Wow! I didn't expect so many followers and reviews right away! Thanks guys!
Sorry about the short chapters in the beginning as a few of you did mention, but I did intend for the following chapters to be longer, I just had to get the story going first. So, hopefully this is long enough for you guys.
Disclaimer: Hetalia doesn't belong to me.
3. A Spoonful of Purple Liquid...
America and England ran as fast as they could as the walls and ceilings came crashing down behind them. They could hear the growing number of bombs falling down from the smoke filled sky as fires blazed all over the German capital. England clutched the glass bottle tightly in his hand as they raced down the flights of stairs trying to outrun the destruction that the upper floors had taken. A window shattered just after America ran past it, making them quicken their pace. The building began to get hotter as fire began to spread. England then tightened his grip on the bottle as he and America dodged the fires. When they reached the ground floor they were out of breath from the running and from the smoke that was filling their lungs. The bottom of the building hadn't been destroyed that bad yet as the upper floors were still taking their blows from the hit.
"We can't stay here, but there's no point in going outside." America said between gasps for breath.
They both stood in the middle of the room, unsure of where to go. They could hear the oncoming destruction making its way down. The only other option in sight was the door leading to the source of all this chaos.
England looked around the room frantically. America was right. There was nowhere for them to run. A chunk of the ceiling came crashing down, causing the two of them to jump. One of the walls then tumbled down. With every crash, America and England found themselves inching closer and closer towards the door, their last source of possible escape. More of the ceiling broke apart and the rest of the walls caved in as fire and smoke began to engulf the room. America and England stood frozen in uncertainty and horror as their backs were now touching the door.
"England, we have no other choice!" America shouted, even though he was standing right next to the Englishman. But even with the shouting, it was still difficult to hear him over the noise of the bombs and the crashing of buildings.
Realizing that America was right, England yanked the door open and the two tumbled out of the burning building and out into the fire blazing city of Berlin.
Not that much better of a situation, England thought. But at least here they had more room to run.
Without much thought, America and England hurried away from the burning building while keeping an eye out for anything that might block their way. They had no idea where they were going as the only thing on their minds was survival and that none of them knew the layout of Berlin very well. The whole incident with the cloaked man back in the bombed building was far out of their minds right now as they just kept running and running, trying to find someplace where they could be in relative safety.
After they had ran for at least a good fifteen minutes, the bombs had suddenly subsided, creating a somewhat quieter atmosphere in the destroyed city. The sound of the planes overhead faded as they retreated back to where they had come from. The fires continued though and sirens were still blaring. America and England stopped running and stood with their hands on their knees, panting heavily in an effort to regain their breath. They had run into an alley which came to a dead-end, but luckily it had been spared for the most part by the bombs.
"You still have the bottle?" America asked as he sat down against the wall of a building in exhaustion.
England looked quickly at his hand and found the purple liquid, which now seemed to be bubbling, was held firmly in his grip. He mumbled a yes and then sat down beside America as he was just as exhausted. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, both trying to recollect their thoughts on the situation.
America then looked over at England and at the glass bottle in his hand. The cloaked man then came to his mind and he began to wonder about what they were supposed to do now. None of what had happened had made any sense to him and he had no clue how they were supposed to find the other nations. Who was that mysterious man and what did he have to do with this? What was really in that bottle and how was that going to save their friends? The part that really confused him though was what the cloaked man had said about finding everyone before time ran out. What could that possibly mean?
England was sitting with his eyes closed, not noticing America staring intently at the bottle in his hand while deep in thought. America then nudged him lightly and England's green eyes shot open.
"What?" England asked in surprise.
America didn't pay attention to England's startled expression and continued to focus his attention on the glass bottle. The bubbling purple substance was making him very curious.
"What do you think we're supposed to do with that?"
His remark caused England to look down at the bottle in his hand. He had almost forgotten that they apparently had some sort of mission to do.
"I'm not sure." He replied. "If what he said was true, then my guess is that in order to save everyone, whatever that means, we have to make them drink this horrid concoction."
England was now holding the bottle at eye level, scrutinizing the purple liquid bubbling inside of it.
"What do you think it is?" America asked, his blue eyes gleaming with excitement and curiosity.
England shrugged as he continued to observe the bottle. "I have no idea."
America frowned. "But aren't you into like magic and stuff? Maybe it's some kind of potion or spell?"
England turned abruptly towards America with a look of irritation on his face. "It was given to us by a strange man or creature who we have no recollection of. I have no way of telling what this possibly could be."
America just nodded in understanding. They would just have to take the man's word for it and trust it to do what it was supposed to do.
"What do you think he meant by finding everyone?" America asked as he looked up at the dark sky. The stars weren't even visible because of all the smoke hovering up above. "And if we are meant to find everyone else, then why would we be sent here of all places?"
England sighed as he contemplated America's question. It was bothering him too. What were they doing here and what did it mean that they had to save everyone? Maybe it meant that everyone else was here too?
"What if we're not here alone? What if the rest of the nations are here too?"
America thought about it but then shook his head in disagreement. "But then why would that man come to us? Why do we have to save everyone? Not that I'm degrading our abilities but I'm sure there are much better nations for the job."
England snorted. "Yes, I'd agree. I'm sure anyone but you would be much better for the job."
America punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey, I didn't mean it like that."
England smiled. "You said it. Not me." The two were silent again until England spoke, bringing them back to their conversation.
"But you do have a point there. There must be something different about our presence here and the others. Somehow they aren't able to save themselves and we have to do it for them."
Another thought then ran through America's mind. "What do you think he meant by the whole running out of time thing? We're in 1944, how are we supposed to get to year zero?"
England had forgotten about that little detail the cloaked man had brought up. Maybe because it was just so puzzling to him. He had no idea what it could possibly mean.
"I don't know. Maybe he's just trying to hurry us up?"
America wasn't convinced. "Hurry us up for what? Why do we have to do this quickly?"
England sighed and rested his head on his hand. All of these puzzling questions were making his brain hurt.
"Why don't we just wait and see what happens." He knew it wasn't a very good answer but it was all he could come up with for now. Thankfully for him, America took the hint and halted his never ending questions for the time being.
They then sat in silence again as they listened to the sirens in the distance. The smell of smoke still filled the air, but it was easier for them to breathe now. They had calmed down now, their heartbeats slowing down to their normal paces. Their thoughts though were now filled with questions that they had no answers to. Although they had somewhat comprehended the fact that they were now in the middle of Berlin in 1944, they still couldn't come to terms with this mission they were supposed to carry out.
The silence was then broken as they could hear hurried footsteps running down the pavement at the front of the alley that they were hidden in. America and England both looked up in the direction of the footsteps as a man came into view as he ran almost drunkenly past them. Because of the dark, they couldn't see him very clearly but his limping posture made it look like the man had been shot or hit with something fatal. He then stopped and staggered for a moment before losing his balance and falling to the ground on his hands and knees. They could hear him groaning quietly in pain.
"Maybe we should try to help him?" America asked as he looked away from the fallen man. England was going to object but noticed the look of compassion in the American's eyes.
"I guess we could take a quick look." He watched as America's eyes lit up with excitement again. "But don't get your hopes up. There's probably nothing we could do for him."
America was barely listening to England's last comment as he quickly stood up, forgetting how fatigued he was just a minute ago. England followed slowly behind as America ran towards the injured man who was now lying limply on his back. England wasn't in much of rush to see what happened because he knew it was not their place to be helping this poor man. For all he knew, their sudden appearance in a time period that they had already lived through could be disastrous and could change future history. Though, he didn't believe that helping one man could have such consequences, but it was the principle of the matter. He had read plenty of time travel books and had watched enough movies on it to know the dangers of it.
America ran towards the man on the ground, not noticing England lingering behind him. He knew the man wasn't one of his own citizens, why he was technically an enemy at this time, but he still felt complied to help him, even though he would probably be of no use to the man. As he got closer, America could see the man was wearing a uniform. He couldn't quite make it out, but it almost looked like a German military uniform. Actually, now that he got closer, it looked more like a Nazi military uniform. America assumed that the uniform had once been crisp and clean, but now it was completely stained in blood. The man was clutching his chest as blood continued to pour out, creating a red puddle around the man. America had by now reached the front of the alley and he was now standing right at the bloody puddle that surrounded the man. He was able to see him clearly now. He had been right about the Nazi uniform and the chest injury. He then looked at the man's face and froze in shock as he immediately recognized who it was.
England watched as America ran ahead. This was completely ridiculous if you were to ask him. They were supposed to be finding the missing countries, not helping injured civilians. But, of course, he was with the hero, so naturally they just had to try and save the poor fellow. England had been looking down at the glass bottle the whole time but then he looked up at America and was surprised to see him standing still as a statue in front of the man on the ground. He hadn't said anything and was just staring down at the man who had blood pouring out of his shirt. As England got closer to them he could see the man was wearing a Nazi military uniform which was now covered in blood. Why was America so startled by this? Surely he had seen a bloody man before.
But when England approached the two, he was able to see clearly what America was so disturbed about. He stared too in astonishment at the bloody man now lying before them. But he wasn't just any man. America and England both knew him too well and recognized him immediately, even with the uniform he was wearing and the blood that now covered his body.
The man lying before them was none other than Germany. Though, it wasn't the Germany they knew of now. It was Nazi Germany. It was the nation of Germany from 1944.
As America and England continued to stare wide eyed, Germany didn't even notice them as his eyes were closed. He had heard the running footsteps coming towards him but he had no strength to open his eyes. They were probably just some of his citizens anyway and they were of no use to him as they couldn't possibly help him. So, he kept his eyes closed as he laid stagnant, waiting for the onlookers to walk away.
But they never did walk away. Germany began to get impatient and was about to yell at them to leave him be, but then someone said something which frightened him.
"Germany? Is that you?"
Germany closed his eyes tighter as he was probably just hearing things. He could've sworn he heard America call his name but that was impossible. What would America be doing in Berlin right now? He probably was dreaming or something as he himself didn't quite know how he had gotten here. The last place he remembered being in was Leningrad just a few hours ago. The Russians were fighting them off because of the siege they had established. Then something happened, he wasn't sure what. It was kind of blurry but he must've blacked out or something because he then remembered waking up to the sounds of bombs and sirens. When he had looked around at where he was he realized he was back in Berlin. Then he forgot everything as the first bombs began to hit.
"Germany? Is it really you? Are you okay?" There was America's voice again. When would he wake up from this crazy nightmare?
"Shut it, America. Of course it's him. And look at him, why would he be okay?" Wait a minute. England was here too? This wasn't good. What if this wasn't a dream and he had been captured? Maybe if he opened his eyes he would be back in Leningrad.
"He's awake!" America shouted as England rolled his eyes.
"How could he not wake up from that loud mouth of yours?"
America and England, now over their shock, were crouched on the ground next to Germany as they watched hesitantly as the German nation slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times and looked a little confused, almost frightened by what he saw.
"Where am I?" Germany asked suddenly in horror.
America and England looked at each other, both unsure of how to answer. Did Germany remember disappearing from the meeting room like they had or was he completely unaware of it. Was he the same Germany from 1944 with the same memories as the Germany from 1944? England decided to take a chance and find out what this Germany knew of his whereabouts.
"Germany, do you know what year you're in right now?"
America looked over at him questioningly but England ignored it and waited for Germany to answer. Germany looked startled by the question but quickly answered, though he didn't sound too sure of his answer.
"1944?"
So he was Germany from 1944. This was probably why he and America had been given the bottle because they were the only ones that still had their memories. He decided to ask another question.
"Do you know who we are?"
If this was Nazi Germany, then England wasn't quite sure what would happen if Germany recognized them. They were dressed from the twenty first century but their appearances hadn't changed that much since then.
Germany hesitated before he answered. "You're very similar to America and England though I don't think you're them. You seem a bit, different."
America finally got what England was getting at and said something quietly to him, so Germany couldn't hear. "Maybe this is why we have the bottle? Maybe we're supposed to give it to him to drink."
England looked at the bottle as he considered America's suggestion. If this was the Germany they were supposed to save, then how would this bubbling purple liquid bring him back to the future? If he listened to America and gave it to him, there was a chance he would be returned. But what if it doesn't work?
"What if it doesn't work?" He whispered back to America.
"What do we have to lose?" America answered loudly, forgetting that they were whispering. "It's not like anything worse could happen, right?"
England sighed as swung the glass bottle back and forth. America did have a point. Things were already bad enough, nothing worse could possibly happen.
"Alright. I guess it's worth a shot." A realization then struck him. "But how are we going to get him to drink it?"
America gave him a halfhearted smile. "Ask him?"
England gave him a look but decided to try anyway. It couldn't hurt to ask, right?
England looked over at Germany who was still staring at them in fear and confusion. Germany then groaned as he clutched his chest again and more blood came out. it gave England an idea.
"We don't know who you're talking about but it seems that you don't know who we are. It doesn't matter because we'd like to help you."
England paused and waited for some kind of reply from Germany. Germany stayed silent though as he listened with only half of his attention as his other half was focused on the pain in his body. He was pretty sure they had called him Germany earlier but this whole thing seemed like a dream so maybe he had dreamt that part too.
England didn't get any reply so he quickly continued. "We are doctors and if you don't mind we have a little medicine here that might help with your wounds. We promise it will help, we've been working on it for quite a while now, haven't we Al?"
America was startled a bit from England's sudden reference to his human name but quickly played along with the act. "Yeah. It will heal you in no time."
They both looked expectantly at him and England held up the glass bottle with the bubbling purple concoction inside. "So, what do you say? It would mean so much to us for our hard work to help someone."
Germany was now listening intently to what the two were saying. It sounded like a good idea, his wounds were unbearable right now but he was pretty sure this human medicine would have no effect on him as these were no ordinary injuries. But, it wasn't like he could die and he really didn't have any other choice. Plus, the two young men were looking at him so pleadingly that he would feel guilty if he refused their offer.
"Alright, but I'm warning you that it probably won't help me."
Germany watched as the two men smiled. The one with the bottle then quickly handed it to him. "Please, just try it."
America and England watched hesitantly as Germany slowly took the bottle from England's hands. They were slightly curious to see of this really would work, and if it did work, then how?
The three sat in silence as Germany lifted the bottle to his lips and cautiously took a small sip. He quickly stopped though as he felt something inside of him almost start to bubble. He could feel the small drop of what he had drunk swimming around inside of him causing a strange sensation within him. His vision then began to get blurry and the concerned faces of the men in front of him were now blurred from his sight. He could feel himself losing touch with reality as his hold on the glass bottle loosened and the bottle fell out of his hand. He didn't see one of the men in front of him make a grab for it as his eyes began to close and darkness overcame him.
After Germany let the bottle fall from his hand, England quickly grabbed for it and caught it. Then, he and America watched in horror as Germany literally began to fade in front of their shocked eyes. It was only a matter of seconds until the Germany that was laying beside them was suddenly gone, completely disappeared. The blood that covered the pavement in front of them was gone too as if no one had ever been there. America looked over at England with a horrified expression on his face.
"Where'd he go?"
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