Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or its characters. I thank Himaruya Hidekaz for letting me play with his characters.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to all those who have reviewed, alerted, favourited: Celtic Nasctha, peppermint twertle, Hakatori, Irishmaid, I am Sweden, Elizablue, Cathrag, Arkanhari, ScarheartofDarkclan, xxcatxx, NightshadeHetalia, Becky999, .me.1, fire hores is awesome, Lani Carmine, xxEu-chan, ChubbyCubby23, AFreezingFlame, Animechic420, White eyed fox, Furret the Sparrowsong, rubyredroses1, PhantomPrussia, Art and Soul, Starchacer296, GirlLoki, FiresCreek, JustAGirlWithAPen, SchrapnelGirl, GermanyIsAwesome-NotPrussia, iTorchic, kakashailuckyblackcat, , Xou, alexf801, chattie98, Myrna Maeve (and Romania!), ThatPurplyThing, Forever Halfa, WinterLake 25, Frustration, Ankhasia Riddle, Kitty the Dinosquirrel, envysfangirl, PikoPiko-Chan, Silver FoxWolf, citrine sunflower, Canyon's Rose, chickenkitty, ZeroLuver567, Lady Sandra of Sealand, Tamarutaca, 101Icestormxx, VengefulCat (my beta reader) and all my anonymous readers.
Warnings: angst, fluff with a strong dose of silliness (courtesy of Pru-Den), swearing.
Chapter 33 – The Return of the King (okay I know this isn't a song title...)
Austria's Mansion, Vienna
"So, like, where is everybody?" Pol asked the hippy-fied Germany lounging around smoking some sort of smelly cigarette.
"Chill, dude..." Germany held up a v sign. The German Nation was still sporting a large black eye where Russia had hit him but other than that and the fact that he was wearing a ti-dyed shirt which Pol thought looked totally hideous, he seemed unscathed.
"Well, where is Russia, Latvia and Esty?" Lithuania asked.
He and Pol had watched the news earlier and seen the America, England, Belarus and France being carted away in a police van – siren blaring and had been horrified when the newsreader had announced that one of the 'terrorists' had been fatally wounded. The last they'd seen of their fellow Nations had been at Toys R Us, when they'd watched them being bundled into a police van.
Germany shrugged.
Italy marched in, "You are disturbing our military manoeuvres," the small Italian said in a weird German accent. He felt vaguely safe saying this to a small cross-dresser and the gentlest Nation there ever was – Lithuania.
Lithuania was not in a good mood. He was seriously worried and wanted to know who had been 'fatally' wounded. So he grabbed the Italian and said, "Where is everybody? Where is Estonia, Russia and Latvia? Tell me now..."
Italy tried to shrug away and then mustered up some of the German-ness (if that's a word) that had been transferred to him, however, his Italian-ish persevered, "Ve, don't hit me... Russia asked me that... Latvia was stretchered away to hospital..."
Lithuania dropped him, "What? Had she been shot?" he asked.
"Nein... ve..." Italy got himself confused.
Then a silver-haired, red-eyed man swaggered in, "Yo..." he said, with a smirk on his awesome face.
"Pru?" Lithuania stared. He did look like Prussia, only less... Prussian and younger.
"Nah, that's my dad..."
"Oh God, there's another one..." Pol sighed dramatically.
"He's awesome, my dad is. He's going to be a Nation again..." the young Kaliningrad yelled.
Poland marched up to the young man, put his hands on his hips and stuck his powdered nose right up to his face, "Listen, young man... how old are you? Little more than a babe in arms? Keep your nose out, sweetie, okay? Don't play with the big boys or you'll get eaten for breakfast..."
The young fledgling Nation frowned and with the arrogance born of him through pure genetics, kesesed, "You're Poland! And you're Lithuania! My dad could beat you... with me at his side..."
Lithuania shook his head and started to pull Pol away. However, Pol was never one for surrendering – to anyone, be they Germans, Russians and certainly not some little 'whippersnapper', "Go home back to your mummy before I kick your arse all the way back to Królewiec ," Pol said, using the Polish version of the young man's name.
Toris pushed Pol out of the way, "What happened?" he asked.
Kaliningrad glared at Pol, disturbed that he'd been threatened by a man in a skirt, but answered Toris, "Dad and the big Viking dude drove their truck into the pool, some girl dude chick got stuck and my dad rescued her, cos he's awesome! And then they took her to hospital and then this big Russkie dude... he gave me the shivers... he came and punched a lot of people and then stormed off. That little Italian dude crapped his pants."
Toris nodded, "Thank you," he said and then added, "By the way, you look just like your father, but stay away from him because he's bad news..."
Poland and Lithuania left to the sounds of "My dad's awesome, man! He and me are going to rule Europe... well maybe not that fat commie dude's place cos that's not awesome... but yeah, France and Germany and... all those other countries... maybe not Switzerland cos he's a bit of sharp-shot, and maybe not England cos it's always raining and foggy but..." his yelling faded out as they sat in the taxi.
Poland instinctively reached for his pistol, Lithuania put a restraining hand on his arm, "Leave him, Pol, he's just a kid."
As the taxi drove down the drive, they passed another coming in, carrying a familiar fellow Nation, however, Pol and Toris were too busy discussing the silliness of the younger generation, whilst the incoming Nation was too busy formulating a plan from what they'd seen from the television news.
Vienna Hospital
"I just need to thank someone," Latvia said as they signed the paperwork so she could be discharged. The head midwife told her they needed the bed, since the baby seemed fine, and the medical team had ensured she was not suffering from pneumonia, they'd agreed she could go home.
Russia followed her through the hospital as she tried to find Prussia and Denmark – her two 'rescuers'. As her clothes were still damp, she wore Russia's shirt and winter jacket (both of which came to her knees), and hospital issue pyjama bottoms, Russia making do with just his sweater (and obviously other clothes).
They finally found her 'heroes' – they were sat outside the intensive care unit, Denmark reading the women's magazines and commenting loudly on the problem pages, Prussia sat hunched forward chewing his fingernails.
"What are you two doing here?" Latvia asked them.
Prussia glanced up, his red eyes took in Russia and he backed away quickly, "Fuck off, man, we saved her life..."
Russia stepped forward and, to Prussia's surprise, did what he'd only done once before and had sworn he would never do again, shook his hand.
He then shook Den's hand, thanking him for saving his little sunflower.
Den shrugged and motioned to the crumpled edition of Cosmopolitan, "... apparently you have to love yourself before you can love anybody else..."
Russia frowned.
Latvia ignored them both - she'd grown used to this bizarre behaviour, "Why are you here? Has something happened?"
"Specs is in there..."
"Specs?"
"Austria."
"What happened?" Latvia sighed, why were they so bloody obtuse?
"Got shot saving Liz's life," Prussia said. He still couldn't quite get his head around Austria leaping in front of somebody and taking a bullet, not unless money was involved.
Latvia plonked herself down, "Oh no..." and then sniffed.
Russia sat next to her and gently pulled her into a hug.
"Where's Hungary? Is she in there?" Russia asked slowly, holding Latvia against him.
Prussia nodded. "They wouldn't let me in... Not that I wanted to go in... But I bet if he heard my awesome voice he'd soon get his arse off the bed..."
Russia frowned at this and was about to say something when Den interrupted him, "Austria dude was a real hero, dude..."
Latvia sobbed against Russia's chest, "You're all heroes..." she sniffed.
They were joined soon enough by Lithuania, Poland and Estonia (who had scoured the hospital looking for them, having been left to sort out the insurance paperwork).
Lithuania looked relieved that Latvia was fine, startled when Prussia told him with glee that she was pregnant, worried when told Austria was in a coma.
"Coma?" Toris asked.
"Ja, but how could they tell? I mean I always thought he could bore himself to death anyway..." Prussia stood up again and marched up and down. Den watched him, saying nothing. Gilbert had been making 'jokes' for the past hour and flinging himself up and down the corridor, humming and singing idiotic songs – the worry etched on his face.
"Have you come to see Vash? Because he's in the ICU room 2..." a small voice called out.
"Bloody hell, it's a convention..." Prussia muttered.
"Lily, sweetie... Vash? Is he still paralysed?" Pol went up to the young girl Nation and gave her a hug.
She nodded, "He'll be fine... they say he's just suffering from shock... but why are you all...?"
There was silence which was then broken by Russia (who hated silence and being surrounded by lots of Nations), "It wasn't me!" he said hurriedly.
Latvia wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned into his shoulder again.
"Specs got shot..."
"Who?" Lily asked innocently.
They all looked at one another shiftily.
"Austria got himself shot... he was awesome, man... jumped in front of Hungary to save her from a bullet... dude..." Den explained in his own imitable style.
"Father...?" Lily crumpled against Pol's shoulder.
"Father?" Prussia raised an eyebrow, "What else have I missed? Dude we were only at the bottom of that pool for five minutes..."
"Austria and Hungary are Lily's mum and dad," Lithuania explained.
Poland gently stroked Lily's hair and hugged her, "There, there... you hold on to your Auntie Pol, sweetie..."
"Fucking 'ell... old Roddy and ballbuster Herdervary... kesese!" Prussia thought this funny, but was stopped with a look from Russia.
Lily pulled away from Pol, shoved Den up a seat and sat down beside Latvia. Latvia, one arm around Russia, put her other arm around her friend, so that she leaned on Russia, whilst Lily leaned on her.
"Oooh... Raivis..." Lily began, in between sobs.
"Hmmm?"
"I want to apologise to you and Mr Russia..." she began timidly and sat up.
Latvia frowned and also sat up.
"I'm sorry I kissed Mr Russia..." Lily said quietly.
Latvia looked at Russia and then back at Lily.
"Bloody hell, how drunk were you?" Prussia all but yelled.
Den picked up his bottle of beer and shook it... his slow brain trying to work out exactly how many he'd drunk that day.
Russia flushed bright red, "Erm... it was... she..." and then shrugged. He still really had no idea what had happened.
"I wanted to make Vash think that me and Mr Russia were... you know... and then he might think Icy would be good enough for me... sorry Mr Russia... but this happened..." Lily looked at Latvia with such sad eyes, that Latvia threw her arms around her and held her.
"It's alright..." Latvia said.
Pol turned to Toris, "This is like being in a soap opera, Liet..."
Toris nodded, a bad soap opera, he thought.
"...But don't kiss him again," Latvia added with a smile.
Russia grinned at this. Nobody had ever been possessive over him before.
"...But you can hug him if you like..." Latvia said.
"Can I?" Den asked and received a thump from somebody.
They all shut up as Hungary came out and stopped when she saw them all. Her face was pale, her hair a mess, dried blood on her skirts. She looked around them all, with a dazed expression on her face and then all of a sudden, someone – she thought later it might have been Estonia – put a polystyrene cup of coffee in her hand, another handed her a tissue, Den gave her his half-empty bottle of beer – which she handed back.
She sat down and they all made way for her and Lily took hold of her arm and wrapped it around her waist and leaned on her shoulder.
She couldn't speak, couldn't think of what to tell them.
"Well... what's he doing? Is he awake yet? Idle so and so... play him some bloody Mozart – preferably by some crap pianist and he'll be ranting soon enough..." Prussia broke the horrid silence.
Hungary shook her head, "No change," she croaked out, "He was dead for ten minutes... they brought him back... but..." she closed her eyes and leaned her head back.
"Well that's not good enough...If he dies who am I going to annoy? I can't prank big fat commie dude cos he beats me up and England's no fun... America's too easy..." Prussia started to say, but was shushed by Denmark's large beery hand on his gob.
Russia said quietly, "If you're going through hell, keep going..."
Pol nodded in agreement.
"I bet you would know, eh?" Pru asked, quietly, "... and I bet you kicked ass while you were there?"
Russia nodded in all seriousness.
This startling imagery was interrupted by a nurse who jumped back when she saw the number of 'visitors'. "I'm sorry, but we can't allow all these people in here," she said.
"Sweetie... we're not 'people'," Pol started to remonstrate.
Hungary sighed, "You'd better all go. It's getting late anyway," and then she laughed, "Don't you all have wars to start? Countries to invade?"
"Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt, gave it back, bought another one..." Gilbert answered.
"You got a t-shirt? I didn't get a t-shirt..." Russia murmured with regret.
"Go home..." Hungary said.
"We don't have a home..." Latvia said, but was pulled into Russia's arms and hugged.
"Right come on, let's go to Austria's house for the night... it's getting late," Estonia said, taking charge. His new found sexiness appeared to have given him some new-found authority.
Nobody argued.
Lily turned to Hungary, "I'll stay here with you tonight, if that's alright?" she said.
Hungary nodded, held out a hand and clasped the younger Nation's smaller one, "We can keep each other company," she said.
"Bleurgh... bloody hell... pass me a bucket..." Prussia said, starting to swagger out, but he turned, hurried back and said to Hungary, "Tell Specs when he wakes up that we're all partying at his place and we've drunk all his expensive wine..."
Hungary smiled and patted him on the head, "I know you care... stop pretending you don't..."
Central Police Station, Vienna
Sharing a police holding cell with France – even though he had 'lost' his 'sexiness', a sulking America (England had called him the Incredible Sulk) and Belarus was not on his list of things to do before he died. Although he loved Belarus from the bottom of his heart, he didn't really want to spend the night in a police cell with her.
However, their saviour arrived in an unexpected form.
"You lot were on the six o' clock news, right across Europe..." their visitor told them.
"Lou!" America leapt to his feet and ran to the bars, banging his head.
Belgium reached a hand through and stroked his head like he was a large dog at the pound.
"Belgium, thank God it's you!" England said.
"You never returned my calls!" America said, his big blue eyes turned all soppy and, like a large stray Labrador, he turned them on Belgium and then wrinkled his nose.
Belgium sighed and melted, "Oooh Alfie..." she said.
"Never mind all that..." Belarus said, pushing America out of the way, "Did you say you brought Arthur's wand and cloak?"
Belgium nodded and showed them the suitcase. "I saw you on the news... figured you might need some help, flew over, went by Mr Austria's house and saw your suitcase, Arthur. You've had the same case since... what? 1914?" Belgium told them, proving that she was perhaps the most sensible Nation. She then added, "What happened to Mr Austria?"
"He got shot, saving Liz," Belarus said and then clasped Arthur's hand.
"Never mind all that. Are you going to break us out? Have you brought guns, weapons... even a cake slicer for crazy-ass Russkie girl here?" America yelled.
Belarus snarled, "I am not Russian!"
"Alfred... I meant to ring you back to tell you something..." Belgium began and then added, "No I didn't bring weapons... the authorities think I'm here as a lawyer."
"Thank heavens for that... because of course what we really really needed was more guns to shoot people with... and bombs and oh I don't know... maybe a tank?" Arthur's sarcastic mode was fully switched on.
America was trying to concentrate on two conversations at once so said, "A tank..." dreamily and then, "... something to tell me?" with a concentrated frown.
"No cake slicer..." Belgium said, "But I did find this..." and she opened the case and pulled out a sword.
"Well, I say!" England's eyes lit up.
"You have rummaged through his suitcase?" France finally perked up, "Did you find anything naughty? Like..." but he gave up, he could think of nothing 'naughty' or otherwise. His powers were obviously fading fast and he slumped back down on the bench.
Belgium smiled and carefully inserted the sword through the bars of the cell.
England reached out and took it. The jewelled hilt fit his hand like a glove, like it had never been away, almost as if it were made for him.
"I thought this was lost... I returned it to the Lady..." he murmured.
"It was under your bed," Belarus said quietly.
Arthur held the sword up, his arm outstretched. The blade glowed, words etched in Welsh seemed to glitter and Arthur himself seemed to grow in stature.
The other Nations stepped back, even America looked in awe, "A real superhero!" he whispered.
Belarus blinked – it looked as if the old English Nation was wearing armour, a crown upon his head, a long cloak, his bearing suddenly noble and majestic.
"Wow!" America muttered and looked as if he were going to get out his autograph book.
Arthur ignored them all, but smiled at the rush of memories – some good, some bad assailed him. "Guinevere..." he whispered the ancient queen's name with a look of sad longing on his face and brought the sword blade down onto the concrete floor.
There was flash of blinding white light. All the Nations, and not just the ones in the cell, felt for a milli-second the Earth stop its rotation around the sun... and magic as old as the Earth worked its power...
To be continued...
Author's Notes:
Did anyone spot the foreshadowing in Chapter 9... Belarus finding the sword under the bed...?
I'm assuming you all know what the sword is? And who the Lady is? And of course who Arthur becomes...?
Not many chapters to go, people, please feel free to review/comment/PM.