(February 2022 – a week and a half later)
"MEIN GOTT!"
Prussia stared at his cell phone, his mind not believing what his eyes were reading. It was another text message from Spain, and this one was, well, unbelievable and downright UN-awesome.
The United Nations building was no longer in New York City. In fact, according to Spain, the construction of the new building, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, had started shortly two years prior and was now completed. On top of that, his fellow BTT member was now receiving an invitation to join the G8. America had finally officially bowed out after giving both Greece and Spain one hell of a bailout. Their economies were faring better with the influx of cash and manufacturing sites.
All of this was not awesome for the albino. America wasn't the biggest airhead in the world like everyone thought he was. Hell, it was America who had called it after World War I on the effectiveness of the League of Nations! He'd refused to join because of how ineffective the first attempt to unite the nations of the world was going to be, not to mention it was against the Monroe Doctrine he had agreed upon under President James Monroe. No other nation could say that! Plus, there was the city of King of Prussia in Pennsylvania. How could Prussia not like America for that?
Oh, it wasn't to say that Gilbert was completely unhappy with some of the developments. Spain and Greece were in dire need of some kind of financial assistance, and his younger brother's government faced the brunt of each and every request for money. America handing out some much needed money was a boon, but there was the question where the younger nation was finding the resources. The last anyone knew, the exuberant nation's economy still limped along, and the political and religious drama continued to compound an expedient recovery. The albino wondered just how many Americans were complaining right now about the amount of money spent and donated to Greece, Spain, and all of Africa. Sure, many Americans didn't mind helping other countries. It was one of the great things about U.S. citizens. When their neighbors needed a hand, if there was anyone in need, the vast majority Americans rose up to the occasion, heedless of their fellow compatriots' complaints.
'How can this be happening?' Prussia ran one hand through his hair and pulled. Not tugged but pulled. America, Alfred, was his bro in crime, much like how he, Francis and Antonio were the Bad Touch Trio. He, Denmark, and America made up the Awesome Trio. It just how it was.
"What is the matter this time?" Austria demanded in his usual haughty tone. He stuck his head into Prussia's room. "Hungary turn you down again?"
The albino narrowed his eyes at his, er, well, cousin. The music-lover stared down his nose. Prussia wanted to punch him.
"Nein," he growled. "Nein. Amerika . . ."
"Amerika?" At this, Austria blinked. He also sobered when he noticed the phone in Prussia's hand. "I see. What is the news?"
"New U.N. building in Canada," Prussia answered, still growling. He sprang from his bed. "Started two years ago. Whole world is now just finding out. Totally UN-awesome! Where is Germany?"
"He is . . . speaking with his boss." Austria followed him. "There are . . . Americans still in his lands."
"They can't leave," Prussia said. "Not until we get some answers."
His rage burned in his blood as he sought his younger brother out . . .
He really hadn't wanted to be involved in a squabble between America and England. He truly had not, and so had his boss. England was a powerhouse in his own right. A bit stuffy and arrogant but no one wanted to mess the island nation. He'd built himself into being the world's largest military and navy. America didn't stand a chance against him, but the youth was certainly determined to try.
Except for France, who was probably the world's biggest masochist. Anyone with two eyes could see just how much the French nation was smitten with England, despite Arthur's lousy treatment of him (and everyone else) and the island nation's greediness.
'Perhaps that's why he's backing Alfred,' Prussia mused, sinking into his cot. While his country wasn't getting involved too directly in America's revolution, his boss had decided to send some help. 'Francis will do anything to get that pipsqueak riled up.'
He'd just closed his eyes when he caught the faint hint of footsteps approaching his tent. Weariness gone, he slowly, methodically rose up from his cot. He picked up his blade in the same movement.
Whoever it was stopped just outside his tent. Prussia held his breath, waiting. Then a soft cough escaped the person, and he exhaled.
'Alfred,' he muttered in his head. He relaxed and waited.
But the boy said nothing. Instead, he stood outside the tent for several minutes, muffling coughs and kicking his feet around. Prussia narrowed his eyes and was about to snap something at America for interrupting him. The entire time, something felt horribly wrong and off, but Prussia, for the life of him, couldn't pinpoint what it was.
'What does he want to be disturbing the awesome me?'
Finally, America slipped away, a soft hiccup escaping him. Prussia stared where the younger nation had so obviously stood for several minutes, mystified and annoyed.
"Impetuous youth," he grumbled to himself before settling back into his cot.
'What did I miss back then?' Prussia thought to himself. 'What happened to bring him there that night but not for him to say anything? Why didn't I ask anything back then? What is going on with you, Alfred?'
He marched forward with dogged determination, Austria following close behind.
xXx-Dark-Intentions-xXx
Austria kept his silence as he followed his cousin toward Germany's office. Word of the new U.N. building had reached him, too, and he wasn't sure what to make of this latest revelation. Shock was the only word to describe how he felt.
'I don't even know what to do.' The frugal nation wrung his hands. 'How I wish I could just go to my piano and play, pretend this isn't happening.'
He sighed then pinched the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses back into place. America's actions confused him, they confused the rest of the world, and no one knew what to make of anything that was happening. A small part of Austria insisted that America's actions were nothing more than elaborate prank, one that had gone on for far too long, but an overwhelming sensation of wrong and off left him sick to his stomach even contemplating everything as a prank. America was many things – childish, over bubbly and idiotic at times – but one thing Austria had always known was that the younger nation would stick to his morals and convictions no matter what. Once he decided upon a course of action, he saw it through to the very end.
And Austria, Roderich, had a grudging respect for Alfred and his citizens. After World War I . . .
'He could have joined England and France in blaming Germany for my actions,' Austria told himself. 'He could have made Ludwig's punishment all the worst by demanding reparations, but he didn't. He didn't believe in it and wanted nothing to do with it. How was he able to forgive so easily?'
He almost lost himself in thought, in memories, but Gilbert kicking in Ludwig's door brought him up short.
"America," the albino nation began.
"Ja, he is here," Germany mumbled. Instead of sitting his back straight and his posture perfect, Ludwig rested his head on his desk, his arms folded in front of him. "His delegation is on its vay."
"But he isn't."
"Nein," Germany answered.
Inside the door, Austria fidgeted. He'd never seen either of his brothers look so desperate (Prussia) or so despondent (Germany).
"We must," Prussia began.
"Must vhat?" German asked. He only lifted his gaze up to his older brother, not his head. Austria moved forward. "Get there before he leaves? How do you propose ve do that? By the time ve get there, he vill be gone, just as he vas in all zhe other countries. He is making a point to not see us."
"That is not good enough," Austria snapped. He slammed his hands on top of Germany's desk. "We must do something. We can't just stand around and talk about it."
"And vhat do you suggest?" Now Germany sat up straight, his blue eyes glittering. With anger or curiosity, Austria could not say. Reading Germany wasn't as easy as everyone thought it to be.
"Greece and Japan, they call for a world conference, yes?" Austria pulled back, folded his arms across his chest, and tapped his foot. "But no one will do it, hrm? You can, though."
"Me?" At that, Germany blinked.
"America calls for a world conference, you maintain the order. Isn't that what you two agreed upon so long ago? He knows . . ." The realization slammed into Austria's chest, and he had to pause a moment to catch his breath. "He knows no one will take him seriously if he tries so he lets you do all the shouting and getting everyone in line. Is that what that has been all along?"
"Perhaps." Germany grinned, if only slightly.
"Well then," Austria sniffed. "If that's the case, you should be able to call a world conference, too, and have the same results as America."
"Maybe . . . I shall at least try."
"Call his embassy, too," Prussia insisted. "Get him on the phone. Don't let him leave without us seeing him first. At least invite him over for a meal or something."
"I shall try to do that, too."
Germany picked up his official phone and started to dial. Austria backed away and tugged on Prussia to do the same. They had at least convinced Ludwig to try. And if there was anyone else in the world that had the same dogged determination as America, it was Germany.
"I'll go prepare some food," he said, stepping towards the door. Germany nodded and shooed him out with his free hand.
"Food? At a time like this?" Prussia demanded.
"Yah." Austria sniffed. "America likes my cooking. Always has. Told me once it was better than England's, and if we're going to lure him here with a meal, shouldn't we at least have it ready?"
"Everyone's cooking is better than England's," Prussia retorted, but he cracked a smile.
Austria returned it without much feeling.
xXx-Dark-Intentions-xXx
Germany tapped the end of his pen against his desk, waiting for someone at the American embassy to pick up the phone. By intuition alone, he sensed his boss, a few of their own ambassadors, and the American delegates coming towards his house. America, while in his lands, was most decidedly not with them and giving off some strange, dark vibes. Those vibes skewed Germany's senses, his head pounding from whatever effort America was putting into his actions.
Vibes. They were the only way for Ludwig to describe the wrongness and off about what America was doing. The younger nation had somehow become imbalanced, but which way his actions would swing remained the mystery. If he changed his mind about suicide and decided to declare war against China . . .
'I will side with him,' Germany decided. 'He stood by me when no one else wanted to. It is the least I can do to repay him. But I must first know what he is up to.'
By the fourth ring, an answering machine picked up. Germany resisted the urge to curse under his breath.
'Diplomacy.'
"Er, hello, Amerika," he began. Oh, how he hated talking on the phone sometimes! "I vas hoping you and I could talk. I . . ." He shook his head. "I vant to say I'm sorry for vhat I said the last time I saw you. I vas under a lot of stress. I still am. But it vas vrong of me to do so. Ve all have had our problems over the years. For that, I am truly sorry. I vish to know vhat is going on. Vhatever it is, know that I . . . am grateful for all you have done for me. It isn't alvays easy to remember the good you have done . . . and know I vill never forget all that you have done for me. It vas . . . fun vorking on your space program together. I am certain I vill see you vhen your delegation arrives, but if not, I hope you hear this. Ve need to hold a vorld conference, and ve need you present. I . . . vill let you know vhen it is happening. Ja? Ja." He nodded, embarrassment burning his face. "I hope to hear from you soon. Oh, and Austria and Prussia are here, too. They vish for you to come over. Austria is cooking something . . . perhaps some bratvursts and sauerkraut. It isn't anything fancy, not like what France vould cook, but it is still something. Again, I am sorry . . . I . . . I hope to see you soon. Aufweidersohn."
Germany hung up the phone, nausea rolling around in his gut. He wanted to hang his head in shame, too.
If it hadn't been for America after World War I, England and France would have destroyed Germany. The blond nation knew this, understood this. America had funneled funds to him to keep him afloat. Inflation in his lands had been unbearable, but when America's own economy crashed, well, Germany had been as every bit desperate as his leaders. He didn't hate his Jewish denizens, but they had been so easy to blame.
'I do not blame him for what happened. I blame myself. For being so weak and so . . . unlikeable. I wonder if this what Amerika feels whenever he hears what others have to say about him.' The thought itself was sobering . . .
"Hey, I heard a rumor . . ."
Ludwig cast a narrow-eyed glance at his fellow nation, irritation flooding him. America was always bouncing about, always so full of energy, and this day had been no exception. In fact, this day, the young nation was beyond his usual bouncy nature. His blue eyes sparkled with joy that rivaled that of the Christmas holiday season. With a sigh, Ludwig shook his head.
"I am not interested in gossping about Russia," he said in a low growl. He chanced a look at their bosses. After all, what else could America want to talk about beyond the fall of the Soviet Union? The young nation had won against Ivan, and he hadn't had to fire a shot to do it.
"Me, neither," Alfred stated, a slight frown crossing his features. It was replaced with an even larger grin than before. "But I am more interested in what's going on here."
"Here?" Ludwig suddenly felt wary. "Vhat do you mean by here?"
Alfred, too, glanced at their leaders before leaning in. "I hear that the wall is coming down," came the whispered response. "I want to see if it's true"
"Vhat?"
For a moment, Ludwig couldn't think. His brain refused to function. The words sounded like an impossibility.
'But if the Soviet Union ish falling . . . no . . . no if. It ish. The vorld already knows this . . . then it'sh possible. I can see my bruder again. How could I not . . .' The moment he realized it was a possibility, an overwhelming sense of joy took a hold of him, refused to leave him. The urge to sing and dance right there, right in front of his and America's bosses, filled him. His people were happy. They were at the wall, and they were tearing it APART.
"I wanna go see it," America whispered. "Don't you?"
"More than anything," Germany breathed. "Does . . . does Austria know?"
"We can tell him and grab him on our way," the young nation promised. "Let's go."
He snapped his head up. The American delegates and his boss had arrived at his home, interrupting his reverie. They weren't at the door, but he sensed them all the same.
'Time to see what is going to happen.'
Germany smoothed back his hair and glanced at his clock. As much as he hated about what was to happen next, he still had no choice with the meeting.
'Time to get this party started, as America would say.'
It's been a long, long three and a half years since I lost the original chapter six to this story as well as the interlude, Chapter seven, and the beginnings of Chapter 14. I know what the next interlude is going to be and that Chapter Seven focuses on Italy and Romano. Beyond that, I don't know when I'll get to update again as I've got my chapter list in a different location from where I currently reside.
What has happened? Flash drive crashed, to never be revived again, and I've moved. A lot. Like from Washington state to Pennsylvania to Oklahoma back to Michigan back to Oklahoma and finally landing in Louisiana. Oh, and I've published three original stories to Kindle, Smashwords, and NOOK (NOOK sales are currently suspended while I try an experiment with Kindle).
So end of chapter references, mainly for Prussia and Germany.
During the American Revolution, the founding fathers sought aid from both Prussia and France in order to gain independence. Prussia, due to its current relations with England, opted out BUT they sent one of their best generals over to train revolutionaries. The training was rough, rigorous, and, at one point, the Americans trained by the Prussian general were given no ammo and had to use their bayonets alone. If not for that, the colonies may not have survived as many battles as they did.
For Germany, I have it on good authority from a German exchange student that, after World War I, the U.S. bankrolled Germany. We were paying the struggling Germany's debts to England and France. When our economy tanked, so did theirs, which aided in giving rise to one Adolph Hitler.
Adding in on 03/20/2020
Hello! I haven't forgotten this story, not in the least! I'm currently trying to complete an MCU fic dealing with Loki (one of my favorite writing subjects), and this story is back on my writing docket. Unfortunately, once again, my chapter list is in a completely different location than I am. I swear I need to type that blasted thing up, either on my phone or my laptop so I don't need to worry about who is being featured in chapters eight and nine. I do have the next chapter going, though, and this story's writing will be resumed upon completing Loki's Exile and a Star Ocean story called Crystal Geode. I'm aiming for this summer. Thanks again, love you guys so very much! I just made some edits and additions to this chapter. 3
Adding in on 11/30/2020: I originally wrote about the Berlin Wall, but I don't know what happened to that section. As that was a major event in world history, not just for Germans, and it's one for my living memory, I had to add it back in. I watched on television as Germans on both sides tore that wall down and were happy to be reunited with family members. I can only imagine the joy and relief the Germans in Berlin felt at that time.
Reposted for the addition.
Also, I would like to take this opportunity to announce I FOUND MY CHAPTER LIST! REJOICE ALL YE HETALIA FANS! I found my chapter list and typed it up to a word document on my flash drive, which is also backed up to my laptop. I'll be backing up the primary flash drive to another flash drive and uploading the document to what I'm calling the Reading Sampler, which has a crazy-ass updating schedule I'd like to pretend I can complete. LOL. So I have copies of the chapter list, intermissions included. REJOICE! I know I am. ^_^
Next chapter is underway, and I hope to update again next month! Stay tuned, thank you so much for reading, and I love you all!