Chapter 22: What Is It With England's Colonies and Violence?
It was the Saturday after everyone returned from Christmas vacation and the North American twins decided it was a perfect day to play hockey. Arthur was completely against the idea because last time America ended up with three broken ribs and a broken wrist. But America got Canada back by giving him a broken nose and a concussion when they played baseball, so they were even. In the end, Arthur had Ludwig and Feliciano watch because knowing Alfred, he wouldn't give up until he passed out from pain. But the two were under strict orders not to join no matter how much the two brothers beg.
So the four nations headed out to the frozen lake, dragging their hockey gear with them. Of course several of the students and staff had decided it was a perfect day to be outside. Canada and America put on their skates and grabbed a hockey stick. They carefully checked the ice to make sure it was thick enough and set up boundaries.
They faced each other and Matthew threw the hockey puck down. Canada hit it first but America blocked it and started dribbling it. The Canadian checked his southern brother and knocked him over, effectively taking the puck. He dribbled it and shot it into the goal.
"1-0" Canada called as he and America faced each other again.
By now a crowd was starting to form. Germany tried to shoo them away, seeing how violent Canada could get with a hockey stick, but failed. The English wizards were curious to see what the two were doing.
America hit the puck towards the goal, but Canada blocked it and started dribbling it. He tried to check the northern brother and failed, only to slip and hit his head on the ice. The Canadian paid no mind to the American and scored another goal.
"2-0" he announced.
America picked himself up and faced his brother again. Canada hit it this time and America raced after it. He shot it towards the goal just as Matthew checked him.
"2-1" Alfred called.
Professors Snape and McGonagall came over to see what was going on, but Ludwig wouldn't let them. "Nein. It is too dangerous for you. Matthew is very violent vhen it comes to hockey. His brother is the only one vho can play vith him."
"Hockey?" Snape asked.
"Ja. It usually played in the vinter so Alfred und Matthew usually play it because Matthew enjoys it." Germany replied. McGonagall and Snape walked away, slightly confused.
"Ve~ Doitsu, I think Alfred is hurt." Feliciano told his friend while pointing to the American.
Sure enough, the American was stumbling around like he was dizzy and, though it was hard to tell from where they were, it looked like he was having a hard time breathing. They heard Canada cry "20-7" and act like he couldn't see that his brother was hurt. Now Germany and Italy realized why England sent them out there to watch.
"Stopp! Zat is enough." Germany called.
He pulled out his whistle and blew it. Canada picked up the puck and the two made their way over. America came last and it was more obvious that he was hurt. Canada raised an eyebrow at Germany, like he had no clue why they were told to stop. Like it's been said before, Canada becomes a completely different person when he plays hockey.
"Am-Alfred is hurt." Ludwig informed the Canadian.
Realization dawned in Matthew's eyes and he started to return to normal. He looked curiously at Alfred and saw that Germany was right. The American was wheezing and clutching his head. Canada suddenly started to feel guilty. He might have broken some of America's ribs and given him a concussion.
"I-I'm fine dudes. I just-just need to catch my br-breath." he managed.
"Ve~ Don't be-a ridicolo." Italy scolded. "You probably broke-a some ribs. If you don't stop, you might end up puncturing a lung."
"Kommen. Let's take home to the hospital ving." Germany suggested.
"No-no dudes. I-I'll be fine in a-in a moment." America assured them.
The nations knew he wouldn't be fine in a moment. His injuries were caused by another nation and wouldn't heal how they normally would. He needed medical treatment like a human would.
"Arschloch, if you don't komm villingly, zen I vill knock you out und drag you to the hospital ving." Ludwig threaten.
"Ve~ Luddy, that's not-a good idea." Italy pointed out causing the German to raise an eyebrow. "The way he was skating back over. Didn't you see it? He was skating like a drunk person."
"So?" the German asked.
"So that means he might have a concussion and hitting him on the head will make it worse." the Italian pointed out.
"He's right." Canada said guiltily. "Come on Al. You need to go to the hospital wing."
America opened his mouth to protest but started coughing violently. When he pulled his hand away, he and the other nations saw blood on his glove. That meant he hand a punctured lung.
Canada immediately sat him down in the snow and started undoing his skates. When both hand their boots back on, America willingly let Matthew and Ludwig take him to the hospital wing. Feliciano was nearby, switching between Italian and English. Oddly enough, he was calm about the whole thing, but that was probably because he's seen and felt worse than broken ribs, a concussion, and a punctured lung. They all have.
Madam Pomfrey started fussing over Alfred. She gave him a potion for his lung and mended his ribs, but couldn't do anything for the concussion. She said it could take weeks, possibly months to heal. All she told him was no doing anything that could make it worse. Which eliminated all sports and fighting with Russia. But she was forcing him to stay the night anyway, just to be sure.
She gave him some pajamas and he crawled into bed and feel asleep. The nurse shooed the other three nations, claiming America needed to sleep. But Canada refused to leave. He felt guilty for putting his brother in the hospital wing and he wasn't about to leave him all alone. Finally, Madam Pomfrey relented and allowed Matthew to stay. But she warned him if he upset Alfred, she was throwing him out immediately.
The staff meeting was being held in the History of Magic classroom. Really it was just an excuse for Umbridge to encourage teachers to be narcs. Russia was talking with Snape while hinting at his desire to bash in America's head with his pipe. England on the other hand was resisting the urge to try out the spell Massachuettes sent him for Christmas and setting the Bay State's best friend on Umbridge. He decided against it because it might give his identity away.
Suddenly, Italy ran into the room. "Ve~ En-Arthur! Arthur! Luddy sent me to tell you that Matthew put Alfred in the hospital. The nice infermiera said he'll be fine. He just needs to stay the night. Why do we always forget about Matthew? He's scary. He's one of the best snipers and he's aggressive when it comes-a to hockey."
Arthur sighed. "I have no clue, Ita-Feliciano. I suspect that frog might have something to do with it."
"Ve~ Big brother France-is?" Feli asked.
"Yes. Who else do I refer to as 'frog?'"
"I think-a I asked big brother the same question and he said-a it was your fault." the Italian mused.
"It most certainly is not my fault!" England growled. "Matthew was already the way he is after I received custody of him. If anything, I'll admit to encouraging his aggression by letting him get revenge on Alfred. Now go write a letter to Ja-Kiku, Sl-Aleksander, or someone."
"Ve~ okay!"
England sighed and the boring meeting continued like there had been no interruptions in the first place. He was slightly ticked that the two brothers didn't listen to him, but there was nothing he could do. The damage had already been done. He supposed he'd go see how much damage had been done.
"What can I do for you, Arthur?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I'm here to see my brother, Poppy." England answered. "I was told by Feliciano Vargas that he was injured earlier today."
"I really shouldn't let you in. He needs rest and his twin is already with him." she told the island nation.
"Please Poppy. I need to see the damage."
"Very well." she agreed as she ushered him inside. "He came in with five broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a concussion. I took care of the ribs and the lung but there's not much I can do for the concussion. He'll just have to live with it for now."
She brought him to the sleeping American and went back into her office. Matthew had pulled up a chair next to his southern twin and was sleeping with his face buried in Kumajirou's fur. Arthur had to admit they looked so cute and innocent that China might hug them if he saw them. But he knew there was nothing innocent about America anymore even though he was still a child by their standards.
Speak of the devil, a certain Asian nation came through tbhe doors thanks to Italy's direction. China was hell bent on bullying America into paying back his debt (even though the American has nothing to with that because it was his government's fault and just because his government does something, doesn't mean he's automatically at fault.) He was also looking for answers on the six nations' disappearence.
"Where have you all been, aru?" China demanded.
"Keep your bloody voice down. America and Canada are sleeping and I'm pretty sure Alfred's armed. Not that he's able to aim at the moment but he might get lucky." England scolded.
"Whose 'Canada?' You're starting to lose it Opium." Yao told him.
"I am not! Matthew is Alfred's twin brother and that perverted frog's former colony before his land fell in my possession." England explained. "And he's the big piece of land north of America and the second biggest country in the world."
"Oh. Well why do I care if that capitalist swine is sleeping, aru?" the Chinese man demanded.
"He has a bloody concussion thanks to Matthew. And if he wakes up, he might attempt to shoot you."
"What is it with your colonies and violence, aru?" China asked. "America likes guns and nuclear weapons, Hong Kong likes fireworks, South Arfica likes guns, Canada likes sniping and hockey sticks, Australia is where your bosses sent criminals, and India has one of the highest crime rates. I don't know New Zealand well enough to know what he likes, but my guess is the enjoy some form of violence too, aru."
"What exactly are you suggesting?" Arthur demanded. "I'm not the one who ran around hitting people with a wok and a ladle during World War II."
"No but you used to be a pirate and a ruthless empire, aru." Yao pointed out. "And you introduced drugs to my country. I guess I can hardly blame America for turning out the way he did with having you for a guardian, Opium. I can't even imagine what kind of influence you were on him."
"You bloody git!" England growled, unaware their argument had woken Canada. "Are you insinuating I'm an incompetent guardian?"
"Your words, not mine, aru." the Chinese man said. "But you must be right. Alfred is a lazy, arrogant, stupid capitalist swine with a hero complex and an obsession with sugar and fat that will eventually give him diabetes."
Suddenly Canada pulled out his hockey stick and swung it at China. "Don't you ever insult my brother in front of me again! He is a good person. You all insult him but when your country's in danger, who do you come crawling to? Does he have flaws? Oui. But that gives you non right to use those against him or try to use them to insult Arthur."
He put the hockey stick away. "If you two are going to fight, then go someplace else."
He sat back down and pulled Kumajirou back into his lap. China and England headed back to the History of Magic classroom to continue their fight.
Don't play hockey with Canada, lesson learned. I imagine China and England have a little of a rocky relationship due to the Opium War and the British colonization of Hong Kong. Thank you to my reviewers and followers for all your support. I might not usage tomorrow because I have to write my English essay. I don't own Hetalia or Harry Potter.