. England began to think of America, Canada, Hong Kong- all of his former colonies. Heck, he even thought about Sealand and France! How would life in the real world change with England gone? Who would take his place as the Personification of England? What would happen? Who would even miss him?
Both England and Liechtenstein were put into the same cell. The Germanic girl- though tough- was crying into England's shoulder. The Brit had his arm around her, trying his best to calm her down. Why was Liechtenstein crying, exactly?
Belarus had ordered both of them to be executed.
The two heard footsteps approaching their cell. Liechtenstein looked up while England didn't move his eyes away from the dirt floor.
"Arthur!" shouted a voice. England glanced up far enough to see Russia standing outside of their cell. England's eyes grew dark with hatred and malice. "Answer me, Hatter!"
"He hasn't said anything to anyone but the mouse, sir," one of the knights told him. Russia hit the bars.
"Pity," said Russia, "Beheading mad men is very boring. Nothing out of them. Not even a cry of mercy. The small one however...she will cry and beg for her life. I do so enjoy seeing that." That's when England snapped. In flash he was at the bars of the cell, with his hands around Russia's neck. The knights grabbed the Englishman's wrists, trying to get him off of Russia. However, England felt no pain, as anger and madness had taken over his mind. As he watched the life leave the Russian's eyes, the guards finally managed to pull England off. They threw him to the ground as Russia fell to the ground as well, coughing and gasping for breath.
"Never say such a thing about Lili again," England said darkly, "Or your knights won't be able to save you. What you Katyusha do if she saw you like this? Or even heard what you said?" Russia looked up from the wooden floor with murder and sadness in his eyes. England inched away from the bars as the Russian stood.
"Your head comes off at dawn!" the Russian snapped in fury, "Both of yours!" he turned to walk away, but the Brit stopped him.
"Oh come now," said England as he stood, "She is such a small, little child. It's hardly worth any effort. Let her go, and I'll promise to give you an execution you won't forget. I'll beg, I'll cry, I'll do whatever."
"After what you did? Why would I do something for the person who let her die?"
"What are you talking about?" Russia's cold, violet eyes narrowed.
"That day, when your people were attacked, and Natalia took the crown. You let my sister die." England looked over at Liechtenstein, who looked just as confused as he was. "Don't even think about lying to me. Natalia found her crown among the ruins."
"Ivan...I didn't do anything of the sort. I was the one who led her to safety and away from the fire! Why do you think I was the only one out of my people who survived?!" Russia just stared at the Nation before turning to the two knights.
"Leave us," he ordered.
"But sir-" one of the knights tried to say, but Russia gave him a murderous look. The knights exited the room rather quickly.
"Explain or I will kill you right here and now."
"I lead Katyusha away from the fire that day," said England, "She's alive and I can tell you where she is."
"I don't believe you," Russia said, gripping the cell's bars tightly. "Natalia told me she was dead. Moya sestra umerla!"
"Natalia lied to you! She most likely just wanted you by her side while she took over our world! Why didn't you see it? We're all fighting for her! We're all fighting for the Light Queen! If you love your sister enough to almost kill me just for speaking her name, then...join her!" Russia leaned against the bars of the cell, not saying a word. Silence fell among the three. It was held for a long time until a new voice broke it.
"Hallo, prisoners!" Prussia said as he appeared outside of the bars. When the Prussian finally noticed that Russia was standing beside him, he jumped at least three feet back. "I zhought he vould be gone by now!"
"Oh, shut up, Gilbert," England told Prussia, "I'm about to die, and I don't want the last face I want I see to be yours."
"Vell, zhat vas harsh." Prussia walked back over to the cell and leaned against the bars. "I came to help you out...but...maybe now I von't."
"Gilbert…" Liechtenstein said, finally standing up, "Bitte! You have to help us! Zhe queen is going to kill us at dawn!" Prussia's red eyes looked into Liechtenstein's pleading green ones. The Prussian's usual grin fell as he sighed.
"You know I vould do anyzhing to help you, Lili. But I just don't know vhat to do."
"It's fine," England said, "We all tried our best to fight against the Dark Queen. I guess everything ends up dying."
"No one has to die." Everyone turned at the person who had just spoken. It had been Russia.
"Vhat did you just say, Knave?" asked Prussia, "I think I heard you wrong."
"Nyet, you heard me correctly. No one has to die."
"And I suppose you have a plan?" England asked, "Or are you going to turn us in to your sister?" Russia looked up at England.
"I want to stop my sister. I've seen the things she has done, and all of this time I thought it was because she was avenging our sister's death...but all this time she had used me. I want to stop it."
"Vell, it looks like you can handle zhis on your own, so I'm going to-gah!" Prussia said as he tried to walk away, but Russia grabbed his collar, holding him back.
"You're not going anywhere, cat." Russia let go of Prussia. "You said you would do anything to help the small one, da?"
"Ja? But vhy vould you need me?" Russia motioned for everyone to come closer, which they did with extreme caution, and whispered his plan to them.
The next morning, nearly everyone had arrived for the execution of Liechtenstein and England. The two accused walked to the executioner, their faces away from the crowd. England knew that Romano, Italy and Canada were in the crowd as well- they weren't that far. Russia was up with Belarus, watching from a balcony. And the Dark Queen did not suspect a thing.
England and Liechtenstein walked up the platform. The Brit stepped forward, pushing Liechtenstein behind him. He placed his head on the stone as the Executioner tried to take off the hat he was wearing.
"I want to keep it on," muttered England.
"Whatever," The Executioner replied, "As long as I can get to your neck, it isn't a problem."
"I can't watch!" said Canada as he covered his eyes. The Executioner raised his axe as the crowd fell silent. The blade came down. Before it could even touch England's flesh, his body vanished. The crowd gasped, with the exception of Russia and Liechtenstein. Italy and Romano stared on in shock.
"It's gone!" gasped Italy.
"I'm going to miss him…" Canada muttered. He still hadn't looked at the scene that was going on.
"Idiota!" shouted Romano, "Look at what just happened!" Canada looked up to see Prussia materializing above the crowd, holding England's hat in his hands.
"Hallo, ladies und gentlemen!" he said with a grin, "I hope you enjoyed zhe opening act!"
"What is the meaning of this?!" Belarus shouted in anger, "Off with their heads!"
"I'm afraid not, dear sister," Russia told her, "I don't follow anyone who lies to me."
"Brother, I don't understand what you mean."
"You lied to me about our sister being dead." Belarus clenched her fists in anger. "I follow you no more."
"Brother please-"
"I'm sorry, your majesty," said England as he walked out from the balcony's shadows, "But your brother already made his choice. He was the one who planned this."
"Stop lying to me! Ivan, kill him!" Grinning, Russia drew his sword. England took a few steps back, but the Russian threw the sword onto the ground.
"Kill him yourself." Enraged by her brother's actions and betrayal, Belarus picked up the sword, pointing it at Russia and England.
"Perhaps throwing the sword on the ground in front of her wasn't your best idea," said England.
"Da...I say let us make our escape."
"Let's." The two Allies ran from the angry Queen and into the crowd.
"To the abused and enslaved of the Dark Queen's court, stand up and fight! Down with the Bloody Dark Witch!" England cried out as they ran through the crowd. Soon everyone was chanting : "Down with the Bloody Dark Witch!"
Belarus was left both heartbroken and furious.
"This is all because of my stupid sister!" she said through gritted teeth. She turned to one of her knights, "Prepare the Jabberwocky for battle. We are going to visit my big sister."
The Russian Knave and the British Hatter met up with Liechtenstein, Prussia, Italy, Romano and Canada and made their way to Kiev. Russia seemed uncomfortable as they walked.
"Are you alright, Ivan?" England asked.
"Both yes and no," answered the former Knave, "I don't feel right."
"You're probably just worried about seeing Katyusha again." Russia sighed.
"I haven't seen her in years. What will she think of this...this monster I have become?" England was taken back by Russia's words. He had never seen him like this except for a handful of times. It made chills run up his spine.
"Believe me, she missed you very much. I'm sure Katyusha will be overjoyed to see you." Russia then smiled. Another chill ran up England's spine.
"Thank you, comrade."
The small group arrived at Kiev around nightfall. They were greeted by three people; Germany, Ukraine and Philippines.
Both Prussia and Italy joyously were reunited with Germany, with Italy wrapping his arms around the dog-like man. Prussia was able to hold himself back, and just put an arm around his brother's shoulders, but it was clear to see that the Prussian was overwhelmed to have his brother back.
Unlike Russia had thought, Ukraine welcomed him to Kiev with teary eyes and open arms. The two spoke rapidly to each other, until finally Ukraine wrapped her arms around her brother, crying heavily with joy.
England was greeted joyfully by Philippines, who tackled him in a hug the moment she saw him.
"You don't know how happy I am to see you!" the Asian exclaimed happily as England spun her in the air. "I thought they were going to kill you!"
"As did I!" added England, "But with Russia's help, we were able to escape."
"Russia helped you?!" England quickly explained to Philippines what had happened at Minsk.
"And so, here we are...still in one piece...and I'm rather glad about that now that I'm seeing you again...I would have regretted not being able to get back to our world without you. Or to even think what life would be like without me.
"Well, I'm just glad that you're okay."
"All the same with me."
"Yo, Flora!" England and Philippines stopped their reunion as Prussia walked to them,.
"I see you're back on your feet," he said as he walked over, "How's zhe arm?"
"All healed! Not even a scratch!" said Philippines. She rolled up her sleeve to show her forearm. There wasn't a wound there anymore, as if the flesh just fused back together. It didn't even look like she had been hurt in the first place.
Later that night, England and Philippines were up in a tower, watching the stars go by. It was a quiet and peaceful night, unlike what was going to come tomorrow.
England looked over at Philippines, who was watching the sky with extreme interest.
"Why is a raven like a writing desk?" said England spontaneously. Philippines looked over at him with a little smile.
"A riddle? Oh, this will be fun!" she said cheerily, "Um...let me see…" England shook his head at Philippines's ignorance.
"You know what tomorrow is, Philippines." The Asian glared at England with her dark gaze.
"The Frabjous day. How could I forget?" Philippines straightened up, "I wish that everyone would just forget about that!"
"Philippines...you have to slay the Jabberwocky."
"I don't have to slay anything! I'm not going to!" England grabbed the girl by the shoulders and spun her around to face him.
"Don't you understand? If we ever want to get home, you have to slay the Jabberwocky!" Philippines looked at the ground.
"I give up," she said after a long pause. "Why is a raven like a writing desk?" England shrugged and leaned against the balcony.
"To be honest, I don't have a single clue."
