Chapter 5:

The beginning of the Korean War

Russia had added yet another country to his communist arsenal. China, or rather, the People's Republic of China now.

America refused to acknowledge him as a nation. He just couldn't. It was bad enough that a former ally had betrayed him, but to have two of them? At this rate, Alfred wouldn't be surprised if Arthur joined the communists too. Nothing could possibly surprise him anymore.

After hearing the news that Russia was officially building atomic bombs, Truman approved for the development of another bomb; the Hydrogen bomb.

Alfred and he had sat down with some of the top scientists in the country to discuss this new weapon. The man had gone on and on about isotopes and fission and a bunch of big word that only served to confuse the young nation. However, he understood the basic elements.

The H-bomb would by just as powerful, if not greater than, the atomic bomb he had used of Japan.

He shivered. His blood ran cold.

After the scientists had left, Al spoke privately with his boss about the matter.

"Do you really think it's such a good idea to be developing more nuclear weapons? They're the cause of all of our problems right now." The blond leaned forward in his chair and rested his head on his fist.

Truman sighed and took a sip of water that was placed on his desk earlier. It had not been touched since it was delivered and a ring of condensation had formed on the table when he lifted it up. "I understand where you're coming from Al, I really do. I would love to destroy all those god-forsaken weapons and wash our hands clean of this awful mess, but I just can't." He placed the glass back down and looked his country straight in the eye.

"It's an arms race, Alfred. Russia will only continue to build more atomic bombs. We need to be prepared for that. For every bomb they build, we must produce a dozen more."

America looked at his shoes. Every word his boss said was true, but he dare not admit it, at least not to himself. Now that Russia was confident that he could create those damned bombs, he would continue to build them until he died. It was only fair that he do the same.

"My people simply wish to feel safe from your threat."

He shook his head. No, he wasn't going to think like that. Like him. He wasn't anything like that communist bastard! He was America, damnit! Leader of the free world and defender of justice and freedom everywhere. Russia was trying to corrupt the world with his way of government, destroying all of the progress that he had made. Yes, Russia was evil and he was good.

Ivan was the villain and Alfred was the hero in this twisted tale.

Alfred suddenly rose from his seat. He needed to clear his head. Maybe a nice warm bath would do the trick.

"One more thing before you leave Al." Truman ushered from him to sit again. He couldn't imagine what else his boss needed to tell him. It very well couldn't be very important if he had almost forgotten about it, but the seriousness that blanketed the president's face said otherwise.

"Alfred, earlier today I received word of some military movement over in Asia."

"China?" It had to be that traitor; trying to demonstrate his worth to Ivan.

"No, Korea."

Well, that certainly threw him for a loop. "Korea? Whose side is he on?"

"No one's really. It appears that the northern half of the country invaded the south. We're still not sure of the reason."

Alfred sighed. "We're gonna have to intervene aren't we?"

The president nodded. "There will be a UN meeting tomorrow to discuss whether we will send troops to aid South Korea, though I feel the idea will be received with little opposition."

Understanding, Alfred nodded and stood again. He excused himself, this time without interruption, and left to go take his bath. The walk to the bathroom seemed longer as thoughts of Russia clouded his mind. Once there, the American ran the hot water and started to undress. As he did so, his hand brushed against the scar that Kiku had given him on his upper thigh. 'If he didn't attack me, I wouldn't have been dragged into that stupid war. I wouldn't have created that damned weapon...' Alfred quickly removed the rest of his clothing and started to descend into the steaming bath water. He couldn't be blaming others for his mistakes. Hero's didn't do that. Only cowards.

At first, the water was almost scudding, but he continued through the pain. Besides, it allowed him to focus only on the water as it seared through his skin and right to his bones. It was relaxing and, once comfortably in the bath, Alfred closed his eyes. He let the warm water embrace him like a mother's hug. He unconsciously returned to the last world meeting he had attended.

"The line that divides us is blurring, little one."

"Imaging the war between us, Alfred. Image the destruction our madness would leave behind."

Alfred tightened his hand into a fist. The Russian was getting to him. He knew that was exactly what he wanted too, but he just couldn't shake him from his thoughts and neither could his people. America knew his people grew frightened with each passing day. Paranoia spread across his lands like the plague and it wasn't long before the blond was feeling the effects on himself.

He hadn't spoken to any of the other countries since the meeting. He didn't know if he did this out of worry; wanting to keep them out of his problem, or out of fear that they could be his enemy as well. Alfred wanted to tell himself that he chose to remain isolated to protect the others, but he knew very well that deep down, he only did it for himself. For the fear that swarmed around in his head.

America had heard several theories that were buzzing about on the news. Some believed that there were many more Soviet spies that originally believed, others feared the Russians had already taken over the government and used the politicians as puppets to keep them from being detected. Heh, that one made him chuckle. One theory, however, frightened Alfred more than anything else.

A complete government takeover by the Red army.

For centuries after his independence, America believed himself to be impregnable. That no one could possible attack him on his land. That is, until Japan did the impossible. That could have very well explained why Alfred was so affected by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Someone had managed to attack him. A battle had been fought on his soil, something that hadn't been done since the Civil War. It made America aware of just how vulnerable he was. He was a sitting duck that any enemy aircraft could easily bomb. They could destroy Washington in seconds, effectively killing him. Sure, it wasn't the mainland, but it was still his land.

And it certainly didn't help his paranoia that Russia was so close to him. Hell, he could practically see the larger country from Alaska. If Japan, a nation on the other side of the world, could harm him, then Russia was just a doorstep away from knocking on his front door, certainly not asking for a cup of sugar.

Alfred dunked his head under the water. After a few seconds, he felt his lungs cringe at the lake of air, but yet he remained. He needed to stop thinking so negatively. He was just as close to Russia and could do the same things he imagined Ivan doing to him.

But somehow imagining Russia overthrowing his government was hard to remove from his mind.

Ivan could wipe out all that he stood for. His democracy was his life. He couldn't image running under any other form of government, let along communism.

The American suddenly burst out from the water, gasping for precious, precious air. He decided that the bath hadn't done anything to clear his mind and pulled the plug. He continued to sit as he watched the water spiral down the drain. The cold air hit him like a ton of bricks. He quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his hips, hiding his scar. He grabbed another one and rubbed his hair dry as we walked back to his room. He passed several powerful people, whom he exchanged nods of acknowledgement with. Once in the safety of his own room, Alfred closed and locked the door. "They're all fucking communists." He murmured to himself. Alfred knew he couldn't trust anyone anymore, even the superiors in his own government. He changed into some loose clothes and laid down on his bed, letting sleep take hold of him. Unwanted dreams of Russia again plagued his mind.

---

As predicted, the United Nations agreed to aid South Korea just two days after the invasion from the North.

Not far from America, Russia learned of the UN's decision. "So they continue to meddle in other's affairs. America should have learned by now that I will not just sit idly by as he claims glory."

Russia was in one of the meeting rooms in his boss's house. Across the table sat the newly inducted China. He had met with Russia to figure out what to do with the Asian man's brother. China hated to see his young sibling fighting and wished to help. He, too, had heard of the help that would soon assist the south.

"What are you thinking Russia? Will you help?" It was more of a plea than a question.

Ivan crossed his legs under the table and leaned forward on the oak top. "We will demonstrate to America just how powerful we are. I will help your brother's northern side, so long as they follow your lead and become communist." His violet eyes slimmed as he smiled.

The eldest nation nodded. If there was one thing to like about Korea, it was how devoted to China he was. Yao knew that it would be easy to convert him.

"Good." Russia held his smile. China believed that truly cared about Korea's welfare, but Ivan could truly care less. This would be a means to an end, another conflict of power between himself and America. Russia knew how fragile America's mental state was. This would be the final straw that would break the blonds' psyche. He could finally see the world's hero on his knees as he admitted defeat to the larger nation. His smile widened.

"We will give the United Nations false hope. We will let them have their fun for a few days, and once they think that they have won, we will invade."