Fanfic: The Long Road
Title: The Long Road
Author/Artist: Parable91
Character(s): Canada, England, America, Taiwan
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama/Science fiction
Warnings: Some language, alcohol
Summary: An exraterrestrial invasion sends the Nations of Earth into disarray. Witness the bitter, and increasingly desperate, struggle over the years between the Earth nations - old friends and foes alike - against a greater menace bent on their destruction.
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Ch. 1 It Begins
Canada and England were at Canada’s house engaged in a diplomatic battle of wits involving a new trade agreement. At least, that’s what they had told everybody anyway. In reality they had gotten together for the sole purpose of watching the newest episode of their favorite show, which aired on a channel England did not get over at his house. Normally they would have done this at America’s home since he had the biggest TV, but he had business with the Asian nations over some other economic issue. So to Canada’s house England went instead with a pack of liquor and a bag of nachos. Together the two nations quickly fixed their snacks, set up the TV trays, and flipped on the TV.
And then it started raining. And then the satellite went haywire. And thus, the two nations found themselves without their show and no willingness to get soaked outside. So they did whatever they could to kill time - which ended up with them actually discussing the trade agreement they were supposed to be discussing.
“Got any fives?”
“Go fish.”
Sort of.
A flash of lightning outside. England picked up a card from the middle of the dinning room table; The queen of hearts. “Then we agree to lower the tariff over the next several years?”
“Agreed,” said Canada, “This will go into effect in eight months. Got any queens?”
England cursed and handed the queen he had just picked up to Canada. The younger nation added it to the one in his hand and placed both of them on the table with all his other fourteen matched pairs set up in four columns. England glared at the neat rows of cards then mournfully at his own two pairs. He hated this game, it required no real thinking, it was too short, and he never, ever, won. Still he could never just give up and examined his cards for something Canada had to have in his hand.
“Got any sevens?”
A loud crash from the front of the house told him someone had flung the door open. “America’s here.” Canada noted, obviously used to his brother barging in unannounced. “Go fish.”
“ - You were the one who wanted to go in the first place! Hello! Anybody here? The lights were on! Hello?” America’s voice shouted over the heavy rain.
“But I never would have gone if you hadn’t said you knew a shortcut!” came the protest of another, female voice.
“Looks like he brought a friend.” England said quietly as he drew another card, the four of clubs. Louder he shouted towards the door, “We’re in the kitchen, you nit!”
“And close the door, please! Your letting the rain in!” added Canada.
Loud footsteps followed by quick dainty ones announced the presence of a dripping wet and pissed off America and a smaller yellow raincoated figure with the hood covering her face. America gave a half-hearted wave, “Hey, Matt.” He muttered and spotted England with surprise before looking past him at what remained of the nachos left on the counter and his expression changed instantaneously. With a whoop of glee he charged at the leftovers and began swallowing up the tortilla chips like they were the fruits of heaven. England spared him a look of distaste while Canada looked with dismay at the tracks of mud America had left in his wake. America tactlessly ignored his family while finishing off the plate.
“Ahem.”
England and Canada turned back to the young woman in the raincoat as she lifted off her hood. A mass of unkempt dark hair with one strand in particular springing out and a Chinese Plum flower pinned in it framed her wet and pale face. She smiled sheepishly and gave a quick bow to both of them. “Hello Canada, Hello England. I’m sorry for showing up like this uninvited. Is there any place I can clean myself up?”
“Hello, Taiwan.” They said at the same time. Canada pointed down the hall she had just entered from. “Go back and to the left there’s a bathroom. You can wash up there.”
She thanked him and turned around, pausing only to take off her shoes when she saw the mud from her entrance. A second later and a loud belch (followed by another look of disgust from England) indicated America had eaten all the leftovers.
“My God! I’ve been gallivanting halfway across the world because of her!” he exclaimed with exasperation before grabbing a roll of paper towels and drying his face and glasses off.
“We’re right here so stop shouting.” England snapped. “Why are you two together anyway?”
America opened the refrigerator and pulled out one of the remaining beer cans and popped it open before answering. “Remember that special Asian economics group thing China called up awhile back?” He took a long gulp while the other two nations nodded. “Well there was this big meeting for all the members, which doesn’t include Taiwan!” the last part was said very loudly for the nation in question to hear, “Anyway, she’s not a member, but I just so happen to an honorary one. So she asked me to represent her at the meeting. I said ‘sure, I’d be glad to’ cause I’m such a nice guy.”
Here Canada smiled ruefully and England rolled his eyes. “Don’t you think you should have gone anyway, with or without Taiwan?” England demanded.
“Why would I? All that economics stuff doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m no good at it.”
“Now isn’t that the bloody truth.” England said sarcastically.
“Uh, hey, how did the meeting go anyway, eh?” Canada put in before his brother could think of some biting retort to England.
“Booooooring!” America threw up his arms for emphasis, “It was all yadda yadda yaddda from China with some blah blah blah from Japan thrown in for good measure. All I did was sit there and repeat whatever Taiwan whispered in my ear whenever she wanted to say something. I spent most of the meeting having a rubber-band war with Korea. Then when that was all said and done she asked me if I could go with her to find a birthday present for Thailand. So again I say ‘Sure, I’d be glad to.’ Then she spends hours looking for something and when she finally chooses some expensive outfit she doesn’t even have enough money on her! So I pick up the tab. Then she a remembers she was supposed to drop off something for France but it’s too heavy for her so she gets me to carry it all the way to his place for her!”
“You were the one who said it would be quick, that you knew a shortcut!” Taiwan shouted defensively from the bathroom.
“Because the map you gave me said there was a shortcut!” America shouted back.
“You were reading the map upside down!” she shrieked.
“Will you both stop shouting!” England roared.
Why is this going on at my place? Canada thought to himself.
Taiwan came back to the dinning room, her hair neatly combed and pin neatly in place. The raincoat was gone and her normal dress that was underneath it was damp. She glared across the room at America. “Don’t you heap all this on me.” She said in a more subdued manner, “It’s your fault we got lost on the way here. We were supposed to be at your house!”
“If we hadn’t gone back to get you a raincoat we never would have -”
America suddenly clutched at his heart and fell to the floor, empty beer can hitting the counter and rolling off the other side. The other nations stared at the strange spectacle for a second before America’s agony filled screams filled the room. Taiwan herself screamed in fright before clamping her mouth shut with her hands. England and Canada leapt from their chairs and rushed towards the now groaning America.
“Alfred? Alfred! What’s wrong?” England shouted, not sure if the other nation could even make out what he was saying.
America could hear.
“Ch…Chicago.” He said weakly.
“What did you say?” England asked as he and Canada carried America to the living room sofa. Taiwan moved ahead of them at put all the cushions on one side. They put him down just as he began to speak again.
“Chicago. San Francisco. LA. Denver. I can feel them. They’re being attacked. Someone is attacking my cities!”
Notes: This has no basis in any actual world events unless I have suddenly gained the power to see the future. I tried to keep them as in-character as possible but I’ll admit I through up my arms for Taiwan. Comments are appreciated!