Chapter 5

Alfred and Rachel hung back away from Ludwig as best they could while Francis and Ludwig led the way through the large field near the Mansion. The sun had just disappeared and the stars and moon were starting to appear in the sky. Francis looked back sadly at the poor children, beginning to feel sorry for what they went through.

"Francis!" Ludwig snapped.

Francis flinched, "Oui?" he asked.

"Take Rachel home, I need to teach my son a lesson." Ludwig said looking back at Alfred who sunk into the tall grass.

Francis walked over to the two children, "Come Rachel," he said to the girl.

He then turned to the boy and put a hand on his shoulder, "Alfred, bonne chance," he sighed.

He took Rachel's hand and led her away, leaving Alfred alone with his father.

"Alfred!" Ludwig barked. Alfred cringed and slowly made his way over to Ludwig. He stood next to Ludwig and slowly looked up at him and Ludwig looked down at his son, "Alfred, I am very disappointed in you,"

Alfred looked at the ground, "I know."

"You could have been killed! You deliberately disobeyed me;" Ludwig continued, "And vhat's vorse, you put Rachel in danger as vell!"

Alfred blinked back his tears, "I was just trying to be brave like you." He said, his voice starting to crack.

"I'm only brave vhen there's trouble; being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble." Ludwig said.

"But you're not afraid of anything!" Alfred said.

Ludwig looked at the ground, "I vas afraid today," he said.

"You were?" Alfred asked.

Ludwig knelt down to him, "Yes, I zought I vas going to lose you." He said gently.

Alfred nodded in understanding, "I guess even Leaders get scared sometimes," Ludwig nodded.

"But you know what?" Alfred asked.

"Vhat?" Ludwig asked.

"I think those Soviets were even scareder." Alfred said smiling.

Ludwig chuckled, "That's because no vun messes vith your father! C'mere!" he said scooping up Alfred and rubbing his head. Alfred struggled hard and managed to squirm out of his dad's arms. Alfred tackled Ludwig and the two rolled around laughing in the grass, ending up with Alfred sitting on his dad's chest.

"Dad, we're pals right?" Alfred asked when they calmed down.

"Right," Ludwig said smiling.

"And we'll always be together right?" Alfred asked.

Ludwig's smile faded and he sat up, holding Alfred on his lap. "Alfred, let me tell you somezing that my father told me," he said looking at the sky,

"Look at ze stars; ze great Leaders of ze past vatch down on us from zose stars."

Alfred stared at the star-filled sky, "Really?" he asked.

Ludwig nodded, "Yes, so vhenever you feel alone, remember zat zose Leaders vill alvays be zere to guide you….and so vill I."

After a moment of silence, Ludwig and Alfred walked the rest of the way home. They got inside and Ludwig ruffled Alfred's hair before heading upstairs to bed. Alfred found Rachel waiting for him down the hall. Judging by Alfred's smile, she knew everything had worked out and they headed for Rachel's room, where Alfred usually came to play.

They opened the door only for a second before they were swept into the arms of Arthur and Kiku. Francis had told them about what had happened and were horrified.

They set the children down and looked them over, "Are you alright?" Arthur asked frantically.

"We're fine Iggy," Alfred said rolling his eyes.

Kiku held Rachel's shoulders tightly, "Prease. Promise me you will never scare us rike that again."

Rachel smiled, "We promise." Arthur and Kiku picked up the children and walked off to get them ready for bed.

Meanwhile, in the abandoned base of the old battle field, three certain Leaders were brooding about their loss.

"Damn that Ludvig!" Ivan cursed as he touched his swelling cheek where Ludwig had knocked him to the ground, "I'll be svollen for a veek!"

Katyusha began to giggle causing Ivan to frown. "It's not funny Kat!" he snapped.

Katyusha tried to stop, but loud laughter burst forth, "I'm s-sorry Ivan…but you look so funny!" she said as she continued to laugh.

"Shut up!" Ivan yelled, but Kat wouldn't stop. Finally, a fed-up Ivan tackled her and they rolled around all over as Ivan tried to hit her with his pipe.

Natalia heard the commotion and ran down the stairs, "Vill you two knock it off?" she yelled trying to hold back Ivan.

"He started it." Katyusha whined, pointing at Ivan.

Natalia sighed and let go of her brother, "Look at us, no vonder ve're veaker dan mice!" she scoffed.

Ivan frowned, "I hate mice," he muttered.

"You know, if it veren't for dose damn Axis powers and Allies, America vould be all ours!" Natalia said.

Ivan nodded, "I hate zem; so bossy," he said,

"And pushy," added Natalia,

"And stinky!" Katyusha added and the three siblings began to laugh.

"Oh, surly ve aren't all zat bad." A voice said causing the three startled Leaders to look up at the upper balcony where Gilbert was leaning on the railing.

Ivan sighed, "It's just you Gilbert,"

"Ve vere afraid it vas someone important." Natalia said.

"Yeah, like Ludvig." Katyusha said.

"I see." Gilbert said frowning.

"He's so intimidating, I hear his name and I shudder," Natalia said.

Gilbert rubbed his temples, "I'm surrounded by idiots," he muttered.

"Not you Gilbert, you're vun of us, you're our ally." Ivan said.

"Awesome," Gilbert said plainly, "I can't believe it, I practically gift-wrapped those kids for you and you couldn't even kill zem." He sighed.

Natalia frowned, "Vell it vasn't like zey were alone Gilbert; if it veren't for Ludvig ve vould've killed zem easily."

Katyusha nodded, "Vhat are ve supposed to do? Kill Ludvig?" she asked.

Gilbert smiled, "Precisely." And he jumped down from the balcony.

G: I know zat your powers of retention, are as vet as a varthogs backside. But zick as you are, pay attention! My vords are a matter of pride. It's clear from your vacant expressions ze lights are not all on upstairs. But ve're talking kings and successions, even you can't be caught unavares! So prepare for ze chance of a lifetime, be prepared for ze awesomest news! A shining new era is tip-toeing nearer.

N: And vhere do ve feature?

G: Just listen to teacher. I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be revarded, vhen at last I am given my dues; and injustice deliciously sqvared, be prepared!

I: Da, be prepared, ve'll be prepared…for vhat?

G: For ze death of ze Leader Ludvig!

K: Vhy? Is he sick?

G: No, loser ve're going to kill him and Alfred too!

N: Great idea who needs dem?

K: Yeah! No king! No king!

G: Idiots! Zhere vill be a King!
K: But you said-

G: I vill be Leader! Stick vith me, and you'll never be veak again!
N, I,&K: Da! Long live Gilbert! Long live Gilbert!

Soviets: It's great dat ve'll soon be connected vith a king who'll be long-time adored!
G: Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected to take certain duties on board. The future is littered vith prizes, and though I ze main addressee, ze point zat I must emphasize is: YOU VON'T GET A SPECK VITHOUT ME!

G & Soviets: So prepare for ze coup of ze century, be prepared for ze murkiest scam!

Meticulous planning,

(Ve'll have land!)

Tenacity spanning,

(Lots of land!)

Decades of denial

(We repeat!)

Is simply vhy I'll

(Never beat!)

G: Be king undisputed, respected, saluted, and seen for how awesome I am! Yes my awesome ambitions are bared! Be prepared!

All: Yes our awesome ambitions are bared! Be Prepared!

Gilbert and the Soviets laughed maniacally; it wasn't going to be long before their lives would change, and America was theirs for good.

AN: Woohoo! We're almost at the climax! It's kinda funny if you try picturing Gilbert singing this song! LOL!

I told you I was gonna add in some USUK brotherly fluff and I did! I even added some Kiku and Rachel fluff (Kiku's accent is actually kinda hard to write XD)

Anyway, next is when the good stuff happens!