I had originally wrote this fanfic almost three years ago on Deviantart, but unfortunately it was filled with spelling errors and it deserved far better than the treatment I gave it. So, I decided to re-master it, and PLEASE don't look for it on DeviantArt: you all deserve better.
This fanfic is based on true events, in the aftermath of World War II- or, to be more specific, the occupation of the refugees of the First Russian National Army in Liechtenstein. If I ever offend anyone in anyway, let me know... also, expect LOTS of cursing.
Also, I'm going to say this, since this must be a cliche for Ivan/Russia: the Romanov family IS mentioned later on, but it doesn't impact the story too much. (At least, from what I recall.)
Chapter one: One trouble ends, another begins
It had taken quite sometime, but they finally reached Berlin.
The Russians had got there first. They practically surrounded the city within a month, while slowly breaking through the defense, thanks to the aid of the artillery they had on hand and more. It wasn't long until the Americans joined in to go up against Germany's men- and boss, who apparently, as one in particular thought, was being too much of a coward to face them head on for this one fight.
However they had lost many artillery, tanks, and precious "Katyusha" in the process of breaking down the defense. Some of the Katyusha -the rocket launchers attached to the trucks that were capable of taking them wherever the user wished- managed to get into Berlin. These new mobile weapons of mass destruction were to be feared, but none more so than the one which had a particular man kneeling on it's hood with careful balance. If you recognized him, you knew that you were not even going to stand a chance if you were a mere soldier with a simple gun in your hands.
Anyone who knew this man referred to him by many notorious names: the Red Giant, the Great Bear, the Grand Czar- the list went on and on.
Ivan Braginsky cracked a smile before leaping off the hood of the vehicle to join the fight.
-d-
Ivan thought that it was surprising how helpful Alfred turned out to be in this war. Originally, the American Nation didn't want any part of this war, focusing instead on recovering from that particular screw up that added to the economic woes of the outside world. (Ivan and his people didn't need to worry, since they didn't have to rely on anyone else under their new rule.) It had to take an attack from Honda to make the annoyingly selfish idiot become 'the hero' and join in, surprising everyone as to being quite the help in the war.
Yes, it was looking good for Ivan; It wouldn't be long until he could give the Beilschmidts payback for backstabbing him in this war. What he had in mind... well, it was bound to be something terrible, which was an easy understatement in itself. As a matter of fact, he was now with many of the other Soviets who were up against a round of German soldiers.
The battle in Berlin was a battle that didn't go without bloodshed; Soldiers on both sides, and civilians who were caught up in the battle were dying within the shortest amount of time imaginable. Ivan paid no heed to this tragic side, as he had seen it many times before, throughout his existence. In fact, he easily plowed his way through German soldiers without a second thought as he smashed his prized faucet pipe ( the very same one he ripped out of the earth from Ludwig's home grounds, and traumatized Ravis in a way that was presumably something BAD) into the skulls of many, while the more fortunate would get direct contact to the stomach, without any concern for his own life. It was a wonder that his silver-beige hair had never been stained with the blood of past foes yet.
Despite all this, he didn't seem grim or serious about the whole thing. He was fighting at his topmost, but there was something about that child-like, happy grin on his face that made him seem even more dangerous... as if he possibly more than enjoyed what he was doing. Was it because he believed that victory was imminent? Or was it something worse?
As he knocked the wind out of another opponent, a soldier- one of his own- rushed up.
"Sir! We should be getting closer to their base by now!" He hurriedly reported. "It also seems one of the commanding members has fled!"
"Excellent!" Ivan cheerfully beamed as one of the Germans ran from behind in attempt to ambush him. "Keep up the good work, da?!" He finished before he quickly swung the faucet pipe around into the unsuspecting opponent without even battling an eye. The young Soviet meekly nodded his head and ran away as fast as he could- secretly, he was rather afraid of his superior, as were most of the other Russian soldiers. Ivan could care less at the moment- another wave of Germans were approaching him, and this caused him to frown.
"Huh, this is the tenth group that's tried to attack me head on." He wondered aloud, but he went ahead to confront them.
Unbeknownst to Ivan, this was all part of a plan set in motion. This was part of a confrontation by the personifications of the countries themselves. From atop one of the buildings, wielding a rather peculiar rocket launcher, was an eager fellow of unusual features. He let out a rather obnoxious laugh as he got what he stole from one of the "Katyusha" as the wind blew through his alabaster hair. Ruby colored eyes shone with glee as he spotted the big russian.
"You can be the big guy and plow your way through our men like we're just sticks." Gilbert grinned as he aimed it at Ivan. "But in the end, you can just suck it fatass, and hail to me before you force me to do it myself."
Down below, the German soldiers saw that 'his awesomeness' was ready to make a last effort on their enemy. They wasted no time in getting the h-e- double hockey sticks, out of there and left nothing but dust clouds in there path- that is, if they could, realistically.
But considering that this most likely took place in another realm of existence...they did form dust clouds behind them. Don't try to question it.
The retreat didn't surprise Ivan in the least, as he was convinced that they finally realized that they were no match for him. He allowed himself to have a laugh over it, before he could turn back around. He could hear Alfred calling for him anyw-
"HAIL MY AWESOMENESS BRAGINSKY!"
Ivan began to turn towards the familiar voice, but in what was barely a moment, the rocket had collided into the large body of Russia's human personification, engulfing him in an enormous burst of smoke and fire.
Alfred temporarily stopped in his tracks while he was witnessed this from a safe distance- away from the oncoming debris. He didn't know whether to be horrified or dumbstruck that the Russian just got a direct nuke to the back.
-Sometime later-
"GERMANYYYY! I'M COMMMINGGG!"
"FOR THE LAST TIME, GET THE **** OFF MY PROPERTY!"
Vash, ever the trigger happy gun carrier ( ironic if you think about it, considering he was considered to be a neutral figure in this war) repeatedly shot at the sprinting-thankfully not naked this time- Italian, who at least made it clear that Germany was his destination in mind for all who cared to hear. Thought Vargas didn't run fast enough to avoid the wrath of the Swiss gun.
"GET! THE! ****! OUT!" Vash cussed and shot another warning round into the air as the Italian finally picked up speed and headed for the hills. "AND DONT LET ME CATCH YOU STREAKING ON MY LAWN AGAIN!" Satisfied to see the intruder finally gone, the Swiss sighed in relief and wrapped the gun over his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Lili- the ward and adopted sister of Vash, and the human personification of Liechtenstein- smiled as the little drama that just occurred before her eyes concluded while she sat under the shade of one of the many trees on Vash's property. She turned back to the letter that she only just opened up before the humorous interruption, but recognized the hand writing with some uncharacteristic annoyance.
Germany went DOWN! Guess whose going to be number one in best country with beers?!
Also- still not giving back those parts of land! Ha ha!
-The Czech of Czechoslovakia
Lili groaned as she crumbled the letter up and stuffed it in her Swiss army uniform, rather than toss it on the ground and litter. The source of her woe- and even Poland- had taken parts of her lands, which included many castles and forests, so it was no wonder why Lili harbored a bit of a grudge against her.
"I assume it's the underage pint-size again?" Vash asked as he approached Lili. She nodded.
"Yeah, but she said that 'Germany went down'...does that mean...?"
"I think so, but not quite." Vash gave her a hopeful smile. "I guess that means this crazy war is almost over. First Vargas, now it's Ludwig: perhaps Mr. Honda will give up soon too. I'm sick of having these guys go back and forth across our home and use it as a base of operations. I should have charged rent while I was at it."
"Perhaps we can build back up again." Lili offered a hopeful outcome, wanting her brother to be happy. "We can keep saving money, and it wont be a worry anymore."
"...Yeah, your right." Vash's smile went weak at the thought- the opposite of what Lili hoped. "Hopefully."
"Miss Liechtenstein!"
Vash grumbled over the fact that the newcomer wasn't even bothering to preserve his sister's private identity, but Lili beamed as a young woman ran over to the siblings. She stopped just inches from the shade of the tree to catch her breath- her panting indicated that she either ran very far, or ran for a very urgent reason.
"What is it Elise?" Lili asked in concern and waited for the brown haired woman to recover. When Elise bent right back up, she quickly explained.
"At the border near Austria- the Prince needs you to come! It's urgent!"
"Is it the Axis?!" Vash demanded, while reaching for his gun on instinct, ready to shot again. "or the Allies?!"
"No!" Elise protested. "The Prince wants Miss Liechtenstein to come. He says it's very important!"
"I'll be right there!" Lili quickly got up: if her boss was asking for her, it had to be VERY important indeed.
-later-
"W-what is this?" Lili was stunned at the mass of people before her- none of them familiar to her. "Who are they?"
They all seemed to be soldiers, judging by their clothing- but there seemed to be hundreds of them! Mainly men, but there were some women too! Upon closer inspection, they all looked very worn out, tired, and quite hungry, as if they had traveled for miles and miles nonstop. Judging by the language that Lili could hear them speak to one another, they seemed to be Russian.
"Come this way." Elise directed her to the tavern. "You'll find out why."
Inside, the Prince (Lili's boss) was waiting inside. He was the only one within the tavern, alongside another- he seemed to be part of the group outside, as he wore the same uniform. Lili was nervous- worried about what she would have to hear-, but she calmly sat down by her boss and put on the best brave face that she could muster.
"So, Herr Smyslovsky." The prince began. "What are you doing in our country? Are you here to seek a fight? Or are you seeking refuge?"
"Asylum." The man grimly confirmed. "I am the General for the First Russian National Army, but it was not formed under the Soviets."
We were formed under the Germans, to combat the Bolsheviks. Many of us volunteered for this, as we don't agree to how things have been in our home. I was willing to lead this little group, but... it seems that, whatever the outcome is, there will not be any place for us. Chancellor Hitler's ideals are no different from Stalin's, from what I see, and this leaves us in a crisis. So I had to lead a retreat, first to Austria, and now to this country."
I know it's too much to ask." The general glanced back up to the prince: his eyes were filled with hope, yet the sense of dread was evident in them. "But we also have children on hand- we need refuge for as long as it takes. Some of us do not wish to return to Russia. The word is, that Stalin- and Russia's most powerful superior- would want us all too gladly to return; I fear the worst if Stalin sees it fit to punish us."
At first, she wasn't sure how to react at first and didn't think it would be best to allow them in her home, but her compassion won out instead: in her heart, Lili was pained. She knew that she shouldn't risk this, to retain neutrality in the war, yet her conscience was telling her to reach out and help these people, by any mean's necessary and, deep down, she didn't want to just turn them out.
What would Vash do? She wondered. He had refugees before, but he was letting less and less charitable, and wanted to stop having any part in this war. He would want to have a say in the matter, since this concerned her. She glanced to her boss, who was in the middle of deep thought. A silence filled with tension between all three hung in the room- who knew what would happen once the knife cut through? The Prince finally spoke up and ended the wait: whatever he had to say, was the official word.
"What do you think, Lili?" The prince glanced up to the small girl. "What would be best, in your opinion?"
She blinked in surprise- her boss wanted her to have a say first? But the answer that came out was the one she wanted to say, despite whatever would happen, or what Vash would say.
"I think we should allow them to stay. They can remain here for as long as it takes to take care of them. I don't turn down someone whose clearly in need, such as your people, Herr Smylovlosky."
"I agree." The prince nodded in approval. "Your people are welcome to stay in Liechtenstein for the time being." He informed the general. A swell of relief flooded through the man as he collapsed back into his chair.
"Thank you... so much." He sighed. "I will make up for this somehow."
"You do not have to." The prince smiled with relief, but the general's brows furrowed, and he once again took on a grave countenance.
"There is one more thing, I'm afraid we have to ask." He continued. "I found something- or rather someone of..." he hesitated as he tried to come up with a proper description, and yet there was a guardedness about the matter "...certain importance. When I was in Austria, I spoke with someone who seemed to take the matter seriously and told me to repeat this to you." He looked at the prince directly in the eye "Go to she who embodies the country of Liechtenstein. Let her take care of this matter, for this should be between the forces that embody our homelands."
The Prince and Lili jolted in their chairs while the girl gasped. They avoided making eye contact as best as they could manage, knowing exactly what the general was talking about, but not taking any chances to risk the nation's biggest secret.
This had to do directly with Lili? What on earth was going on now? Could it be a message from one of the nations? Lili wondered.
"I will let her know." The prince got up. "Please show this person in, and I will direct them to her."
"Thank you." The general also got up and bowed "But I'm afraid that they wont be able to simply follow her." he added before directing something in Russian towards a closed door. From within, one of the men came out, holding a large bundle of something wrapped in blue cloth. He went towards the prince and Lili and held out the bundle as they examined it in confused interest- did he mean a child?
"Lili will take this bundle." The Prince assured them. Lili obediently held her arms out, where the bundle was placed in her arms- something inside it was heavy, but not too heavy for her to hold onto.
"The effects of the chloroform should soon wear off." The general eyed it with a very cautious glance. "And it took quite a bit to get the full effect on this one." He muttered "Unsurprisingly" to himself, which Lili barely heard and made her even more interested in who he was talking about. "I trust you will deliver this to your country's embodiment as soon as you can. Tell her to take extra care of what's inside."
"I will." Lili nodded with a smile, even though she really didn't have to do that. She headed towards the door and walked out of the tavern.
As soon as she was out of eye shot, she hurried back towards her home, eager, but afraid, to see the contents of what was entrusted to her. What was it that had to require a large dose of chloroform?
I'm not going to let brother see just yet. She thought. I should take a look, before he does anything.
A sudden movement from within the cloth almost made her drop the bundle. She decided right then and there to run into the forest, where she could have privacy, away from curious eyes. She made sure to go far in enough to allow her to get back to Vash's house in a heart beat, should the need arise.
Lili set the bundle down and knelt beside it. She tore it open like it was a christmas present, before drawing back away, once the contents were revealed.
At first, it was nothing spectacular- just a curious blob of tan, light pinkish-purple, and silver. A second later, she realized it looked more like a doll that was lying face down- the tan was part of a coat that seemed to reach it's feet, the pink (or was it purple?) was part of a scarf of an enormous length, with the ends over the back, rather than the front, and the silver was actually a head of short hair. A head of short beige-silver colored hair.
"A doll?" Lili asked, confusedly- what was so important about a doll? Or was it a child?
Without warning, the thing rolled over on it's own and nearly made her shriek as she drew further away from it. She slowly inched closer to examine the front side: the coat looked more like it was part of the uniform, with a unusual medal over the doll's left breast, and the doll had dark brown gloves on. She then glanced up to the face.
If this event had taken place about sixty or fifty years later, and Lili acquainted herself with one of Kikku Honda's greatest exports imaginable, she would have correctly identified the doll as a chibi-fied version of a human. Pale skin, with chubby cheeks, a large nose, and big eyebrows with bangs swept across to the side made up the exposed face of the figure, complete with big ears.
Lili admitted that the doll was quite adorable, despite it's oddities, but there was something about it that seemed wrong... very wrong. She picked it up to examine it even more closely: it looked like a doll, but she could feel a human ribcage in that plush body- the steady movement under her fingers hinted that it was a living being.
Her suspicions were confirmed the moment the thing's eyelids started to tremble before slowly sliding up. The most beautiful shade of deep purple eyes meet her sea green eyes. However, as they may say, and to pardon the expression: shit got real the moment it's mouth opened.
"Ah, Switzerland's little sister, da?" The deep, yet innocent sound of the voice of the being spoke with a heavy Russian accent.