Disclaimer: AilateH nwo t'nod eW!
A/N: Hey, everyone!
Well, we got at least three responses to our question. So! Caha, Missy, and Dala all get one request for the story. Remember to keep it within the plotline and no naughty scenes! Request away!
Enjoy! Please review!
World War II
1939 – 1945
Allies (19) vs. Axis (6)
Poland gasped when the bedroom door opened. Trembling in fear, she clutched to China's arm tightly. China kept a firm grip on the female nation's wrist. He had only just gotten her calmed down and now she was terrified again. Glaring at the newcomers, China tried to think of all possible ways of stopping Lietuva.
Hangug, (Korea,) Bughan-i, (North Korea,) Táiwān, and Xiānggǎng (Hong Kong) stood in the doorway. None of them looked at all amused by China's reaction.
"W-Where is Nihon, aru?" China asked with a quiver in his voice.
"Nihon is buys," Hangug said, bearing his teeth in a feral grin at China. "He said we needed to keep an eye on you, da-ze."
"I am busy helping Poland." China's hand moved from Poland's wrist to her shoulder. "I am sure Lietuva would not mind, aru."
"Poland can come with." Hangug strode forward and grabbed Poland's arm, dragging her up. "She can have some fun too, da-ze."
"No, aru!" China's hand snapped out to grab Hangug's wrist. His eyes widened at the bold move and he slowly retracted his hand.
"Like, let me go," Poland whimpered as she struggled against Hangug."
"I don't think so," Hangug sang. "We're going to have some fun, da-ze!"
"Please, leave Poland alone," China begged. "You may do what you want with me, but leave Poland alone, aru."
"Shut up and come on," Xiānggǎng snapped with a scowl. Marching forward, he dragged China from the bed. The sudden move overbalanced the ancient nation who was already weak from his imprisonment.
"Aiyah!" China winced when his knees hit the floor. Before any of the Wars could punish him, he used to bed as support to stand.
"Walk." Xiānggǎng yanked China forward, shoving him from behind to make him move. China stumbled forward several steps past Taiwan and North Korea's doppelgangers. His eyes flicked to Poland worriedly.
"Please," China tried once more. "Leave her alone. Please, aru."
"Shut up," Xiānggǎng snarled, shoving China forward again. "Before I let Deutschland keep you." China flinched at the thought and followed Bughan-i down the hallway, his hands clasped before him and his head ducked.
"Like, let me go," Poland whined as she struggled against Korea's doppelganger. The War only laughed and dragged the female nation along, ignoring the fact she was only dressed in a shirt too large for her.
'Germania,' China prayed silently. 'Please, if they will not leave me alone, at least let them leave Poland alone, aru.'
China was suddenly shoved again and he stumbled through a set of doors. Once his eyes had fully adjusted to the dim lighting, he could make out the circular room he was standing in. The walls and floor were made entirely from stone. Various torture devices lines the walls. A furnace even lent light to dim room.
China backed away, his eyes wide at the sight of the room.
"Cholera," Poland breathed from behind China.
Xiānggǎng only snorted and dragged China forward. "What' the matter?" he sneered. "You don't want to have fun?"
"D-Does Nihon know about this, aru?" China asked nervously. His eyes flitted from device to device.
"Of course he does." Hong Kong's doppelganger made a face. "Every War knows about this place. Sweden has even been here a few times."
China took another step back. He was considering the possibility of running when a boot connected with his back, sending him sprawling to the floor. There was a thud beside him and a harsh curse.
Propping himself up on his elbows, China dared a glance out of the corner of his eye. Denmark rubbed the back of his head. He looked worse for wear. His hair stuck up in every direction and he looked half drowned despite being dry.
Poland screamed when she was shoved down beside China.
"D-Denmark, aru?" China asked nervously. He pulled Poland close to himself, trying to shield her from the Wars. Prayers to his ancestors danced through his head. Prayers that Denmark wasn't still made about the Danish-Sino War.
"Hej, China," Denmark coughed. "How have ya been? Looks like Hell down here."
"I . . . have been better, aru," China admitted. Shifting on his knees, he swallowed hard at the thought of what was going to happen to them.
The four doppelgangers had been joined by Việt Nam, Àomén, (Macau,) and Pratheṣ̄thịy. (Thailand.) Together, the seven Wars surrounded the three nations on the floor.
"What do you think we should do with them, da-ze?" Hangug asked gleefully as he paced around the captives.
"I could care less." Bughan-i crossed his arms. "The girl is cute, ez-ad." China pulled Poland closer to himself and ducked his head.
"Please," he begged, tears in his eyes. "Leave Poland and Denmark out of this. You may do as you wish with me, aru."
Táiwān 'tsked' and leaned forward to wag her finger at China. "It would be any fun without Denmark," she said.
"What would you do for Poland, ana?" Pratheṣ̄thịy asked, throwing a lead weight into the air and catching it easily.
"I will do anything you ask, aru," China said with a straight face. He could feel Poland trembling harder against his side.
"Take off your shirt, ana." Pratheṣ̄thịy grinned, still tossing the lead weight.
China closed his eyes but slowly removed his torn shirt. A long scar ran down his back and there were several smaller scars crisscrossing. A dark brand of the Scandinavian Cross stood clearly out on his right shoulder.
Denmark shouted when a long stick stuck him on the head. "You too," Việt Nam snapped. "You don't want to miss out on the fun." Denmark looked to China with a mixture of fury and fear in his eyes.
China's eyes were trained on the floor and his hands were clenched in his lap.
"Please, aru." A tear fell to the floor.
Grudgingly, Denmark removed his jacket and shirt. Both nations shivered in the cold dungeon. The Wars continued to pace around them, studying each nation.
"What's this?" A long nail scraped along China's brand. "Did Sverige do that?"
"No," China said in a quivering voice. "Sixteen years ago I was captured by Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Denmark branded me so I would know who I belonged to, aru."
"You sadist," Việt Nam giggled. "What else do you like to do?"
"None of yer damn business," Denmark growled. Việt Nam scowled and smacked him across the back of his head.
"Now that wasn't very nice."
Poland whimpered and curled up into China, clinging to the ancient nation desperately. China draped what little of a shirt he had over the female nation's shoulders, holding her close.
"Would you like to have some fun, China, da-ze?" Hangug sang.
China looked up to the War with a dead look in his eyes. "As you wish, aru," he said.
"Are you making fun of me, da-ze?" Hangug demanded. China heard a whip crack against the floor behind him.
"No," China said, bowing his head. "I wish to have fun, aru."
Denmark spared a glance at the Wars behind him and his eyes widened.
"Hey!" The Nordic nation leapt forward, wrapping his arms around China, and tried to hold back a scream when leather struck his back.
"What is this?" Táiwān sneered. "Is someone trying to play hero?"
China's eyes were wide with fear and his breath came out in hard gasps. Poland felt the ancient nation's arm tighten around herself.
"Ya want them," Denmark growled. "Ya have ta go through me first." He cried out when the whip lashed his back again.
"Is that so?" Việt Nam hissed.
"Then let's see how long you last, ez-ad." Bughan-i picked up another whip, cracking it against the ground. Denmark tightened his grip on China.
"Denmark," China said softly, touching the younger nation's arm. "You do not have to do this. I am five thousand years old. I have had worse, aru."
"Ja," Denmark grunted when he was struck with leather. "And now someone's going ta give ya better fer once."
China shut his eyes tight and a tear slid down his cheek.
o)O(o
South pawed the ground, eyeing the brush around her nervously. Prussia stood nearby still trying to get used to standing on solid ground again. They had been riding for nearly a day now. South had shown no signs of weakening but had been growing ever more nervous.
"I can't feel my legs," Prussia muttered as he stretched his limbs. "I'm walking from now on. I hate riding bareback. I hate horses!"
South lifted her head to look at her husband, snorting in response. She motioned to her back as if to say 'what about me?'
"There's nothing lame about you," Prussia said. He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can you just let your bruder know where we are?"
"Big Brother," South mentally called in a childish voice.
"South!" America's voice filled his sister's head. "Thank God! I was so worried you had been captured."
"Nope," South giggled. "Pumpkin and I are in the woods havin' some fun."
"South," America sighed. "I told you you're not allowed to talk to me during your special time. Prussia gets mad at me and it's just plain awkward."
"What special time?" South whined. "Did Pumpkin not tell me something? And we're in the middle of the woods runnin' from bad guys!"
"I'll give you a hint," America said then stopped. "Wait! What?"
"Look, will you just tell your bruder we're in Grunewald Forest?" Prussia snapped.
"Pumpkin says we're in Grunewald Forest," South hummed.
"I'll talk to Germany," America said quickly. "We'll see if we can spare anyone. In the meantime, head for Slovakia."
"One two!" South sang. Turning to Prussia and flicking her tail, she watched him carefully.
"No way." Prussia backed up. "I am not getting back on. I'll walk from here."
"Will you?" a childish voice interrupted. South snorted and whirled around. Her ears laid back at the sight of Rossiya. Leaves crunched and Australia, Sweden, and America appeared on the three other sides of the two nations.
"Gott verdammt," Prussia swore, backing away from Sverige who crossed his arms over his broad chest. The War's eyes flicked between the two nations.
"Un'ted St'tes," he said. "You h've m're exp'rience w'th w'ld h'rses. You c'tch the f'male."
"Can do!" United States saluted Sverige before leaping off the log he'd been standing on. South snorted and tossed her head as she pranced around nervously. United States' flight was stopped midway by Prussia grabbing his legs. Both War and nation hit the ground hard.
"R'ssiya," Sverige said. "Oz, t'ke Pr'ssia d'wn."
"You are bossy," Rossiya said in a singsong voice. "But okay." He and Oz advanced on Prussia, tearing him away from United States.
"Finally!" United States leapt to his feet, striding toward South who whinnied, rearing slightly. "Come on, baby," United States called softly. "I'm not going to hurt you." South pawed a hoof in warning, lowering and raising her head as if nodding.
"South!" Prussia struggled against the doppelgangers holding him. "Run!"
"That's right." United States grinned at the horse. His grin faded with a yelp when South charged him. The War leapt out of the way just in the nick of time.
Rossiya and Oz shout in surprise when South skidded to a halt before the three fighting males. South reared, her eyes wide with terror. Prussia swallowed hard at the sight.
"I hate horses," he whispered.
South turned and charged United States again but was stopped halfway when a body collided with her. Sverige easily pinned the horse to the ground. South rolled around, kicking wildly. She tossed her head in an attempt to hit Sverige with it. The War only grunted and wrapped an arm around South's neck.
"Get off me!" Prussia lurched forward in an attempt to escape.
"Dammit!" Oz scrabbled to get a grip on Prussia again when the ex-nation managed to break free.
United States grabbed South's kicking ankle, giving it a yank. He blinked in surprise when the horse flew past him.
Straightening up, the first thing Prussia saw was a large gray body hurtling toward him.
"Oops," United States chuckled. "I didn't mean to do that."
"Gott verdammt!" Prussia just barely had time to swear, backing up. When South collided with him, they were both sent rolling across the ground. Sverige's eyes widened in surprise when South stood, Prussia astride her back.
"Why can't I do that?" United States whined. "Everyone else always get to do the fun stuff."
"Sh't it, Un'ted St'tes," Sverige growled, standing. "C'tch th'm."
"Suck it, losers!" Prussia shouted, trying to mask his fear. "I'm on a horse!"
South backed up, sidestepping when Rossiya attempted to grab her. With a toss of her tail and a shake of her head, she charged Sverige. The War shouted in surprise and dove out of the way. South barely glimpsed him grabbing something from his waist when a loud shot rang through the air.
Prussia was nearly thrown to the ground when South skidded to a halt, rearing and whinnying in fear.
"Nein." Prussia grabbed South's mane and dug his heels in. "Go!"
Sverige tucked the gun back into his belt and advanced on the horse and rider.
"Go!" Prussia gave a particularly hard jab and South gave a squeal, taking off once more.
Sverige shouted furiously at the back of Prussia. Neither ex-nations could make out his words, but they sounded like threats.
Something warm dripped down South's side. Slowing to a halt, the horse turned her to head. A few drops of blood ran down her gray coat and Prussia was clutching his side, trying to keep a grin on his face.
"I'll be fine," he said. "We have to get out of here."
South's eyes widened even more, if that was possible, and she took off. Her hoof-beats beat the ground in a frantic rhythm that echoed off the trees.
o)O(o
Greece slapped at Türkiye again before backing into a corner. She growled when the War attempted to advance on her.
"Come on, Greecey," Türkiye said with a feral grin. "I know ya want it." He planted a hand on either wall around Greece.
"Why the hell do you think I'd want it?" Greece growled. "And stop calling me 'Greecey'."
"I think it suits ya." Türkiye took Greece's chin in a tight grip. He smirked as he leaned down to her. "Ya might not want it at first. But I can make ya feel good."
"Like hell you could." Greece shoved Türkiye's chest and darted for the door. She screamed in fury when she found it locked.
"Do ya really think I'm that stupid?" Türkiye asked as he followed Greece leisurely. "I'm the one with the keys. And that's the only way yer getting' out of here."
"What makes you think there aren't any other ways?" Greece hissed. "I bet I could get out of here easily."
"Ya want ta try?" Türkiye asked, brightening up. "Then let's play a game!"
"Forget it," Greece grumbled. "I've had enough games in my lifetime."
"Hayır, this will be fun," Türkiye said excitedly. He marched up to Greece and grabbed her hand. "Ya try and find a way out of here and I'll let ya go."
"I said forget it," Greece said through gritted teeth. "The last time I played a game . . ." she trailed off, refusing to look at Türkiye. "Just leave me alone." She nearly yelped when she was suddenly slammed against the wall.
"Since ya don't want ta play," Türkiye said huskily in her ear. "Then we could just have some fun."
"Let me go!" Greece hissed, struggling against the hands holding her. "I don't even like you, bastard!"
"You could." Türkiye kissed Greece on the jaw. "Maybe if ya just tried a bit harder."
"Why would I do that?" Greece moved her head out of the way. "That would mean I actually liked you."
"I've seen the way ya look when yer thinkin' about him," Türkiye said. "We're the same person, he and I. So why couldn't ya like me too?"
"You're not the same," Greece growled. "You're far from being the same. You don't even have a soul."
"Then what can I do?" Türkiye stepped back and spread his arms. "Tell me and I'll change fer ya."
"Let me go," Greece spat at the War." Then go jump off a cliff."
Türkiye's grin faded into a snarl and he was standing before Greece with an astonishing speed. He slammed her hard into the wall.
"I'm tryin' ta be nice here," he growled. "If yer not goin' ta cooperate . . ." He left the threat hanging in the air.
"What? You'll torture me?" Greece laughed. "People remember the battle, and forget the blood. You're obsolete, Türkiye."
Türkiye's smile slowly morphed into a terrifying smile. "Ya want ta talk about torture?" he asked.
"I've face worse," Greece assured him. "You couldn't surprise me with anything."
"Not even with the oldest nation on yer world brought down ta his knees?" Türkiye asked. "Forced ta submit ta his inferiors?"
"Remember when I had you on your knees before me?" Greece inched along the wall, hoping to escape to the bathroom. "I finally broke free that day. After centuries of fighting."
"Do ya want me on my knees?" Türkiye fell to his knees, a hand held out for Greece. "I'd do anythin' fer ya, Greecey."
"Then. Let. Me. Go," Greece shouted. Grabbing the clock from the coffee table, she hurled it at Türkiye. The clock bounced harmlessly off the carpet.
"I can't do that." Türkiye stood, brushing his knees off. "Why can't ya ask fer somethin' simple?"
"That isn't simple enough?" Greece hissed. "It's easily. You just open the door and let me leave. And I can forget all about you."
"But then I'll get in trouble," Türkiye pointed out. "And someone else would just catch ya."
"Not if I run," Greece countered.
"Why are ya bein' such a brat?" Türkiye demanded as he stormed up to Greece. "I give ya every chance I can ta make ya happy and ya just throw it away."
"I don't like you!" Greece howled and threw a punch at Türkiye's face.
Türkiye caught the wrist easily, pinning it against the wall. "Then let's play a game," he said in a low voice, pressing Greece against the wall. "Ya pretend I'm him, and maybe ya'll enjoy this."
"Óchi!" Greece struggled against Türkiye, trying to get her wrists free.
"It might be the only way ya'll enjoy this," Türkiye said before bending down and slinging Greece over his shoulder.
"Óchi!" Greece howled as she pounded Türkiye on the back.
"Evet, ya can't stop it, Greecey," Türkiye said as he headed for the bedroom. The door slammed shut behind him and there was an audible click of the lock.
)O(
A dark figure sat in the bushes on the edge of the grounds. His eyes were trained on the window where he had seen his Greece only moments ago. His lips drew back in a silent snarl and he slunk back into the black forest. He would bide his time patiently. It would come. Soon.
o)O(o
Denmark grunted when he and China were thrown into another room. His back was completely covered in lashes while China remained relatively unharmed. The last the two nations had seen of Poland, she had been in Lietuva's arm. The War hadn't seemed the least bit angry with the Asian Wars.
"Denmark," China said in a low voice. "You did not have to do that, aru." His eyes flicked over his shoulder worriedly in Poland's direction.
"Ja, I did." Denmark followed China's gaze. "What's going on here?"
"They are Wars," China explained. "I have been here for nearly three weeks, perhaps more. I have lost count, aru."
"I got that part," Denmark grumbled. "What's going on between ya and Poland?"
"Lietuva violated Poland." China's fist clenched on the stone floor. "I was only helping her, aru."
Denmark stared at China in shocked silence for several seconds before he roared and charged at the door. He was stopped when the door slammed in his face and locked.
China turned quickly, his eyes wide with fear.
"China," Denmark said, feeling along the door. He spared a glance at the slits of moonlight shining through the windows.
"D-Denmark, aru?" China rose slowly from the floor. The hairs on the back of his neck raised, as if in warning.
"The door's thick," Denmark noted. "Why is the door so thick?"
"Perhaps Sweden made them thick when this castle was built," China suggested. Moving slowly, he walked to the door and knocked on it. "That is unusual, though, aru."
"Nej." Denmark shook his head. "The door was just put in. Ya can tell." He pointed at the freshly drilled stone.
"Why would a door be so . . ." China trailed off as a sound filled the chamber. It was a low snarl. The snarl of a wolf.
Slowly, Denmark looked to China, his breath hitching.
"God no," Denmark breathed. "Please tell me it's not."
China turned slowly, his eyes widening even more. A strange mix of wolf and man could be seen across the room. It crouched against a wall as is studied them.
Denmark turned around, his back hitting the door at the sight of the werewolf.
"Lort," he swore.
"Do not move," China breathed. He kept his eyes fixed on Sweden. "He may not attack if we stay perfectly still, aru."
Sweden stood, taking a step forward as he sniffed at the pair of nations before him.
"Ya were saying?" Denmark hissed out of the side of his mouth.
"Stay still, aru," China hissed back. His eyes flitted around the room as he tried to think of a battle plan.
Sweden's hair laid back and he whined softly. A glimmer of light flashed in the werewolf's eyes and China decided to risk it. Taking a deep breath, China took a small step forward.
"Sweden, aru?" he asked softly.
"China," Denmark hissed. "Get back here!" He reached for the older nation but China just shook him off, taking another step forward.
"It is alright, Sweden," China said gently. "We are not going to hurt you."
Sweden studied China silently for a few minutes before he suddenly threw his head back and howled. Lunging forward, China jabbed Sweden in what would have been the solar plexus of his human self. Sweden stepped back in surprise, his howl petering out. It quickly faded and he roared at China, lunging forward.
"Now ya pissed him off!" Denmark ducked out of the way when Sweden missed China and hit the wall.
"He would have attacked anyway, aru," China snapped.
Leaping through the air, he landed on Sweden's back and grabbed tufts of hair, holding on for his dear life. Sweden roared, shaking madly and reaching back with his hand-like paws.
"Aw, shit!" Denmark charged forward to grab Sweden by the sides of his head. The werewolf shook his head several times before noticing Denmark. "Lort!" Denmark moved his head out of the way when Sweden attempted to bite it.
"Denmark, move!" China shouted. Pulling hard on the fur, he forced Sweden to back away. "I can take care of this, aru!"
Denmark scrambled back to his feet, staring in shock when Sweden tried to dislodge China. The ancient nation gritted his teeth and slid down Sweden's back slightly. He locked his knees at Sweden's side and hung on, wrenching at the fur. Sweden howled and reared up, pawing at the air wildly.
Denmark looked frantically around the room for something, anything, that could help him. A metal pole stuck out from the wall at least seven feet off the ground. Charging the wall, Denmark leapt up and easily grabbed the pole. He managed to swing onto a ledge above it, grabbing the edge and barely hanging on. A glance over his shoulder revealed a thirteen foot drop.
"I am not thinking today!" Denmark shouted to no one in particular.
"Denmark, what are you doing?" China demanded. "You are going to get yourself killed, aru!"
Denmark scrambled onto the ledge before turning around. "Forget Sweden!" he shouted.
"What, aru?" China's head snapped up. He shouted when Sweden ran into a wall and finally managed to lose his rider. Slowly, the werewolf looked over his shoulder. A string of saliva hung from his gray muzzle and his lips quivered when he snarled in a low, deep tone.
"Sweden." China scrambled back like a crab desperately. "It is me, China. Don't you remember me, aru?"
Sweden turned around, raising a paw as if to hit China.
"Run!" Denmark bellowed. "Before he makes ya his dinner!"
Scrambling to his feet, China darted away from Sweden just as the werewolf lunged. The ancient nation slipped once or twice in his escape but managed to keep his footing.
"Get ta the pole!" Denmark pointed at the piece of metal sticking out of the wall.
China eyes darted to the pole and he frowned. "You intolerable brat, aru!"
"What did I do?" Denmark demanded.
"You are European!" China shouted, sliding under the werewolf when he got cornered. "I am Asian! I am shorter than you by at least sixty centimeters! I cannot reach that, aru!"
"Yer one hundred twenty centimeters tall?" Denmark asked, confused by the fact.
"Do I look that tall, aru?" China demanded hotly.
"Nej," Denmark pointed. "But ya said sixty centimeters, I'm only about one hundred eighty centimeters tall."
"And I am one hundred sixty-nine centimeters tall," China snapped. He stopped under the pole and looked up at it. "If I had the proper leverage I could do it, aru." His eye flicked to the advancing Sweden and Denmark could easily read the idea on the ancient nation's face.
"Ya do that," Denmark said. "And I'll have ta say yer the most impressive man in the world. Even if ya are short."
"Shut up, aru," China grumbled.
When Sweden was barely a foot away, China leapt off the ground for the werewolf's back. Sweden roared and reared up. The sudden move affected China's jump as his stomach collided with the werewolf's shoulder.
"Aiyah!" China shouted, hanging from the werewolf's shoulder for a split second.
"Nej!" Denmark leapt back down the pole, grabbing it then catching China's hand. He yelped when Sweden moved out from under them.
"Aiyah!" China dangled from Denmark's arm. His sweaty palm slipped slightly in Denmark's larger hand. He looked up at Denmark and for the first time the Nordic nation saw something he had never seen in China's eyes before. Pure terror.
"Get on my back!" Denmark gritted his teeth and raised China up. China weakly wrapped his arm around Denmark's neck and tucked his face into the Nordic nation's back.
"Hold on!" Denmark swung for the ledge, scrabbling when he managed to grab the very edge of it. "Climb on! Climb on!" He felt China's grip tighten and the shaking of a head.
"I am sorry, Denmark," China whispered in Denmark's ear. "I have been nothing but a burden for you, aru." The hands around Denmark's throat loosened, as if China was planning to let go.
"Dammit!" Denmark roared, kicking Sweden in the face when the werewolf leapt up at him. Shifting his grip, he managed to drag the two of them onto the ledge before China could fall. China released his grip on Denmark and rolled off the taller nation's back. He turned his back on the other who could see his shoulders shaking.
Breathing hard, Denmark leaned against the wall, wincing when his injuries were agitated. He reached over to drag China to his side.
"It's alright, China," the younger nation gasped out.
"No it is not," China sobbed. He clutched at Denmark's shoulders weakly. "I should not have listened to Babylonia. I should have turned him away the moment I recognized him. I am sorry for everything I have done, aru."
"China." Denmark struggled to catch his breath. "There's something I learned a long time ago."
"There could be nothing you know that I do not." China tucked his face into his knees. "I deserve to be dissolved and given away to the other nations. I tried to, but my boss said no, aru."
"China," Denmark groaned and let his head hit the wall with a thump. "If ya keep talking like that I'm going ta annex ya."
China peeked out from under his hand. "Would you, aru?" he asked in an almost hopeful voice.
"First I'll smack ya," Denmark coughed, his breath coming in wheezes. "Damn, I think I'm getting old."
"You insufferable brat!" China was suddenly on his knees slapping Denmark around the head. "You are getting old? Who here is five thousand years old and just jumped on a hungry werewolf, aru?"
"Who can't breathe?" Denmark shot back.
China stopped at that. "What did you do, aru?" he demanded.
"I did nothing," Denmark coughed into his hand. "I just got in a little accident a few months ago."
"What kind of accident?" China prodded at Denmark's chest gently. "Were you near any fire? Are you allergic to anything, aru?"
"They were working on some fertilizer," Denmark wheezed. "I saw something going on and made them run fer it. It blew up and sent chemicals everywhere. I didn't want ta tell Italy about it. She would have freaked out. I just told everyone I was fine."
China pursed his lips and gently felt Denmark's throat. "Have you seen a doctor about it, aru?" he asked.
"Nej." Denmark winced. "I'm a nation. I'll be fine."
"It would help you get better faster," China snapped then sighed. "There is nothing I can do right now but recommend rest, aru."
"Ja, rest." Denmark tried to chuckle, glancing down at Sweden who paced below the ledge. "That's going ta be easy."
"Just try." China leaned over the ledge. "Do as the Wars say and perhaps you will not be worked too hard. I might even be able to beg Nihon for help, aru."
"China, come here." Denmark waved a hand at the ancient nation. China sighed and leaned back against the wall. Denmark wrapped an arm around the ancient nation's shoulders and closed his eyes, attempting to breathe deeply.
"If I hear about ya begging again, I'll smack ya," Denmark said. "Where's the spitfire I used ta see all the time?"
"A fire will only last as long as the wick aru," China said wisely.
"And a nation will last forever," Denmark reminded China. "That's the difference between ya and the fire, China. Yer going ta keep on living.
"I have outlived my time," China said. "Five thousand years is far too long for any nation, aru."
"Mesopotamia is older than ya," Denmark chuckled. "So is Pontus. I bet they'd both be yelling at ya right now."
"That is different," China sighed and shook the hair out of his face. "They are no longer nations. Besides, they were reborn repeatedly, aru."
"That's true." Denmark nodded then coughed. "Just don't forget this."
"Forget what, aru?" China asked.
"Ya've got family." Denmark opened an eye to study. His heart lurched at what he saw. China's eyes were wide and his lower lip trembled. Leaning into Denmark, his shoulders shook with sobs.
"Thank you, Denmark, aru."
Denmark tightened his grip on China, pulling the nation closer as he tried to ignore of the werewolf below them.
o)O(o
Russia stood beside his brother-in-law as Ukraine tearfully talked into the Bluetooth set. Netherlands only shook his head at the Slavic nation while Estonia and Finland nervously watched their surroundings.
"Ta," Ukraine said. "We made it to Germany just fine. Everyone is here."
Estonia scanned the trees surrounding them carefully. His fingers twitched, as if he was itching for a keyboard.
"Where do you think Su-san is?" Finland worried. "I hope he isn't hurt or anything."
"I'm sure Far Sve is fine," Canada assured Finland. Unlike his brother, he had no relation to Finland whatsoever. But that didn't mean he couldn't make her feel better.
"Da, he is probably being tortured by whoever is kidnapping nations." Russia glanced around the clearing. Noticing the silence behind him, he turned. "What?"
"Russia!" Ukraine wailed. Even Finland looked close to tears. "Why did you say that? What about Belarus?"
"I was trying to, how Little America says it, 'lighten the mood'," Russia said with a shrug.
"That is not how you lighten the mood." Estonia shook his head. "You tell a joke or try to make someone feel better."
"Oh?" Russia cocked his head. "I will have to remember that."
"Please try, Russia," Ukraine begged before returning to the Bluetooth. Finland watched the trees warily, taking a step toward them.
"Finland!" Canada hurried after the smaller nation. "We shouldn't wander alone. Not if someone's after us."
"I thought I heard something," Finland sighed and turned back to the group. She jumped in surprise when a large form barreled out of the woods.
"Finland?" Canada turned and wound up whacked in the face by a branch. Stumbling back, he reached for his missing glasses.
"Ohya!" Finland raced out of the way as a gray horse reared up, screaming. Canada's head snapped up, his eyes widening at the white hair he could just barely make out.
"Prussia!" Racing forward, Canada tried to grab South's head. "Sh, it's alright, South. It's me, Canada."
South reared up again, looking ready to bolt. Canada ducked under her right hoof but missed the left as it flew from his blind spot. The nation found himself struck in the head by a rather solid foot.
"Birdie!" Prussia shouted in an almost weak voice.
Canada stumbled back and collapsed to the forest floor. South snorted nervously as she stamped her hooves. Surprisingly, not one came close to stepping on Canada.
"Canada?" Russia turns around, stopping at the sight of the horse.
"What is wrong, Russia?" Estonia, Ukraine, and Netherlands all turned to see what the large nation was staring at.
"Is that a horse?" Netherlands asked.
"I don't think it could be anything else," Estonia said.
Russia crossed the distance between himself and the horse in long strides. Taking South's head in a firm grip, he forced her back to down the ground.
Canada groaned, holding his head. Netherlands and Ukraine hurried forward to drag Canada away from South. The mare snorted and tried to yank her head out of Russia's grip.
"My glasses." Canada grabbed Netherlands' arm. "I lost my glasses somewhere."
"Right," Netherlands sighed then began to search the ground carefully.
"Privet, Prussia," Russia said as he forced South to remain still. "Why are you holding your side like that?"
"Why do you think, arschloch?" Prussia spat.
"I think you got shot," Russia commented.
"Damn right I did," Prussia groaned and clutched his side.
"What?" Estonia asked in shock. "We need to get you to a hospital!"
"I'll be fine," Prussia snapped. "I've had worse." No one could argue with him about that.
South stomped a hoof, snorting angrily.
"Where did you get the horse, Little Prussia?" Russia asked curiously. His eyes lingered over the white star on South's forehead.
"This is South," Prussia said through gritted teeth.
"South can transform just like we do," Canada said from the ground. "Did America not tell you?"
"Net." Russia shook his head. "Little America seems to forget to tell us many things."
"He, Prussia," Netherlands called from behind a log. "You'll never guess who showed up."
"Who?" Prussia shouted back. With Estonia's help, he slid from South's back.
South whinnied and, without allowing anyone a chance to stop her, she plunged into the nearby stream.
"Girls." Prussia shook his head, wincing when Estonia prodded his wound. "Who showed up?"
"Albania," Netherlands growled as he picked something up.
"Was?" Prussia's head snapped up. "Where is he? I'll kill that lame thief!"
"No need." With Ukraine's help, Canada stood. "Germany handcuffed him to Vietnam."
Prussia's eyes widened at that. "Is he trying to kill Albania? Vietnam will murder him in his sleep!"
"I think that's the plan." Netherlands walked up to Canada and placed his glasses back onto the nation's face.
"Merci, Netherlands," Canada said, blinking to clear his vision.
"We need to get Prussia patched up," Estonia said.
"I'm awesome," Prussia retorted. He howled when Russia poked his injury.
"That does not look 'awesome', da?" Russia pointed out.
"Don't touch me, arschloch!" Prussia slapped Russia's hand away. "I'll be just fine when I get a bandage on."
"Please stop fighting," Ukraine begged tearfully. "What if we're attacked?"
"How do you think I got shot?" Prussia demanded. "We were attacked by doppelgangers. We just barely made it out alive when Sweden came along."
"Su-san?" Finland brightened up at the name. "You saw Su-san?"
"His lame doppelganger, yeah." Prussia crossed his arms. "Why?"
"Belarus, Greece, Poland, Far Dan, Maman, and Far Sve are missing," Canada said softly. Prussia's arms fell to his sides in shock.
"We were told by Germany to come here and find you," Estonia explained. "Then we're heading to a farmhouse just outside Cologne."
"How far from Cologne?" Prussia asked curiously.
"I think Germany said it was fifteen miles west of Cologne," Canada said. When he received nothing but blank stares, he sighed. "That's a little over twenty-four kilometers." There was a collective 'oh' from the group and Canada muttered under his breath. "Europeans."
There was a splash from South and all the nations jumped.
"Perhaps we should be going?" Ukraine offered weakly.
"Da, that would be a good idea," Russia said.
"I'll get South." Prussia wandered toward the river, shouting for his wife.
"I'm curious about something." Netherlands watched as South splashed water on her husband.
"What?" Canada asked.
"These doppelgangers," Netherlands said. "What do you think they actually are?" South stopped kicking water and stared at Netherlands intently.
"Who knows?" Canada shrugged. "Maybe they're just like the realms."
Russia sighed. "Yet another world we will have to deal with," he said. "I was glad to be rid of those pesky realms."
"I don't think I'll be able to handle another world," Netherlands groaned.
"They're not from another world." All the nations heard Prussia shout at his wife about decency. Russia shed his coat and tossed it to Prussia who, grudgingly, took it.
"What do you mean, South?" Canada asked curiously.
"They're wars," South replied, ignoring the coat. "Britain even said they were."
"Wars?" Estonia blinked. "But what is a War?"
A/N: What did you think?
Remember to request, you three!
World War Two - (1939 – 1945) Allies vs. Axis
Casualties: Over 73 million, making it the worst war in our history.
Outcomes: Fall of the third Reich and the Japanese and Italian Empires, the formation of the UN, the emergence of the Soviet Union and U.S. as superpowers, the start of the Cold War (including Vietnam and Korean wars), and more.
This war is ranked number one as the bloodiest war in the world's history. Not only did America drop the atomic bombs on Japan (drop me a line of you think this was a bad idea, I'll be more than happy to rant at you) and Germany cause the Holocaust, but Japan did what is called the Rape of Nanking. It was an attack on China that is considered one of the greatest catastrophes to happen during World War Two.
What the hell, I'll give it to you anyway. Before I rant I want to tell you this: I am not racist. I think the Japanese are amazing people and have a wonderful culture. I am not about to hold a grudge against them for something that happened in the forties. That said, here I go!
First of all, they pissed us off. Any nation who attacks America has Hell coming their way. So we went to the Pacific where the Japanese fought brutally and were cruel to our POWs. Even when the War ended in Europe, it was still going to strong in the Pacific. So we dropped the bombs. Yes, it was cruel and might not have been the best idea. But it did the job. Our mother says this: we dropped the bomb on Tuesday, and the war was done by Thursday. If we hadn't dropped the bomb, the war would have continued on for longer and more men would have died. We were tired of seeing our family die on the front and wanted it over with.
Did you know that the Japanese had promised peace to us before we joined the way? Then they went ahead and attacked Pearl Harbor. What would you do if your friend went behind your back and ripped you down? Would you stand for that? Because I sure wouldn't.
The same goes for 9/11.
We don't own this poem.
"THE SHEEPDOGS
Most humans truly are like sheep
Wanting nothing more than peace to keep
To graze, grow fat and raise their young,
Sweet taste of clover on the tongue.
Their lives serene upon Life's farm,
They sense no threat nor fear no harm.
On verdant meadows, they forage free
With naught to fear, with naught to flee.
They pay their sheepdogs little heed
For there is no threat; there is no need.
To the flock, sheepdog's are mysteries,
Roaming watchful round the peripheries.
These fang-toothed creatures bark, they roar
With the fetid reek of the carnivore,
Too like the wolf of legends told,
To be amongst our docile fold.
Who needs sheepdogs? What good are they?
They have no use, not in this day.
Lock them away, out of our sight
We have no need of their fierce might.
But sudden in their midst a beast
Has come to kill, has come to feast
The wolves attack; they give no warning
Upon that calm September morning
They slash and kill with frenzied glee
Their passive helpless enemy
Who had no clue the wolves were there
Far roaming from their Eastern lair.
Then from the carnage, from the rout,
Comes the cry, "Turn the sheepdogs out!"
Thus is our nature but too our plight
To keep our dogs on leashes tight
And live a life of illusive bliss
Hearing not the beast, his growl, his hiss.
Until he has us by the throat,
We pay no heed; we take no note.
Not until he strikes us at our core
Will we unleash the Dogs of War
Only having felt the wolf pack's wrath
Do we loose the sheepdogs on its path.
And the wolves will learn what we've shown before;
We love our sheep,
we Dogs of War.
Pollux, stay away from the coffee.
Sorry about that. We usually try to keep politics out of our stories, but this is a sensitive topic. Especially when America is portrayed as a moronic, trigger-happy, ignorant person. We really, really don't appreciate that.