My Dark Heart (1/?)
Title: My Dark Heart
Author: parable91
Rating: PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): America, China
Warnings: Creepiness from America
Summary: Something in America has changed. He returns to power a changed nation. A nation who wants to share his perfect vision for a new world with everyone, even if it means forcing them to become one with him.
________________________
Prologue
Freedom…
Just a word.
Justice…
No good deed goes unpunished.
Equality…
I’ve been a slave to them all.
I’m the Hero…
I was a fool.
Alfred F. Jones, otherwise known as the United States of America, stood atop the grassy hill and let the light breeze sweep over him. It felt so peaceful. Like nothing was really going on in this hellhole of a world. Briefly, America wondered if he should just stay here, just lie down on the grass and watch the clouds go by. His economy was finally stable, the people were prospering. Sure it had taken a long time and a few bloodbaths along the way, but he had regained his place as a world’s Great Power. Sure, he had to share the top tier with China and India now, but was that really so bad? He had not always been the strongest nation, so why not let someone else take the role for awhile?
America chuckled and shook his head. The idea was tempting, but America was not one to shirk his responsibilities. The world they all lived in was mostly of his creation, he owed it to everyone to see his plan through.
His gaze rested on the army units below, drilling in perfect order. He looked upon them proudly. They were the ones whom he relied on; they would propel him to greatness once more. No, they would enable him to surpass his former glory, glory that his days as the sole super power would never have even dreamed of achieving. With them he would become more, spread his vision across the world.
He had spent decades wanting to do this, only now having the courage to act. Realism replaced the naiveté of the 20th century. So he had prepared, slowly but steadily he gathered himself together. If anything had come from his downfall as the world’s mightiest it was that no one really paid too much attention to him anymore. As much as that wounded America’s pride it served his purpose. Now he had an army almost equal to China’s. America wondered what China’s expression would be if he ever found this out the hard way. Then he shook his head, those were not the kind of things someone with his vision for the world should be having.
If things worked out the way he hoped, he wouldn’t have to use his military. Spreading his vision across the world should be a glorious time in history, the nations should be flocking to America, eager to be one with him. He did not want to act like his old rival Russia, grabbing his nearest neighbors and pronouncing them his new ‘comrades’. Once he made his intentions clear the others would surely bow to reason and serve him. All they needed was a little persuasion and an example of what he could do now. No, violence wasn’t the answer and would not be his first options in fulfilling his new Manifest Destiny.
The threat of violence on the other hand…
America turned from the thousands of troops and briskly walked down the hill and back to the military camp he had made his new home. He dug his phone out of his pocket and hit the speed dial for China. He got the answering machine. America put on his usual cheery and bombastic voice.
“Hey China? It’s America, call me back ASAP, okay? I think its time we settled this issue about Taiwan.”
That would be sure to get him running. Although America had put on his best normal voice, inwardly he was antsy. Years of plotting all hinged on what China would do these next couple of days, if America could not guide him on the path he wanted him to go down that it would all be for nothing. Then again - and here America grinned - if everything involving China did go according to plan then it would be smooth sailing from there on out.
And the world would be as good as his.
Ch. 1 Ultimatum
China had not visited America in several years he suddenly realized as he stepped out of his car. It was not that he did not want to, he just didn’t have the time these days. Business was booming, his people were advancing. China had taken his rightful place as the center of the world. But being the most powerful nation meant being busy all the time, so if that meant cutting visitation time to the former rising star of the west then so be it.
But China could not remember the last time he had been so thoroughly scrutinized at the airport since the early years following 9/11. He also could not recall seeing so many soldiers on the streets since the Second World War. It was unsettling really, and China realized that he had grown used to going about freely when in America’s land. Now it seemed like at every red light he wondered if someone would point a gun to his head and take him to some dark alley never to be seen again. In short, the atmosphere felt threatening, and China did not like to be threatened.
America’s choice of a meeting place did little to reassure him; military base in California. China looked around and frowned at the soldiers in parade. Someone had been doing a lot of recruiting lately it seemed. There was no way all these soldier made this base their home. China could think of several reasons why they were all here and his frown went further down. He added that to the growing list of things that had been bothering him.
“China! Hey, over here!”
China looked back to the large building in the center of the base. America was standing at the door waving his arm eagerly. China quickened his pace to the building and soon stood face to face with the Western nation. America smiled broadly and motioned him inside.
“Come on, we can talk in my office.”
Before China could say anything America turned around and went into the building. China resisted to urge to snap at him and followed along.
They soon arrived in a large and spacious office room. China gave is an appraising scan. There was the desk with a large window right behind it, from which you could see the setting sun. Just to the left of the window was a flag pole bearing the star spangled banner. On the far right was a bookshelf and covering the entire left wall was (to China’s surprise) an atlas of the world.
“I’m learning geography finally." America said when he noticed China looking about. “Hey, you hungry?” he asked as he strolled over to his desk, “I think I have some Doritos in here somewhere.”
Was he serious? China couldn’t fathom why America would be acting so nonchalant when he had told him to come over for such a serious matter. “What is the meaning of this, America?” China demanded, walking over to the front of the desk. “You told me we were going to be discussing Taiwan, aru.”
“We are, I just wanted to be polite.” America said as he was rummaging through a drawer. “Found them!” He pulled out a bag of potato chips. He held them out to China. China didn’t move a muscle save for the ones on his face that once again formed a frown. After a few more moments America sighed and set the snack food on the desk. He flopped down on his chair and invited China to do the same with one of the two chairs in front of him.
“Alright, let’s get down to the brass tacks.” America said once they were both settled. “Taiwan is - ”
“A part of the People’s Republic of China, she always has been and always will be.” China put in.
“Is basically her own country in all but name. Why don’t we change that?” America went on as if he had said nothing.
“Why are you wasting my time, America?” China said irritably, “This is a non-issue, Taiwan is a part of me, end of story. We are not going to discuss any kind of separation, aru.”
“I call bull.” America said, frowning himself now. “You haven’t controlled Taiwan since your civil war. This “One China” policy is just making things annoying for everyone. Why not just give it up and let her go? I promise she’ll give up any claim to the mainland in return.”
China was beginning to smell a rat. “Did she put you up to this?” he demanded.
America laughed. “No way! Taiwan has nothing to do with this. Well, she does but not in this part. This is strictly me looking out for my little sister.”
If America was trying to provoke China he was doing a good job. How dare call Taiwan his sibling in front of her real older brother!
“You go too far, America! Mind your place! The world is not your plaything, aru! What gives you the right to upset the status quo we have is working just fine!”
“I just upgraded my missile shield.”
“You - wait, what?” China paused in bafflement. “What does that have to do with anything, aru?”
“How many missiles do you have, China?” America asked.
What is wrong with him? China looked at America like he had just grown an extra head. The blonde nation merely grinned at him.
“Yeah, I scrapped the project back in the 00’s but I started it back up awhile ago. Amazing what some new tech and good old fashion American ingenuity can do in such a short amount of time.” He shook his head and chuckled wistfully. “Anyway, I was wondering if you have enough nukes to get passed my shield.”
For the first time in so many years, China was beginning to feel a knot of dread in his stomach. “Are you - are you saying that you’re willing to start a nuclear war over this?”
America feigned a look of surprise. “Of course not, China. What ever gave you that idea? I was just wondering that in case of a war between us that got really bad really fast if I could survive your attack. I mean, I know your defenses would be overwhelmed if I started lobbing nukes.” He held up his hand and began ticking off his fingers. “Then countless millions would die, your agriculture would be ruined, your water poisoned, all your historical sites would be vaporized, and everything that you had worked for and built up since World War Two would be gone in an instant.”
America smiled again. “But I would probably only lose D.C., LA, Chicago, and Denver, maybe seven other cities. That’s pretty acceptable for me”
A good minute went by before China found it in himself to speak. “You’re insane.” He said quietly.
“That’s what they said about every man who dared to dream.” America leaned over the desk, his head resting on his hands, “I’m not asking for much, China. I just want you to officially acknowledge what has been the truth for over a century. I’ll get her to renounce her claims to the Spratly Islands as well. Then you can announce that this whole thing is over and you and her will start normal relations. You can announce it first and look like the good guy in all this!”
“You threaten me with war and that doesn’t automatically make me the good guy.” China said incredulously.
America ran his fingers through his hair, as if dealing with the older nation was exasperating for him.
“Look, I said what I wanted to say. You’re probably tired, long flight right? You can rest today and then we can plan this all out tomorrow.”
China stayed silent for a little while again. He stared hard into America’s eyes, wanting to see just what was going on in his mind. For his part, America merely kept up his boisterous smile. Finally China got up and left, never speaking on his way out.
America waited for a good five minutes before dropping the smile and sitting back in his chair and taking a deep breath. His arms were trembling; America looked at his hands and saw they slick with sweat. He laughed. Not the laugh that China had heard but the kind of laugh one makes after just surviving some heart-stopping ordeal.
He had done it. He had successfully threatened to kill millions and now all that awaited was to see if China bought his lie.
America wanted to stay optimistic, so he gave the order to begin loading up the troops for the invasion of Taiwan and Japan.
Author: parable91
Rating: PG
Character(s)/Pairing(s): America, China
Warnings: Creepiness from America
Summary: Something in America has changed. He returns to power a changed nation. A nation who wants to share his perfect vision for a new world with everyone, even if it means forcing them to become one with him.
________________________
Prologue
Freedom…
Just a word.
Justice…
No good deed goes unpunished.
Equality…
I’ve been a slave to them all.
I’m the Hero…
I was a fool.
Alfred F. Jones, otherwise known as the United States of America, stood atop the grassy hill and let the light breeze sweep over him. It felt so peaceful. Like nothing was really going on in this hellhole of a world. Briefly, America wondered if he should just stay here, just lie down on the grass and watch the clouds go by. His economy was finally stable, the people were prospering. Sure it had taken a long time and a few bloodbaths along the way, but he had regained his place as a world’s Great Power. Sure, he had to share the top tier with China and India now, but was that really so bad? He had not always been the strongest nation, so why not let someone else take the role for awhile?
America chuckled and shook his head. The idea was tempting, but America was not one to shirk his responsibilities. The world they all lived in was mostly of his creation, he owed it to everyone to see his plan through.
His gaze rested on the army units below, drilling in perfect order. He looked upon them proudly. They were the ones whom he relied on; they would propel him to greatness once more. No, they would enable him to surpass his former glory, glory that his days as the sole super power would never have even dreamed of achieving. With them he would become more, spread his vision across the world.
He had spent decades wanting to do this, only now having the courage to act. Realism replaced the naiveté of the 20th century. So he had prepared, slowly but steadily he gathered himself together. If anything had come from his downfall as the world’s mightiest it was that no one really paid too much attention to him anymore. As much as that wounded America’s pride it served his purpose. Now he had an army almost equal to China’s. America wondered what China’s expression would be if he ever found this out the hard way. Then he shook his head, those were not the kind of things someone with his vision for the world should be having.
If things worked out the way he hoped, he wouldn’t have to use his military. Spreading his vision across the world should be a glorious time in history, the nations should be flocking to America, eager to be one with him. He did not want to act like his old rival Russia, grabbing his nearest neighbors and pronouncing them his new ‘comrades’. Once he made his intentions clear the others would surely bow to reason and serve him. All they needed was a little persuasion and an example of what he could do now. No, violence wasn’t the answer and would not be his first options in fulfilling his new Manifest Destiny.
The threat of violence on the other hand…
America turned from the thousands of troops and briskly walked down the hill and back to the military camp he had made his new home. He dug his phone out of his pocket and hit the speed dial for China. He got the answering machine. America put on his usual cheery and bombastic voice.
“Hey China? It’s America, call me back ASAP, okay? I think its time we settled this issue about Taiwan.”
That would be sure to get him running. Although America had put on his best normal voice, inwardly he was antsy. Years of plotting all hinged on what China would do these next couple of days, if America could not guide him on the path he wanted him to go down that it would all be for nothing. Then again - and here America grinned - if everything involving China did go according to plan then it would be smooth sailing from there on out.
And the world would be as good as his.
Ch. 1 Ultimatum
China had not visited America in several years he suddenly realized as he stepped out of his car. It was not that he did not want to, he just didn’t have the time these days. Business was booming, his people were advancing. China had taken his rightful place as the center of the world. But being the most powerful nation meant being busy all the time, so if that meant cutting visitation time to the former rising star of the west then so be it.
But China could not remember the last time he had been so thoroughly scrutinized at the airport since the early years following 9/11. He also could not recall seeing so many soldiers on the streets since the Second World War. It was unsettling really, and China realized that he had grown used to going about freely when in America’s land. Now it seemed like at every red light he wondered if someone would point a gun to his head and take him to some dark alley never to be seen again. In short, the atmosphere felt threatening, and China did not like to be threatened.
America’s choice of a meeting place did little to reassure him; military base in California. China looked around and frowned at the soldiers in parade. Someone had been doing a lot of recruiting lately it seemed. There was no way all these soldier made this base their home. China could think of several reasons why they were all here and his frown went further down. He added that to the growing list of things that had been bothering him.
“China! Hey, over here!”
China looked back to the large building in the center of the base. America was standing at the door waving his arm eagerly. China quickened his pace to the building and soon stood face to face with the Western nation. America smiled broadly and motioned him inside.
“Come on, we can talk in my office.”
Before China could say anything America turned around and went into the building. China resisted to urge to snap at him and followed along.
They soon arrived in a large and spacious office room. China gave is an appraising scan. There was the desk with a large window right behind it, from which you could see the setting sun. Just to the left of the window was a flag pole bearing the star spangled banner. On the far right was a bookshelf and covering the entire left wall was (to China’s surprise) an atlas of the world.
“I’m learning geography finally." America said when he noticed China looking about. “Hey, you hungry?” he asked as he strolled over to his desk, “I think I have some Doritos in here somewhere.”
Was he serious? China couldn’t fathom why America would be acting so nonchalant when he had told him to come over for such a serious matter. “What is the meaning of this, America?” China demanded, walking over to the front of the desk. “You told me we were going to be discussing Taiwan, aru.”
“We are, I just wanted to be polite.” America said as he was rummaging through a drawer. “Found them!” He pulled out a bag of potato chips. He held them out to China. China didn’t move a muscle save for the ones on his face that once again formed a frown. After a few more moments America sighed and set the snack food on the desk. He flopped down on his chair and invited China to do the same with one of the two chairs in front of him.
“Alright, let’s get down to the brass tacks.” America said once they were both settled. “Taiwan is - ”
“A part of the People’s Republic of China, she always has been and always will be.” China put in.
“Is basically her own country in all but name. Why don’t we change that?” America went on as if he had said nothing.
“Why are you wasting my time, America?” China said irritably, “This is a non-issue, Taiwan is a part of me, end of story. We are not going to discuss any kind of separation, aru.”
“I call bull.” America said, frowning himself now. “You haven’t controlled Taiwan since your civil war. This “One China” policy is just making things annoying for everyone. Why not just give it up and let her go? I promise she’ll give up any claim to the mainland in return.”
China was beginning to smell a rat. “Did she put you up to this?” he demanded.
America laughed. “No way! Taiwan has nothing to do with this. Well, she does but not in this part. This is strictly me looking out for my little sister.”
If America was trying to provoke China he was doing a good job. How dare call Taiwan his sibling in front of her real older brother!
“You go too far, America! Mind your place! The world is not your plaything, aru! What gives you the right to upset the status quo we have is working just fine!”
“I just upgraded my missile shield.”
“You - wait, what?” China paused in bafflement. “What does that have to do with anything, aru?”
“How many missiles do you have, China?” America asked.
What is wrong with him? China looked at America like he had just grown an extra head. The blonde nation merely grinned at him.
“Yeah, I scrapped the project back in the 00’s but I started it back up awhile ago. Amazing what some new tech and good old fashion American ingenuity can do in such a short amount of time.” He shook his head and chuckled wistfully. “Anyway, I was wondering if you have enough nukes to get passed my shield.”
For the first time in so many years, China was beginning to feel a knot of dread in his stomach. “Are you - are you saying that you’re willing to start a nuclear war over this?”
America feigned a look of surprise. “Of course not, China. What ever gave you that idea? I was just wondering that in case of a war between us that got really bad really fast if I could survive your attack. I mean, I know your defenses would be overwhelmed if I started lobbing nukes.” He held up his hand and began ticking off his fingers. “Then countless millions would die, your agriculture would be ruined, your water poisoned, all your historical sites would be vaporized, and everything that you had worked for and built up since World War Two would be gone in an instant.”
America smiled again. “But I would probably only lose D.C., LA, Chicago, and Denver, maybe seven other cities. That’s pretty acceptable for me”
A good minute went by before China found it in himself to speak. “You’re insane.” He said quietly.
“That’s what they said about every man who dared to dream.” America leaned over the desk, his head resting on his hands, “I’m not asking for much, China. I just want you to officially acknowledge what has been the truth for over a century. I’ll get her to renounce her claims to the Spratly Islands as well. Then you can announce that this whole thing is over and you and her will start normal relations. You can announce it first and look like the good guy in all this!”
“You threaten me with war and that doesn’t automatically make me the good guy.” China said incredulously.
America ran his fingers through his hair, as if dealing with the older nation was exasperating for him.
“Look, I said what I wanted to say. You’re probably tired, long flight right? You can rest today and then we can plan this all out tomorrow.”
China stayed silent for a little while again. He stared hard into America’s eyes, wanting to see just what was going on in his mind. For his part, America merely kept up his boisterous smile. Finally China got up and left, never speaking on his way out.
America waited for a good five minutes before dropping the smile and sitting back in his chair and taking a deep breath. His arms were trembling; America looked at his hands and saw they slick with sweat. He laughed. Not the laugh that China had heard but the kind of laugh one makes after just surviving some heart-stopping ordeal.
He had done it. He had successfully threatened to kill millions and now all that awaited was to see if China bought his lie.
America wanted to stay optimistic, so he gave the order to begin loading up the troops for the invasion of Taiwan and Japan.