Chapter 8
Things in America couldn't possibly have been worse. Ever since Gilbert had taken over as Leader, the country's economy and natural resources had depleted dramatically. Gilbert didn't want any of the other Leaders telling anyone about this, so he closed off the borders, not allowing anyone to get in or out.
Since all the other Leaders couldn't get back to check on their countries, Gilbert managed to successfully take over Austria. He kept the Leader, Roderich Edelstein, locked in the basement, where he was kept with his arms chained behind him so he wouldn't try to challenge Gilbert to take Austria back. He even had prison bars built around him to make sure there was no chance of escape.
This devastated Elizabeta Héderváry, the Leader of Hungary, who cared deeply for Roderich since their countries were once united. But because Gilbert now owned Germany, America and now Austria, she practically had no authority to challenge his actions. In fact, one of the reasons Gilbert had Roderich locked up was to get revenge on Elizabeta for helping Roderich defeat Gilbert all those times during war. Now he was just waiting for Elizabeta to break so he could then convince her to unite Hungary with Prussia (in other words, marry him).
Gilbert crouched in front of a bruised and cut Roderich, holding the Leader by his shirt collar, "T-take….your hands…off me," Roderich said wearily, on the verge of blacking out, trying to stay strong.
Gilbert only tightened his grip and landed one more punch to Roderich's jaw. Francis, who was waiting for him at the top of the stairwell, winced at Roderich's cry of pain. Finally, Gilbert left the Leader alone and began to walk up the stairs and passed Francis who sighed, "Zis never happened with Ludwig." He muttered.
Gilbert whirled around, "Vhat did you say!" he demanded and went up close to Francis.
"N-nozing! Nozing at all!" Francis stammered.
Gilbert leaned closer to him so that he was inches away from Francis' face, "You know ze law! NEVER mention zat name in my presence!" he spat.
"Y-yes sir!" Francis said quickly.
That was one of the many laws Gilbert created under his rule, so it was difficult for everyone to complain. The soil eventually dried up so that grass couldn't even grow. The rivers dried up and all the animals were migrating up to Canada in astounding numbers. Even though the sky was no constantly covered with dark clouds, not a single drop of rain fell from the sky.
The citizens all lost their jobs and money and became homeless and hungry one by one. The Leaders still had food due to hunting, but they always got very little game and it wasn't enough to share with the citizens, and hardly with all the Leaders. More and more citizens were dying every day and the Soviets had taken over everything, which made matters worse. No one could go outside alone without being jumped by a Soviet.
Rachel had grown into a fine young woman and learned all her duties about being a Leader, but it didn't really mean anything since she couldn't even go to Seychelles to take care of it. Also, ever since Alfred's death she seemed to get more depressed every day. Kiku tried talking to her about it, but it seemed like nothing could make her smile anymore.
Arthur was the same, but the only difference was he was better at hiding his depression; but he hid it through anger and coldness. He hardly ever talked or smiled, and lashed out at anyone who bothered him. But in reality, he constantly had an ache in his heart and longed to see Alfred's young face again. Whenever he was alone, he would lock himself in his room and look at all the photos he had of the boy and remember the good times. This would often lead to tears that he thought had disappeared long ago.
Rachel walked outside the Mansion that was now falling apart due to lack of care. She stared at the barren ground that used to be the large field that she and Alfred would chase each other in when the weather was nice. Many of the other Leaders came out as well with her and remembered when America used to be beautiful and full of life; just like Alfred.
"Big brother, will the animals ever come back?" Lili Zwingli, the Leader of Liechtenstein, asked Vash, the Leader of Switzerland.
Vash sighed, "I don't know Lili…I don't know." He said quietly.
Rachel turned away, hoping to drown out the pity and hopelessness in their voices. She hated feeling helpless, and she wanted to do something about it. But there was only one thing that she could do to help her home. She had to find someone to help them take down Gilbert.
All: Fatshe leso, lea halalela. Fatshe leso, lea halalela.
R: Shadowland, the leaves have fallen, this shadowed land. This was our home. The river's dry, the ground has broken. So I must go, now I must go. And where the journey may lead me, let your prayers be my guide. I cannot stay here, my family. But I'll remember my pride.
Leaders: Prideland/R: I have no choice!
L: My land/ R: I will find my way!
L: Tear stained, dry land/ R: lea halalela!
L: Take this, / R: Take this prayer!
L: with you, / R: What lies out there?
L: Fatshe leso/ R: lea halalela!
Kiku walked up to Rachel and took her shoulders, "Are you sure you want to do this? You might not be able to come back." He said.
"I know Kiku, but there's bound to be someone out there who will help us. Gilbert won't notice if I leave; my country isn't important to him. I won't let you all suffer any longer." Rachel said.
Arthur walked up to her with the other Leaders, "Please, just be careful; I don't know what I would if we rost you rike we rost Alfred." Kiku said gripping her hands, causing tears to come to Rachel's eyes.
"We wish you luck, and we wir be waiting for you to return." Kiku said with sadness in his eyes.
Leaders: And where the journey, may lead you. Let this prayer be your guide. Though it may take you so far away, always remember your pride!
(Feliciano walks up to Rachel, who kneels before him as he blesses her to have a safe and successful journey.)
L: Fatshe leso, lea halalela. Fatshe leso,(Rachel joins) lea halalela!
All: And where the journey, may lead you/me, let this/your prayer be your/my guide! Though it may take you/me so far away, always/I'll remember your/my pride!
L: And where the journey may lead you/ R: Giza buyabo! Giza buyabo!
L: Let this prayer be your guide/ R: I will return! I will return! Beso bo!
L: Though it may take you so far away/R: Giza buyabo, I will return!
L: Always remember your pride! / R: Giza buyabo…
R: Oh, giza buyobo. Beso bo, my people, beso bo…
Alfred, Tino and Eduard sighed as they lay on a field of grass under a starry sky. "What a long day!" Alfred said stretching.
"Yeah, and look how pretty the stars are." Tino said, "Hey Eduard, what are stars anyway?" he asked.
Eduard shrugged, "I'm not so sure, but one person at home once told me that they were fireflies that got stuck in the sky." He said.
Tino nodded, "I always thought they were spirits looking down from the heavens, or at least that's what my people say. What do you think Alfred?" he asked.
Alfred frowned, "Well, kind of like what you said Tino. Someone once told me that the great Leaders of the past are up there watching over us." He said slowly, wincing slightly as he remembered his father.
Tino's eyes grew big, "Really?" he asked.
"That's pretty weird when you think about it," Eduard said with a frown.
"I guess, "Alfred shrugged and he looked at the sky sadly. He got up and began to walk away,
"Where are you going?" Eduard asked.
"I'll be right back," he said quietly.
He walked over to a ledge that was nearby and covered in small flowers. He looked at the sky and slowly felt the guilt and hurt return. He slumped down onto the ledge and covered his face with his hands, sending loose petals of the flowers flying into the wind.
Meanwhile in Italy, Feliciano was sitting on his windowsill holding a bowl of pasta. Gilbert didn't care much about Feliciano and Romano so he left them alone. They could both come and go from America, but they had to always be sneaky about it.
He felt the wind blow gently as a bunch of flower petals flew past him. He closed his eyes and felt the wind sweep over him. This wind was familiar, and yet unrecognizable at the same time. He took a bite of pasta as he read the atmosphere a little harder until it hit him.
"Alfred?" he asked aloud. He turned to the crumpled piece of paper in the corner of his room, "He's alive…? He's alive!" he cried.
He put the pasta down and happily grabbed his notepad and pencil. He couldn't recognize the wind at first because Alfred was all grown up. He sketched the adult Alfred based on what he felt on the wind. He laughed and held up his drawing in front of him, "It's time, ve?" he asked the drawing.
AN: I...am a horrible person...first I kill offLudwig and now I'm torturing Austria? I'd better watch out for frying pans...(I think I'm developing a love for hurting England AND Austria...weird right?)
I guess by now you've figured out that I'm combining the movie AND the broadway show into this! Poor Rachel...I'm sure she'll find a way to save America!
Yeah...poor Arthur's in depression. (I hope all you fangirls out there appreciate how much USUK fluff I'm putting in here)