Never Again

During war, military technology is advanced tremendously in order to overcome one's enemy. However, innovation in weaponry led to a new way of fighting wars… ways that grew inhumane.

World War I, a conflict that took place mainly in Europe with a minor front in Asia-Pacific, pitted the Entente against the Central Powers, leading to the Battle of Ypres in Belgium. It would set the stage for the unveiling of chemical attack.

In the city of Ypres, her civilians had long evacuated from the city. Only the Belgian army remained, and led by a reluctant Belgium. She donned her tan military uniform and held up her axe, striking it at the air.

"This war is stupid," she remarked, "some Austrian archduke died and then Austria pointed fingers at Serbia. Then, Russia and Germany came in and the world, my world, came crashing down."

"Bonjour Mademoiselle Belgique," France greeted as he walked in with a convoy of Frenchmen, "we Frenchmen have arrived to aid you."

"Mer-ci," Belgium replied curtly, "but if you ask me, this is only between Austria and Serbia. Why must you take a side in this fight?"

"Uh… I want Alsace-Loraine back," France said, "and I am allied with Russia and England in the Entente, so I must ally with them in times of war."

"Now thanks to you, Germany is attacking my house," Belgium said, "I told him that I am neutral, and yet he has me at gun-point."

Suddenly, England came in contact with the two other Nations. Likewise, he brought in several British soldiers with him.

"France, you're upsetting the poor girl," England said, "she had been the battlefield of Europe so many times, and you're making her go through this again. Now you've forced me out of Splendid Isolation!"

"I can manage myself quite well. Don't think that I am weak simply because I'm a girl!" Belgium proclaimed.

"Non, I've seen fierce women too like Hungary and Belarus," France said.

"The appropriate proverb would be…" England agreed, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

Over the horizon, another figure came marching in. He was their opponent, Germany who led the Central Powers. In his hands, he carried a gas mask and slowly put it on.

"The Germans must be lacking in their fashion tastes," France laughed, "Even wars have standards in outfits, oui?"

"You frog, there's something odd about Germany today," England said, "keep your guard up."

"I see that we are all gathered for this battle for Ypres," Germany spoke.

"Germany, just leave my house now," Belgium pleaded.

"This is a war, and you are either with me or against me," Germany said, "The ally of my enemy is still my enemy, therefore…"

Germany grabbed onto a device and hurled it to the ground. It quickly released a puff of gas across the battlefield, and some soldiers began to collapse at once. Even Belgium was suffering from the gas, and coughed badly to it.

"Belgique?" exclaimed France.

"This is the latest in German military technology," Germany explained, "We have deduced that poison gas will decimate opposition quite effectively."

"This is still Belgium's land and she is directly affected by this," England said, "you're hurting the girl."

"Like I had said just now, this is a war and everything goes," Germany said.

"The proper proverb for this scenario should be…" England remarked, "All's fair in love and war."

Years later, World War II begins. Germany had forged the Axis Powers with Italy and Japan via the Tripartite Pact, where as England, France, the United States, China and the Soviet Union became the new Entente known as the Allied Forces.

However, this war would end in the Allies' favour. However, Japan held his ground to the very end. America had to end it somehow, and dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Soon, Japan did surrender but at what costs…

America had quickly arrived at Tokyo from England's requests. Japan had surrendered, so the happy ending was attained at last in his opinion. However, England had something else in mind when he met the American.

"You fucking git!" yelled England, "you launched such a fucking powerful bomb! You know that you literally blasted two cities into oblivion, two cities' worth of civilians! Aren't you any more different from the Axis or Russia?"

"But I was doing only the heroic thing…" America protested.

"Yah, and did your Superman commit mass murder to stop the villain?" England questioned, "I didn't think so, you git!"

Suddenly, Turkey came in and punched the American in his stomach. If not for England holding back Turkey, the Turk would have attacked him even more.

"You idiot, you caused Japan so much pain!" Turkey yelled, "I'll be sure ya pay triple his pain!"

"So… tha-that is… the ultimate weapon…" Germany thought, sweating already, "and to think… someone possessing such power…"

"Why? Why Japan?" cried Italy, while blowing his nose.

"Feliciano, the Jap won't be happy if you're making a mess out of his floor…" Romano said, trying to comfort his brother.

Even Greece was there and was awake unusually. He kept his eyes closed, and held out his cross with both hands and in prayer.

"Oh Almighty God, please heal Japan…" he chanted.

"Japan…" China remarked, "… did he… no, no one deserve that."

"Hmpf, Kiku deserved it," Joseon remarked.

"But England, we were fighting a war… so these things tend to…" America explained.

"If you're making excuses, then go make them to Japan!" England yelled, "I'm not putting up with your nonsense! He's in that room right now, but be careful. His mind seems to have gone wild of late."

As America opened up the sliding door and went into Japan's bedroom, he saw an entire column of old photos. All those photos had pictures of Japan and other Nations, with the Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, China, Taiwan, England, Italy, Germany…

Then, he picked up one that caught his eye. It was taken in line of his first meeting with the Japanese, the one where in he forced open Japan to the outside world.

"Japan…" he muttered.

"A-Ame-ri-ca-san…" Japan called.

Then, America turned his attention to the actual Japan. He was lying down on his bed, and bandages wrapped around his entire right arm… and even more. Upon closer inspection, even more bandages wrapped around his body and covered the blooded areas that would be Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan opened his eyes, which were no more than blood red patches.

"Did I do this… to you?" asked the American.

"Not your fault, America-san…" Japan replied, "I was weak, too caught up in the war. I let my people down. They were burning in my head when it happened. It was so horrifying…"

Suddenly, Japan noticed the pistol strapped on America's belt and took it out at once.

"What gives?" exclaimed America.

"America-san, I am a disgrace to the country, Tenno Heika, and my people…" Japan begged, "Please… I don't want to… just kill me and be done with it…"

"But I couldn't…" America said, "It's not the right thing to do…"

"As the victor of the war, you should have no hesitation to crush your opposition," Japan claimed, "please…"

Japan finally managed to sit up on bed and took America's free hand and put the gun there. He then placed it over his own chest.

"America-san, just a push of a trigger and I will be gone," Japan said, "it's now or never…"

America quickly let his hand out of Japan's grip and threw his gun away.

"Death is no answer to everything," America said.

"America-san, you're cruel…" Japan spoke, with tears welling up, "… refusing to let me perish with my honour intact."

"Japan, we are buddies," America said, "look here, I cannot give excuses for what I've done. But I will make it up to you, starting with rebuilding your country anew."

"America-san, even after I had backstabbed you in Pearl Harbour," Japan said.

"They say that all's fair in love and war," America cheerfully replied, "now that the war is over, let's love."

In contemporary times,

Japan was on the way to build up ties with his fellow Nations. While he had travelled to Europe many times before, it was the first time to meet Belgium. All he knew was that she was Netherlands' sister and Romano has a crush on her.

"How to start a proper conversation with her?" thought Japan as he stared at the Belgian in front of him, "bring up her brother… No, they have rocky relations. Bring up Romano-kun… No, if he hears this, his mafia will take me down."

As Japan broke out in sweat over his thoughts, Belgium smiled and took out a tissue for him.

"Boy you're tense," she remarked, "so how is Hiroshima doing?"

"Hiroshima?" exclaimed Japan, "yes, it was challenging. In the end, it is fully rebuilt with America-san's help."

"He must have wanted to atone for his sins," Belgium said, "that feeling of bloodshed upon your homeland, it is bad. I myself suffered it many times before."

"Pardon," Japan said.

"I am the so-called Battlefield of Europe, due to all those wars the Europeans have," Belgium explained, "you were involved in the First World War, right?"

"Hai, I was fighting Germany-san in his Pacific colonies then," Japan answered.

"Well he had to get to me if he wants to fight France," Belgium said, "there was the Second Battle of Ypres, where he unleashed poison gas to the battlefield."

"Will you be okay?" asked Japan.

"Like you, the damage was mostly repaired," Belgium said, "maybe our alliance can be to stop this overzealous growth of weapons."

"True, America-san's use of atomic bombs has caused others like Russia-san and Chugoku-san to possess them," Japan agreed.

"Not to mention that they can do Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles now," Belgium put in, "after the World War, this peace is the best. Let's keep it like that for our children."

"I agree… Belgium-san," Japan nodded.

The Battle of Ypres introduced chemical warfare, while Hiroshima saw the debut of nuclear warfare. One would say that all's fair in love and war, but there are even limits to war and how far one can carry it.