Chapter 5

England's POV

I woke up, the sunlight shining in my eyes, everything seemed to be blurry and too bright, I felt like I was waking up from a night full of drinking. The pain in my head heavily resembled a hangover. I shielded my eyes; the snow seemed to heavily reflect the sunlight. I tried to clean off my snow covered clothes, but it was no use, I was already soaked. My body shook as I just began to notice how cold I really was.

How did I get here? The last thing I remember was going to Canada's house. I looked around for a clue. It wasn't long till I saw France who was lying next to me in the snow. He was lying on his side, his face away from me. I put my hands on his arm and began to shake him, he didn't move. I shook him again, nothing happened. I noticed then his long, wavy hair fell from his neck, reveal a trail of blood coming from his ear, dripping down the back of his neck, I saw as it fell in to the white snow, painting the white snow scarlet. Then the memories fled back in to my mind.

America and his evil smile, the Southern American countries and Lithuania, the soulless, colorless look they had in their eyes, their pale almost dead look, the way bullets seemed to pop right out of them, as their skin healed instantly, the non-hesitant look America had as he killed Poland and Spain, the yearning he had on his face when he was given the option to kill both France and I, the dark grin that grew on his face when Canada agreed to join the empire. This was not the boy I have raised, the boy I had taught about honor and respect. This was not the hero that I had grown to love so closely.

I turned back to France and quickly turned him on to his back, there was blood in his hair, and his lips looked blue. Fuck! I grabbed him in my arms and stood up trying to carry him. He was both taller and bigger than I, so I struggled as I tried to carry him back to where Canada's houses use to sit.

"C'mon old chap, we just have to make it to my car," he said. "Hang in there." I held him in my arms; it took awhile as I limped holding him with all my might. I had to make it to the car! I couldn't let myself fail! I could fail France! He didn't have much longer! I had to save him, I just had to! He was the only one I had left! My legs felt frozen and stiff, but I kept them moving, small step after strong step I kept moving, I had to make this! I won't let him go! I felt my body begin to shut down as I approached a huge hill, the wind blew more snow my way make my body shake. I kept walking. When I finally got to the top of the hill I took another step and I began to see Canada's house, I tried to keep moving forward, only for my body to finally break down. I fell to my knees. I bent my head in shame. My tears fell on to his cold body. I will not fail you! I will keep going! I will make you safe! I continued to cry. I had to keep him safe! I loved him! I never wanted to admit it, but truly loved him with all my heart! I would not let him die! I would not let myself lose him! He's a nation, he will heal fast, and I just need to make him safe! I saw my tears hit his pale face playing along his pale cheeks. I held his body tight again and stood up on my wobbly legs, I began to fall again, but I got myself and continued to stand up. I slowly made my way to Canada's house praying he wasn't still there. Sure enough, everything looked untouched from last night. When I finally made it to my car I shifted France, so he was almost standing, his arm over my shoulder, while the rest of his body leaned against the car. I quickly opened the car door and then picked up France and laid him in the back seat. Then I went and got a blanket from my trunk. This used to be America's blanket, I thought as I tucked it around France. He used to use this whenever we took long car rides. He would fall asleep snuggling it. How did that sweet little innocent child grow up to be this monster, a monster that hurts those who were close to him?

I shut the back door and then just sat there leaning against my car. He changed so much. What happened?

My thoughts were interrupted by a hopeful sound, France coughing from inside the car. He was coming back.

I then got in the driver's seat and started the car. I had to get him home.

When I got home I was surprised to see Russia waiting outside my house. Though he was an ally, he usually kept to himself, and he has never really visited me before, if there was anyone of the allies he was actually friends with, I'd have to think it would be China. We would really be more acquaintances rather than friends. He greeted me while I got out of my car

"Privet, England," he said smiling the way he always did.

"Ahhh, yeah…hi Russia," I said, rushing to the back to check on France. I was glad to see that he was getting better, probably due to the fact he was in his own continent. He would probably heal a lot faster if he was in his own country, but I wasn't exactly comfortable with leaving him alone right now. Russia peeked over my shoulder to see what distracted me so much.

"Wh-What happened to France?" he asked, his voice seemed both scared and concerned, but he tried to hide it.

"We were attacked by America last night. He got Canada, Poland and Spain. France and I were only able to get away because Canada wouldn't join the American Empire unless he let France and I go, however before they left, they attacked us, France got hit harder than I did," I told him taking France in my arms, Russia saw that I was struggling and took France from me. He seemed to be able to hold France quite fine in his big muscular arms.

I walked over and unlocked the front door, and help it open for Russia.

"Thank you for doing this," I said as I led Russia to my guest room. I watched as he placed France on the bed that used to belong to America, the irony made me snort. The world had changed so much.

"I must talk to you," Russia said as we exited the room. I shut the door lightly and then made my way to the kitchen, to make some tea. Russia followed behind, his face completely urgent.

I sighed, I had a long night, but it seemed expected that I wouldn't be able to relax, especially now.

"What's up?" I asked pouring water in to the tea kettle.

"Well, I am worried about the America situation," he confessed.

"Yes," I said. "He seems to have become quite the problem; it seems it will take a lot of fire power to take him and the American Empire down. I'm going to propose at the next world meeting, that all countries help us with this, it looks like if we don't take a stand soon, he will start claiming us all one by one."

"I agree," Russia said. "But that is not why I came here. I fear I have made a mistake, da? Since the cold war America has become somewhat of an annoyance to me, I have made my way to putting up with him, but now, I have no reason to. He is no longer an ally, and he has begun to claim my friends, for a while now I have been expecting Lithuania to come back to me and let me rule him, but that cannot happen now because of America. I was angry with him, da. So my boss and I declare war on him. My boss thinks we can do this on our own, but seeing the damage the American empire has done in one night makes me think differently. I fear that I will fall, that is why I have come here. You used to be friends with America, da? You should know how to stop him, da?" Russia's voice seemed desperate, something I've never heard before, coming from him.

I couldn't answer him. As much as I wanted to help him I just didn't know the answer.

"Please, England, I need your help. I cannot do this alone; I fear he will do the same thing to me that he did to Lithuania and Cuba. I do not want to lose my will," he begged me; I knew after last night my military was, weakened, but I knew we had to take a stand.

"Alright," I said reluctantly. "I will send what I have left of an army to help defend you, Later this week I will send out information of an emergency world meeting, there we shall try and get other countries to join our alliance against America." I sighed. For so long most of the world had been more neutral rather than really against America, even I, who tried to help those who were getting claimed by America, never really considered myself against him. It kind of hurt a little to know that I was now forming an Alliance against him, my brother, my son, I would now have kill him. It seemed like this was the only right thing to do. He had pushed me too far. This meant war.

America's POV

I chuckled darkly as Lithuania handed me a message from Russia.

"So, he is declaring war?" I said amused. "Oh, I have been waiting a long time for this." I crumbled the message up and threw it on the ground. Canada, who was sitting next to me, seemed to look at me concerned.

"And you're sure you can handle this?" he asked.

"Please," I laughed. "Have you not seen the power of The American Empire? I doubt anyone could stop us now. I'll be a pleasure to have him, of all people, practically handing me his soul." Canada looked away, scared. He didn't understand the power of the souls yet. He didn't understand how great it felt to have another soul absorbed in to yours, to feel it strengthen and power you, it felt amazing. He wouldn't understand it until he tried it himself.

He couldn't even see mother yet. I told mother about my suspicion. I mean the others couldn't see her and she just gave up on them, but she says that he can sense her, he may not acknowledge her out loud, but he feels her. She says that sometimes he can even hear her, and that only time will make his process complete. Time, that I don't have, it took years for my mind to eventually develop enough to see mother, and with Russia attacking I don't have years to wait, I need my brother, and I need him now.

"Maybe if he takes in a soul the process will quicken," I whispered out loud. Mother heard me.

"He has no soul blade," she said. "I'm not even sure he can take souls." She seemed worried. I could tell she didn't want to think about it but there was always the option that Canada like the others have moved on from his Native American roots, but she wouldn't give up on him. I felt a little jealous of Matthew. Mother seemed so focused on him, when I was really the one who was most loyal to her now.

"Well then, I'll have to lend him mine." I said. Native America sighed and disappeared, like she always does when I remind her about her poor little Canuck's weaknesses.

Alright, now all I had to decide who to kill, they had to be easy and weak; someone that even Canada, in his shy, quiet state could kill. Then the perfect person came to mind. There is no way Canada could lose to this dude, it might even fun to watch this poor excuse for a country fall.

But I couldn't forget the coming attacks from Russia, at the moment I was a hell of a lot stronger than him, and while I was ahead I might as well watch him suffer. I want to show him just what a mistake it is to take on the American Empire.

"Lithuania, Poland, Spain," I called. They came to me stopping whatever they were doing.

"Yes Master," all three of them asked in perfect unison.

"I need you to gather all the other countries, and rally the troops."

"You're going to attack Russia?" Canada asked.

"No," I said. "I would be giving him mercy if I was to simply go and attack him, we would win, he would lose, and we would get his soul. No, I want him to suffer. I want to teach him and the rest of the World's countries that they shouldn't fuck with us. We are going to attack his sisters first, and we will make sure he watches as they both fall, brutally."

"His...sisters?" Canada asked. He was trying to hide his emotions, but I was able to see both fear and shock.

"Yes," I said smiling, "Ukraine and Belarus will be quite the edition to our army. Bella is quite a scary chic." I laughed at the thought of Russia having to face his sister in battle. He would be so broken that he might not even be able to fight.

"Lithuania, you're troops will lead the attack and march right in to Belarus, Poland's troops will follow behind. The South American troops will go from Poland to the border of Ukraine and Belarus, and invade from there. Spain, you will make you're way the opposite end of Ukraine and invade from there with your troops, you will box them in, and then you capture both Belarus and Ukraine and bring them here, where Canada will claim their souls."

"Me?" Canada squeaked surprised.

"Yeah, bro," I said. "I have to…take care of other business, so I am leaving you in charge of the entire attack." I smiled. I knew I could count on him, I had seen him in battle before, he was pretty brutal and fierce, and he was quite the warrior, even if he didn't feel the need to show it off the battlefield (or hockey rink). He seemed to still show some reluctance toward the attack however, he still need that soul to tough him up, and I knew just soul he needed. I grabbed my sword, I would need to hurry, I needed to be back before the invasion was over, he wasn't ready for souls like Ukraine's and Belarus, together they were too strong for his body to taken in suddenly. He needed something weaker, purer, and I could only think of one person who fits the bill.

England's POV

It took a lot of convincing but I eventually got Russia to leave. He seemed really scared and worried. I could tell he was only starting to understand the mess he has gotten himself in to. When he did eventually leave, I began to flood myself with work again, only take a break to change in to dry clothes and check on France, who seemed a lot better, I could hear quite snores coming from the room he was staying in. Then I heated up some more tea while I reluctantly made my way to my bookshelf. I had hundreds and hundreds book on many different kinds of magic, black magic, white magic, ancient magic, anything, you name it I have it. The only problem with having these many books was I couldn't really find the one I wanted when I need it.

I knew America was using some sort of magic. It was almost impossible to kill a nation, you could take their land, and attack them all you want, yet their soul still seemed to exist (Ex. Prussia), however it seemed that America was killing them and stealing their souls effortlessly, and yet the countries still live as some sort of mindless creature. It was completely crazy, yet I feel as if I have heard of it somewhere. The blade he used to collect these souls also seemed…familiar, I knew I read about it in a magic book, but I just could figure out which one. I took a stack of book off the shelf and set them on a side table next to my couch. I got a mug of tea and then sat down reluctantly. I turned page after page looking for anything that might be relevant, but found nothing. Love spell, hate, sleep spell, awakening spell, hexes, potions, page after page I found nothing. All I need was something, something to tell me that there might be a way to stop America before it he gains too much power. After hours and hours of searching and finding nothing I began to get frustrated. This had been the 15th book I've read, and yet I still haven't finished the first shelf of my book shelf, you'd think out of 15 books about magic that had at least 1000 pgs each, at least one would have even a tiny bit of the information I need, in my frustration I threw the book, I saw as it landed all the way across the rooms, hitting the was as old torn pages began to fly out.

"Angleterre?" I heard France say walking out from the hallway. I stood up relived to see that he was up walking around.

"France," I said. "You look like you are feeling better."

"What happened to me?" he asked. "The last thing I remember was being at Matthieu's house, and then I wake up in yours." He looked confused as he rubbed his head.

"It's a long story," I said trying to calm down from my temper tantrum.

"Matthieu, he is…." France asked. His face looked sad, while he and Matthew didn't have the best relationship I could tell that Francis still cared for him, as much as he tried to hide it.

"Canada has become part of the American Empire," I told him. He sighed, and seemed to look away silently. That had not been the words he wanted to hear. I sighed and gave him a minute as I turned back to my bookshelf taking another stack of magic books. He followed me over and gazed at all of my books.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

I sighed, he was probably going to think I was crazy, but I might as well tell him. "Last night, when America was using this odd sword to collect the souls of countries, it reminded me of something I read in a magic book; however I can't remember which one, or even what it is that I am thinking of. So I am looking through all of them looking for something that might tell me what is up with America.

"Huh," France said instead of mocking me like I thought. He randomly took a book from around the middle of my bookshelf and opened it to a random page and began to read. "Hey Angleterre, What about this?" France asked pointing to a page in my Legends, Rituals, and Spiritual Creatures book. Of course, I thought, I spent hours looking through book after book and the first book the Frog touched turns out to have what I was looking for. I read the article quietly to myself.

"Bloody fucking hell," I said after I read it. "We have to warn everyone about this! This isn't good!" I scrambled to my phone. "We need to have an emergency world meeting tomorrow, this isn't good!" America what the fuck have you gotten yourself in to?

Canada's POV

I paced around the room freaking out, what the fuck have I gotten myself in to? It seemed obvious this wasn't just another one of Alfred's games he was serious now. He wanted to lead an attack, against Ukraine? I couldn't do that, she was my friend, no she was more than my friend, I think I might actually be in love with her, how could I destroy her? How could I take away her soul? How could I leave her as nothing more than a mindless zombie slave? Poland, Lithuania and Spain were waiting for me to give them orders, America had already given them the battle plans, but I was now in charge of them, they were waiting for me to give the "go ahead", but I couldn't, I didn't want to. I couldn't attack them, there was no reason to, they had not declared war, their brother did, they have done nothing to us, America just wanted to use them to cause pain to Russia, but I didn't want that. They have done nothing, they were innocent I couldn't just attack them. I couldn't make Ukraine my enemy!

"Master?" Lithuania asked in his emotionless voice. "Shall be begin the attack?" I tried to answer him without staring in to the blank abyss that were his eyes.

"No," I said. "We will not be attacking anyone today," I said. I knew Alfred was going to kill me, but I couldn't do it, it wasn't right.

"But, master America said we would be like attacking today," Poland said.

"Well I am your master too, you will listen to me orders!" I snapped. As usual whenever I get angry, or act mean, I had the urge to apologize, but when I looked at his blank lifeless face the words escaped me, just staring in to their cold lifeless faces, made me feel wrong. "Just leave me alone, go do whatever it is you guys do on your off time."

"We do nothing but listen to all of our master's orders," Spain said.

"Well then go read a book or watch TV or something," I said, I just wanted them away from me.

"Is that an order?"Poland asked. If it wasn't for the fact that he no longer had emotions of any kind I would have thought he was mocking me.

"Yeah, sure, whatever," I said, I just wanted them away from me. They bowed their head and exited the room. I sat in my chair laying my head against the back. I hated this, I hated being a part of this empire, but there is nothing else I can do, America would have never let up if I hadn't back down and join him. He would have continued to bother me about it, and change the people I cared about in to the sick shells of the nations they used to be.

I closed my eyes not wanting to think about anything and attempted to sleep.

"You making a mistake," I heard a quiet voice say. I opened my eyes and looked around the room, no one was in the room, and I could hear the faint sound of a TV in the room down the hall. Huh, must just be this place getting to me, I swear this place is haunted; it surprised me how Alfred, who had a big fear of ghost, could live in a place like this. We lived in what seemed like the old ruins of a fallen castle only I suppose Al got his servants to add to it and make it livable. I didn't like it; it felt really creepy, and haunted. I stroked Kumajiro's fur, as he sat on my lap. Kumajiro, as well as a few books, and pairs of clothing were the only thing that Alfred had allowed me to keep from my old possessions. He told me that I was somewhat of a king of this empire, but sometimes I felt more like a prisoner. I closed my eyes as I continued to pet Kuma, I felt so tired, yet I couldn't get any sleep, I had always felt on guard knowing that Alfred was here, but now that I know that he left, and nothing was really going I was able to let my eyes rest, after a few seconds, I felt myself drift in to a dreamless sleep.

I was awoken by the sound of shouting.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?" I heard from down the hall. Then I saw America enter the room. I moved Kuma off of my lap and sat up in my chair.

"WHY THE HELL ARE THOSE MORONS SITTING AROUND READING BOOKS AND WATCHING MOTHERFUCKING TV?" Alfred asked totally pissed.

"Because I told them to," I answered.

"What about the Invasion, we were supposed to have Belarus and Ukraine by now!"Alfred shouted at me.

"I called it off," I said sizing up to him. Whether he was starting to scare me or not, he is still my brother and I was not gonna sit here and let him talk to me like that.

"You what?" he whispered, I could practically see the bomb inside him about to explode.

"I called it off," I said not backing down.

His hand seemed to move so fast it looked more like a blur, and he slapped me across the face. He slapped me so hard I saw my glasses fly off my face and hit the wall across the room.

"You fucking asshole, we could have had them! We could have had Russia begging for us to take him by now! But you messed it up YOU FUCKING BITCH!" He slapped me again. I heard Kuma, who was sitting next to my chair whimper and hide behind it.

"Don't talk to me like that!" America shouted. He wasn't looking at me now, he seemed to be talking to someone else…but no one else was in the room? "He needs this! He needs to become a man and not just some pathetic like kid!" Then he turned to me, he had a bit of a psychotic smile on his face. "I have a present for you Mattie, while you were so busy; I went out and picked it out just for you." He left the room and came back holding something that looked like a person, but I couldn't tell who it was. He threw him down in front of me and he smile. I looked down, it was Italy, Feliciano, his hands were handcuffed, his legs were tied together, and he had duct tape over his mouth. "Kill him," America ordered throwing me the same sword he used to kill Poland and Spain.

I gazed down at Italy who was crying.

"I can't do it," I said, I couldn't take my eyes off of Italy, he had been one of the happiest people I have ever met, I mean of course when I met him he confused me for America, but that didn't change anything, he has as happy as he was adorable, I couldn't kill this kid. Killing him would be like killing a puppy, only the sickest and coldest hearted of people could do it."

"Just do it! I've seen you in battle, bro. I know how wild you can get, just do it!" Alfred demanded.

"No, I'm not gonna kill him!" I shouted.

"Do it!" Alfred shouted again.

"NO!" I shouted back.

"Fine then," Alfred said. "Don't do it!" he walked over to my chair and picked up a scared Kumajiro. Kuma tried and tried to claw and get away from him, but it was no used.

"Pick who dies," he held a gun to Kumajiro's head.

"What, no!" I shouted "Not, Kumajiro!"

"You want Kumajiro to live, then you need to kill Italy!"

"I don't want to kill anyone!" I shouted back tears streaking down my cheeks.

"Too bad, now choose Italy, or Kuma," he said as he pet a now screaming Kuma. I couldn't bear to look at either Kuma or Italy. I knew my answer though, while Kuma had been there for my entire life, and had been my best friend, even if he didn't remember who I was, he was still just a bear, I loved him, but he would forever be only a beloved pet bear, Italy was a country, and a living breathing human being. People killed bear every day and it was no big deal, however in most cultures, it was still a big deal to kill a human.

Alfred seemed to sense my answer. "Alright how about I throw France and England in the deal, Italy or Kuma, England, and France, choose who dies!" Now it was different, it was a stranger against family. The answer was still hard, but I still knew what I would decide, even if my parents forgot me, they were still my parents, they still loved me even if they weren't perfect, and I loved them, it was difficult choice to make, but it was necessary. Without looking at him I took the sword and sliced Italy's neck. I heard as he screamed, his lips still taped shut. Eventually the screaming stopped, when the blood finally filled his lungs. His body fell. I felt as I began to cry harder. HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE!

"Good job, Mattie," Alfred praised me. "Now your reward." Alfred pointed to a bright yellow ball of fire that was floating over Italy's body. I stared at it, amazed. I knelt down and examined it closer, it was beautiful, I went to touch it, when I felt it warm my hand, I cupped it with both of my hands, and motioned to hold it closer to my body, when I saw it fly out of my hands and in to the place where my heart was. I gasp as I felt it absorb in it me. Then after a single blink, I felt different, began to see the world differently…everything seemed to be… in color!

Wow, this was a really really long chapter, and I didn't mean for it to be this long, but I just kept writing and writing and this happened. So…oh well. I think this one might be my favorite so far. This chapter was both really hard and really fun to write. But anyway down to business, three quick things.

1, the first scene…well I will admit to being a FrUk (FACE) Fan, but I didn't exactly write that scene with that pairing in mind, feel free to interpret how you would like, that could be a brotherly love thing, a friendship thing or a FrUk think, doesn't really matter

2, I am really sorry to all Italy fans, that scene was actually really hard for me to write because Italy is just so dame cute and it sucks having to kill him.

3, I have a theory, I do believe that the Nations can get hurt and stuff, but I would like to think that a nation would heal faster if on or near their own country, however if they were far away from their country they heal at a normal human speed, this doesn't apply to the "servants" because they have no soul…and apparently this all has something to do with a soul…I don't really know, just go along with it XD.