The Hetalia Global Warming Crisis; Get Out Alive

06—The First Death

Prussia cursed and rushed after her. He reached the doors a few heartbeats before it closed. When he opened them again, she was gone. The hallway was empty.

"What the hell?" Gilbert exclaimed. "How did she…?"

"We have to get out of here," Kiku turned to the others. "She doesn't want us to escape, but surely she has not thought of us escaping through the windows." He indicated the huge windows that covered either side of the room.

"That's a good idea, Japan," Ivan said with a smile. He walked over to a window and raised his metal pipe, swinging it with all of his nation strength. Before the metal even touched the glass, there was an audible zap and the Russian staggered back, stunned.

"What happened?" Matthew yelped. His eyes were wide in fright.

"It's some kind of… force field," explained Alfred slowly. "Like a barrier…"

"…ma… gic..."

Alfred nearly leapt out of his chair—if it weren't for the other country lying on top of him. Arthur stirred and looked at Ivan. With his head still resting on the American's shoulder, Arthur took a deep, shaky breath and explained.

"I can… feel this building being surrounded in some kind of… spell," Arthur staggered to his feet, using Alfred's shoulder for support. "It's eating at my strength. The ambush was a diversion. I could feel the barrier being put in place while I was fighting. They meant to keep us all occupied so that way none of us could get out."

"Keep us all occupied—wait," France's blue eyes flickered in suspicion. "Why didn't they just set the barrier while we were all fighting during the meeting?"

"Because of me, for one thing," Matthew whispered, and for once everyone strained to hear him. "The only reason why I pay more attention to everything is because I never get caught up in your conversations. The second reason is that it's better to kill off the countries one by one; or at least in small groups," he gestured to the thirteen countries gathered in the room. "And what's the logic in that?" he answered his question in a monotone. "Start with the world's most powerful nations."

They all looked at each other and realised the Canadian was right. Fear chilled their hearts, but they did not let it show. A tense silence followed, only to be broken by Gilbert.

"Er... guys...Come and see this."

Alfred leaped out of the chair and rushed over, forgetting about Arthur, who stood swaying with fatigue. Canada and Australia shadowed their older brother while the other countries gathered more slowly. Prussia was pointing at a set of bloody tracks that lead to the main foyer, and then disappeared. They had the shape of an animal's paw prints. Romano sneered and stared at Matthew.

"Those are probably tracks from the bear," he growled, nodding at the white bear in Matthew's arms. "There's no need to worry, bastard."

Matthew looked slightly offended, but didn't bother defending himself. Instead, he kneeled down next to Gilbert and examined the tracks. After a while, he lifted his head, eyes clouded.

"These are wolf tracks," rasped Matthew, unable to believe it. "How did a wolf get in here?"

Before anyone could answer, a loud bang echoed through the hall. The group jumped, startled, and Canada shot to his feet, arrow to his bow.

At the far end of the hallway, past the lobby and opposite the conference room, a lone man was standing, facing the countries with his hands in his jacket pockets. He was younger than the woman, but old enough to oppose thirteen countries on his own. He wore blue jeans, a white shirt and a black spring windbreaker jacket. His hair was black and slicked back with hair gel. His eyes were dark blue, so dark they looked black.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Alfred stepped forward to stand next to his brother, gun pointed at the intruder.

"I should be asking what are you here for?" the stranger replied in a gravelly voice.

"For the world conference, of course," Francis said, looking sceptical.

"That's not what I was told," the stranger said with a wicked smirk. "I was told that you are all here to die."

The group tensed, readying their weapons for a fight.

The stranger reached into his windbreaker, and then sliced his hand out in a blur. A silver object shot from his hand and struck Australia. The country howled in pain and collapsed. Matthew shouted in concern, dropped Kumajiro, and darted to his brother's side. Alfred cursed and started shooting, but the enemy was too fast, dodging the bullets effortlessly. He advanced slowly; taking his time dodging all attacks aimed at him, and then threw more metal objects.

Four of the weapons missed France, Spain, Germany, and China, and all four countries ended up crashing into the people closest to them, causing confusion. In the chaos, the stranger simply slid past them and reached Canada's side. He punched the panicked country in the stomach and Matthew doubled over in pain. A quick hit to the back and Canada was down.

Why didn't he kill me? Matthew thought hazily. He had me vulnerable. Why didn't he stab me?

The stranger swiftly gathered the disoriented Matthew onto his back and swiftly sped away despite his extra load. Alfred barked an order at the other countries and followed, letting out a defiant battle cry. He slammed the intruder into the wall of the corridor and both stranger and Canada fell to the ground heavily, with Canada landing on America. By the time the two battered brothers got to their feet, the enemy had recovered and was snarling at them.

"You won't escape!" he hissed.

Matthew and Alfred turned and ran back to the hall, with the enemy at their heels. America shot backwards without looking and there was a shout of pain. The bullet had buried itself in the man's thigh and had stopped him from running. The two countries reached the door, and the others, who had made it inside the room. Matthew looked back and cried out in horror. Australia was still lying there, unmoving, his blood seeping into the sandy-coloured carpet floor.

"No!" howled Matthew. "Why did you leave him there?"

Alfred put his arms around his brother's waist to stop him from going back. "It's no use, bro. He's dead."

Arthur, who was standing behind Alfred, noticed the injured stranger put a hand in his windbreaker. With the last of his strength, the Englishman grabbed both struggling brothers by the collars of their coats and hauled them in, slamming the door as fast as possible. A heartbeat later there was a thud as blades were buried into the opposite side of the huge doors. Matthew turned away from the doors and collapsed onto his knees on the blood-stained floor. His older brother knelt down beside him, his arm around Matthew's shoulders.

"You all came in without him?" Matthew rasped, glaring at the others and fighting back tears that had started falling down his cheeks. "What's wrong with you? Don't you care?"

"Those were knives, Mattie," Alfred tried desperately to comfort the younger country. "Australia was struck probably in the chest. There's no way he could have survived that, even as a nation."

"But he could still be alive…" sobbed Matthew. "We could've saved him."

The nations fell into a guilty silence, listening to the heartbroken cries of the youngest country.

"Well," Ludwig said, breaking the silence. "They said they would kill us. And it seems like they've started."

Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya

WAAAAH! Australia dieed!

Perhaps I have forgotten to mention character death in certain scenes.

Then again, did the countries check..?

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE READ THIS ON DEVIANTART PLEASE DO NOT GIVE SPOILERS IN YOUR REVIEWS THANK YOU!

asdfghjl review pleeeease~! :D