Spread My Wings (REVISED + EDITED)

Into The Flame

Germany and I were sitting outside for what felt like an hour. Hardly any words were spoken, but we can find comfort in each other's silence. I noticed Germany quietly studying the world around him. It almost makes me smile despite the desperate situation I'm in.

Maybe once all of this is over everything will go back to normal. Maybe they'll let Germany go. I can show him all of my favorite places, and we'll have a picnic together in the forest.

This wishful thinking may be foolish of me, but wishful thinking is one of the only things that gave me motivation to stay alive. That and all those that will miss me. I wonder if anyone would've told Germany if I had died while he was locked in the palace? Would he think I abandoned him?

More and more people make their way outside. Germany let's go of me and I stop leaning on him. He knows that I don't like being babied, and he didn't want to embarrass me. However, after everything that has happened, I don't really mind anymore. It's nice getting cared for by the people you love. After all, you never know which loving embrace would be the last.

I decided to go check on Australia now that everyone was outside. When I walk in the room, I see New Zealand still sitting by his side. I sit next to the bed with New Zealand and take Australia's hand in mine. His chest was slowly moving to match his slow breathing. We remain silent for a while. How could I call myself their older brother if I can't even protect them? I feel the tears forming in my eyes, but I refuse to cry in front of New Zealand.

"Kiwi...," Australia said weakly. New Zealand's eyes lit up. I feel Australia's hand shift to properly hold mine.

"Australia... I'm so sorry...," New Zealand said between sobs.

"Th-this isn't your fault," Australia said, his voice shaking.

"Who did this to you?" I asked.

"Imperial... he figured out I s-sent animals t-to help y-you...," Australia said. I want more than anything to stab Imperial in the stomach, but I try to remain calm. "I-I can't believe I survived th-that fall... I saw... I th-thought it was an angel... but it was an eagle... it d-didn't grab me in time... but it broke my fall...," Australia said.

"The eagle... was it luminescent?" I asked. Australia silently nodded. "It... was it the same one who saved me?" I thought out loud. Australia looked up at me, hope in his eyes, but a serious look on his face.

"Ame, they locked our parents up and they took Canada's power... I... I want to help them... but I can't... p-please, forget all the things our father t-told you for once in your life.... b-because they need all the help they can get," Australia said. A tear falls from my eye, but I quickly wipe it away.

"I won't let you down Aussie... I swear I'll kill Imperial for what he did," I say.

For the next hour, Australia helped us form a plan. He informed us with everything he knew; that my mother is trapped in UNs old study room, and our father, along with other big enemies of Reich, are trapped in UNs private conference room, which Reich had turned into a throne room. Everyone else is trapped in the ballroom being watched over by Soviet and Imperial.

We put together all the weapons we can find. Mexico and Poland broke into a local armory and got us all the protection and weapons they could carry. Australia was left at Switzerland's house to rest, with Switzerland taking close care of him.

As we approach the palace, I begin to feel a wave of fear crash down on me. I've never fought in such a dire situation like this before... I barely even fought to begin with. I feel a hand latch onto mine. I turn to see Germany, an uneasy look on his face. I hold tightly onto his hand and take a deep breath.