AN: Hello, everyone! It's been a while but I have finally updated this story. I hope you all enjoy it! Thank you to everyone who reviewed and support the story. A special thanks goes out to madsbouc! Thank you for pushing me to update this and all the private messages filled with your support and love for the story. I truly appreciated it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.
Alfred stood quietly in his room as he studied himself in the mirror, checking to make sure everything was in order. His Victorian style outfit was mostly made of silver cloth and matched his mask. His silver coat had sky blue embroidery on the edges and red buttons. The color of the waist coat matched his buttons and his black tie had a sapphire tie tack that matched his cuff links. His pants matched his coat and his black leather shoes were polished so well that he could see his reflection in them. Yes, everything was in order. He looked like a well dressed wealthy citizen.
"Well," He whispered to his reflection. "Tonight's the night."
"Yup, ya ready for it, North?" Alfred turned and saw South standing in the doorway. South wore the same outfit as Alfred and the same mask.
"Are you sure we should be wearing the same outfit?" Alfred asked.
"Yeah. That way if they catch ya that wont know who is who," South chuckled as he stood by Alfred. "We look like twins."
"We are twins..." Alfred sighed as he looked in the mirror. His thoughts strayed to Matthew and wondered how he was doing.
"... Thinkin' about Matt?" South's red eyes looked at Alfred with concern.
"Yeah. I wonder if I'll see him."
South sighed. "I don't know if ya would have time to visit. Maybe once this is all over," He patted Alfred shoulder. "Come on. Adam is waiting' for us downstairs." Alfred nodded and follow South downstairs. Adam was waiting for them in the entry way. His shifted uncomfortably as he adjusted his brown and gold jacket.
"Stop messing with it." Washington scolded.
"But it's uncomfortable," He whined. "I don't like formal attire."
"I know but stop messing with it. You will screw up your outfit." Washington frowned as he swatted Adam's hands away.
"Well we are all ready to go. It's time to Cowboy up and get ready to kick ass." South ginned at the two of them as he approached.
Washington raised an eyebrow. "Cowboy up?"
"Yeah. Ya never heard that?" South looked at him with concern.
"No. No I haven't."
"That upsets me." South frowned in disappointment.
Adam shook his head. "Can we focus on the plan?"
Washington nodded. "Yes. The ball will be held on Sputnik II. It's unusual for him to bring strangers that are not personnel onto his ship so an event this big will have a lot of security. Our invitations will get us onto the ship but we have to blend into the crowd. We don't want to draw attention to our selves. South's rebels have been divided into two groups. Group A will stir up some trouble on the surface of the planet. As you know they have been keeping people here on Mars busy by closing down supply lines and rumor control but this time they will get violent. Their goal will be to distract ground forces from the sky. Group B will grab a ship, a small one that can maneuver easily, and attack Sputnik. Their goal isn't to win or do any damage. They will create a window that will allow us to sneak out of the party. I have made sure that the ship they will use is equipped with a stealth shield. When it gets to hot they will turn the shield on and hide out for a while. When we are ready we will signal them and they will sneak closer to the ship and pick us up at an emergency exit bay. Any questions?"
Alfred raised his hand. "Yeah. Could you repeat that?"
"No," Washington ignored the scowl he received. "You, South, and Adam will be the ones sneaking onto the ship. If to many of is come along it will attract attention. The distraction will start four hours into the party and when it starts all three of you will leave through separate exits. Once clear of the party you will meet up at the chosen meeting point."
"Sir," The group turned towards Washington's assistant. "The ship that will take them to a party has arrived."
Washington sighed and looked at them nervously. "It's time. Are you ready?" The group nodded and followed Washington to the ship. It was sunset as they departed from the base. Alfred was beside himself with excitement as he looked at the ship.
'I'm going to space!' He thought gleefully. As they approached the ship he eyed it like it was a piece of candy.
"Careful. You might start drooling." South commented with a smirk.
"I wont." Alfred frowned at him but his good mood didn't diminish. The ship was small but beautiful and interior was luxurious and flashy.
"Well this is where I say goodbye and good luck." Washington gave them a small smile and wave as they boarded. When the door closed behind them Alfred sat down in a red cushioned seat and ginned. He couldn't feel it as the ship drifted out of the harbor and accelerated into space.
Adam sighed and ran is fingers through his hair. "This is a first for me."
"What's a first?" South asked as he sat next to Alfred.
"Walking into a ball, which is enemy territory, with out a weapon. I makes me feel naked." Adam sat down across from them.
Alfred gave him a confidant smile. "We will be fine. Washington has our back and with the three of us we can take them. We can charge in there like the Advancers and take down all the bad guys."
Adam laughed. "True and also," He waved his hand and a crystal glass held by a robotic arm appear and poured him a drink. "We can enjoy our selves while we are at it."
South and Alfred were also handed a glass which they took gratefully. "To the start of the revolution! Once this night is over, we can really get things started." South said as they toasted. They laughed and talked as the ship shot through the sky and approached Russia's flagship. Despite the cheerful atmosphere in the ship none of them could shake off the nervousness of what they were about to do.
The cheerfulness died as they approached and was replaced by tense silence. Alfred eyed the ship jealously as they approached. It was everything he dreamed of and the fact that it belonged to Russia irritated him.
"Careful, North," South teased as he watched Alfred scowl at the ship. "Your face might get stuck that way."
Alfred's scowl turned into a pout. "It wont and I know this makes you pissed as well." South shrugged and quietly watched as the ship drifted into the docking bay.
Several soldiers and staff members greeted them as they got off their ship. The staff was courteous, welcoming, and spoke in fluent Russian. After checking the invitations they smiled warmly. "Welcome to Sputnik II. We hope you enjoy your stay. Please follow us to the Ball." They walked quietly as they followed the staff members to the ballroom. Alfred couldn't stop admiring the ship and peeking into rooms when he could. He didn't fail to notice that the guards silently followed them and kept a close watch.
The two staff members stopped by a double door and smiled at them. "We have arrived. Please enjoy yourselves." Alfred's wide blue eyes stares at the room with amazement. It was elegant, charming, and had a joyous atmosphere. Classical music played and the party goers danced in the center of the room. It was like a dream and for a split second Alfred forgot why he was even there.
"Don't let your guard down," Adam whispered in his ear. "We will be dead if we're caught."
"We should split up. It would be better if we didn't awkwardly hang around in a group." South muttered as he cautiously scanned the crowd.
Adam nodded. "Agreed." South returned his nod and they both walked away in different directions leaving Alfred alone. For a moment Alfred stood still and watched as his comrades disappeared into the crowd. He straightened his coat before heading into the crowd himself. Feeling a strange mixture of nervousness and excitement he walked around the ballroom. To him it was like a dream. Everyone looked like they just came out of a movie with their colorful clothes and expensive accessories. As he wandered he admired the crowd and the graceful dancers.
"Would you like a drink?" One of the staff members appeared by his side and offered him a drink from her tray.
"Ah, thanks." Alfred muttered and took the drink from the tray. The drink was in a tall, thin, crystal glass and the sky blue liquid had a strange shimmer. Alfred studied it curiously unsure if he should take a sip.
"You should try it. It's sweet," Alfred froze at the familiar voice. He looked over his shoulder and saw a tall man dressed in black, violet, and gold. Cold violent eyes stared at him from behind the mask. "Is there something wrong, Comrade?" The sweet tone in his voice didn't match the coldness in his eyes.
"No, I'm fine," Alfred answered a bit to quickly. For a moment his Russian was a bit off but he fixed it quickly. He then took a sip of the drink and nodded. "It's good. Sweet."
Russia slowly nodded. "It is. It's one of my favorite drinks. A special kind of vodka," He studied Alfred. "Have we met?"
"Um... no I don't think so. It's not like I know who you are with the mask and all." Alfred added quickly.
"Mum... that's true. Yet to me you seem familiar." He trailed off into a whisper as he stared intently at Alfred.
Alfred took another drink trying to hide how uncomfortable the stare made him. "Well I was another guy who looks a lot like me. Maybe you saw him."
"Maybe..." Russia muttered. They stood there in silence as the crowd chattered around them. Alfred prayed for something, anything, to happen that would save him from the tense situation.
"Ivan, There you are," Like as if the situation couldn't get worse. Alfred saw a short man wearing red, white, and gold approach. England's green eyes flicked between Russia and Alfred. "I am interrupting something?"
"Arthur," Russia frowned at England. "I was just talking to one of my guests." England glanced at Alfred and stared at him for a while before looking away. Inwardly Alfred sighed with relief. It doesn't seem like they have recognized him yet.
"The other nations are meeting over there," He pointed over his shoulder to the other side of the ballroom. "Join us." It wasn't a request.
Russia stared at him for a while before nodding. "Alright, but I can't just leave my guest. It would be rude of me." He gestured to Alfred.
England sighed. "Then bring him with us." Russia's mouth twitched in irritation. He must have hoped to use Alfred as an excuse to stay away from England.
"If you insist." Russia grabbed Alfred's arm and dragged him across the room.
"Maybe I should stay where I am." Alfred quickly protested.
Russia shook his head. "It would be terribly rude of me to abandon a guest mid conversation. I insist." His voice growled slightly in irritation. He obviously did not want to be with England. When Alfred tried to pull his arm out of Russia's grip Russia held on tighter. Alfred started to panic and looked around for Adam and South. Hopefully one of them could help him, but they were no where to be found. Coming to grips with the fact that he was on his own, he braced himself and prayed that no one will recognize him.