Hetalia
Tri-Stars
Three ordinary girls somehow get transported into the anime world of Hetalia, where they're somehow called "Elements". More importantly, everyone around them is crazy, there's a lot of really hot/perverted guys, it's only 1942, and a meteor is coming to "end" World War II...and the world!
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Death And Rebirth
While America was making his plans to end the war by using nuclear weapons against Japan (and, reassuring Italy that his BFF would not die as a result of it), and Krystal was on a boat with England and France, Mayling and China were still with Switzerland (with Krystal unknowing that said gun-slinger now referred to Mayling as 'China's girl'), Australia was accompanying New Zealand back to Bali, desperate to see Emma again and make sure she was alright. He was worried when New Zealand said that Emma had amnesia, but confident that he could help restore her memories.
New Zealand was interested to know that Australia had been the one to give Emma the ring she always wore, but seemed disconcerted after their conversation hinted that Australia didn't know that Emma was either a Capital or a Link.
That meant that she wasn't Canberra - who was she?
New Zealand decided then and there not to tell Australia that Emma was not human anymore. His friend would find out soon enough.
New Zealand was a little ashamed at not having picked up on Emma's accent, but knew that Australia would be the one to help her remember. Nations had special connections with their own citizens, even if they weren't...you know...connected to them in any way.
The plane drew through the cloud cover, and suddenly there was Bali's runway, jutting out and taking you by surprise as usual.
Edward clung to Shawn's neck, terrified.
The wheels came down, and New Zealand glanced to his left, out the window. "There's a lot of sparks on this side."
"It's all good." Australia replied confidently.
Emma stood in front of the mirror, turning this way and that, trying to get a proper look at it.
The 'it' was the bump that had appeared on her belly...well, the roundness was bigger than that...a baby. How it had happened, she obviously couldn't remember, but Maria had said that it would be okay, so Emma trusted her. She felt a bit awkward, and wondered why these people cared so much about her.
Not remembering who she was was frustrating, but Maria had warned her not to push it, as memories were as fragile as a spiders web, or so the darker-skinned girl had said.
Emma didn't know why, but there seemed to be something strange about Maria and Wayan, and also about Wirimu and Wuji, too. Something familiar, and very comforting.
Emma looked down at her belly, and placed a hand there - the same hand that wore the golden ring. Maria had said that a very special man must have given the ring to her, but Emma didn't feel like it was connected to her...baby.
Huh. Baby. that sounded so...foreign.
A little person, dependent on her for...well, life. Emma was feeling very protective, and taking this new responsibility very seriously. She tended to clasp her hands across her belly, and move very carefully.
Maria had noticed how guarded Emma seemed, and offered to teach her a bit of unarmed Eskrima (Filipino Martial Arts), and Emma had accepted. Though she felt strange moving when she had this extra weight, she was surprised to find out that Maria thought she might have been trained before.
Maria/Philippines poked her head into the room, at the hotel where she and Emma had been staying for months now (the hotel was absolutely massive, and twelve times Emma had gotten lost and had to be found).
"You ready to go?" Philippines asked, with a smile.
Emma nodded, and pulled her dress down, which was loose-fitting enough to cover up the bump. Together, they walked out of the room, down the hallway, took the elevator from the third floor to the bottom floor, and walked out of the open building and into the huge, sprawling tropical gardens.
They walked up to one of the six pools, and set down their stuff. They slipped off their dresses, Philippines to reveal blue bathers, and Emma to reveal a simple white bathing suit, and she pulled on a long white t-shirt to protect herself from the sun.
Emma watched Philippines dive into pool, before carefully entering the pool herself. She swam, knowing that she'd done it since she was a little kid, and had a sudden vision of being taught to swim at the age of two by a patient woman...her Mother?
I'm going to make sure my kids know how to swim. Emma decided, before taking a deep breath and going under. This was only one of the pools at the hotel - she wanted to go in them all!
art/Bali-Intercontinental-Pools-331334329
Australia and New Zealand walked through the lobby, and down a flight of stairs, and across a bridge.
"Whoa, mate, is that a baby croc?" Australia stopped suddenly, staring at the small shape moving through the water.
"I'd say a baby 'gator...maybe..." New Zealand also stopped and stared.
"Neither." A voice said from the head of the bridge, and they both turned to see Indonesia smiling at them. "It is a goanna."
"Knew it." Australia grinned, and New Zealand rolled his eyes.
They walked over to join Indonesia.
"What brings you to my home?" Indonesia asked, bowing.
"Emma." Australia and New Zealand said in unison.
Indonesia's eyes lit up. "You know her?" He asked, as they walked down a path and down a flight of steps, coming to a stop on a small wooden bridge over a shallow pool with room to walk under and jet-sprays on either side.
"Yeah." Australia replied, running a hand through his hair. "Long story short, she and her friends come from another world, believe it or not. Emma was captured by Japan, and held hostage by the Axis Powers, until America torpedoed the ship that she was on. I'm so glad that she's alright."
Indonesia nodded slowly. "So then, she is one of your citizens, Australia?" And, when Australia nodded, he added: "You are lucky to have such a pretty citizen!"
"Yup." Australia grinned. "I was gonna ask her to become my Capital, but..."
"Wait, so she is not your Capital?" Indonesia blinked, and then glanced at New Zealand, who was shaking his head. "Let's go and find her and Philippines, okay? I think that they were going swimming..."
"Lead the way, Indonesia, mate." Australia grinned. "Come on, New Zealand, call Shawn, will you?"
"He's not a dog, Australia." New Zealand replied. "Though, he looks like one of France's poodles."
Australia laughed. "When do you reckon he and England are gonna ask Krystal the question?"
New Zealand also laughed. "She's got those two fellas wrapped around her finger, doesn't she? I also heard from Switzerland that Mayling - that Malaysian girl - became China's Capital."
"Far out..." Australia shook his head. "Mates, we need to get a move on!"
"Agreed." Indonesia nodded, and they walked down towards the pools.
Underneath the bridge, Emma stood frozen, and it had nothing to do with the cold of the water spraying all around her.
She sat down on the edge of the pool, dangling her bare legs in the ice-cold water, as she processed this latest piece of information.
With one hand against her stomach, and one hand on her necklace, she felt calmer. She started to think, and she started to remember.
Those men up there...they were nations, including the one she'd met before. Australia. He was her nation, and she was his citizen.
He had given her this ring, but that was it. There was not a lot going on between them...well, from her point of view, that is...
No, her true connection...that was with...it was with...?
A warm glow filled Emma's chest, spreading across her shoulders, and to her back. Looking over her left shoulder in wonder, Emma saw a pair of pearly white wings, currently sprinkled with water that looked like diamonds. (A.N. - how's that for descriptive?)
Just then, and without warning, a shrill scream pierced the air, followed by a shout of: "SHARK!"
Emma's eyes opened wide, and then she took off running. She wasn't worried about revealing herself as an element...thingie, because she'd done it once before...she remembered that much, but...
Emma ran towards the beach, not paying attention to the people that gasped when they noticed her wings. She took a flying leap when she hit the sandy slope, jumping into the air and unfolding her wings. It wasn't hard to spot the person in trouble - the shark was a Great White Shark (why was it in Bali waters?) and the person was - in terms of a certain Disney movie - roughly the size of a barge.
Emma flew over him, reached down, and grabbed his arm as it flailed upwards. The guy was pretty heavy, and Emma wasn't all that strong, but she somehow managed to lift him up, and start back to the shore.
The shark began to follow them, and the man cried out as his feet skimmed the water. "Hurry, hurry!" He shouted. "You need to fly higher!"
"Yeah, well it's a good thing you're not a big, fat guy, or this would be really difficult!" Emma yelled back, rolling her eyes. Sheesh, some people could be really ungrateful at times.
Somehow, they both managed to make it back to the shore without being eaten by the shark, and people immediately swarmed on them.
"Umm..." Emma cringed back, as people began surrounding her, fawning in awe over her and touching her wings. Through the crowd, she saw men in dark blue suits coming towards her - the police!
What was she supposed to do?
Australia had been about to charge into the water to save the portly man from the shark, but Emma had beaten him to it. She'd shot past him, taking off into the air like some kind of an eagle, and snatched the man right out of the water! Now, however, she was surrounded by people, and she looked...well, terrified.
Australia pushed through the crowd, managed to grab her by the shoulder, and yank her away from the crowd. Somehow, through this, she managed to power-down, and her wings disappeared back into her pendant.
Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand were waiting for them, and Philippines grabbed Emma's hand, dragging her away from the crowds...
In Russia, the man himself was standing in front of a huge screen, at the research facility that his scientists had called him to at practically the break of dawn.
"Sir, as you can see," one of the scientists said. "This asteroid is on a direct collision with our planet."
"Oh, is that so?" Russia was smiling.
"Uh, sir..." Another scientist tugged at his coat collar. "The asteroid in question is roughly the size of...well, you, times about a hundred..."
"Oh, so it is big, da?" Russia continued to smile.
"Da." A female scientist agreed. "We believe that it is responsible for the abnormal weather patterns around the world...we have no way of stopping it."
"Oh, so this is bad, then?" Russia was still smiling.
A few scientists nodded, and the head scientist added: "We believe that it may break up into smaller bits once it hits the Earth's atmosphere, but...well...frankly...that won't be enough, I'm afraid."
"So then, the world is ending?"
The scientist could only nod.
Russia continued to smile, that is until the door behind him opened, and Belarus came through it. "Big Brother...there you are..." She smiled.
Russia's own smile faded, and he looked absolutely terrified to see her. "S-stay away from me!" He cried, running to hide behind a group of scientists.
"Big Brother, seeing as how world is ending and all, you should become one with me!" Belarus declared. "It would make me so happy!"
"No!"
Krystal stood on the deck of the ship, which (thanks to England's magic) had made it to the English Channel in record time. How, Krystal knew not, but she though it was cool. Still, no matter how many times she asked him, England would not let her see him do any magic. It was frustrating.
France and England both seemed to be avoiding Krystal on the boat, much to her annoyance...which was why she was surprised when they both invited her to dinner. Deciding to just go along to humour them, Krystal actually put on a dress, and spent half an hour fixing her hair.
She walked into the dining room on the ship, feeling like Ariel in that scene in The Little Mermaid. It didn't help that both France and England stared at her like she was...well, she wasn't quite sure how to interpret their looks.
France took a step towards her and, somehow, Krystal just knew that he was going to take her hand a kiss it. England must've known it too, because he grabbed France's arm and dragged him back, causing the other nation to glare at him.
Krystal ignored this and sat down at the head of the table, resisting the urge to splash both the men with water. They took a seat on either side of her and the meal began.
France was constantly telling Krystal how beautiful she looked, much to her annoyance. Just as long as nobody brought out a camera, then she would be fine.
England, on the other hand, was glaring at France, perhaps way worse than usual. The Flying Mint Bunny was hovering around anxiously, and kept whispering something to England, who kept blushing, and muttering something under his breath.
Presently, after learning that the nations all spawned from one nation called Pangaea, the conversation turned to a foreign topic for Krystal - Capitals.
"A nation can elect a human to be their Capital." England explained, stabbing at his Yorkshire Pudding with a spork.
"I guess that should shock me, but it doesn't." Krystal shrugged. "I mean, what with a bunch of guys - and girls - that are nations running about, I have to accept this."
"You are not, as Amérique would say, 'freaked out', ma cheri?" France asked her.
"Au contraire, France..." Krystal began, and then realised what she'd just said, and compensated for this by eating some strawberry ice-cream. Why did I say that in French? Augh, he's influencing me! She glared at France, imagining an ice-storm encasing him in ice.
England coughed. "Ah, yes, well...that's...good..." He gave France a meaningful look, which France correctly interpreted.
"Oh no, do not even think about it, tea-totaller!" France exclaimed.
"What's wrong with tea?" Krystal asked.
"At least I don't get arrested for drink-driving every second Tuesday!" England retorted (he hadn't heard Krystal). "Oh, wait, I forgot - your police-officers just go on strike when they get sick of you!"
"Drink-driving is bad." Krystal stated, but she was ignored.
"I do not need you to tell me about things you know nothing of, Angleterre!" France shot back. "You know nothing of the beauty and splendeur of my home!"
"Isn't that kind of conceited?" Krystal pointed out (ignored).
"Beauty?!" England let out a short laugh. "Since when is your home beautiful?!"
"I think Paris is pretty..." Krystal said quietly (too quietly).
"Since it is not your home, then it is!"
"My home is beautiful, you bloody frog!"
"It is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Ha!" Now France laughed at England, who scowled, but Krystal had had enough.
With a wave of her hands, she sent a splash of water from nearby cups up at each of the men, succeeding in shocking them because there were ice-cubes in the cups.
Both of them blinked, as the water dripped down their faces, and Krystal continued to eat her strawberry ice-cream in a stony silence. She finished her bowl, which was then whisked away by a deck-hand, and then she sighed, and said: "Now, tell me about this whole...Capital thing."
"Well, love, you see..." England began, and then glanced at France. "It is...difficult..."
"There is nothing difficult about it, mon ami." France stated, calling England a friend though they'd just been arguing, which perplexed Krystal, though not as much as the fact that she knew what 'mon ami' meant. "In human terms, it would be like..."
"Marriage." England supplied, and Krystal rolled her eyes. Ew, marriage. Emma loved that kind of thing, and Mayling read Japanese romance manga, but it just wasn't Krystal's style. Give her comedy and fantasy and drama any day!
France went on: "It bonds two people together, in intimacy..."
"And, in devotion." England interrupted. "It's a very sacred bond, between a nation and his - or her - Capital."
"They have sex a lot." France added, and England whacked him upside the head as Krystal tried not to look disgusted. "And, they are the best of friends, as well as lovers." France added quickly.
That last part made sense to Krystal, like a kind of King Triton and Queen Athena sort of thing. She was not just his Queen...she was his best friend...
"What that frog means," England explained. "Is that, in order for a human to become a nation's Capital, they...well...you know...do...it..."
"Okay." Krystal replied shortly.
"They then both become completely immortal, and become very close." France added. "They are recognised as this by the rest of the world, oui."
Krystal nodded. "That's great. What's it got to do with me?"
She wasn't expecting what happened next.
England and France both stood up and, at the same time as England cried: "Become my Capital, please!" France cried: "Become my Capital, s'il vous plaît!"
Krystal was silent for a full ten seconds, staring at both of them in shock. Nothing could have prepared her for this. She had never expected this in all of her years - all twenty-three of them.
Something seemed strange about this, however. Krystal was never one for romance, even though she thought, for example, it was cool that Sailor Moon loved Tuxedo Mask, and Ariel loved Eric, and that sort of thing. She had watched Princess Kate's royal wedding on TV, and made her dog Shelby a commemorative bow just for the occasion. She also liked France and England - despite their constant bickering - but not in that way. She would never do that. Still, she felt like she should be saying yes, but not to their particular questions.
"No..." Krystal stood up, surprised to find herself shaking. "Non...I just...can't..." She turned and ran from the room.
Australia took a deep breath, before knocking on the door carefully, and when he heard confirmation, he entered the room.
Emma was sitting on the bed of the hotel room, eating some sort of candy and watching something on TV. It was the following day, after Australia and New Zealand had arrived in Bali, and Emma had saved the fat guy from the shark. Philippines had kept Emma away from prying eyes for the rest of that day and all of that night, but this morning she had given Australia permission to go in and see his citizen.
"Why do I need permission?" The confused green-eyed nation had said.
"You'll see." Philippines had replied.
Now, however, Australia needed no explanation. Emma was wearing a bikini top (which would have been practically illegal in her own world in this era, not that she knew it) and a pair of shorts, which showed off her round belly. She stared at Australia, and he stared at her, as the door closed behind him.
"Hello." Emma said quietly. "...Australia."
Australia just stared at her, trying to find the words that seemed right for the situation, but there were none. He suddenly understood. He knew what had happened. Seeing Emma, he had realised that something was amiss and now, seeing her round belly, and realising that she was a Capital, he put two and two together, as only Australia could, and...
"Tokyo." Australia whispered. He was horrified.
Emma's eyes suddenly opened wide. She gasped, and put a hand to her belly, a look of pain - and recognition - crossing her face. A clean streak of blood suddenly slashed across her stomach, making her cry out, and Australia rushed forwards before he even knew what he was doing, and yelled for Philippines.
Somehow, even though in the real world it was meant to take place a few years later, America was attacking Japan...now.
Krystal stood on the deck of the ship, with her arms leaning on the railing, as the salt air brushed her face. It was cold - too cold for Krystal's liking. She preferred warm weather, thank you very much! She shivered, and then a jacket was placed across her shoulders. She recognized the green material; the mixed scent of tea and gun-powder was unmistakable, but she didn't look at England nor did she say anything to him, waiting for him to make the first move.
England sighed, and ran a hand through his hair. "Okay, love, look...first of all...I'm sorry..."
"So you should be." Krystal replied flatly.
"I know." England nodded. "We shouldn't have put you on the spot like that...we should have known you didn't feel the same..." He muttered quietly, but Krystal heard him.
She turned to him, her light brown eyes surprised. "That is not it at all. I just won't get married, because I don't want to. It's as simple as that. I'm actually quite fond of you and France both, mon cher, and there I go again with the French..." She sighed. "Mon Dieu, you've both gotten to me, somehow...but, I'm still not going to say yes!" She added, shaking a finger at England. "You cannot force somebody to fall in love with you."
"Oui." A voice said from behind her, and she jumped. France was leaning against the railing, the cool breeze blowing gently against his blonde hair.
"France! Don't sneak up on me!" Krystal scolded, as she had jumped into England's arms in fright, which was kind of embarrassing.
"I wasn't sneaking." France replied, as England set Krystal gently back down on the deck, both of them blushing slightly. "I just find it ironique that it's as I always say - love should not be forced upon someone."
England stared at him. "France, when have you ever said that?"
France just sighed. He was depressed, because he was still pretty sure that Krystal did not like him. He liked her a lot. She had the same fiery strength that his beloved Joan Of Arc had possessed, and he would have loved for Krystal to become his Paris, but that clearly was not going to happen. Still, France really cared about her. He even seemed to get along with England a lot better when Krystal was around...like she was bridging the gap between them...almost as if...
"That's it!" France and England cried in unison. They were both staring at Krystal, as if seeing her in a whole new light. "It's you!"
Krystal blinked. "What's me?" She wanted to know.
"Of course, I should have realised it sooner!" England looked happier than Krystal could ever remember seeing him.
"Ah, this is magnifique," France was smiling now. "It is parfait!"
"Parfait, what's so parfait?" Krystal didn't understand what was so perfect about this situation!
"Don't you see, love?" England's green eyes sparkled and, despite herself, Krystal had to admit that he had very nice eyes. They were like leaves, which probably went hand-in-hand with the two fuzzy caterpillar eyebrows he had up there. "You weren't meant to be either of our Capital's - you're our Link!"
"Link?" Krystal repeated, trying to figure out what he meant by that, but all she could think of was the guy in green from The Legend Of Zelda.
"Oui," France nodded. "A Link is...how you say...a bond between two countries, something that is recognized to join them together."
"I guess that makes sense, but what does that have to do with me, France?" Krystal wanted to know.
"You are mine and Angleterre's Link, ma cheri!" France explained. "You are the English Channel!"
Krystal just stared at him. That sounded a little less intimate than being either London or Paris, but she still had one more question. "What do I have to do?"
England smiled at her. "Nothing, love - just keep being yourself."
Krystal nodded. "I guess I can manage that...okay then, I'll do it!"
England and France both looked thrilled and, though for some strange reason they both still wanted to kiss her, they settled for just wrapping their arms around her from both sides, and hugging her - their Link.
Krystal was surprised for a moment, but then she realised that this was okay. This was her, so she was okay with it.
Just then, England's (slightly enchanted) pocket watch chimed twelve times, signalling that it was midnight.
It was nine in the morning in Bali...and ten in the morning in Japan.
Emma was in a lot of pain right now, because she could see it all happening so clearly, as she closed her eyes. Philippines had given her an epidural, but that didn't take away the mental pain of what she witnessing behind her closed eyes.
Somehow, America was destroying both cities in one day - both Nagasaki and Hiroshima were falling on the same day, and there was nothing she could do about it. Japan had been right when he'd said that she would be tied to other cities as well, because she felt the pain of all those people...
Of Kishimoto Sakura...
Of Aki and Rin...
Of Kiki...
The pain of losing people she knew nearly tore Emma's heart apart. It clawed its way into her chest, and brought tears of anguish to her eyes. All those people...they didn't deserve to die, not like this...it was all the Emperor's fault, for not surrendering before America decided to do this! Sure, the Emperor was technically her boss, but that didn't mean that she had to agree with everything he did. This was one of those painful things Japan had said she would have to face.
Japan...Emma could see him now, standing amidst the chaos and devastation. There was blood streaming down his leg from a large wound at the right side of his stomach, and from another wound on his right knee, and he just looked so lost and defeated that Emma wanted to reach out to him, to hold him, to make all of this - the pain, the suffering, the regret - go away...
Japan looked up just then and, for a moment, it was almost like he could see her...a flicker of light flashed in his eyes, and then Emma was sure he could see her, she just needed to reach out to him, and...
Just then, Emma awoke, and gasped, surprised to find her face wet with tears, and the cold clothe that New Zealand had pressed to her forehead.
Emma blinked, wondering how everything here could look so light, when it was so dark for Japan right now...? The white curtains billowing gently, the blue sky outside, the softness of the situation...it didn't seem right, somehow...and, yet...
Philippines suddenly came into view, and the gentleness of the situation suddenly made sense. For, cradled in the nation's arms, wrapped in a bundle of yellow blankets, was a tiny baby boy. He had very dark red hair and, unfortunately, had inherited Emma's eyebrows. His dark eyes were open, and he seemed surprised with his surroundings.
Emma could only stare at him, not quite able to believe that he was hers - he was something she (and Japan) had created...he was her son...
"Hiro...shima..." Emma whispered, and the baby looked at her.
Of course, he was not a normal baby - he was the personification of a city, and was far from being an ordinary human.
As soon as she said his name, however, Hiroshima burst into tears. Of course...he had just been reborn...perhaps he too could see it...could see the ruins of what he once was...
Philippines wordlessly handed Hiro to his Mother, and she took him and cradled him against her chest, somehow knowing on instinct how to hold him, how to support him, and how to comfort him. She spoke to him softly, in Japanese, and the other nations present could only watch...that is, until the other child began to whimper.
Emma looked up in shock, staring past Philippines and then at the bundle of pink blankets she now picked up.
Twins?
But...that made sense...the girl had the same dark red hair as her brother, though her eyes were closed, so Emma couldn't see what colour they were but, somehow, she just knew that they were the same dark as her brother's. Luckily, she hadn't inherited the thick eyebrows.
Emma reached out her free arm, as Philippines brought the baby girl closer, and Emma carefully drew back the pink blankets, to reveal the child's right knee. There was no blood, but a shiny white scar stood out against the baby's red skin. Her brother had one too, on the right side of his stomach. The mirrored the scars both their parents had, one for Hiroshima, and one for...
"Naga...saki..." Emma whispered, as Philippines placed the baby gently in Emma's right arm.
Nagasaki nestled against her Mother's chest, still whimpering slightly, although both twins stopped crying when their Mother began to sing to them.
"Nennen korori yo, Okorori yo.
Bōya wa yoi ko da, Nenne shina~
Bōya no omori wa, Doko e itta?
Ano yama koete, Sato e itta.
Sato no miyage ni, Nani morotta?
Denden taiko ni, Shō no fue..."
"Where's that music coming from?" New Zealand whispered.
"Ssh!" Philippines hissed. She was suddenly mesmerised by the soft, nostalgic feel of the Edo Lullaby. She also did not know where the music was coming from, but it didn't really matter just then.
Listening from just outside the door, Australia and Indonesia were also somewhat enchanted by the song, even though they had no idea what the new Mother was singing.
The song also carried a sense of sadness to it, because everyone present knew what had just happened.
But, none of that mattered right now.
Because...the war was finally over.