Alright so I had a review asking about why Canada uses female pronouns when he knows he is a guy. Its because when he is Matilda he wants others to see him as a girl and to complete the illusion he refers to himself in the female sense. The same is true for when he is Matthew. To let others see him as male he uses male pronouns to describe himself. On a side note I finally got Prussia in here, yay! Ok on to the story then.

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Once the Treaty of Ghent was signed and the war was over Arthur took Matilda home. He helped her to rebuild her house and her city. The two remained close but Arthur had to return home to London, while Matilda was needed in her own lands. Taking on whatever tasks she could Matilda helped to rebuild and strengthen her people. She had a new sense of what it meant to be a nation and fully intended to be a proper nation. She had grown quite a bit following Arthur around and the war had helped to mature her.

Within a few decades of the war she was helping Arthur to organize her lands and unify them into one province. Her borders with America were defined. And after a few more years Arthur gave her some independence in the form of a constitution and a subservient government. Canada was still a part of the British Empire but Arthur did not want what happened with Alfred to happen again. He was making concessions but it showed that he thought of Canada as growing and responsible and it made her happy to stay with him.

Matilda continued to grow eventually she began having to be more deceptive in her disguise. It was no longer enough to simply wear her hair long and dress in girls' clothing. She had to take into account what being a woman meant. The first time she faked her menstrual cycle nearly had Arthur flipping out. He had no idea how to deal with a young woman, albeit Matilda was not his only charge that was a girl but she was the oldest. Arthur immediately called out to his nearest female neighbor, Belgium, and had her give Matilda the girl talk. Matilda found the conversation to be helpful and added to her disguise, she knew that at this point there was no turning back from what she was doing.

When the first World War came around Arthur warned of the dangers of surprise attacks as that had been how many recent wars had been started. Matilda once again found herself being left out of preparations for the fighting. When word reached her that Britain was at war she immediately sought to help her caretaker. Being Matilda though meant that most of the men surrounding her wanted her to stay home and stay safe. She managed to convince her Prime Minister that she could serve as a nurse. In doing so she found someone to take her place and act as her while she shed herself of Matilda and became Matthew once again for the war. From experience he knew that fighting with his men was the best way to ensure victory. Alibi in place he left to fight in the war.

Matthew was there at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and helped lead the troops through the trenches, giving moral support. The trench raiding done for the past several months by the Canadian forces had weakened the resolve of the Germans and strengthened it in the Canadians. The battle was a success for the Canadian troops and Matthew celebrated with his fellows.

Eventually the war came to an end and Matthew returned to Canada as Matilda. The nurse that had aided her in her deception for her leaders was thanked profusely by the nation the two remained in contact for several years until she grew old and died. Matilda attended her friends funeral and found for the first time the pain of being more than human as she watched her friends family grieve.

During the 20's Matilda became more isolated from other nations. Her government worked to gain more independence from Britain and improve relations with the US. Matilda once again began spending large amounts of time with Alfred. He acted as though any previous conflict between them did not exist and Matilda was glad to leave things be so long as he respected her and didn't try to force his ways on her.

When the Great Depression struck Canada, Matilda took it in stride. It seemed that everyone was suffering from this economic down turn. Civil unrest was common and while her government was trying to help the people by giving them work, things were needed that were not given. Strikes blossomed across the work camps.

Matilda also saw that tensions were rising in Europe and as the depression waned began encouraging rearmament. Her boss listened to her. Despite this when Jewish refugees began to seek places to settle her boss was vehement that they not come to Canada. He placed restrictions on those coming from Europe wishing to immigrate an made it very difficult for the refugees to complete the process. Matilda was not happy about this but she could not argue what was a large voice in her population.

When war broke out in Europe Matilda was ready to go and aid Britain as she had done for the previous war. Unlike that war though she was now more independent and in control of her own foreign policy and as such her government wanted to weigh the options and consider what was best for the people. Matilda couldn't argue that but it wasn't long before a decision was made and Canada was fighting in the war. Despite the effects of women's suffrage on their ability to take part in the war effort Matilda still became Matthew once again to fight on the front lines and inspire those fighting for him.

It was during this war that he came face to face with Prussia on the battlefield. Matthew was fighting in northern Europe against Nazi forces and had been separated from his company. Taking shelter in a bombed out church in what once must have been a nice farming town he was stumbled upon by the albino. the two stood at a standstill, weapons raised and ready to fire at a moments notice. Matthew was grimy and dirty and Prussia was not much better though he was dressed as an officer rather than a common soldier as Matthew was.

Prussia was the first to lower his weapon.

"What's your name kid?" The Prussian's accent was thick but Matthew was easily able to make out the question.

Wary of the older man, and aware of just what he was, if not who, Matthew responded. "Matthew, Matthew Williams."

Prussia studied him for a moment before nodding. "I'd say you were American but your uniform isn't quite right and besides." He motions to the patch on Matthew's sleeve that shows his nationality. "The flag is wrong."

"I'm Canadian."

"Hmm. Well either way you're going to have to come with me. I don't know how you got so far back here but you crossed the line so now you're mine." He raises his gun once again and Matthew answers by bringing up his own weapon. Several clicks of weapons being brought up and aimed at him have him lowering his weapon to the ground. Matthew rises with his hand held up and one of the soldiers comes up and binds his hands behind his back. Matthew never lets his eyes tray from the albino's red ones. There was no way that Prussia knew he was like himself. He was just a common soldier where most other nations put themselves up in the ranks as officers of varying levels. So for Matthew to be just a low level common soldier, it wasn't likely that Prussia thought much of him aside from that.

Matthew spent just over a month as a prisoner in Prussia's care. Apparently he had stumbled into the area near an existing prison camp for prisoners of war. Russians, Americans, French and English soldiers were all kept at the camp alongside Canadian, Australian and New Zealand prisoners of war. The short stay for Matthew wasn't due to his allies coming to he rescue and it wasn't due to some prisoner exchange or even the end of the war. No the reason Matthew was only there for just over a month was because he led the other prisoners to rise up. They were all trained soldiers so it was easy enough to assess who could do what and equip them with what they needed. On the night that they sprung themselves several soldiers, Matthew included, snuck up on the night guardsmen and disarmed them. Matthew had taken to disarming the Prussian.

"Fuck!" Prussia glared at Matthew. "You cheeky little bastard. Wat the hell do you think you're doing?"

Matthew tilted his head o the side and hummed a moment. "I'm getting myself and the others out of here. what does it look like I'm doing. Now," Here Matthew raises his stolen weapon so it is level with Prussia's heart. "Tell them to open all the gates. We'll be taking our leave of you here."

Faced with no other choice than to comply Prussia orders the guards to open the gates and free the prisoners.

As they are leaving Prussia shouts after Matthew. "Matthew Williams! Don't think I'll forget this. You're a good soldier and while I hate to admit to this humiliating defeat you led your men well. You deserve this freedom. But mark my words when next we meet there will be reparations."

Matthew just smirked, his back to the camp as he followed after the others. He highly doubted that and he was sure that Prussia still thought he was a normal human soldier and so the threat was empty.

When Canada did next meet with Prussia it was as Matilda. The war was won and the Allies were discussing the punishment of the Axis. Matilda was there to represent her nation's interests. She frowned when the decision was made to dissolve Prussia into the Soviet Union and East Germany. After the meetings were concluded that day Matilda bumped into Prussia as she was leaving. He steadied her and the two locked eyes. At first Matilda thought the Prussian would recognize her and expose her. During the war she had had to cut off most of her hair and was unable to put it into the distinctly feminine pigtails she adored. The shorter shoulder length blonde locks were more tomboyish than sh was used to but the curls made it effeminate enough to make her convincing. But Prussia had spent over a month in Matthew's presence and before that had never met the Canadian. She hoped he wouldn't make a connection.

"Woah there Birdie, no need to be rushing all over the place." Matilda looks away from him, blocking eye contact and playing at being shy. Prussia studies her for a moment after steadying her and lets her go. "You're Canada right?"

Matilda nods her head.

"Good. I was actually hoping to run into you. I wanted to talk about one of your soldiers that I met."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, his name was Matthew Williams. Stubborn little bastard. Anyway I just wanted you to get a message to him for me."

Matilda was rather relieved, he didn't recognize her! "Uh, sure. I can do that. Do you know what division he was in?"

"Well no, not exactly." Prussia rubs the back of his head, "He was a POW in the camp I was stationed at. He led the other prisoners in a rebellion at the camp and they all escaped. I'm sure that should make him easier to track down at least, right? Anyway, just tell him I haven't forgotten him. Even though it looks like we'll never meet again."

"I'll be sure to tell him."

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Long chapter but a good one. Yes! Finally have Gilbert making an appearance. Mein gott that seems like it took forever. Hope you all liked this, review please.