Without giving any of his family a chance to process this information, Canada began to read the document. Seychelles barely heard anything, only one sentence he read ringing in her mind. "I, Canada, officially recognize Quebec as an independent country." He said a lot more of official information, recited important names and the Prime Minister's signature, and turned to France and England to have them recognize Quebec as well. Seychelles could here Canada talking sofy to convince them, but it sounded far away, as though through a fish tank.
She remembered when Canada had sat down and discussed this with her, and requested her approval. At the time, perhaps because she was such a small country herself, she had been quick to approve. The Quebecois soldiers surrounding them broke into a cheer, and Seychelles grabbed Canada by the sleeve and pulled him away, to a private tent. "What are you thinking?" She demanded, upset. Canada responded with a smile. "Québec has been asking for independence for a long time. I'm approving it."
England had a sad look in his eyes, understanding what Canada had done and the consequences, but unable to rebuke him. "But if Québec goes independent, then if Saskatchewan falls-" Seychelles didn't finish her sentence. France muffled a sob in his hands. "It won't fall." England cut in, his voice firm with belief. "America is on his way there now to stop Russia. He'll protect Saskatchewan." Canada dropped to the floor heavily, Kumajiro wiggling out of his grip. France rushed to him with a cry. "It's too late." Canada said softly, brokenly. "America bore the pain for me so I could make to announcement. Even now I'm borrowing the Spirit of the North's life force." He bent his forehead to the bear's forehead. "What are you saying?" France demanded, tearily, refusing to understand.
England fell onto a chair, holding himself tightly with his arms as though to protect himself from the truth. Seychelles felt her heart speed up as she began to realize what Canada was saying. "No, it can't be." she whispered, but the words came out silent. Canada met Frances eyes, a sad, regretfully expression forming on his face. "Saskatchewan has already fallen." as he spoke, a piece of his face seemed to crack and crumble away. Seychelles flinch away, and France let out a low, keening wail.
"Canada." For the first time the bear remembered the man's name. Canada turned his attention to the bear. "Kumajiro." He responded, saying a name that he had not called in over a century. The bear was torn. He wanted to run, to hide, to fight, to do something, but he knew that there was nothing he could do. The man reached out his hands and curled them around the bear, even as they began to crumble into dust. "I'm scared." The bear murmured. The other countries watched the scene as though they were separated from the man and the beast by an invisible barrier.
Canada smiled, sadly. "Me too." He bent his head into the bear's furry ear and whispered into his ears. As he spoke, the beast felt his form changing, growing smaller, sprouting wings. His owner's final whisper seemed to echo in his head as the nations crumbled away, and he knew what he needed to do. Kumajiro took to the sky, Carrying not only Canada's last words, but also a purpose. As the beast spiraled into the air, a sound more broken and wild then any animal split the air. It was a cry of a heart breaking, a country disappearing, and a family left behind.
Somewhere, on the border of Saskatchewan, America froze, tears pouring down his face, and it began to rain in Washington DC, where it had been sunny only moments before.
