Disclaimer: *looks around* No, we're all still poor. Chances are we haven't bought Hetalia yet.
Warnings: Commencing mass character deaths, mostly by my hand. Sadism, Assassin Italies, Language, More Mental Breakdowns, etc, etc.
Note from Russia: I love this chapter. So much. Yup.
Italy's POV:
"We're going to ask you once more." The sound of a rifle being loaded caught my attention. "What is your plan for Taiwan?" I laughed viciously, surprising the Norwegian man. The darkness that had enveloped me wasn't letting any of my usual cowardice show.
"Our plan is already in effect. You can't stop it now." A flash of pain shot through my ear as Finland fired a shot, devastatingly close. Over the ringing in my ears, I could barely hear what Norway was saying, so I answered in the best form I could. "Tai's already been infected, and she'll spread it to the rest of the Allies." As if we were linked, my brother spoke at the same moment as me, in the same tone of voice.
"It's too late~!"
Using our darkened strength, we both broke our restraints. I headed towards Norway, grinning. As I picked him up by the throat, I spoke again. "Especially for dear China. She was infected quite some time ago. By me." The first time we had met, earlier that day in fact. Norway's body went limp in unconsciousness, and I tossed him carelessly to the ground like a rag doll. A sickening crack signaled that the nation had been killed. Too easily.
"NORWAY!" Denmark screamed, racing towards me with his axe raised. I jumped onto the weapon with my hands in my pockets, giving the Dane a hard kick to the head. He stumbled, and I jumped away, winding up back to back with Romano. "Shall we, fratello?" I asked, and both of us started out of the base, back towards the camp Germany and I had agreed on.
Time skip
Finland shook, hands clutched, frozen, around his rifle. He stared unseeingly at Norway, the man who used to be their living friend. The Italies had escaped, but that didn't matter now. It was only Norway. The Finn ignored the shoves from Denmark, the shouts of blame, the frustrated fight that broke out between his Su-san and the other Viking. His throat closed up.
"I… need some air." He said hoarsely, causing the fighting to stop momentarily. No one moved to stop him as he left.
He rushed through the trees, anger and frustration fueling his footsteps, the rifle now attached to his back. He needed… something. He didn't quite know what, but… It seemed like it was important. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he caught sight of them. His targets.
The two Italies had captured Greece, his back against a tree. The small Finn took aim, trying to be accurate despite the tears blurring his vision.
He missed.
The bullet hit Greece square in the forehead, giving him no chance to react. Finland fumbled to fire another shot, but the Italies had already fled. He spun around, starting to run, and found himself face to face with the same two he had been firing at. They started a conversation as though he wasn't there.
"Look, fratello, a little Finn came to play."
"But he threw a toy at us. He doesn't deserve playtime." Finland aimed his rifle at the duo, but it was knocked away, creating a heavy thud as it landed several feet away. He snapped his eyes shut, preparing for the worst. They opened again when he heard a quiet muttering of "Kumajirou, go!"
A white mass landed on Italy's shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain. Finland soon recognized it as a bear, but it seemed too small to be any proper bear…
A blonde figure pulled himself onto the ledge and drew his saber from a sheath. Italy finally shoved the bear off, revealing a bloody wound covering his shoulder. The two instantly fled, using some signal that only they had noticed.
"Sorry I'm running late, Finland." The stranger said, collecting the bear in his arms. The Finn blinked, confused. The stranger looked like America, though for some reason he looked… quieter.
"Who are you?" Finland asked, looking over the blonde.
"I'm Canada."
Taiwan's POV:
The camp was filled with happiness as I sat next to China and Russia, warming myself by the fire.
"You alright?" My sister asked for the millionth time, looking at the red print on my wrists from where my bindings had been. "Yeah, I –" My sentence was cut off by the sound of grating metal. I looked up slowly to see Russia with his pipe drawn, holding it like a sword.
"Nobody touch her!" Finland said, coming into the clearing with Canada close behind him. "She's been infected." Finland pointed at me. "M-Me?"
"Yeah, you." He sighed dramatically. "Don't play stupid, Taiwan." He aimed his rifle and Russia stepped closer to shield me, China stepping in front of me.
"You're not killing my sister, infected or not." Finland's glare softened and he turned to the other Allies.
"What about you? Are you willing to risk everyone's safety for one life?" England responded almost immediately. "Are you mad?"
"She's infected with darkness. One touch and you are, too." Everyone took a step back, instantly untrusting.
"G-Guys?" I reached for my sister, but she stepped away, looking down. I began to tear up. Everyone was looking at me like some sort of hideous monster. I started to bury my face in my hands, but looked up again as I heard a click. Then I was looking down the barrel of a gun, the other end being held by Finland.
"On your knees." He said brusquely, pressing the end of the barrel on the top of my head. I obeyed, realizing there was no way out.
"Do it quickly." My sister demanded, turning her head away. I could tell she was holding back tears. "On the count of three. Any last words?" I nodded slowly, and looked around at the others. "Yeah. China, you're the greatest sister anyone could have. And everyone, thank you for your friendship." I looked back at Finland and shut my eyes, fully understanding that that was it.
"One." Why the counting? The suspense? Just get it over with.
"Two." Suddenly, the gun fired, but the end I expected didn't come. I opened my eyes, slowly and carefully. "Estonia?"
The Baltic nation had apparently knocked the rifle out of Finland's hands. "Come on, up we go." He started to help me to my feet. "Wait, she's – "
"Yes, I heard. Infected. See? Gloves." He held up his hands, momentarily letting go of me. He pressed his glasses back up his nose, lifting a bottle up for all to see. "Know what this is?" Instantly, I furrowed my eyebrows. "No…" He sighed.
"Open up." He pulled a small tablet from the jar and held it in front of my mouth. "Umm…" I paused, but he took an opportunity and popped the pill into my mouth. Surprised, I swallowed it. After a pause, Estonia visibly relaxed. "Alright, she's safe." China instantly ran over and hugged me. "Thank god."
"What is that?" Britain asked, taking the bottle from him and investigating its contents.
"The cure. But sadly, once you're dark, you're dark. It only works on infections for now, but that's the best I could do." He patted me on the back.
"Welcome back, Taiwan." I turned from my sister and hugged him, tears slipping from my eyes. "Thank you." I muttered. He smiled pleasantly.
"You're welcome."
China's POV:
I couldn't sleep, so I found myself perched yet again high in a tree. This time, my armband was removed, left at the campsite with the rest of my belongings. My head was killing me. Not to mention I felt sort of sick, but not in a flu sort of way. I shifted slightly, staring off into the distance. Everything felt… off.
The brothers watched from the treeline, red eyes following the half-sleeping nation as she left the campsite. Italy smiled, but it had no trace of his former carefree happiness. "It seems Finland didn't listen to us." He spoke quietly.
"Nevermind." Romano whispered back. "We'll have claimed another by dawn."
Time skip
My eyes snapped open, my heart still racing. For the life of me, I couldn't remember the nightmare, but it had still shaken me. I leaned my head against the stiff tree trunk, trying to slow my breathing. I was still extremely tired, but there was no point in sleeping if I was just going to be woken again.
Something else was bothering me as well. I felt as though I was being watched… But that was ridiculous. No one else was awake at this hour, let alone this far from camp. Then my head started to pound. This was no simple headache. Migraine didn't even begin to describe it. I felt like my head was being ripped apart, using the roots of my hair as a grip. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't even form the thought to breathe. Fire began to pound through my veins and I struggled to move. I fell from my perch; the air hitting my face didn't do anything to quench the fire in my veins. Suddenly, I jerked to a stop. I looked up, seeing an evil grin on Italy's face as he and Romano helped me to my feet.
"What took you so long?" I spat, only seeing a smile from the duo.
"Welcome to the Axis, China~!" They chimed.
The Allies were woken by screaming. More specifically, Taiwan's screaming. "CHINA!" She looked around frantically, holding a piece of red cloth in her hands – her sister's armband.
"Calm down!" Britain shouted over the quickly growing din. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Where's China?" Taiwan asked, practically choking the words out.
"That's the least of our worries!" America exclaimed, pointing to the treeline. The others followed his gaze.
"Good morning, Allies." The Italies said cheerily.
America was right, Russia thought. Her location is the least of our troubles.
Standing in between the brothers was China herself.
And her eyes were a deep, bloody red.