Dro: I had fun writing this chapter. I love Lithuania in this. And Russia at the end because he's just so evil!

Chapter Summary: Lithuania explains the state of the world to America, as a well as a few things about parallel America that leaves the other one highly embarrassed. Meanwhile, France cracks and informs the Italy brothers about the resistance. Russia is highly amused.

Warnings: Language

Disclaimer: Dro will never own APH.

Toris sat against the wall, cradling one of his wrists in his lap. He hadn't said anything about it, but Alfred was sure he'd broken it earlier when he'd tackled the other man to the ground. Initially, he kind of felt bad, despite the fact that Toris was actively working for Russia. He felt even worse when Toris told him the reason why he was working for Russia. He tried to imagine himself being forced into working for Russia under the threat of losing Matt or Arthur. He shuddered. That would be his worst nightmare.

Toris cleared his throat. "You wanted me to tell you about this world, right?"

Alfred nodded.

Toris looked up at the ceiling, as if he was thinking about how exactly to phrase his explanation. "Well, I am assuming there was a Soviet Union in your world as well?"

"Yeah. It collapsed back in the early nineties though."

"Hmm. Interesting." He took a deep breath. "Here, it never lost any strength. Instead, Ivan just continued to become stronger. He took over as many countries as he could manage in Eastern Europe and prodded China until he chose to join of 'his own free will.' After he had that much firepower in his possession, Ivan decided to execute his final plan: take over the entire world. I knew what he was planning, but he already had me in this bind, so I couldn't get the word out to stop him.

"He secretly garnered the help of several non-Soviet countries, including Italy…" he trailed off, cringing. "Anyway, they helped him stage a virtual coup in Europe, and Ivan gained another seven countries. At that point, the rest of the world was immensely alarmed, and they started to fight back. But it was too late. Ivan had gained too much power. He sent out pieces of his massive army all over the world, decimating nearly every African and South American country so he could use their resources at his whim. From there, he poised himself for an all out war on the remaining free world powers. Specifically, you."

"Me?" Well, it made sense. Russia would have had to focus on Alfred at some point. He couldn't help but wonder why he and Arthur and the others hadn't intervened sooner. "Hey, wait, did you say Italy joined up with Russia?"

Toris' expression was grim. "As it turns out, the Italy brothers had been working for Ivan for many, many years. Until they betrayed their European friends, however, no one except the trio knew. Not even the others Soviets knew the Italy brothers were loyal to Russia. Their betrayal was an event that shocked the world. Those two bastards…" he growled. "I don't know how they can live with themselves. All the friends they've stabbed in the back. All the death and destruction they've caused. They're Ivan's favorite little assassins, taking lives without a second thought."

"They're assassins?" Alfred tried to picture the duo as cold-blooded killers, but he couldn't get a believable image. "I can't believe that!"

"Well, start. Because if they find out that you are here, they will be coming after you. And you will probably be one of the unlucky ones."

"Unlucky ones?" Alfred wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know.

"If you are lucky, they kill you quickly and that's it. If you are not, they beat the hell of you and take you to Ivan, who is not nearly as 'kind' when it comes to death."

A chill ran down Alfred's spine. "Oh, God…what the hell is wrong with this world?"

Toris scoffed. "That's what I've been asking myself for decades now."

"So…can you keep going?"

He sighed. "Well, after the initial attack, the remaining countries banded together to take Ivan down, but he was too powerful. He sent out thousands upon thousands of fighter jets that bombed every major city in the world. The alliance created to take him down became more like an underground resistance, but they were still going strong. Until…" Toris looked at him uneasily. "Until a few months ago."

Alfred felt his voice catch in his throat. He was pretty sure he knew what was coming, but he wanted confirmation anyway. "What happened a few months ago?"

Toris' voice was dead and flat. "Ivan destroyed the United States in a nuclear attack."

Alfred's heart skipped a beat. "Ah…" He couldn't form any words. His country had been destroyed here. Completely destroyed. And the other him… "So…so I died then?"

Toris shrugged. "You were in DC at the time, and DC was destroyed. No one has heard from you since. The odds of you surviving a direct nuclear explosion, especially while the rest of your country is crashing to the ground is highly unlikely. You have been considered dead by the world since then, and I am pretty sure you really are. Your country is dead, and your people have fled to Canada and Mexico in the wake of spreading radiation. America is a dead zone now."

Alfred couldn't meet Toris' eyes. He didn't want to hear any more about this. "Matt. Tell me about Matt."

Toris raised his eyebrows. "Canada's army grew substantially from the influx of Americans angry and ready to fight. Matthew himself is a great military leader, and he has been holding the North American front of the war by himself for several months now. He refuses to accept defeat. I believe he was greatly affected by your death, and it has changed him into a person bent on defeating Russia at all costs."

"That's my boy." Alfred smiled sadly. "So, what about the rest of the resistance?"

"Well, Arthur is leading it."

"He is?" Alfred cut him off before silencing himself, waving for Toris to continue.

"Yes. He has been the sole leader since your death. He commands all the bases in Europe and coordinates the attacks on Ivan's army. He's left Matthew and Kiku to handle their own fronts, which they've done pretty well up until now."

"Kiku is alive?"

"Yes. He's had China bearing down on him for some time, but he has held his ground. Now, he has the Nordics and Netherlands working with him. Their countries were completely destroyed during the bombings, and they are out for pure vengeance now. Last I heard, Yao has been having a rough time with the Nordics helping lead Kiku's army and the Netherlands creating their strategies."

Alfred let a dry laugh slip from between his lips. "Fighting to the bitter end. I knew I liked those guys for a reason."

A small smile pulled at the corner of Toris' lips. "They are certainly stubborn. I admire them for that."

Alfred frowned. "Toris, I'm sure no one blames you for…" He trailed off as he saw pain in Toris' eyes.

"You would be surprised how they feel about anything Soviet, Alfred. They know about Feliks, and they do not care. I am helping Ivan, and I am the enemy. Hands down. They would not hesitate to beat me senseless for information or shoot me dead in the battlefield. I am as much an enemy as the Italy brothers to them."

Alfred's heart felt heavy. "I still can't believe they…"

"Well, believe it. They are merciless killers. Ivan trained them to be that way. They are his right and left hands, and they carry out his judgment. Just over a week ago, they took out Roderich, you know?"

"They killed Austria?"

"Without any hesitation. Despite the fact he was their caretaker for many years. The Italy brothers have no use for sentiments and fond memories. They do what Ivan commands them."

Alfred was still skeptical. He felt like he was missing something here. The Italy brothers couldn't just be heartless murderers. They had to have more depth than that. "Fine. I believe you." He lied. "So, do you happen to know where Arthur or my Germany might be?"

"In the same place, I'm sure. Germany was quickly found here by the resistance and rescued before Ivan could get his hands on him. He is helping them, I believe."

"Wait, they're in London?" Alfred felt his hope rising.

"Unfortunately, no. Ivan found the London base and had it destroyed a few days ago. Everyone from here has fled to the French base, which, of course, I do not know the whereabouts of."

Alfred's hopes shattered. "Great, so I need to get to France?"

Toris nodded. "If you wish to meet up with them, yes."

"Wonderful."

They sat in silence for several minutes. Feeling uncomfortable, Alfred blurted out: "So, what was the other me like?"

Toris raised his eyebrows. "Um…much like you. Very similar personality. Though you did have a reputation."

"What kind of reputation?" Alfred suddenly felt nervous.

"Well…" It was dark in the room, but Alfred still managed to spot Toris' blush. "Let's just say…you were known for being kind of a…how to say this in English…a 'player,' I believe."

"Huh?" He tried to picture himself being that kind of person but drew a blank. "So, you mean, I…"

"You got around."

"Oh." Alfred found himself blushing. Well, this was embarrassing. "So, how many people are we talking here?"

"Really?" Toris looked liked he didn't want answer the question.

"Sorry, I was just curious. That doesn't sound like me at all! I mean, I rarely ever even get into relationships like that, much less play people!" The image of Arthur popped into his head, but he shook it away.

"Then I guess you are a little different from our Alfred then."

"Wait, who would I even…get with?" He was drawing a blank.

Toris' eyebrow twitched, and he suddenly looked irritated. He stood up without warning and marched over to Alfred, squatting down in front him with a sour frown. "Let me see." He held his uninjured hand up. "In the last two years, you have been with Kiku." He held up a finger. "Netherlands." Another finger. "Spain." Another finger. "Australia." Another finger. "Portugal." A thumb. "And, oh yes!" Toris' hand shot out and grabbed his shirt, pulling him forward into a hard kiss. Alfred blanked as Toris kissed him passionately, the other man's blue eyes slipping closed briefly. The hand let go as the lips did, and Alfred slumped against the wall in shock. "How can I forget?" He pointed at himself. "Me."

Oh shit! I've been talking to a scorned ex for the last two hours! Was all that was running through Alfred's head. Obviously, Toris was an ex, unless… "So…the two of us…"

"For six months. A record for you. And it was going well until I caught you cheating on me with Arthur."

Oh, Alfred was in big trouble. "You know that wasn't me, right? That was the other America."

"Same face. Same voice. Same personality. Same person as far I'm concerned."

"But I'm not a cheater!"

"How do I know you're not lying about that? For all I know, you are just as much a whore in your world."

Alfred gaped. "Did you just call me a whore?"

Toris crossed his arms. "Maybe I did."

"You…you…this isn't fair! Stop taking your frustrations for a dead guy out on me!"

Toris snorted. "Whatever. I told you what you wanted to know. Now, will you let me leave?"

Hell, Alfred wanted Toris to leave. "Sure. Go ahead."

Toris looked ready to walk out right there, but he hesitated. "So, you are not with anyone in your world?"

"Well…" Arthur's worried face popped into his. "Not exactly. Not yet anyway."

"Oh, but there is someone?" Toris' anger faded into genuine interest.

Alfred couldn't really deny it. "Yeah, there is." He smiled.

"Oh, who?"

Alfred was known to be kind of dumb sometimes, but even he knew better than this. Unfortunately, the idea that this was something he probably shouldn't tell Toris didn't pop into his head until after he'd said it. "Arthur."

Toris' looked at him in disbelief for several seconds before his rage exploded. The next thing Alfred knew, Toris' palm was slamming into his cheek, sending him sprawling to the floor again. "You jerk!" Toris fumed before slinging the door open and marching out. He didn't come back.

Alfred sat on the floor, holding his throbbing cheek in his hand and wondering when he'd become such an idiot. I really don't like this world.

The rain came down in torrents, running down the panes of glass and obscuring his view of the outside the world. Another ring went by. He took a shaky breath. Any second now someone could come across him. Any second. Another ring. He was read to slam the damn receiver back on the phone. Then someone picked up.

"Italy." The twin voices answered.

Francis' stomached twisted. He spoke in hushed Russian, relaying everything he knew about the upcoming operation. He felt a knife through his heart at everyone word, but he felt it had to be done. Arthur was going on this mission. He was going to be in Ivan's house. And if Francis didn't tell Ivan about it ahead of time, then Ivan would not keep his promise. Francis knew that very well. He finished speaking and waited for a reply.

Feliciano answered. "Thank you, Francis. This is most helpful."

"Please keep us updated." Lovino added.

He hung up without a response. Damn those two. If it wasn't for them, none of this would be happening to him.

'I'll make you a promise, Francis.'

He coughed up more blood, the twin knives still pressed into his throat. They held his head up, forcing him to look at the imposing Russia. Neither brother spoke. They were stoic and heartless. They hadn't a care in the world about Francis' wellbeing. He coughed again. They'd completely and utterly deceived him.

'I don't want your false promises, Ivan.'

Ivan chuckled. 'Trust me. I am sure this one will interest you. And if you keep your side of this little bargain, I will keep this promise no matter what.'

Francis was in no position to argue. 'What is it?'

Ivan smiled.

An hour later he was outside in the cold, the brothers dragging him away.

Feliciano spoke to him first, handing him an envelope. 'Here is your train ticket and enough money to get you back to Western Europe.'

He glared into the hard brown eyes of the boy he used to adore. 'Thanks.' He spat.

'Don't be so rude, Francis. Or we will leave you with a parting gift. Ivan did not make any specifications saying we could not hurt you.' Lovino growled. He pushed Francis forward and turned away, Feliciano ahead of him. 'And don't forget your job, Francis. We'll be watching for any slip ups.'

They walked back toward the house's gates, not bothering to look back.

'See you soon, Francis.' They said together, both holding up a single hand and waving him away. No, shooing him away. Like a dog.

"Did you hear all of that, Ivan?" Feliciano turned around, eying the man who was rolling a pawn around in his fingers.

"Indeed I did." He sat the pawn down, smiling. "Most interesting."

Feliciano met his fratello's eyes, the other boy silently telling him to keep it together. They both glanced at Ivan again. "Preemptive action, sir?"

Ivan cocked an eyebrow, his eyes staring intently at his chess board. The two black knights sat on either side of their king, the ultimate protection. A black rook sat on the white side, ready to strike intermittently. The white queen was long out of the game, followed recently by a knight and a white rook. The white had very few pawns left on its side, the lot of them being sacrificed for mostly ineffectual moves. Ivan just smiled.

"Nyet. Let them come." He stared at the white king, now protected only by a two bishops, a rook, and a knight. "This will be a good game, da?"

Dro: Ah, Russia and far-too-obviously symbolic chess game. I do love his characterization in this fic. Completely evil.

Next Chapter: The resistance starts to move toward Russia, England and his covert operation team breaking off from the group to slip into Russia secretly. Just as they start moving, however, England gets some very bad news about Canada. Meanwhile, America gets to France, only to realize he's just missed England and Germany. So he decides to follow them.