A/N: I hope you guys know how much I love you. Extra long chapter + Another Insta-Update along with this one. Hope you enjoy. The plot has become much quicker and the story will be around 15 chapters long. Sorry if it seems fast paced. It just seems to be going a little slow. I apologise if its a little hard to follow, but I thought that rather splitting it into two chapters why not just make it one? See you at Chapter Ten :)
Norway cradled the mug of coffee in his hands, smiling across the room at Denmark as he explained what had happened after he had passed out. After Denmark had finished explaining, Norway gave a nod and glanced towards Russia and the two Baltic states who had helped them. " Thank-you," he said quietly, and all three of the addressed nations gave a reply with a curt nod.
Meanwhile, America was making a few phone calls, and was presently speaking to Poland, who informed him that Mexico is still doing okay and that Monaco sent her best wishes to France. America had replied enthusiastically, even though he was startled by the seriousness in which Poland was displaying. But, as it was war time, he shrugged it off easily and remembered that even he had changed due to the events.
Germany crossed the room to Italy, who was sat against the wall and watching over Rosa, a small frown crossing against his features. As Germany's shadow cast over him, Italy's eyes widened and he glanced up, quickly plastering on a big smile and he then stretched his lips into a beam, his eyes closing with it. "Germa—"
"Outside. Now." Germany said, gesturing towards the exit of the conference room to the hallway.
Startled, Italy gave a swift nod, jumping to his feet and walking in the direction shown. Germany locked eyes with Romano's, which narrowed, before Romano gave a soft sigh, shuffling closer to Rosa and lowering his glare. Germany was surprised at his sudden backing down, but decided to worry about that later. Instead, he followed the Italian outside the doors and he slid them shut, giving a small pause before speaking with the Italian.
"So, Italy, what's wrong?" Germany asked, his voice low, just incase someone was eavesdropping.
"What do you mean?" Italy said, tilting his head and painting a confused look onto his face.
"Don't play dumb with me, Italy," Germany replied harshly, looking at him. "I know there's something wrong. You're my friend, Italy, and a very close friend at that. I don't want you to be upset or worried or secretive because I know it's affecting you. So what is wrong?"
At the German's words, Italy's eyes pooled with tears and he released a small sob, before launching himself at Germany and hugging him close. "I-Italy is f-falling apart!" He managed between sobs, and Germany stiffened. Surely he didn't mean…?
"They st-started attacking th-the capital a few h-hours ago," he managed again, barely succeeding in delivering his continuation.
"Nein, Italy, you'll be fine," Germany whispered, hugging the Italian back tightly. "You're not going anywhere. The minute we get out of my house we'll head straight to yours to defend it."
"It's too late," another voice said, and Germany looked around to see Romano opening the conference doors and closing them, striding towards the hugging pair. "They're close to breaking the capital apart."
"But there's something we can do," Germany insisted. "Like they said, if we heal the land, you'll be healed too, right?"
Italy glanced at Romano before bursting out into a fresh batch of tears, clinging to Germany tighter. The German raised an eyebrow at this, looking at Romano, who sighed and began to explain. "You see, our bosses said that because there are two of us, if we both die, only one can return. Our country is a united place now, and so it only needs one of us. Whichever of us die first are gone forever."
"Surely there's something we can do?" Germany asked, a little shocked at the information. "You can't just die!"
"I'm afraid we can," Romano said, sighing, and giving a shrug. Italy's sobs started to die down a little, and he started to hiccup.
"I will protect you both, no matter what," Germany assured them, before looking at Romano. "Have you told Spain yet?"
Romano paused a moment, before shaking his head. "No. I don't want him to worry much. When I go—"
"No, fratello!" Italy said, sniffling. "You're not going to go I'm su-sure we'll both survive this!"
"Keep dreaming, Veneziano," Romano said, sighing. "I'm heading back inside to look after Rosa."
Germany gave Italy a disheartened look as the Italian sniffled and stepped away from Germany, who looked at the Italian's saddened eyes with a scared look, guessing what he was planning.
"No, Italy, you can't just give yourself up!"
"I've already done it. I've told my bosses and confirmed it with them that the one who dies is me. Romano handles the paperwork better and doesn't run away as much anyway," Italy explained, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.
Germany glared at him. "You should have told me."
"Why?" Italy asked, looking up at him, his amber eyes still clouded with fear of the future. "What could you do, Germany? Either way, one of us would die, and I don't think it should be my fratello."
With that, Italy walked to the conference doors and past the German who fought to keep such prolonged tears back.
Prussia, Spain, and France had gone out for a patrol only moments prior before they rushed back inside. Everyone stopped what they were doing to see the panicked trio, and Prussia spoke first, after finally regaining breath.
"That bastard is here," He growled, gaining a little more breath. The arschloch who created that drug!"
Many nations eyes narrowed in anger or fear, and Germany rushed to the windows, peering outside and indeed seeing a suited man arriving in a grand car, with bodyguards present alongside him. He began to stroll towards the doors of Germany's home, and Germany spun around to the nations. "Arm yourselves!" He yelled, running across the room and picking up his shotgun. "Go to the positions we practised!"
Hungary stood up, wincing at her wound, rushing to the side of the room and grabbing two pistols, throwing one to Belarus. Prussia and Russia went to argue, but America looked at them. "They deserve to protect themselves. They've fought wars before."
Hungary and Belarus nodded in agreement to this, loading their pistols with bullets. Russia gripped his pipe tighter and Prussia distracted his anger to his shotgun, identical to Germany's, and he began to load it.
The Baltic trio were armed with rifles, rushing towards the conference room doors as Spain, France and Greece took up the snipers. America was armed with the only machine gun Germany had acquired, and he began to run over to the front door hallway with it. Germany looked at the Italian brothers, and Italy kissed the top of Rosa's head, before picking her up despite her protests of him going, and he placed her with Ukraine, who kept a tight hold on the girl's body.
Italy wiped his eyes again, whispering something to the girl, whose eyes widened. Romano grabbed his brothers arm and began to lead him outside. Germany cast out an arm. "Where do you think you're going?" He asked the both of them. Romano shrugged and barged past him, and Italy just looked at him beseechingly, as if begging to be let to go out and fight.
"All I've been is useless," Italy said, looking at him. "All I did was hinder you in the past. Not just now, but in every war and place we've been in."
"Nein, Ita—"
"And I've never actually thanked you for anything you did for me. You took me in, and trained me, even though it was fruitless and there was no point. When I had no-one, there you were, finding me when I needed to be found. Thankyou, Germany."
Before Germany could respond, Italy ran past him, and Germany hesitated before rushing after him. "Italy!" He yelled, before a hand on his shoulder steered him away from the path Italy was running on. Prussia looked at his panicking younger brother and gave a soft smile. "I'm scared too," He said softly to his younger sibling. "But we have to let them go and fight by themselves."
Germany gave a soft nod, bringing his shotgun up and aiming at the backdoor. Prussia suddenly gave him a soft punch on the arm, grinning at him.
"It was nice knowing you brother. Thanks for sharing your kingdom with me."
"Why are you saying this, bruder?" Germany asked, his voice cracking a little. "Damnit, stop acting like you're going to die."
"I might, or I might not. Either way I will accept it. I was dead decades ago, bruder. When I was dissolved. It is only because of you that I live today," he explained gently, looking up at him, and giving a grin. "But promise me one thing?"
"Ja, what is it?" Germany asked, trying his best not to let his peaceful composure fall.
"Look after Hungary, both of the Italy brothers, Spain, France, America…" Prussia started to trail off, before giving a smile. "All of them. The only reason they came here is because you are strong, reliable and trustworthy. Why else would they place their lives in your hands?"
Germany gave a short silence, and was about to respond, until the back doors started to be hit by a force. From the upper landing, France gave a small nod to the Germans as he readied his sniper. From either side of the Germans, Turkey and Denmark gave them small nods signalling they were ready.
The door burst open. And so it began.
Over at the front door, America awaited in the middle, his machine gun in front of him as he waited anxiously as the thuds and cracks at the door became louder and louder. At the top of the stairs, behind a metal box previously used to hold weapons, Greece hid behind, clutching his sniper. America looked at either side of him, seeing Hungary and Finland, before giving a grin to each of them. They replied with their own grin as the door smashed into pieces and the humans rushed in to the spray of bullets.
At the main, grand entrance, used for world meetings and formal events, Norway stood in the centre as Russia and Switzerland stood either side of him. They all gave each other quick re-assuring glances as Spain's cheeky grin from on top of the small balcony in the grand room, overlooking the stage mainly used for performances. The doors swung open, not having been locked, and cries from both sides of the room erupted into the air.
Over at the Back door, Germany shot down a human slashing towards Prussia with a knife, and Prussia gave a thankful nod to his brother before continuing to fight. Turkey twirled around Germany, parrying an attack that was so sure to pierce Germany's throat, and Germany muttered a thank you before firing a bullet at a human who had been looking for the source of the sniper.
As the path of dust from sprayed bullets cleared, Germany looked around quickly, and sighed in relief seeing that everyone was okay. Until he saw Finland run around the corner, his eyes widened in panic.
"What's wrong?!" Denmark demanded, looking at Finland fearfully.
"Icelands team was meant to meet up with us after searching the second floor. We cleared the front door perfectly fine; no casualties on my team," Prussia gave a sigh of relief at this, before Finland continued. "But Iceland and the Baltic trio are nowhere to be found!"
Denmark gave a glance at Germany, who gave a quick nod. "You two look for them. But stick together and watch each-other's backs."
With that, the two Nordics nodded, rushing off to find their friend. At that moment, China, Japan and The Netherlands came from around the corner, giving small shrugs.
"All clear down here, aru," China reported.
"Good," Germany said, giving a quick nod. "You didn't happen to run into the Italy brothers did you?"
"No," Japan said, shaking his head. "I think they're scouring the other end of the bottom floor, near Norway's team."
"They'll be fine," Prussia said, squeezing his brother's shoulder.
"Ja, I hope so," he answered quietly, before looking at them all. "Do you mind if I run around to take a quick look if you all stay here?"
"We'll make up for your lost members," The Netherlands announced. "You go find those idiots and tell them to stay safe and be careful."
Giving a curt nod to his orders, Germany ran down the hall towards where Norway's team were.
He was not extremely prepared for the sight he saw.
Romano was in the middle of the room, yelling insults and causing a ruckus amongst corpses as Spain struggled to calm him down. As Germany entered the room, Romano shot an accusing glare over to him.
"You bastard! Where's my brother?! Where the fuck is he?!" Romano half screamed at him and Germany was taken aback.
"Why? What's happened?" Germany asked, keeping his composure under control.
"He knocked me out, radioed Spain on his damn walky-talky to find me, and ran off on his own! The bastard has gone to find the guy with the bloody drugs!"
Germany's face paled. "Nein…"
"Si, he has," Spain confirmed sadly. "On the walky-talky… he said he was going to die anyway…so he wanted to go down fighting. He said…" Spain's voice choked up a little, and he paused, regaining his control over his voice. "…he said he wanted to put your training to good use, so you could be proud."
Before anyone said anything else, Germany was running back down the hall, looking around frantically. Italy couldn't die like this. Not because of him. Not because Italy thought that he wanted him to use that training. That training wasn't meant for Italy, it wasn't meant for him to use.
It was meant for Germany so he could keep an eye on his Italian friend.
Skidding around the corner and crashing into him was Liechtenstein, whose wide eyes looked up in fear to his, before she relaxed as she realized he wasn't an enemy.
"What's wrong?!" Germany asked, glancing in fear at a cut across Liechtenstein's cheek.
"The- The windows," She whispered, her voice full of fear, tears falling down her cheeks. "They came through the windows."
"They were reinforced and bullet proof!" Germany snarled, not at Liechtenstein, but at his own stupidity. "How did they get past the metal shutters?!"
"They used some sort of liquid," she explained, her voice full of sobs. "It melted their way in. Ukraine told me to take Rosa and run so I did, but then I fell over and we lost each-other."
"Damnit! I'll go look for Rosa, but follow me up to your brother's checkpoint. Where's Ukraine? Is she…?"
"N-No…I don't think so. I heard some people call out her name…I think it was the Baltic Nations…"
"That's where they were," Germany said quietly to himself. He then shook himself out of his realization. "Come on. Let's get you to your brother."
They eventually arrived at the checkpoint, Germany seeing the pissed off Romano again, and Switzerland ran towards his sister, pulling her into a hug before gazing at Germany as Liechtenstein sobbed into her brother's jacket.
"I guess thanks are in order," he said.
"Nein. Forget it. We're all allies and friends now."
Switzerland nodded, clutching his sister close to him. "They've breeched the defences, haven't they?"
"Ja. They're in," Germany replied sighing. Romano burst out into another fit of rage.
"My fratello is out there all alone and there's people around the house!" Romano screamed, and Spain started to shake him to calm him down. This had the opposite effect. "Get the fuck off of me, you tomato bastard! I want to find my brother!"
"I'm going," Germany assured him, racing back towards the entrance.
So now I need to find Italy and Rosa, Germany thought to himself, a little frantically. Mein Gott…they better be safe.
As he entered the next checkpoint, he saw America grinning, sitting on some steps as he talked to Greece, and Finland was on look out.
"Where's Hungary?" Germany asked.
"Oh, Prussia came to collect her. They said something about trying to find Italy. Spain just contacted France through the walky-talky. Now everyone is keeping an eye out for him."
"Danke," Germany said, giving a weak smile.
"No problem, dude! I am a hero after-all! We all are!"
"Ja," Germany agreed, nodding, before racing back to the first checkpoint.
A human suddenly rounded the corner, and the butt of his rifle smacked against Germany's head. Germany felt his world spin as he was sent to the ground, and black and white dots danced before his eyes. A gunshot rang and Germany fell into darkness.
He awoke to four figures surrounding him. There stood China and Romano, while Japan knelt next to him. The fourth figure…
…was Rosa.
Germany gave a small sigh of relief at seeing the young girl, although trembling, safe and well. He looked at them all in confusion. "What happened?"
"I saved your ass," Romano butted in as Japan was about to explain. "he hit you as I was following you to beat the shit out of you myself. He then aimed his gun at you but I shot him first." He flashed the pistol to Germany, giving a small shrug.
"Danke," Germany addressed Romano. "I owe you one."
"I know. Get up and help me find my idiot of a brother," Romano demanded, walking over and grabbing one of Germany's arms. Japan grabbed the other and they hauled Germany to his feet, and Japan offered an arm to Germany as he steadied himself. Germany blinked a few times, his vision becoming more focused, and he looked down at Rosa.
"You were very brave," he complimented her.
Rosa gave a soft giggle, and nodded.
Germany's grabbed her hand and they began to walk down the halls, vowing to find Italy.
A small static sound was heard, and Japan grabbed his walky-talky from his side, muttered "Moshimoshi," and then listened to the voice on the other side. Japan scrolled up the dial so the whole party could hear what was being said.
"We have a very big problem, dude," America's voice came.
"What is it?" Germany demanded.
"The guy…and his bodyguards…they're inside and looking for Rosa."
"Why?" China asked, his eyes wide. "Why the girl, aru?"
"Something to do with the Resistance fucking up his plans. I dunno. I'm too busy getting shot at to hear the details."
"Where are you?" Japan asked calmly.
"My post. Front door. Prussia and Hungary are here. They said they saw Italy nearby, and followed him, but got caught up in our mess."
"Guten Tag, bruder!" Germany heard from the other end. He gave a small smile, happy that Prussia was okay and in the mood to greet him. It must mean that Hungary was alright, too.
"We're coming right over," Germany assured him, and America gave a small sigh of relief as the connection cut out.
"What are we waiting for, let's go!" Romano yelled, and China scooped up Rosa.
"We'll set up a fort at the performance stage," China insisted. "We'll get those unable to fight on the stage, we'll set up snipers and fighters around it."
"Good idea," Japan praised, looking at Germany, who nodded in agreement.
On their way to the front door, walking around the back way of the house to avoid running into as many humans, they found themselves meeting up with Spain, France, the Baltic nations and Russia, who was carrying a wounded but smiling Ukraine.
"We need to get to the stage," China told them, and Russia looked over to them.
"We were already headed there," he said. "Looks like you had the same idea as us. But to get there…" He trailed off.
"…we have to get past the front door hallway, which is being attacked." Romano finished, cursing under his breath. "And my brother is still missing."
"We have to risk it," France urgently spoke. "The humans are filing through the mansion as we speak. We have to beat them to the stage in order for our plan to work."
"I heard Norway fixed up the conference room and re-enforced it with magic," Spain chipped in. "It won't hold for too long, but it's attached to the living room, and some people don't want to leave…you know…"
China and Japan fell silent, as France did also. Spain winced, realizing, and whispered hurried apologies.
"Understood," Germany said, nodding. "We regroup at the conference room and then make our way to the stage."
As they began to walk, a loud boom crashed throughout the hallway there were running through, blasting through the opposite wall and into their own space. The impact of an explosion and flying debris sent many of them flying into the walls and the ground.
Germany struggled up quickly, glancing around, panicked, before giving a small sigh when he saw everyone's chests still rising and falling. Russia stood up also, along with Romano and Japan, before the others began to stir. Everyone's gazes darted towards the broken wall, where an unconscious America was thrown aside by a man, who looked vicious and deadly; the evil glint in his eyes masked by glasses familiar to many.
Austria's glasses.
This stunned many nations into silence, and the man strode forward, laughing.
"Isn't it a beautiful world we have?" He chuckled, looking around. Behind him, Hungary and Prussia darted forward, with Hungary kneeling beside America and Prussia leaping at the man, who threw out his fist. Prussia crashed it and it spun him around, before the man kicked him in the chest and he flew towards Russia, and he crashed into him.
"Fuck…" Prussia groaned, struggling to his feet as Russia helped him; the Baltic nations taking out their guns and aiming them at the man.
The man's eyes rested on Rosa, not fazed by the Baltic's movements, who was propped against the wall. He reached his own gun, before a skid was heard and Norway, The Netherlands, Denmark and Finland came around the corner. As they rushed towards the man, humans came from each side, obviously having cleared the place safe after the explosion, and Germany found himself rushing to his feet and beginning to fight.
The whole room turned grey from smoke from the guns that were firing everywhere.
Germany felt a blade slice his leg, and he cried out, dropping to the floor and onto his knees. Prussia gave a worried cry and ran to help him, but was cut off by a human trying to block him.
Then, the sounds of bullets and blades against flesh filled the air.