The Hetalia Global Warming Crisis; Get Out Alive

16—The Vision

~Canada~

Matthew wished he knew what was happening. All he could sense was his brother's pain and desperation. And fear. Never before had he seen, or rather felt, America so scared, even when he was left alone in the dark. Matthew's own heart was pounding, and all he did to help was by simply sitting on the couch and trying to contact his brother. He hoped it was enough.

As he slipped away from his brother's mind and into reality, Canada opened his deep indigo eyes and looked around. Feliciano and his brother, Lovino, were sitting on the chairs across from him, looking at him expectantly with their golden eyes. Prussia and Russia sat to one side of him on the couch, their expressions serious.

"Well?" Germany, who was standing by North Italy's chair, prompted impatiently.

"Did it work?" Lovino growled, trying to hide the fear in his voice. Spain reached over the back of the chair to rub South Italy's shoulder and he scowled.

"Yes," Matthew replied, hugging Kumajiro close to him. "You were right, eh, Veneciano? Telepathy does work between me and America."

"You're North American twins," Feliciano chirped up. "You're like me and Romano. Except we're both Italy."

"Hmm… Too bad I can't do the same with England," France murmured. He stood beside the couch with one hand on Canada's shoulder.

"I don't think he'd want you invading his thoughts," Matthew said dryly.

"I guess that applies to West, too," Prussia glanced at Germany and grinned.

China came from the kitchen with Japan following more slowly.

"Has the bleeding stopped?" China asked, bending down to look at Canada.

"I think so," Matthew whispered. "The ointment you put on seemed to have sped up the healing."

"You must be half wolf or something," Gilbert commented. "You ate your own tongue back there."

Some other countries chuckled softly at the Prussian's half-hearted attempt at humour.

He stuck out his tongue and China inspected it. The older country nodded in satisfaction, and then glanced at Japan.

"Here is some tea," Kiku murmured, passing a cup to the younger nation. "It will help soothe any pain you have."

"Thank you," rasped Matthew. "All of you. Thanks."

-C-

It's because you are North American twins.

The wolf and I circle each other. We've had three training sessions, and I am already capable of defeating the wolf on a one-on-one bout. Over the course of our time together, I discovered the wolf was a male wolf. Because of his pure white pelt, I had decided to name him Waabishki, which means white in one of my original languages **. He calls me a half-wolf, but I don't know what that means. All he would say is that I have a special power that others are trying to use through me. I guess he's trying to explain why these crazy people are after me.

The Italy brothers are twins. There must be some connection between twin countries.

Then does that mean America has the same special power I have? I ask hopefully.

By blood, yes, you should. However, I do not understand the things that divide countries. By being immortal and not a part of nature directly, you may not share the same traits that mortal beings have. For example, you are able to talk to animals. You can not only speak with me, but also with your bear friend.

He means Kumajiro. Oh. So that's why China doesn't talk to his panda and Prussia with his bird. Not because they don't want to. It's probably because they can't. Not in the way I can, anyways.

I pause to think about this. This is one mistake I often make. I can't stop thinking!

While I'm distracted, Waabishki growls and slams his paws into me. For a wolf, he's very big, powerful, and heavy. He knocks me over, his teeth hovers dangerously close to my throat.

I told you to stay focused! He growls, letting me up.

For a while, he sits quietly, evaluating me.

You can shoot down a moving target with an arrow, right? He asks slowly.

Yes.

How?

I predict where the target is going to move next, I answer, mystified at the sudden question. I simply judge where my target's momentum is going to take it and how fast. Then when I know I can hit it, I instinctively let it fly.

Then when you're defending yourself, anticipate your opponent's next move. Predict where they'll move next. The moment they move, they can't stop themselves. Watch where they're going to strike, block the attack, and then counter.

He leaps at me, his weight thrown forward into a reckless attack to my throat. I grab his muzzle in one hand, then flip him with the other and pin him down. He whines and thumps his tail in submission.

We'll practice the block more often, he commented. You're not good with hand-to-hand combat. You are accustomed to sneaking around in the shadows since nobody notices you. Your best defense is not being noticed. Your best offense is your long-range combat skills with both bow and gun. The problem now is that everyone notices you now.

I'm glad I'm getting some training from you, I whisper.

Suddenly, he pads up to me and his red eyes locks with my blue ones. A spark zaps between us and I close my eyes instinctively. In my mind, I see America lying against a wall with England in his arms, surrounded in a pool of blood. The vision seems so real—I swear I can even smell the stink of blood and death. Both of them are stripped of everything but their trousers, exposing their torn chests. Their guts are exposed and their blood-stained bones are jutting out horrifically. England's green eyes are closed, but America is staring directly at me, blue eyes unfocused and glassy, as if he were…

I cry out in horror, but before I can move, the vision fades.

Even after it is gone and I am left in darkness, it still stays fresh in my mind. The choking stench of death and the sight of flesh torn open will haunt me for a very long time.

-C-

The Canadian woke to the sound of muted snarling and shouting. The countries were arguing again.

He got up from the couch and was instantly face-to-face with the Spanish man.

"How was your siesta, amigo?" Antonio asked, smiling teasingly.

"I'm not going to fall for that," muttered Matthew, avoiding the topic. "Now tell me what's really going on."

"What do you mean?" he said, still smiling. It was getting annoying.

"What is everyone doing?" hissed the Canadian, his patience wearing thin. His anger was fuelled mostly by his worry for his brother and that the disturbing vision could be true. He shook his head to clear it, then stood up from his place on the couch and shoved the Spanish man to one side roughly.

"Told you he would get angry at you, jackass," growled Lovino, who was leaning on the wall and watching Spain as he clumsily, fell over. The Italian wore a sour sneer to hide his concern for the older nation.

Antonio and Lovino stayed where they were, watching as Matthew marched stiffly into the kitchen, where the voices were coming from.

"I'm tired of waiting here!" Germany was shouting at France. "I say we should all go and look for a way out, or at least try and find America and England!"

"We have to stay here!" Francis insisted. "It's not safe to wander around, plus if England and America come back and find us gone, what will they do?"

Japan stood loyally at Germany's shoulder, glaring at China, who stood by France. Russia and Prussia stood by the door, looking bemused. North Italy cowered behind Germany and Japan, clutching a white flag so tightly, his knuckles were white.

"I agree with Germany-san," murmured Kiku. "We aren't doing anything right now…"

"We should split up then, aru," Wong suggested dryly. "I'm sure none of you care about the Allies, anyway."

Kiku's eyes flickered dangerously, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he glanced at Ludwig, who just looked disappointed.

"Ufufu!" Ivan laughed. "They're so amusing to watch."

Gilbert glanced at the taller man uncertainly, and then took a wary step away from him.

"I'm not going to stay and argue," Ludwig sighed. "Come on Japan, Italy. Prussia. We're leaving."

Lovino darted into the room and hugged his trembling brother close.

"If he's going, I'm going too," he declared. "I'm not being left behind this time!"

Germany shouldered past France angrily, with Japan following indignantly. Veneciano wriggled out of his brother's grasp and stumbled after Ludwig.

"No! Don't go!" he cried, clinging to the leader of the Axis. "It's safe here! And we have pasta!"

"I'm not staying with ihim/i any longer!" growled the German, glaring at Francis. "Let's go Italy. Don't worry. Japan and I will protect you."

"Me too," Gilbert added with a sly grin directed to the Italian. Matthew felt a pang of jealousy, but pushed the feeling away, reaching for an arrow.

Lovino stood, looking betrayed at how close his brother seemed to Germany. Antonio sauntered into the room and put his arms around the Southern Italian. For once, Lovino didn't protest.

Russia moved away from the door as Germany's party approached. Before any of them could touch the doorknob, an arrow thudded into the door frame at eye-level. All four Axis members turned, shocked, to see Matthew standing with his bow raised.

"I'm not letting you leave," he announced, loud and clear. "I want all of us to stay together. I'm not letting anyone else out until my brothers' return."

"Are you trying to provoke a fight?" Ludwig asked his voice icily calm. Gilbert shot Matthew a warning glance.

"No," Matthew retorted defiantly, lowering his bow. "I'm trying to keep us together, even if it means we start arguing with each other. I don't want to lose anyone else."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Kiku put in.

"Yeah," Gilbert added. "No offense, Canada, but we're getting kind of restless with nothing to do, besides guarding you."

"I have an idea," Matthew replied a little too smugly. "Let's practice our fighting skills."

Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya

** Canada is talking about the languages of the Aboriginal peoples. Waabishki's name is the Ojibwe word for "White". I think Canada would use his first language for personal matters- after all, he and America were technically Aboriginals themselves before the Europeans found them.

I had to do a lot of research for this. Correct me if I did anything wrong, thanks!

These next few chapters are for Simple Shimmers for the awesome review. You really made my day! :D

Now please review~! :3