Author's Note: This is the last chapter... I want to cry now... :'(

Thank you all for reading this story. It was a great experience.

THIS STORY NOW HAS A SEQUEL! It's called "The World that Once was Ours".

I don't want to leave a note at the end this time, so translations and stuff will be here.

Translations:

Прощайте = farewell (pronounced "proshshaite")

guten tag = hello

ciao = hello

mon ami = my friend

Title is from Russia's character song, "Winter".

Epilogue:

Прощайте, until the day I can see clear skies. Прощайте, facing the darkness, so I collect my confused thoughts, Прощайте.

Russia lay in a field, gazing up at the clear blue sky. Around him, thousands upon thousands of sunflowers turned their faces toward the sun. Russia smiled and closed his eyes. This is peace...

There was no violence anymore, no need for armies or weapons. In the 50 years since the end of the war, the world had united. Rebuilding had been hard, but it had been accomplished. All the cities that had been bombed into oblivion were now standing strong once more. Now everyone had enough, and everyone was content. Russia had never felt so happy in his life.

He only had one regret.

It was his dream that the world would one day become one with him, but this was not how he had envisioned it. He had wanted all the nations to live together in one home, as one happy family. He hadn't wanted this.

He hadn't wanted to end up alone.

A tear found its way out of his eye, sliding silently down his face. Russia closed his eyes. He missed them so much...

He opened his eyes again. Wait... what's that?

In the distance, there seemed to be a shimmering patch of air. Instinctively, he reached for his pipe, forgetting that he hadn't had it in years.

He got to his feet and walked toward it. As he got closer, he heard voices whispering. He walked faster, drawn toward the light by an invisible force. He could hear laughter.

His heart ached. He hadn't laughed for decades.

Just as he reached it, the shimmer burst apart. Russia stopped. "No, don't go-"

"Relax, Ivan, we aren't going anywhere."

It can't be, that's- Russia whipped around, scarf flying.

They were all there, standing behind him, spread out through the field, hands linked and smiling at him.

The nations.

With a cry of joy, his sisters broke out the crowd and jumped on him.

"Big brother!"

"Oh, little Ivan, I missed you so much..."

The other nations followed.

"Ivan aru!"

"Look, Toris, it's, like, Ivan!"

"I can see that. How have you been?"

"Mr. Ivan! I never thought I'd say this, but I missed you!"

"RAIVIS! Please excuse him... But we really did miss you."

"It's Ivan, da ze!"

"Ivan-san, how nice to see you again."

"Ve, Ivan!"

"Feliciano, don't jump on him! Guten tag, Ivan."

"Shut up, potato bastard, don't tell my brother what to do! Oh, ciao, Ivan."

"Ah, Ivan! Have a tomato!"

"Did you miss the awesome me?"

"Shut up, Gilbert. I still have my frying pan."

"Hello, Ivan. I heard Feliciano gave you my music player."

"Hmm... You've done a good job. I guess I won't hit you with my peace prize."

"Big bruder!"

"Ah, hello, Ivan! Come on, Berwald, say hello!"

"Hello..."

"Haha! Dudes, look, it's Ivan!"

"Shut up."

"Oh come on, brother dear, be nice to him for once."

"Hey, look, it's the commie!"

"HE'S NOT COMMUNIST ANYMORE, YOU BLOODY GIT!"

"Oh, calm down, mon ami. I'm sure Ivan does not mind."

Russia smiled. All his friends... But where was Canada?

"Ivan... I told you we would see each other again, eh?"

The shorter man grinned, rushed over, and gave him a bear hug. And for the first time in decades, Russia laughed.

They all sat together, in the sunflower field, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon. The day had been spent talking, laughing, playing, and just generally enjoying each others' company. It was the best day of Russia's life.

"Canada-"

"Matthew. Or Matvey, if you insist. I'm not Canada anymore, I told you already."

"Matvey. Thank you for coming back."

"It was no trouble, Ivan. Actually, we kind of had to come."

Russia raised his eyebrows. "Why is that?"

"Ivan, will you come with us?"

"Come with you? What do you mean?"

Matthew shifted, facing Russia. "Ivan... The world doesn't really need you any more, surely you can feel that?"

"Da... I've been thinking about that for a while now..."

"So we've come to take you with us. But it's your choice. It's rather painful, leaving the world behind. If you'd rather stay and represent it, you can. We can always visit you periodically."

Russia sat in silence for a moment, staring into Matthew's eyes.

Arthur's voice rang out behind him. "Ivan, I know it's a hard choice to make, but you have to be quick about it."

He turned around, seeing that they had all gotten up and were looking at him expectantly.

"We have to leave by last light. If you're coming, decide now." That was Ludwig, punctual as usual.

"I..." Russia looked around at the faces of his friends. To be alone again would be torture. "Da. I'll come. What do I have to do?"

Matthew smiled. "Take my hand."

Russia reached out and grasped the blonde's outstretched hand. Matthew concentrated, and suddenly, the connection between Russia and his people broke.

Searing pain spread in his body, and he gasped as his eyes snapped open. The others' worried faces hovered above him.

"Ivan? Ivan, are you OK?"

"...Da..." The pain settled a little, and Russia was able to gasp out the word.

Someone grabbed his hand, pulling him upright. He stumbled a bit, but righted himself. They arranged themselves in a circle, all holding hands.

"Now what?" Russia asked Matthew, who was on his right.

The smaller man smiled, giving his hand a squeeze, and nodded toward the sun. "Now we wait."

They watched the beautiful sunset.

As the last rays of the sun sank below the horizon, the nations faded from the world for the final time.

Russian Federation - rendered obsolete - gone

End.