The Hetalia Global Warming Crisis; Get Out Alive
18—The Pain
~Canada~
Matthew stood beside his team. Germany faced Canada with the others behind him. They had pushed all the tables and chairs back in order to make room for a training exercise Matthew had come up with.
Like always, it was Allies versus Axis, but this time it was Canada in the lead.
China, France, and Russia stood behind him, flexing their muscles and observing their opponents. Behind Germany stood Japan, Prussia, and North Italy (but since they knew Veneciano wouldn't do anything, they allowed Romano to play, too). Spain stood in the middle of the teams, acting as referee.
"This is going to be a fair game," Antonio announced to the leaders. "You're allowed to help your Allies. If you lose, you're out. Last one standing wins."
Matthew nodded in assent. He had discussed the rules already. He trembled with excitement. This was the moment of truth: to see how much he had learned from Waabishki! He quickly glanced at his hand. The tiny wound he made for America had healed. He only hoped America would get back soon. He did not want the vision to come true…
The Canadian pushed the thought to the back of his mind. It was time to focus!
"No weapons," Antonio was saying, "and no blood. This isn't war, it's training. Got it?"
Everyone murmured agreement. With a cheerful smile, Spain stepped back, scooping up Kumajiro to keep him out of the way, and raised a hand.
"Start!"
Like he had seen Waabishki do so many times, Matthew launched himself at Ludwig, extending his arms and reaching for the big man's throat. Before he could land, a massive weight crashed into his side, knocking his breath away. He lay winded on the floor with Gilbert on top of him, their noses touching.
"Sorry," he growled playfully, raising his head. "I couldn't let you beat my brother, now could I?"
"I'm not finished that easy," wheezed the Canadian with a crooked smirk. He grabbed the Prussian's collar and planted his boot in Gilbert's belly. "Don't underestimate a Canadian, eh."
He let go of Gilbert's collar and kicked him off, getting to his knees. The Prussian had tumbled into his brother and the two landed on top of each other. France, who was keeping the German occupied, let out a triumphant shout, only to be cut off by Romano, who slammed into him. The Italian grabbed Francis' collar and lifted the winded Frenchmen up, drawing his fist back, his mouth twisted into a sadistic grin.
"Ciao, France," he growled. Spain swooped down and pulled the Southern Italian away from the Allied nation.
"That's enough," scolded Antonio gently, grinning at Francis. Lovino let out a hiss of anger and struggled half-heartedly.
"I could've saved myself, you know," the Frenchman snapped defensively.
"Sure," replied Spain. "Either way, you, Germany, and Prussia are out of the game."
"Germany and Prussia?" Francis asked, shocked that the brothers would be defeated. "Was it because of me?"
"Are you stupid?" spat Lovino, pointing to a spot behind France. "Of course not. It's because of him."
France turned to see Canada sitting on top of an indignant Prussia. Beside him, with the Canadian's boot placed firmly on his chest, was Germany, looking embarrassed at his defeat and furious at Prussia's mistake.
"I think I win this round, eh," Matthew said cheerfully with a sweet smile. Spain and France shivered at how innocent the Canadian looked, but how dangerous he could really be. The three defeated nations melted into the shadows with Spain watching as Lovino and Matthew darted back into the fight.
Russia had already intimidated Feliciano into surrendering, and joined with Canada to face the lone Italian, who was scowling defiantly. His face was twisted into an aggressive snarl, but he was inching backwards ever so slightly, a nervous spark in his eyes.
"Just wait you jerks!" snapped Lovino, just barely managing to keep his voice from shaking. "You don't know the strength of the mafia! I'm gonna beat the crap outta you!"
"Then do it!" taunted Ivan sweetly. "But I think it would be wiser to run, like your little brother!"
"Besides, I don't think you'd want to make us your enemies…" Matthew added with a warm smile.
The tall Russian and the smaller Canadian started to advance, shoulder to shoulder, their eyes closed and their lips curved into creepy smiles. Romano steeled his resolve and stood his ground, but was starting to sweat nervously.
"AIYAH!" China suddenly exclaimed, causing everyone to divert their attention to the Asian nations, "how could you have defeated me, aru!"
Kiku held the older country down with one hand on a pressure point, the other in a position to strike with a spear-handed thrust to the heart. The Chinese was paralyzed and at Kiku's mercy.
"China's down!" announced Spain, breaking up the fight. "Now it will be all for nothing. No allies, no help. No weapons, no blood."
He got the remaining countries to stand in a circle. "Canada, Russia, Romano, and Japan; the last one standing will be the winner. Good luck!"
He stepped back and the four countries prepared to attack. Japan's face was expressionless as he calmly calculated each of his opponents. Romano had a look of pure hatred in his eyes, but no one believed he would last very long before he lost to cowardice. Russia was childishly smiling, an atmosphere of absolute menace surrounding him. Canada had narrowed his indigo eyes, his expression focused stonily on the fight. His ears twitched as he heard Gilbert, Francis, and Antonio exchanging bets in the background.
The four countries tensed, coiled to spring at any moment. Before anyone could move, Canada let out a screech of agony and collapsed, clutching his left shoulder as if it were about to fall off. The hostility and tension in his opponents' eyes swiftly vanished, and was replaced with shock and concern.
The others were shouting his name, but all Matthew could think about was the unbearable pain and the dreadful thought that his vision was about to come true.
America! England! Stay alive!
~America~
The teeth slid into his flesh, tearing out a chunk of flesh from his left shoulder. Burning pain seared through his body and his left arm went limp. Warm blood spilled down his chest and back as he broke away from the beast and staggered back. America was too exhausted to cry out with pain; instead he focused all his energy on keeping himself and England alive.
Alfred narrowed his eyes, struggling to see properly. He could just barely see the monster in the dim lighting, despite how close he was. His impaired eyesight wasn't helping, either. The monster had the body shape of a wolf, but was about twice the size of a normal one. It had a mane of black fur that rose into spines, like enlarged porcupine quills. Its claws were huge—about the size of a butcher's knife—and its huge jaws were filled with rows of sharp teeth, with one huge fang protruding downwards from the left side of its jaw, stained with Alfred's blood. He could just make out strands of his own flesh snared between the front set of teeth, and it took all he had not to throw up.
The Brit had climbed to his feet. The worst of his wounds had healed, but the bleeding hadn't stopped. Alfred glanced at his companion, his blue eyes wide in fear and despair. Arthur's lip was curled into a snarl and his green eyes blazed with anger and determination. The hunger for battle flickered in the small man's eyes as he glared at the beast. Alfred remembered seeing the same expression when he was still a boy. He never thought he would see it again.
"I'll teach you not to mess with a former pirate!" snarled the Englishman, his fingers itching to hold a sword and start slicing the beast to pieces. He glanced at the American and nodded to the wall.
"Stay behind me," he hissed. "Get that bite fixed. I'll deal with this."
Alfred swallowed back a protest and nodded, collapsing against the wall and sliding down slowly to the floor leaving a red smear on the wall, his right hand trying to staunch the bleeding on his left shoulder. His hand was completely covered in blood and he started sobbing in frustration. The wound was too deep to heal fast enough, and he didn't have enough cloth to make a bandage. Sooner or later, he would faint of blood loss, and England would collapse with fatigue, making them easy prey for the huge monster. In a final, last ditch effort, Alfred put his head in his bloody hands and furiously tried to contact his brother.
What's going on? Canada asked almost instantly. Alfred could feel the anxiety and panic in his brother's mind.
We're fighting this monster, Alfred replied, his mind's voice trembling with fear. Dude, I need your strength.
I think I can do better than that, Matthew replied. I'll take the pain off your shoulder.
The pain that burned throughout his entire body lifted. The American glanced at his shoulder. It was still bleeding, but he couldn't feel anything, and his arm was able to move slightly.
What did you do now?
I'm bearing the pain for you. Matthew whispered in his mind, his voice weaker and more strained. Any hit you take, the pain will be on me, so you can keep fighting. Just know your body's limits.
Wow, coolio! Thanks!
Ice-cold, refreshing Canadian strength blazed through his body and he stood up.
It's nothing, the Canadian replied. Just try not to break the link with me, and everything will be fine.
Meanwhile, the Englishman had landed blows on the beast, but was unable to do any real damage without a weapon. He muttered the occasional spell, but it was sapping his energy and strength all too quickly. Alfred leaped in and landed a good set of fast punches to the beast's chest, ended by a kick that sent it flying. He turned to Arthur and grinned wickedly, blood covering his body and his eyes blazing with power and violence. Arthur flinched. This wasn't the America he knew.
"Let's get out of here," Alfred announced. He turned back to the dark corridor, power pulsing through his veins, feeling like he could destroy anything.
Arthur started to follow, when the beast shot out of the darkness and slammed Alfred into the far wall. The American let out a choking cry, and his link with Canada instantly snapped.
Shit!
Curved claws—a set that seemed to be hidden under the knife-shaped ones, to Alfred's horror— curled around his throat and pinned him to the wall, nearly suffocating him. He started losing strength, the pain coming back to him in a big wave that nearly knocked him out. He called on his nation strength and willed himself to stay awake for Arthur's sake.
"I'm not letting you get away!" snarled the beast in a distorted but awfully familiar voice. "I will get revenge!"
For the first time, America had a closer, more detailed look at the half-wolf. The face of the wolf was broad, the fur a light russet-red colour, and its mane of long black fur curled softly around its ears and neck before giving way to a tangle of bristly spikes. The creature opened its jaws slightly right before the American's eyes, and he could see that the right fang, slightly covered by a black lip, was only shorter than the huge left one, making it look lopsided. He grimaced at the heat of its carrion-scented breath. But the most obvious, eye-catching feature was the intense red eyes that seemed to look into his soul. His heart stopped in realization.
"You're…" he gasped.
"The mad scientist, they all say," the wolf growled. "But I'm better known as a Red Wolf; RedWolf Rocky." She bared her teeth in a cruel grin. "I'm pleased to meet you, America."
America faintly heard England's cry of horror as the half-wolf raised her claws and sliced them through his belly. Alfred choked out blood, feeling the warm, red liquid spill from his body and splash down like rain around him. He could feel his own organs threatening to fall out of the wound. His vision was spotted with blackness as he was dimly aware of falling to the ground.
Arthur watched as the half-wolf let go of his little brother and let him fall. Alfred's limp, blood-soaked body thudded sickeningly onto the floor.
"AMERICA!" he cried. The wolf raised its claws again, this time aimed for the American's heart. Its lips curled into an ugly, triumphant grin. With the last of his strength, Arthur scrambled up and threw himself in the way. The claws ripped through his chest with an audible, sickening tearing sound. He smiled defiantly at the wolf-scientist, then his eyes rolled back and he collapsed on top of America.
Alfred's eyes were wide with horror, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
The wolf looked genuinely surprised, and then it stepped back and grinned.
"He wasn't the one I wanted to kill, but this may work just as well," she sneered. "I'll leave you alive. You need to think about what your brilliant idea just did to your friend."
With that, she turned and began melting into the shadows.
"One more thing you should consider, and listen closely," the wolf glanced over her shoulder, red eyes glittering with satisfaction as she faded away. "You will die at your brother's hands, America. I promise you that."
Hardly able to process what he just heard, America looked down at the limp body he held in his arms. A faint heartbeat pounded in his friend's torn chest, threatening to stop any second. He ran his hand through the Brit's golden hair.
This isn't happening.
If Arthur died, Alfred would lose his big brother. His father. His mentor. His friend.
His lover.
No!
NO!
His grip tightened around England, whose life was slowly ebbing away.
It's impossible! Nations can't die!
With tears dripping down his face, America threw his head back and screamed.
Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya
Okay, why did I write something so depressing and traumatizing? Again?
Sorry about the really late update. I'm going through a lot of shit right now and I can't really say this is the best time in my life right now. Hmm... I seem to take it all out on these poor personified nations, eh? It's writing therapy at it's best.. and most horrific. (haha)
Well, in my case, anyways.
Oh, also I've been getting a few requests for people to do spin-offs, fan art, comics, and whatnot. I personally don't mind, as long as you credit the original story to me.
Thank you to all you people for stomaching my horrible plotline so far! *flails*
AND I REWARDED ALL YOU AWESOME PEOPLE WITH THIS UNUSUALLY LONG CHAPTER! XD
NOW REVIEW! OR REDWOLF ROCKY WILL EAT YOU!
OMNOMNOMNOM... :)