Chapter 15
BREAKING NEWS: Nuclear Attacks Devastate Lisbon and other major Portuguese Cities - Death Toll is estimated in the millions:
A terrorist cell associated with the Catalan separatist groups had claimed responsibility, claiming that technical error had veered the black-market acquired nuclear warheads they somehow acquired into Portugal, in lieu of the intended targets: Barcelona and Madrid-
"Bullshit" Alfred spat at Maria's smartphone. "Catalan separatists?! She has to be smoking that good stuff if she believes that baloney."
The People's Republic of China has extended its hand in condolence, and has sent billions in aid for the all-but-devastated nation. Almost 90% of the Portuguese population are affected, with 20% dying instantly in the inferno. Deaths from fallout are already being reported. The foreign minister of the PRC has led global condemnation of the disaster. This is Dana Evans reporting
"You sneaking son of a" Alfred tried to grab the smartphone and smash it into the ground, but Maria made him heel, "Don't you dare, I'm still six months short of the payment plan!"
"I just can't believe that old bastard's going to get away with this and turn this into a damn publicity stunt. We were all there when he threatened all of us, why is no one calling him out?!"
"Because, Al, we are influenced by our people, and we know it when a lot of our people know something. But our peoples do not know all that we know. They'd drop dead from information overload if they did. But a few of our people, the most patriotic, will get a feeling and investigate on their own"
"There were lots of them in the old days" said Maria. "Jose Rizal was so in-sync with me that he could see right through the Imperial Powers' bullshit, as if I spilled the tea on him daily. I only visited him once, in the guise of a little girl. Nowadays, people are more cynical about nationalism, or looking at things on a global scale instead of national. Maybe that's for the best…"
"Where's the yacht taking us?" asked Alfred.
"Somewhere north of Corsica. Knowing this is a yacht, we're probably headed to Monaco" replied Japan.
"I should've brought some Louis Vuitton, I won't have her subliminally calling me poor" muttered Maria half-jokingly. "Why would they send us to Monaco?"
"Because she's a country in a country. To be more precise, she's a country in two countries. She's right between France and Italy. If China tries anything funny, he'll have to get through them before Monaco."
The television screen hooked up to the yacht's computer lit up, revealing Belgium's face. Her hair was dishevelled and singed. She had been busy coordinating financial aid flow and keeping everyone in touch. Her voice was tinged with woe, though they couldn't tell if she knew about what happened to Portugal. She briefed the trio on the events after the cataclysm:
"Everyone made it out safe, well, everyone except…" She shivered and shed a tear. "What's important is that you are safe and on your way to Monaco. She will brief you on our next plan and action"
"We still have a plan?" asked Maria.
"Absolutely. England told me to tell you to go to Peru after Monaco. He believes. Frank may hold the key to unlocking Alfred's memory and allow him to play his full part in the coming war"
"They got nukes banging our capitals and my amnesia's still your top priority?"
"America, listen. China's only got balls to do this because you're not in the equation. Adding you back into our roster at your full power is our only hope of stopping his plans" Belgium explained. "I know you feel embarrassed, but the sooner you get your memories back, the sooner you can help us by kicking arse out there."
"Understood"
Belgium disconnected.
The port of Monaco was now in view, and they could make out the figure of a woman waving at the port. Upon docking, Miss Monaco hopped on board to greet the three. She wore impeccably fancy attire in the latest Parisian trends. She hugged them one by one, eyeing Alfred peculiarly. "I am relieved to see all of you are safe! I haven't taken my eyes off the TV, except when monsieur England told me to prepare for your arrival. Come! You look like you crawled through a sewer"
"We did, sis"
"Non!" Monaco gasped. "Those savages! If wars were fought with gambling, I would've liked to throw my hands at that cul Cathay myself!"
Monaco's jibes hid a hurting heart. She had heard of Portugal's demise and her usual paranoia was at an all-time high. Snark was her only defence from a breakdown. She led them to her house, not far from the docks. She cooked and prepared new clothes. "Amang maawain!"Maria gasped, staring at the immaculate outfits she prepared "Michelle, this is all real Gucci!"
"You know it!" Monaco beamed. "After such a harrowing ordeal, you need a boost of morale. I know I'd be happier fighting in style!"
"And if we lose, at least we get to flex on 'em" America jabbed, replacing his digital watch with a legitimate Rolex.
She heaped a light Italian alfresco dinner before them. "About monsieur England, he told me some funny things"
"I don't sense anything funny, at least nothing in the last 12 hours," said Japan.
"He was telling me that the three of you are part of a larger team he is assembling for the coming war"
"Does he have a double life directing a paramilitary force and wearing an eye patch?" muttered America.
"I don't know about ze paramilitary things, but he was absolutely gorgeous in his pirate outfit. Ah, mon Dieu! He can ransack me anytime!"
"That's too much tea, sis" said Maria, shifting in her seat. Japan had sunk until his nose was level with the tablecloth
Monaco giggled. "Anyway, this is no Avengers he's assembling, if you think of it. He knows World War Three eez upon us, and there is a prophecy that convinces him you are the first three of the seven we need to end ze war as quickly as possible!"
Japan was incredulous. "A prophecy?"
"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call" Maria recited
"To storm or fire the world must fall"followed Alfred
Monaco shook her head. "No no, not that. We already got through that one"
Maria and Alfred looked at each other. "Michelle?" Maria piped up. "We were quoting a YA novel"
Monaco nodded. "That's what we want you to think. Only a few nations are aware that we share this Earth with fellow immortal beings whom we share a cultural connection of influence. Their children shape our destinies, while our partaking in their symbolisms shapes them. It's already crazy enough with us, but if ze tea got out that these other beings exist, well, just imagine how conservative countries would react"
"I can't talk for the nuts in other places, but Palin and Cameron would be SHOOK" offered America.
"They're all here, with us? Demigods, witches, aliens, sparkly vampires and all that jazz?" asked Maria.
"They're ALL here" answered Monaco.
Maria was shook. Alfred just smiled. "That's one for the World War Three bingo card"
The morning sun was rising when they prepared to embark for Brazil. Maria insisted on taking a lot of mosquito repellent. Japan was busy encoding the coordinates after spending the whole night reading the manual for the yacht. America tried target practice in Monaco's private range. Monaco broke the proverbial wine bottle (of sparkling Monte Carlo, no less), granting them good luck for the journey. After a last goodbye and thanks to Michelle, the three boarded the yacht and set sail for South America.
"About that prophecy jazz" said Maria seriously. "I knew reading YA was the right idea. We should start considering who the other four are"
"The other four-?" Alfred was confused.
"The other four nations of the Prophecy, if I can call it that"
"Well, the original Allies had five members. Suppose we swap you and Japan for Russia and China and make room for Matt and some other guy"
"Omigosh, you remember Matt now?!"
Alfred clutched at his temples. "Oww, yeah. He's slowly coming in. I dunno why he'd be seeping in first before anyone else"
"Duh, you're twins"
"Nope, I can remember Matt being a decade or two older, but I grew faster" Alfred said, now with more confidence. "I wonder if he's thinking about us. I didn't see him"
"Me, neither. But I know one thing's for sure, Al. Your brother loves you very much"
Japan added his own theories on who the other four would be, using his own anime to guide his theories, treating the Cold War and the War on Terror as "development arcs" that would determine which nations would likely play a central role in the New Allies.
"Brazil is a very good candidate," he began. "You two are on good terms and he has ambitions of playing a bigger part in world affairs in the future. My other three would be France, England himself, and Australia"
Maria rolled her eyes. "Y'all sleep on the women, as usual. Israel is a boss bitch; she has key access to the Levantine front, very important spot, by the way, plus you can be sure she's on our side. I can't see her being on the same team as Iran no matter what's in it for her. You also didn't consider Hungary, Vietnam and Taiwan, who will be on the frontlines"
"Either Israel or England, we can't have too many glass cannon wizards" countered Japan. "Saudi Arabia's power level has jumped in the last few decades. He is easily A-tier and will also be unlikely to side with Iran"
"But he won't like working with Israel, either. Maybe he'll just play the sides and make a killing selling oil. Besides, we haven't considered Germany" Maria pointed out.
"Meh" said Alfred. "I don't feel like teaming up with him, he doesn't exactly have a winning streak with this sort of thing"