Okay, I'm getting pretty sick of being heckled by Anonymous reviewers. If you feel so strongly that my story is copyright, why don't you just report it to the moderators, eh? It would save us all a lot of time.

Now, onto the chapter.

Reviews

(From chapter 1) Guest: Does your story really include blood, gore, cannibalism and swearing? DUDE! SIGN ME UP! :D

Me: Haha, thank you! But it's only a possibility.

Since I didn't quite like the idea of beginning in the middle of the "stranded on an island" storyline, I decided to write a little extra at the beginning and basically take out a little in the middle.

Sometime during WWII

Germany coughed violently, the smoke in his lungs making his chest burn. He was dazed, and he couldn't see. It took him a moment to recall what was going on. The plane they had been flying in had crashed, he knew that much. He pressed his jacket over his mouth, though it only made him feel more smothered. He needed a way out, a latch or a handle or something to pull. His hand felt around and finally, he found something. Pushing with all he had, he pried the door open, releasing himself from the confines of the smoke-filled cockpit.

Outside was bright. Germany squinted against the sun, his balance swaying as his eyes watered from the lingering sting. He was surrounded by trees. Tall trees reaching up to the sky, but not far off, it seemed the forest ended and some other environment began. For now, he observed his location. Something on the ground was glistening. Italy's knife! He remembered now. Italy had been waving that thing around, and in a moment's distraction, Germany lost control. And not too far from the knife was a hand.

Germany ran to the pile of metal, digging his hands under the pieces and using all his strength to lift them up. It must have been a part of the plane that broke off. "Italy?" Germany shouted as he threw the metal aside. Italy laid on the ground, seemingly unconscious, but the moment Germany tried to pull him up, the Italian slapped his hands away.

"Don't touch me," he snapped.

Well, there was one part of the trio. But someone else was still missing. "Where's Japan?" Germany asked.

Germany looked around them for a moment before he heard Italy burst out in laughter. Germany turned to look at him. "What's so funny?"

Italy was pointing at something above. "I found Japan."

Germany followed his gaze up to a tree and nearly laughed himself. Up in the tree, Japan hung nearly six feet off the ground, his purple cape snagged in the thick branches. He was struggling with the fabric, trying and failing to detach it himself when he noticed his audience. He glared down at Germany as Italy's howling laughter continued to assault their ears. "Get me down from here or I promise your demise will be painful."

Germany swallowed and began to climb.

Despite Japan's inherent grace, his fall hadn't been that graceful. On impact, a fractured talus became a broken ankle. How ironic that the strongest of them all was now unable to walk. Germany helped Japan off the ground, putting the Asian man's arm over his shoulder.

"The beach," Japan whispered, looking at an expanse of sand just beyond the treeline.

Germany nodded and began slowly walking towards the beach, making sure no weight was put on Japan's left leg. He'd never seen Japan weakened like this. He knew of the Nation's pride and could assess that the man would never have accepted his assistance walking unless he was in a lot of pain.

He pulled Japan halfway to the shoreline before stopping. "Put me down," Japan breathed. Germany obliged, slowly lowering the man to the ground, helping him lay his ankle straight. Italy tailed behind silently, watching with interest. As soon as he was in a stable position, Japan looked up at him. "Italy, start looking for food." Despite his pained breathing, the order was still firm

Italy whined. "Aw, why do I have to-"

"Italy," Germany interrupted, throwing the Italian a silent look he hoped conveyed what he couldn't say out loud: 'stop arguing'.

Italy huffed. "Fine," he muttered, before walking back into the treeline.

Germany's attention went back to Japan as the man breathed in raggedly. "Get the first aid kit," he said, his voice sounding strained. "From the plane."

Two minutes later, Germany came back with a soot-covered pack. Luckily, the contents inside were clean. He placed it down next to the Imperial and grabbed a few relatively heavy rocks from near the cliffs. He lined them up around the upper part of Japan's leg, leaving the broken portion the only part movable. He made eye-contact with Japan, non-verbally asking permission, and received a quick nod. It was clear Japan wanted to get this over quickly. So, Germany took his foot gently, drawing a sharp hiss from the Asian. If he thought this hurt, he would hate the next part. Lining it into position, Germany took a breath, and snapped the bone back into place, gritting his teeth at the resulting howl from Japan's throat.

The black-haired man fell back, letting his upper body rest on the ground as he breathed heavily. Sweat rolled down his forehead, and his throat felt dry. But still, for all his pride, he managed to breath out quietly. "Thank you," he said.

Germany nodded. "Don't mention it," he said, as he began aligning a few sticks he'd picked up from the forest next to Japan's leg before wrapping it with the bandages to keep the makeshift splint in place. It would be healed up in a couple days thanks to Nation's accelerated healing process. Once Germany was finished, he began repacking the med-pack, taking a moment to look over the other supplies it contained. Germany pulled out a small metal tray, turning it over. It was probably for cooking things over a fire. That could come in handy. "I'll start making a smoke signal," he said, but as soon as he stood, a loud rustling from the treeline caught his attention.

Italy stumbled from the forest, his clothing askew and his hair a mess, but his arms were full of fruit. He trudged up, looking irritated as he dropped the fruit on the ground. "You're welcome," he growled, plopping down on the ground with his arms crossed.

Germany stared at him for a moment before taking the fruit to check over. "Italy, what happened?"

"It turns out animals like fruit, too," Italy muttered bitterly. Germany couldn't help but shake his head in dismissal as he went back to building the fire ring before looking for more wood in the forest. The med-pack had come with a lighter, which would be useful. He looked at the fruit lying on the ground; some pineapple, mangos, bananas, coconuts, and kiwis. It wasn't much, but it would have to do for now.

Later in the evening, everything was silent save for the crackle of the fire and the gentle rush of the waves. Everyone was asleep but Germany. Italy had fallen asleep after dinner, and Japan had been resting his eyes for most of the day, recuperating from the injury, the med-pack being used as a pillow. Germany let him be; he needed the rest. Germany had spent most of the day drawing a huge 'S.O.S.' in the sand. Around here it wouldn't rain so the letters would be there for a long time. Hopefully, longer than they would be. Now it was late, and Germany was idly poking the fire to keep it going. He couldn't sleep right now. He just didn't feel safe here, even surrounded by allies.

"Germany?"

Germany looked up, seeing Japan watching him. "Oh, sorry," he said quietly. "Did I wake you?"

"No," Japan replied. "Why are you not sleeping? Sleep is important for soldiers."

But Germany only sighed. "I'm not much of a soldier," he admitted. "I can barely fly a plane let alone win a war. The fact that I captured France was a fluke. It was mostly Italy anyway."

Japan nodded, respecting his self-depreciation as humility. Silence stretched between them as they watched the fire flicker and dance. "Germany, what do you want to do after the war?"

Well, that was a rather random question. "Hmm, I hadn't thought of it," he said, stroking his chin in thought. "Well, my boss wants to expand through all of Europe, but I don't really feel the same way." He straightened up slightly, turning his body to better face the island Nation. "What about you?"

Japan hummed quietly, a contented smile upon his lips. "I have many things I want," he said. "I want to rule the oceans. I want all of Asia under my command. I want to crush my dishonorable Communist brother..." he spoke with such vigor in his tone, such fierce nationalism. But then it all just... melted away. "But most of all, I want my people to prevail," he said, staring up at the bright dots in the dark canvas above. "To give education to the children, and food to the poor. I want all to look at my beautiful land and know that all this bloodshed has brought some happiness."

Germany considered his words, his lips parted slightly. "That was beautiful, Japan," he said. "I guess, for me... I want all of my people to live unified together, for no one to live under oppression or fear."

"Well," Japan said, making Germany look back at him. "The first step to a united front is a name."

The blond's brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"We need a team name."

"I'm not quite sure I follow."

Japan sighed quietly. "Well, you know how the Allies are the Allies?"

"Yeah?"

"Well," Japan gestured to the sleeping Italian next to the fire. "Italy and I were thinking, and we like the name 'Axis'."

Germany tilted his head. "'Axis'?" he repeated. "Where did you get that from?"

"Well, originally, it was Hungary's Boss who came up with it, I think. And Italy's Boss liked it, too."

"Yes, but what does it mean?"

Japan shifted slightly, tilting his upper body more towards Germany. "Well, by geographical location, you and Italy are at the center of Europe. Italy's Boss and your Boss thought of creating a joint Berlin-Rome line, right?"

It took Germany a moment, but he nodded. "Hmm, yes, I think I heard about that."

"Well, think of that line like an axis," he explained. "It means that when we prevail, the world will turn on that axis."

"Hmm... Axis..." Germany mused. "I like it. But what about you? You aren't central to Asia." Then again, the name must have been thought of before Japan was even an ally.

Japan waved off the question. "I do not need significance in the name. When I conquer Asia, everyone will know how strong I am regardless."

Germany nodded slightly. That made sense... in an odd, confusing way. "Then it's decided," he said, glancing up at the sky, the stars glinting brightly out here without all the light pollution. It was quite peaceful, despite the fact that they were stranded. But they all had goals that couldn't be furthered from their current position. Once they got off this island, they would continue on the plan to attack Britain. And no one would stand in their way.

Little did the newly-named Axis know, up on the cliffs above, a group of five watched them with eager intent. They just needed the right moment to strike.

I decided to leave out the Chibitalia short since it was kinda irrelevant. I also had a hell of a time thinking up how "axis" was came up with. I actually had to do research on where the real-life term came from, and all the articles seemed to write circles around the subject. But I still figured it out!

How ironic, though. Germany wants his people united, and Japan wants his country beautiful. From the way the War ends, I can't help but be sad that I wrote this scene.

Now for reference: The "Axis" of power was first proposed by Hungarian Prime Minister Gyula Gombos, who wanted to create an alliance between his nation, Italy and Germany in the 1930s. Gombos died a few weeks before the Berlin-Rome pact was made. And that's where "Axis" came from. Although, I suppose different sources might say different things.