Hey look the chapter's finally up! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own Hetalia.
Warning: Mentions of war and death in this chapter so if that stuff makes you squeamish – why are you reading a WWIII fanfic? Also there will be some USUK in this chapter and BelaRus (more one-sided though cause of what happened last chapter). And some BulRom but none of these pairings will be the focus of the chapter.
Kindling
The demon looked at Russia's boss, the Russian's eyes now black with the influence of one of the more powerful demons, and listened to the messages from the other countries of the world.
"My, my, my, thirteen countries at war with Russia. It's like the apocalypse." Russia said, voice still containing the unnatural undertone.
"Do you think that any of the other countries will retaliate with nuclear weapons?" Unlike Russia's voice, the Russian President's voice was a flat monotone and spoke Russian, the same as its host.
"America is a possibility, I see in Russia's mind that he cares somewhat for England. Strange way of showing it, deserting him and leaving him broken-hearted. And he possesses nuclear weapons." Russia struck a sad expression on his face but the glee at England's suffering shined through.
"Guilt. And where there is guilt, there's pain and suffering." This time the President's mouth tilted up into a smirk, so delighted at the thought of spreading more suffering in the world.
"We'll give America or any other countries two weeks to retaliate with nuclear weapons. If they don't, we'll send out the armies and show them who they are really dealing with." The dark eyes gleamed at the thought. "Either way, we win."
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"I can't believe that Russia would do this. This can't be happening." America said the same thing he had been saying for the past several days, staring down at the still form of England. The large white dressing spread over the whole of England's chest but all it did was serve as a reminder of what lay underneath. America had seen the horrific wound in England's chest, the edges tinged with black and yellow from the radioactivity, the heart able to be seen beating feebly through the small hole in the skin, muscles and rib cage. Nearly the whole of England's torso showed some sign of burns.
"Don't worry America, we'll get him back for this." Canada said, grasping America's shoulder tightly. While not as close to England as America, he still was a close friend.
"How is Japan and Romania?" America asked, managing to tear his eyes away from the quiet beeping of the heart monitor. The doctors and nurses in this hospital knew that England was no ordinary patient but they monitored him in the normal way, just to have as much data as possible.
"Pretty much the same. It took longer for Romania's heart to start up again because a greater proportion of her people died, but Japan is waking up I think." America looked hopeful at Canada's words but reluctant to move. "I'll keep an eye on England while you go visit Japan. Okay?"
"Okay. Watch out for that commie bastard, I don't want him near England." America said with the same hard look on his face that Canada had seen during the Cold War. Before he could respond, America had already swept out of the room. Canada sighed and turned back to the still form of his former caretaker on the bed.
"Wake up England. I think America needs you to reel him in."
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Japan was indeed awake when America visited his room. Besides his bedside were China, Taiwan and South Korea who were all crowding around Japan.
"Hey Japan." America greeted as he walked up to the hospital bed. Although Japan's face was still very pale and his eyes haunted from the screams of his citizens in his head, he looked much better compared to when he was unconscious. However the way the other Asian nations were hovering, it was obvious that Japan was most likely hiding what he was really feeling.
"America-san. It is good to see you. How is England?" Japan asked politely, his voice hoarse from the damage the bomb was doing to his (and his people's lungs) and America smiled as he sat down, ignoring Taiwan's nervous glance.
"It's good to see you too Japan, especially awake. England is still sleeping, that lazy old man, but he should be up soon. How are you doing?" The American watched carefully as Japan's face became blank.
"My people are hurting and they are angry. I feel as if I should tell you America that I will be going to war with Russia." There were cries of outrage from the three other countries in the room.
"But you can't Japan, you are still so badly injured from what happened to Tokyo!" China said angrily before turning to America. "Tell him America."
"I can't." America frowned as he said this and the other nations stared at him in disbelief. "I can't tell you not to do it even though I think it's a bad idea, but I do understand."
"Pearl Habour," was all Japan said but everyone in the room knew what he meant. Even though he was the one who said it, Japan still looked uncomfortable but America did not notice as he nodded sadly.
"I'll help any way I can Japan. You can count on me." He glanced at his watch. "Hey I'm going to check on Romania but I'll be back to see you later, okay?" Japan nodding, smiling slightly. "See you guys later as well." America said to the other countries who nodded to him politely before he left.
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The next room along, the door was closed and since America did not know Romania that well, he decided to do what England was always telling him to do and be polite. So he knocked. A heavily accented voice told him to come in and he quietly opened the door.
"Romania?" He asked quietly, stepping into the darkened room. "Are you awake?"
"No she is not. What are doing here America?" The same voice that he had heard, came from a figure sitting next to Romania's bedside.
"Bulgaria? Is that you? What are you doing here?" America asked curiously as he tried to define the features in the little light available.
"I am here to look after Romania. Why are you here America? You have already helped her by declaring war on Russia, we do not need more than that."
"Just came to see if she was alright." America said. "Japan has woken up although he is still really weak so Romania might wake up soon, but apparently since she had a bigger proportion of her population hurt than Japan and England, it still may be a while." America took a breath, he was starting to babble again, England said he did that all the time when he was nervous. Bulgaria was still staring at him but now his eyes moved towards Romania.
"Thank you for telling me this America, I will let Moldova know when he comes back. You may leave now if you wish." Bulgaria said quietly and although America should not have taken the way out Bulgaria had just given him, he had nothing more to say so he left with a quick nod.
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In the corridor, America noticed several of the hospital staff hurrying along to the room two doors down. This sparked up panic in America who recognised it as England's door and made his way quickly into the room.
To his relief, it was good news that had driven the nurses and doctors to the room; England was awake. Canada, now standing by America, had to grab his arm to warn him not to approach England while the doctors and nurses were still doing their tests. Luckily America heeded his warning (if he hadn't, Canada would not have been able to hold him back) but still watched England eagerly as he blinked in a disorientated manner at the doctors asking him various questions. He came fully awake however when one doctor slightly grazed the bandage on his chest, causing him to draw back and start glaring and for America to break free of Canada's hold.
Under both the glares of their patient and the intimidating American, the doctors and nurses quickly finished their check up and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind the last one, America drew England up into a gentle hug.
"I'm so glad you're awake Iggy." He said softly, burying his face into the crook between England's shoulder and neck. Canada smiled softly, even though he felt like he was intruding on something private, this feeling increasing when England looped his arms around America's waist. When America finally put England back into his bed, he sat down on the bed, close enough to England that he did not have to let him go completely.
"I'm okay America." England said quietly, his voice having the same hoarse quality as Japan's and America snorted. The fact that England was not pulling away but rather resting his head on America's shoulder and curling into the younger nation suggested that he was not okay as well as the shivering that was going through England.
"Don't worry England, I'm the hero after all, here to save the day." America replied, giving a small squeeze of England's waist before turning back to his brother, who he had almost forgot about. "Come on Canada, come and join the group hug." He joked and England jerked, it seemed like he had not noticed Canada there. However America stopped him from pulling away, scooting more onto the bed every inch England shifted away, so eventually the other nation had to give up.
"I'll pass America. How are you feeling England?"
"Awful. What happened? All I know is that there was this immense pain in my heart and screaming before I passed out." England said, raising his hand to the bandage as if he wanted to rub the wound but decided against it. America and Canada looked solemn at his question and America shifted closer to England.
"London was hit by a hydrogen bomb. Everyone was wiped out England, I'm so sorry." Canada whispered, watching as England carefully closed his eyes.
"I could feel them dying. Even now London burns and so do they. I feel their pain." England said hoarsely and America rubbed his back soothingly. Canada's hand lightly touched England's arm, trying to let the older nation know that he was there if he needed them.
"We're going to help you England." America said quietly as England took a few minutes to compose himself. As he raised his head up, America could see that he was forcing his people's suffering to the back of his mind while he dealt with the crisis so no more had to die. Sometimes he wished that they were allowed to deal with pain like everyone else did, instead of having to pushing it to one side so it can be dealt with at a more convenient time.
"My boss is okay though, I need to see him." England said mechanically and Canada nodded, leaving the room to make the call. America frowned down at the older nation.
"You need to relax, you need to give yourself time to recover." America said even when he knew it was futile trying to look England in the eye, even when the Englishman's eyes were averted.
"America? Do you remember after 9/11?" America nodded, his eyes dark as he remembered. "And you remember how you felt?" Again America nodded and England raised his eyes up so they were no longer staring at the bed covers. "Then please understand how I feel." America sighed but nodded all the same. He had said the same to Japan earlier but England was different, he remembered seeing him during the Blitz and it had terrified him.
A few hours later England's boss joined them, haggard and overworked, he nodded to the North American nations before striding into the hospital room where his nation was situated. The talking was very quick, unable to be heard outside even though America was straining his ears. When the Prime Minister came out, he looked even more weary if that were possible and that caused America to hurry into England's room.
"So what happened? What's going on?" America asked quickly.
"Well America, I was just talking to the Prime Minister about our options and we've agree that the best course of action is if Britain joins the war against Russia." England answers quietly.
"What do you mean, you're going to war?" America said, his glasses flashing as leaned forward to try and stare into England's downcast eyes.
"I mean that Russia had no right, no reason to do this and my people and I want revenge. We want to fight against him!" England stated calmly, now making eye contact with America.
"We're fighting England, no more of your people have to die. Can't you just let us help you?" America pleaded, sitting down on the chair next to the bed.
"I appreciate the help America but England has to fight. There is no other option open."
You could not join the war and let us send you aid. America thought but did not say, he had known England long enough to know that was not an option. He would just have to reduce the amount of damage England took as much as possible.
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A few days later, Alfred was debating on the phone with his boss.
"Well we have to do something, I'm voting for dropping a nuclear bomb on Moscow to show Russia how serious we are."
...
"What do you mean, it's gone? What happened to it? But who attacked Russia?" Alfred asked, feeling more and more confused by the second. "Do you think there is some internal force that has taken control of Russia?"
...
"Well our intelligence is obviously not all-knowing considering how we did not know about the massacre in Moscow until a week after the fact."
...
"So what the hell do we do? Okay I'll talk it over with England, he's sleeping at the moment and Canada's coming over later so I'll talk with him as well." America hung up and stared at the phone for a while. At the same time as he wished the nuclear bombs were not an option, remembering the scars his friend still had from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he also wanted to cause harm to Russia for what he did to all three countries but especially what he did to England. He was forcing the island nation into war even when gravely wounded all because of some stupid power trip. It was as if the Cold War had turned 'hot', nuclear weapons had been launched and now the world was on the verge of a nuclear apocalypse.
There was no right way to handle this but America had to something to show Russia and the rest of the world that such an unprovoked attack would not go undefended.
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The Russian President frowned as he listened to the new messages.
"Why do you look so troubled? With Japan and England at war with us, this can only make our job easier, they'll be sending the troops to us." Russia said, his tone almost angry with the other demon.
"The North American countries, their populations are large and even if they send troops over, it will not be enough people to cripple the countries badly. Also there is a chance that they will adopt the same isolationist policy that they did after the First World War." Russia chuckled, which would have disturbed any human in the room, but his fellow demon only frowned slightly.
"But this world is so much more connected now, the North Americans have their people in every country, they lost people in the attacks too. But you are right, if this 'world war' drags on for too long then they might start to use North America as a base, discovering our weakness along the way. This is why we need you as tactician." The demon looked appeased, his dark eyes almost shining with malicious glee.
"Why thank you. But we are still sending the armies though?"
"Of course. We might have to start small while we figure out how to get to America but the people of Europe and Asia should start to learn who their new masters are." Russia said, his darkened purple eyes flashing in the light. "The countries have two more days to retaliate with a nuclear attack before we send them though, but start to gather our fellow demons ready for invasion. I have to go and visit a little friend of Russia's." The room was suddenly filled with smoke as Russia disappeared into a wall of flame and smoke.
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Belarus tried to speak but all that came out of her mouth was a soft croak. It seemed to be absorbed by the walls of the small cell, intensifying Belarus' feelings of loneliness. But more than that, were worries about her brother, Russia. Something had gotten hold of him and Belarus would do anything to protect him.
"Russia." She forced out. "Russia." She said quietly.
"Be quiet you." One of the guards outside her door hissed at her in Russian.
"Don't disrespect my brother's language like that!" She retorted back, jerking in the chains that held her, aggravating her wounds. She gasped but gritted her teeth against any more noise.
"Looks like you have a visitor." They said mockingly but quickly silenced as the air seemed to get warmer in the cell. Belarus found her breathing get faster in panic even though she did not know who, or what, was coming. The door opened to reveal the tall figure wearing a large black coat. His entrance raised the temperature in the room until Belarus was sweating and her clothes felt like they were made of the thickest material. When she saw the face of her visitor though, her blood ran cold.
"B-Brother?" She stammered, seeing her dear brother's face but at the same time twisted into something monstrous. "What have you done with my brother?" She yelled at him, even though everything in her was recoiling from him.
"He has been consumed." The thing wearing Russia's face said ominously, smiling at the young woman who shrank back. "You cannot help him now." Belarus kept silent but resolved to escape, she would get the other nations to help whether they wanted to or not. She had to help Russia. The being in the room crouched down so his eyes were level with hers. "If no country decides to retaliate with nuclear weapons, we shall send armies of our demons out and they will march across Europe and Asia. We aim to kill enough people so that nations such as yourself surrender to our might. Soon you shall have some friends for you to play with." He smiled again before straightening up. "You shall be witness to a new age where humans are no longer the dominant species on Earth, they shall be enslaved to our greater demonic strength." This was the last thing he said before he left the room leaving Belarus's mind racing. No longer just focused on saving Russia, she had to help her people and her sister. She would prove the demon wrong; she would escape.
This was a horrible chapter that took so long to write. Why? Because I believe that anything I write has to have some form of research put into it. So much research. And I'm still not pleased with it but I can't do anymore with otherwise I will delete this story and say good riddance. That said, I hope you liked it! And please review about what you liked/disliked so I can work on the next chapter quicker! Seriously, they really do help plus they make me feel guilty about not working on it.
Small warning though, I have A-Levels coming up and if I don't get good marks, I don't get into university plus if I don't do the very best I can, I will hate myself for ever so I will mostly be focusing on that though.
But still, review please!