I do not own Hetalia or Animorphs. I'm not that creative.
Axis Powers: Hetalia is the brainchild of Hidekazu Himaruya, and Animorphs belongs to Katherine Applegate.
The memories constantly battered him. There was the endless guilt. His words had sent them to their doom, he was certain of it.
"We should look for him."
Why in the world had he ever opened his accursed mouth? If he had shut up, maybe no one would've ended up hurt.
Russia slammed his balled-up fist on the table, tears threatening to spill out of his eyes.
"Russia's depressed!" Lithuania cried, turning to face Estonia and Latvia. All three wore similarly terrified expressions on their face. A depressed Russia was a horrible sign.
Belarus flew into his room instantly, stroking his hair. "Big brother, everything is going to be okay. We'll get married and become one."
"Please, listen to me," Russia sniffled. He wasn't normally so helpless. He had become a great nation all by himself, despite the wars and invasions. Belarus latched herself on Russia. The Baltic trio pulled out chairs and sat down, eyeing him warily. Even Ukraine walked in, sensing the change in Russia.
"Make yourselves comfortable, this is going to be a long story," Russia began. The Baltics huddled closer, Lithuania wrapping his arms around Estonia and Latvia. Ukraine scrutinised Russia with concern.
"The Allies were all at McDonald's. We were ordering our food, but when we returned, we realised America was missing. China told us that he saw America creeping around a storeroom door, and I vouched that we look for him."
Russia took a shuddering breath and swigged his vodka.
"The four of us went to look for America. We opened the storeroom door, only to find a stairway. We went down the stairway. At the end of it was the most unimaginable thing possible.
"There was a pool filled with grey liquid, and a bright light shone right above it. Huge cages lined the walls of the cavern, and in those cages were humans. The humans were screaming and crying and begging. Some begged for freedom. Some begged to be killed. Some simply didn't move at all. It was like they had given up all hope.
"As we watched, the humans were dragged, kicking and screaming, towards the pool, by other humans. Their heads were forced into the pool, and when they emerged, they were changed."
"Mister Russia, what do you mean by 'changed'?" Lithuania piped up meekly.
Belarus stood up and slammed her palms on the table. "Don't interrupt big brother when he is talking!"
Lithuania recoiled. Russia turned to Belarus. "Thank you," he murmured. Belarus looked like she was going to keel over in happiness.
"As I was saying... I knocked France out. France was one of the bad humans. Everyone else got mad at me, but they didn't understand why I did it. I couldn't explain how I felt the change in him. I knew instinctively that he wasn't the France we used to know.
"It was in there that we saw America too. He was trying to be a hero. He leapt right out and battled the bad humans. Everyone else except France followed. We had to help America, after all.
"The whole place was in chaos. England ran to free the prisoners. We fought valiantly, but a monstrosity appeared. It grabbed America with one of its numerous arms, and tossed him into the roiling pool.
"China very bravely sprang across the pool to catch Alfred, and they were balancing precariously at the edge of the pool when France materialised. He pushed them both into the water."
Ivan's expression darkened. "They emerged as changed people."
Everyone was silent. No one dared to speak up, despite the burning questions on their mind.
"I knew it was a lost cause. Three out of five of us had succumbed. The odds were against us. Then America was on England, dragging him towards one of the cages.
"I ran. Whenever someone got in my way, I smashed their face with my faucet. The mutant creature didn't notice me in the throngs of panicking people all screaming and running towards the exit. I'm sorry to say that all of them didn't make it. But I was lucky. I suppose it's because of my superhuman strength which comes from being a country."
Russia tugged his scarf up towards his chin. "That's the end of my story."
Latvia and Ukraine had tears streaking their cheeks, and Lithuania looked like he was on the verge of crying as well. Estonia was deep in thought. Only Belarus moved, gripping her brother in a crushing embrace. "I'm so glad you're safe, big brother!"
It was apparently the wrong thing to say. Russia shook her off, shouting, "What does it matter? Everyone else has been taken! And it was all my fault!"
Lithuania forced a smile. "Mister Russia, it's not your fault. You couldn't have known. The only thing you can try to do now is to repair the damage. Also, what do you mean by 'changed'?" he pressed.
Russia pondered. "By 'changed', I mean that they were... Different. No longer the friend I used to know. They had evil intent radiating off them."
Ukraine bawled, "All those poor humans! Why were they even in the cage?"
Russia's eyes were downcast. "I don't know. I really don't."
- Hetanimorphs -
"America, dude!" Tony called. "Wanna play video games with me?"
America barely spared Tony a glance. "Not now, Tony. I'm busy."
Tony tilted his head quizzically. America, working? Even if he was at his busiest, he never turned down an offer to play video games.
"How about horror movies, then?" Tony suggested.
"I told you, I'm busy!"
There was definitely something wrong with America.
It wasn't just America. France had ceased his flirting and taunting, choosing instead to focus on his work. England didn't even bother cooking. China barely batted an eyelid when Tony presented him with a Hello Kitty.
Something was truly wrong with them, and Tony had a slight clue of what it was.
There was only one person Tony hadn't tried to talk to, and that was Russia. Tony didn't like Russia, though. Russia scared him. Still, he might be the one person with all the answers.
Tony hid in the bushes, spying on Russia's house. The best way to get to Russia would be through Lithuania – Lithuania was easy-going, and he was the only one in the Soviet family whom Tony was close to.
It didn't take long for Tony to locate Lithuania in the house. Tony hopped up to the window and rapped on it.
Tony regretted his decision instantly. Lithuania was topless – he had been changing – and Tony didn't check beforehand.
Lithuania's reaction was pretty amusing, though. He had spazzed and threw on his shirt inside out in his panic. It took some time for him to put on his shirt correctly.
"My eyes, bitch," Tony gritted in annoyance when Lithuania finally opened the window.
He laughed abashedly. "You should've checked before knocking on the window. Besides, the proper way to enter is through the door, isn't it? So, what brings you here?"
Tony explained the whole personality change in America and his friends. Lithuania listened intently, his eyebrows knitting together.
"Mister Russia told me a story not too long ago. He said that America and the others had 'changed'," Lithuania informed Tony.
Tony perked up. "Is Russia still behaving normally?"
"Pretty much," Lithuania conceded. "Same dark aura, same creepy laugh. The only thing different is that he's been more self-depreciating."
"Bring me to him!" Tony demanded.
Lithuania looked terrified. "It's not a really good idea to converse with him at the moment."
"I don't care, Lithuania. This is urgent!" Tony cried. "It could help to save everyone!"
"A-Alright. Come along, then." Lithuania exited the room and headed towards Russia's study. Tony followed. Lithuania tapped on the door lightly. "Mister Russia? It's Lithuania. Tony is here with me, and he has something he needs to speak with you about."
"Come in," Russia instructed in his usual soft voice.
Tony dashed in right away. "Yo, Russia, you bitch!"
Lithuania gasped and quaked in the corner. If Russia got mad, he'd face the brunt of Russia's anger. Russia, however, didn't take offence.
"You're America's friend, aren't you?" Russia asked jovially. "How cute."
Lithuania heaved a sigh of relief.
"Yeah. I heard from Lithuania here that you witnessed the change in America. I want to know more," Tony demanded, hopping on the chair in front of Russia.
Russia's eyes darted to Lithuania for a moment. "Alright. Lithuania, you may leave."
Lithuania had never been gladder to hear those words.
Once the door clicked shut behind Lithuania, Russia turned to Tony. "There was a pool. People changed once their heads went under the water," Russia stated.
Tony leaned forward. "Listen, Russia. There are many things I need to tell you."
Russia was calm. "Go on. I can handle it."
"Very well. This is gonna take your vodka-breath away."
- Hetanimorphs -
Everyone gathered in the living room, as per Russia's orders. Latvia was wedged between Lithuania and Estonia on the sofa. Ukraine took a seat opposite them. Belarus sat on the arm of Ukraine's chair.
When Russia walked in, Belarus snapped at the Baltics to give up their seat to Russia. The three of them obliged without hesitation, and they backed away into the corner.
All eyes were on Russia as he lowered himself onto the sofa.
"Hello," Russia greeted. "I have something of utmost importance to discuss with all of you."
Just then, Tony walked in, munching on a hamburger.
Belarus scrunched her face up in disgust. "Isn't that America's alien friend? What's it doing here?" She spat America's name with contempt.
Tony turned his eyes towards Belarus. "F*ck you."
"Why, you little—" Belarus raged, yanking a knife out from under her skirt.
"Stop!" Russia bellowed. "We aren't here to fight!"
Silence fell over the group, broken only by Latvia's teeth chattering. Belarus huffed and took her place once again. Tony climbed on to the sofa, next to Russia.
"Remember the story I told you previously?" Russia asked. Everyone nodded nervously. How could they forget?
"I'm pleased to announce that we'll have a chance to save them. One that won't get us killed within seconds.
"Tony has explained everything to me. There are these alien slugs, called Yeerks, that enter your brain and control you. It's very rare for you to fend them off, but even if you do, they'll keep trying to wrestle control from you.
"Every move that you make will be dictated by the Yeerk within your mind from now on.
"The Yeerks, however, require recharging every three days. They do so by soaking up Kadrona rays in a pool – that's the pool we saw," Russia clarified.
"We don't know how many people have been taken. Maybe even one of you is a Controller."
Russia scanned all five of them, then smiled. "No, I trust that you aren't."
Belarus looked like she wanted to say something, but she thought better of it. Ukraine looked worried. The Baltics... Well, they always looked scared around Russia.
"So this is what Tony has offered to us. A chance to fight back. We won't let the human race go down so easily, da?"
"Y-Yes?" Lithuania answered uncertainly.
"I'll protect big brother at all costs," Belarus seethed. "Those damned slugs are going to burn!"
"How are we going to fight back?" Estonia wondered.
Tony flicked his wrist impatiently. "I'm going to grant you all the power to morph."
"Morph?" Ukraine echoed. "We can change into animals?"
"Exactly." Tony looked pleased.
"How is morphing going to help us pull out worms from people's brains?!" Belarus shouted.
Tony was mortified. "You can't pull the Yeerks out of brains directly, you'll have to wait until they enter the Yeerk Pool and exit the human voluntarily."
"That's stupid," Belarus muttered angrily. "We'll have to wait three days."
"Um, so we'll be able to change into animals?" Estonia repeated.
"Yes, yes, yes," Tony grunted. "Man, you guys are slow."
"C-Can I change i-into a bird?" Latvia stammered.
Lithuania and Estonia gave Latvia a look that said "shut up".
"I know what we can do!" Ukraine exclaimed suddenly. "We could sneak into the Yeerk Pool as some small animal – a fly, maybe? – then change into something strong and dangerous, and free the humans in the cages!"
"The girl with the huge rack has almost gotten it," Tony hummed in approval. Russia shot Tony a scathing glare. Ukraine wrapped her arms over her chest with a blush.
"How do we obtain this morphing ability?" Lithuania questioned.
Tony pulled a sky blue cube from seemingly nowhere. It was about the size of his eyes. He gazed at the cube reverently. "This is known as the Escafil Device. My people created this, and it gives you the power to morph. All you need to do is to touch it."
The cube glowed softly. Everyone stared at it with their mouths slightly agape.
Belarus was the first to recover. "What are we waiting for, then? Let's do it!"
"Gather round," Tony instructed, holding the cube up. The Soviets compressed themselves together, close enough that they could feel each other's hearts hammering in their chests.
One by one, each of them laid their hand gingerly on the cube. Russia went first. His hand went on the top of the cube. Ukraine went next, placing her hand on the side. Belarus, Lithuania and Estonia followed, each taking a different side. Latvia went last, his hand finding the base of the cube, his and Tony's hands barely touching.
"Don't release your hand," Tony warned, as the cube warmed up and emitted a low buzz. A shock seemed to run through each of them at the same time, as seen from the sudden widening of their eyes. It was a curious sensation; a tingle that made them feel like laughing.
And just like that, Tony snatched the cube away. "It's done," he announced.
Russia flexed his fingers experimentally. "How do I morph?"
Tony sucked noisily on his McDonald's drink. "You just need to touch an animal and acquire its DNA. It'll enter a trance-like state when you acquire its DNA, so don't worry about being attacked. There's no limit on how much DNA you can have."
"Thanks, Tony," Ukraine smiled gratefully.
"That means I can't morph into a dragon?" Lithuania asked with a trace of disappointment.
Tony laughed, "No, unless you manage to get DNA from a dragon."
"Is there anything else we have to take note of?" Estonia wanted to know.
"Oh yes!" Tony's head shot up. "I forgot to mention, you can only stay in morph for two hours, tops. Any more and you'll be trapped as that animal forever."
"Let's go get some animal DNA," Belarus snarled.
I'm sorry if this chapter got too technical and dull. There are many things that need to be explained. Don't give up on me yet, it's only the first chapter!
I apologise for any OOC behaviour.