Author's Note: What you see in this chapter could theoretically be interpreted as PrussiaxHungary and/or AustriaxHungary, but it's not intended to be.

Chapter 2:

Tot oder lebendig, snatch away tomorrow.

Prussia couldn't feel his new people, the East Germans, as he had once felt his original citizens, the Prussians. He knew they were there, of course, but he also knew that they weren't really his. They were still Germany's people. Even when the Berlin Wall went up, Prussia knew that Germany could still feel them. Prussia was only a retired nation personification, recycled for the sole purpose of giving one half of a split nation an identity. He wasn't really their country. No, he would never be anyone's country ever again. Even if they resurrected the Prussian Empire.

Prussia was not happy in Russia's house, but it wasn't because he was mistreated. He was perpetually sick and tired, and bedridden most of the first year he was there. The Soviet nations often came to visit him, as did their allies. They all tried to cheer him up, to nurse him back to health.

His most common visitor was Hungary. The first time she showed up at his doorway, he was shocked.

"Hungary? What are you doing here? Has Russia done something-"

"Calm down, Prussia, or I'll smack you," she said, raising her frying pan. "You can't get yourself overly worked up, you're still too weak."

"I'm FINE! Why do you all-" He dissolved into a fit of coughing.

"See what you did?" Hungary sighed. "Alright now, get back to sleep. You clearly aren't fine at all."

"Nein, I will not! What did Russia do to you? Tell me!" Prussia started getting out of bed, but his legs buckled the moment he stood up and he fell, knocking himself unconscious. Hungary sighed and picked him up, hoisting him back under the covers.

"Sleep well, Prussia."

After months of Prussia's interrogation, Hungary finally gave in and told him.

"I'm here because my country has allied with Russia. Nothing more."

"Oh really? It had nothing whatsoever to do with the awesome me?" A mischievous expression lit up his face.

Hungary, startled, looked up at him. "What did you say?"

"I said, oh really, it had nothing to do with the awesome m-" Prussia's bewildered response was cut short by Hungary throwing herself onto him. "W-What are you doing, Hungary?!"

"Prussia! Oh, I missed you so much!"

"Hungary, what are you talking about? I've been here the entire time!" Prussia was startled by this sudden change in his once best friend.

"You haven't been you, Prussia, but now the real you is back!" Hungary's smile was brighter than he had ever seen it before. "I never thought I'd say this, Prussia, but I missed your obnoxious side."

Finally understanding, Prussia grinned. "I am too awesome to be obnoxious!" he proclaimed, earning him a smack from Hungary's frying pan.

From then on, Prussia's health slowly improved, although he was still sickly and weak compared to the other nations. He and Hungary renewed their friendship, and were often seen together when not working, talking about anything that was on their minds.

But underneath this facade of happiness, Prussia could sense urgency. It was almost like Hungary was doing her best to say everything she thought she might ever want to say to him now. It was like she knew they did not have much time together.

And it was true.

After 40 years, split in the world was to be mended. After 40 years, all the hurt and pain and suffering it had caused was to be eased. After 40 years, families were to be reunited once more. After 40 years, the Berlin Wall was finally about to fall.

And after 40 years of living a half-life, Prussia was going to fall with it.

As nations, they were all present when the first section of the wall was torn down. They watched with tears in their eyes, holding hands, as it tumbled down, and the first waves of people started rushing through.

Hungary squeezed Prussia's hand, and together they walked through the wall.

Immediately, they were assaulted by an overly enthusiastic Italy, followed by a slightly calmer Austria. Hungary broke away from Prussia, rushing over and hugging her one-time husband with all her might. Prussia watched for a bit, turning away only when he felt a light tap at his shoulder.

"Prussia? Is that you?"

Prussia's eyes widened, filling with tears at the sight of his younger brother. "Germany!"

"Ack! Prussia, you're suffocating me! Stop!" But Prussia did not stop. He used all of his new-found energy to hug his little brother, laughing and crying and laughing some more, until a fit of coughs finally shook him loose, tumbling him to the ground.

Germany immediately knelt down next to him, a serious expression on his face. "Prussia, what's wrong? Are you sick? What happened?"

"It's nothing, West, I'll be fine. It's just a little cough-"

"No it's not." Prussia was suddenly cut off by an infuriated Hungary, who was watching from nearby.

"Hungary!" Prussia hissed. "Don't say any more!"

"NO! He deserves to know the truth, Prussia! Tell him now!"

"I refuse!"

"Fine then. I will tell him." Hungary turned towards Germany, ignoring both Austria's urgent whispers of "Hungary, stop, you're upsetting them" and Italy's whimpers of "Ve... Hungary..."

"Germany, Prussia is-"

"STOP! Fine, I'll tell him, just stop!"

"W-What's going on? Prussia? Tell me what?" Germany, by that time, was thoroughly confused.

"Germany, I'm dying."

"WHAT? No, that's not possible. You survived being dissolved, you can't die!" Germany shouted, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Germany, it's true. Just look at him." Hungary waved her hand to indicate Prussia's gaunt frame. They never were able to get him back to the way he was before. "He's been weak the entire time we were at Russia's house. He's dying, Germany."

"No, that can't be true..." Germany looked down at his brother with a shocked expression.

"Ve, Germany, it's true..." The entire group turned toward Italy in shock. His normally closed eyes were now wide with concern and grief. He lowered his voice. "Germany, can't you feel it? You're the one who's getting his land..."

"He's right, West." Prussia looked up at his little brother. "Don't you remember how you felt when I became East Germany? Didn't you feel half of your country slipping away, fading until you could barely feel the people?"

"J-Ja..."

"And now you can feel them again, as strongly as ever." It wasn't a question, and Germany knew it.

"Prussia..."

"No. I'm not Prussia anymore. Haven't been for the last 40 years. It's just Gilbert now, Ludwig." Prussia- Gilbert- smiled slightly. "When the wall is gone, I will go with it."

Silent tears dripped down Germany's face. "No, you can't go, you're my brother..."

"Shh, now, Ludwig, you'll be fine on your own. I just want to tell you what a wonderful brother you've been. You've grown up to be such a fine nation..." Gilbert's voice fades as the last of the wall falls.

"Gilbert..." Suddenly, Germany's eyes widened. "Gilbert! You're becoming transparent!"

"J-Ja, Ludwig. Here." He reached into his jacket and grabbed his Iron Cross, pressing it into Germany's hand.

"Bruder, I can't take this! You've had this since you were still the Teutonic Knights!" Germany, shocked, looked down at his brother.

"You can. You must take it. It- It's my last favor to ask of you. OK?" Gilbert coughed several times, his body fading further. "I- I have to go now. Take good care of your people, little bruder."

"No. No. Nein. Nein. NEIN!" Germany hugged Prussia tight, sobbing, pleading for his brother to stay.

But it was too late. Gilbert's fading form was absorbed into Germany's body, leaving Ludwig clutching empty air, his brother's final words still ringing through his head.

"I'll always be with you."

German Democratic Republic - unified with West Germany - gone

Author's Note: I'm so sorry, Prussia! You're awesomeness will never be forgotten!