Heirs of One
AN: Sorry about the chapters being moved around.
April 30th, 1941
Battle of Greece
Heracles raised his head up to see his target, quickly ducking to avoid getting spotted. He reloaded his Mannlicher-Schönauer and aimed down his sight. At that moment he saw the back of the Italian soldier's head. He focused his aim as he squeezed his trigger. His target in his scope fell to the ground in one shot. He moved from his cover behind a car to another piece of cover.
There were more Italians around the area and Italy was hunting for the Greek like a cat. However Feliciano was certainly not clever as one. Greece knew about that fact, since he has lived with felines smarter than the naïve nation. Then again, Feli was the favourite of Rome, living such a sheltered life. Greece and the rest of the children of the Empire had bled and sweat for North Italy when Rome was alive, just because he was the Empire's favourite child.
Greece grimaced about his memory of Rome. He was a terrible parent. He never cared for Heracles and cared more for his 'grandsons'. Of course he would. He didn't care about his bastard sons that were born left and right during Greece's childhood, including Greece himself. The current Fascist Italian government was planning to make a grand "Roman Empire" out of the two Italian brothers. For one thing, Heracles knew that such an idea was very unlikely. Romano was the very Salmoneus of arrogance and was bad tempered person, while Italy was a carefree spirit who grew in a sheltered environment from war.
On several occasions the Greek went to visit these two, since they were his half brothers. During the 20's, they would be at conflict most of the time. Greece remembered vividly one argument that they had before the Stock Market Crash.
"Fratello, please consider this." North Italy said. He had a pleading expression on his face. South Italy gave him a death glare. "Why the hell are you making friends with him again? You know about the fuck happened with we joined the Entente! We nearly lost our homes! Do you really want to make friends with Potato boy after he tried to kill us?"
"But Romano, he didn't try to kill me!"
Romano scoffed loudly at his brother's excuse. "That's because he pitied you, moron! Hiding in fucking tomato box? You are really bringing honour to our family! Grandpa would be pleased with your pathetic escapades. You don't even deserve the title of a nation."
"Don't you dare bring Roma into this! You are just jealous with my friendship with Ludwig." Venaziano snapped back. South Italy was steaming with rage.
"I had enough of you. If you want to be che amico del baro, fine. But if he decides to betray you because of your foolishness, I will not come to save your pathetic ass." Just like any argument that the brothers had, Romano would end the conflict by storming off.
After Lovino had slammed the door to his bedroom, Feliciano would talk with Greece as if nothing was wrong. At that time, Greece accepted the fact those two always fought regularly. When Mussolini came to power, it looked like the leader had changed the Italian brothers.
In the League of Nations meetings, North Italy spoke less meekly as he had in the past, but instead, spoke rather confidently and boldly. His new oration skills were most likely taught by the dictator. As for Italy's southern counterpart, Lovino was more reserved in his speaking and his language was severely toned down even if he was upset, which was a miracle.
To Greece, Mussolini had achieved a marvelous goal of balancing the quirks of both Italies and made them more disciplined, like a German. It was odd, but Greece thought not much of it. When the Italians had mobilized a takeover in Abyssinia, the Greek began to worry. The two were asking for the wrath from the League, but the nations in the organization did nothing. Greece would have led an army to push them out, but he couldn't just as well. None of them had any resources to send an army to discourage the Italies.
When the Italians began to expand in Africa, Heracles realized the threat that the Italian armies were. They were massive in number, and the Venaziano and Romano were seemingly united to claim the empty throne of Rome. There was no way the Roman Empire return, because Greece will make it so.
Rome had killed his mother, but he never got the chance to avenge her death as he died by a barbarian. With the Italies coveting the lost throne of power, Heracles will not hesitate to commit fratricide on both of them. Never again shall such another Roman Empire exist, so long as Greece still existed.
October 27th, 1940 12:00 PM
Greece woke up from his early afternoon nap to the sound of knocking at his front door. He silently gestured for his numerous, nameless cats to scurry off his bed. He went to answer the door, finding Feliciano at the door. "Hello fratellastro! May I come in here to talk you?" Greece stretched his nap. He nodded, allowing the nation to enter his house.
"So what brings you to Athens, ιταλία? It's not usual that you come here," They sat down around Greece's kitchen table, on wooden stools.
"I just wanted to spend more time with you."
"How caring of you," Greece chuckled. One of his cats approached Italy. The Italian picked up the cat. As both countries discussed, Italy subconsciously played with the cat.
"Do you want anything to drink or eat?" Greece asked.
"No thanks, Hercules, I just ate before I came here."
"It's Heracles, Feli. Hercules is what… father called me. I do not like my name changed." Greece softly said.
"Speaking of change, Greece, I want to ask you if you are willing to be united with me."
Greece responded with a suspicious glare, thinking of what happened to Albania and several British colonies in Africa. "What did you say? Please say that again."
"I mean an alliance, fratellostro! We would be buoni amici! It's just I need you cooperate with me. I just need your territory to-"
Greece's hands slammed onto the table. "Get out." Italy began to sweat nervously.
"H-Hercules, you didn't let me-"
"Finish your annex ultimatum? One last warning again, as I said, you are no longer welcome in my house." Italy began to sputter with words. Greece's eyes bored into Italy fiercely like a cat looking at a mouse.
"Out, NOW!" Greece raised his voice louder. Venaziano quickly ran out of the kitchen, leaving the front door ajar as he fled. Greece looked out to the road where he could see Italy running.
October 28th, 1940 4:00 AM
The Italian ambassador was speaking to the Greek Prime minister, Ioannis Metaxas. Greece was at the meeting that morning. Although he was sleepy as he had a nocturnal lifestyle, he was wide awake for his leader to speak. Although Greece had refused to be annexed to Italy, his personal opinion was fruitless if Metaxas wanted to the country to be annexed.
"You must accept, Prime Minister. Joining our dear Mussolini would be of a great benefit to your people and ours as well. If you do not accept, our armies will occupy this land for our own use."
"Alors, c'est la guerre." Mextaxas said. The Italian Ambassador left the parliament building in a flustered state. After he had left, the Greek people cheered for their government for resisting the annex. Greece did not celebrate just yet. Either way even if Metaxas gave in to the ultimatum, Italy would attempt to take Greece's home.
April 23, 1941
Greco Italian War:
Battle of Pindus
"Damn this terrain!" North Italy whined. He struck the barrel of his gun in his nearest crevice in the hill. There weren't as many hills in his home! He used his gun as a walking stick as he walked up the large hill among his soldiers. Many of them were exhausted as well, as they had been constantly being pushed back by the Greeks, even losing Albania in the process. The younger nation wished that his older brother would finish his campaign in Africa and assist Italy with more tanks! Prussia was another option, but the old timer wasn't himself lately. He wasn't the same alcoholic, boisterous man that Italy knew before this war. It was like something in the man changed.
As for Germany, he was already busy with managing the invasion of Britain; so he couldn't help at this moment. Even if Ludwig was not busy with his invasion plans, Italy still wanted to take Greece on his own, as his grandfather had done so with Ancient Greece. Unfortunately, Hercules had resisted a simple annex like how Italy had done with Albania, so he had to be occupied to take the Mediterranean for the Axis.
But Italy hadn't faced such harsh conditions since he had fought in the trenches of his homeland to protect himself from Austria and Hungary. However, instead of mud and rain, the Greek terrain was very mountainous and dry during the spring and summers. The Italians barely found much sources of water for their thirsts, and their direness killed them slowly, day by day. There was not enough water to go around.
As the country was sulking in misery, a mortar shot exploded near his position. He was sent flying through the air as he crashed lower down the hill. The Italian grunted in pain. His legs were broken. The sinews and tissues in those limbs were burning hot. Thankfully he wasn't buried in the explosion, or he would have been stranded for a while. He rested his head on the rocky ground, waiting for his body to heal. Suddenly, he heard a pair of boots stomp next to his head.
A Greek soldier stabbed his bayonet into Feliciano's jugular. "Bastardo!" Italy swore. Confused, the soldier stabbed the country in the chest, but still did not kill him. When he pulled his weapon out of the Italian's ribs, he was quickly disarmed. Italy's body was completely repaired, much to the surprise of the private. After dispatching the enemy grunt with a neck snap, Italy grabbed his battered rifle from the ground. Just from a mile from him, he could see Greece aiming at group of Italians, unaware of his half brother's presence. Venaziano took aim with his rifle, and squeezed the trigger... there was no bullet. A loud click from the rifle's hammer was all that Italy could hear.
Italy checked the ammunition on his gun. It was still a complete clip in the damn gun! He then checked the barrel of his weapon, revealing that it was twisted and melted from the mortar blast. It was useless! Italy salvaged his bayonet and ammo from the gun, tossing the broken rifle aside. He took the rifle from the dead soldier off the ground and aimed. He fired a shot at Greece, but missed when the country ducked down. Italy fired again, but it missed its mark. He decided to move in closer towards his target to throw a grenade.
Heracles saw North Italy coming towards him and pulled the pin to his own grenade. He chucked the grenade down the hill just as Italy's hit the ground near Greece. Both nations were knocked away from their explosives. Feliciano recovered first and charged towards Greece with his stolen rifle. Greece took hold of his rifle and fired at pointblank when the Italian came close enough.
Italy screamed in pain as Greece's bullet shattered his kneecap. Bits of his kneecaps were blown off. In the time his legs were nearly healed from the splash damage, He was surprised by Greece. He was tackled onto the rocky ground. Greece slugged Italy at his lower jaw, knocking some of the nation's teeth out. Droplets of blood were sprayed lightly onto the ground out of Feliciano's mouth. Italy desperately reached for his dirt encrusted bayonet. He sloppily grabbed it after a few failed attempts and thrust it at his assailant. Heracles cried out, feeling the blade enter through his skull.
Greece's body fell off of Italy, blanking out for a moment. As soon as he was conscious again, he wrenched the weapon out of his head. When he opened his eyes, he was frozen in shock. It could not be- he was dead! Greece had seen him die by some barbarian's hands!
The Roman Empire was standing right in front of him. Greece's mouth was agape. His ears ignored the sounds of the battle raging around him and purely focused on the Empire. Heracles blinked twice just to see if his eyes were hallucinating. After the second blink, Heracles realized that he was really in front of "him".
The old Empire looked at Greece with an arrogant look, with a sinister glint in his eyes. The Empire had a bloody gladius in one hand and at his feet, was Greece's…mother. Heracles' fists balled up in rage. He started shed tears as his usual calm demeanor turned savage. Greece turned berserk.
Italy was grabbed by Greece and was pummeled by him. He was frightened by his half brother's sudden change of personality.
"AH! Greece, please stop!" Italy cried out. Heracles had twisted the younger nation's hair curl. Every nation had a sensitive spot on their body. As for the Italian siblings, their special areas were a long hair curl. Greece continued to twist harder and harder on the curl. Tears streamed out of the Italian's eyes. Italy let out an agonized scream of pain.
"Δεν είστε ο πατέρας μου!" Greece screamed. He wrapped his right bony hand around Feliciano's thin neck, squeezing circulation off from his throat like a boa. Italy's struggles faded as his eyes closed.
Greece panted in exhaustion. He had finally avenged his Mother. He wiped his tears from his dusty face. He felt so relieved.
Rome was finally… dead? His sight of the fallen Empire altered back to Italy. 'Dear Zeus, what have I done?' Heracles looked his bloody, stressed hands with shock. Realizing he was still in the battlefield, Greece carried Italy's body out of the battle. He left his body near an Italian medical vehicle.
Weeks after Greco Italian War
"Wer ist los?"
"Germany, I need some help. Greece has been delaying my men in the Mediterranean. I need reinforcements to occupy his territory. I know that you still have your hands full with taking care of the Atlantic, but I need support now."
Italy heard Germany sigh on the phone. "Italy, I feel that you have been not pulling your weight in our alliance. You came in late to help me when my blitzkrieg was successful."
"But I would have sent my troops into France if you were being pushed back!"
"You dummkopf, that is the problem! My troops attacked alone while you sat back and vaited. If my strategy was stalled for weeks in enemy territory, Hitler's plan could have easily been ruined!" Germany snapped.
"If my troops were being pushed back rapidly by the damned Allies, your assistance would have been futile! Feliciano, I entrusted you that the countries of the Mediterranean vould be under your control after you had stalled before attacking France, but I see that you are completely incompetent!" Germany yelled.
"Ci dispiace, Germania." Italy meekly said. Even though he was not talking to the German directly, he could sense the man's frustration. Italy was well aware of his ally's short temper.
"Venaziano, a simple apology will not be enough," Germany grumbled back.
"I want verdammt results! I will assist you in your invasion of Greece, but from that then on, you will must capture all of the Mediterranean on your own. Do I make myself clear?"
"Si,"
"Gute."
April 30th, 1941
Battle of Greece
Greece ducked back from peeking behind a wall. A bullet ricocheted right where his head used to be. He checked his rounds. He found fifteen left in his pouch. He loaded his weapon. He peeked out again, only for his face to meet the sole of a boot. Greece toppled back into the corner where he was taking cover. He recovered quickly, and dodged as Italy emptied his Beretta at him.
After the Italian finished shooting, Greece charged at Italy and swung his rifle at him. Italy backed off from the first and second swipes. At the third swing, Italy countered, punching him in the jaw. Greece grunted in annoyance. He slammed into the wall behind him, but recovered for another attack.
Just as Heracles prepared to attack once again, he felt a long sharp knife stab through his spine. He turned his head to see his ambusher, Germany.
"You German bastard," Greece breathed out. His whole body collapsed to the ground. He could not move. He was completely crippled by the attack. It was over. He had los-
Greece's thought instantly stopped after the bullet from Italy hit its mark.
Italy blew the smoke off his Beretta. It was slow start to a new Roman Empire, but it would get better from here. With Greece out of the way, more of the Mediterranean was now Axis territory. Soon enough, he would be celebrating with Romano, partying the night away when the day the Allied forces fully abandon their campaigns in Africa and the Mediterranean.
Historical Notes:
1. Salmoneus was a very vain ruler from Greek mythology. He had called himself a god, which sparked [no pun intended] Zeus' rage and the king was killed with a lightning bolt for his arrogance.
2. Mussolini had wanted to turn Italy into a new Roman Empire, thus followed the expansion history of the ancient civilization, starting with Greece.
3. The conflict before the Battle of Greece was the Greco Italian War. The war had happened due to Greece refusing to be annexed by Fascist Italy. This resulted in a botched invasion by the Italians, which was repelled by the Greeks. For weeks before the Battle of Greece, the Italians and Greeks were at a massive stalemate, neither side gaining or losing any territory.
4. The Germans had done the finishing blow on the Greek army, allowing the Italians to take over the nation.
Translations
Greek:
Ιταλία-Italy
Δεν είστε ο πατέρας μου- Eisai ochi dikos mou pateras- You are not my father
Italian:
Fratellastro- Step/half brother
Fratello- Brother
Ci dispiace- I am sorry
Germania- Germany
Si- Yes
Che amico del baro- That barbarian's friend
Buoni amici- Good friends
German:
Dummkopf- Idiot
Ver ist los- Who is it
Gute- Good
Verdammt-Damn
