Love is better left in your dreams, not in the present. Especially not in this time period. It was World War 2. A horrible, lifeless, time. It was where I lost everything: my freedom, my people, and, most importantly, the love of my life. He's always been with me till the very end. Well, I guess it's the end now.


I slowly opened my eyes to the sunshine coming through the open window. The pillow I rested my head on smelled like beer and pasta. I could hear heavy breathing next to me. I sat up and looked over to my lover, Ludwig. He sat criss-crossed on the soft and messy bed. I could tell he had been up all night.

"Germany, what's the matter?" I asked him, holding his icy cold hand. His eyes were empty pools of blue. Ludwig's skin was paler than normal, which was not a good sign. His chest was rapidly rising and falling with every breath. Germany looked so scared; I've never seen him like this before. Ludwig opened his mouth to speak, his voice cracked slightly.

"Their screams," Ludwig said softly, staring at nothing in particular, "I can hear their screams… in my head…" I knew exactly what he was talking about. I wrapped my arms around him (as much as I could since I was so much smaller than him), and rocked him slightly.

"Ludwig, it's all going to be okay," I whispered, resting my head on his arm, "we can fight this war together. We're in this together." He pushed me away.

"You don't understand, Feliciano!" He snapped at me, glaring at me with hatred in his eyes. I've never seen so much hate in his eyes before. The pressures of war had done this to him. It has destroyed the love's sanity. "Every day I try to do something to save my people! But how can I if my boss prevents me from doing such a thing!?" He hid his face in his hands. Germany never cried before; this was the first time I've ever seen a tear run down his porcelain face. He looked like a broken child, beaten and abused for reasons unknown. I had no idea how to soothe him, since I was going through nothing like that, but similar. I rubbed his back, hoping that would do some good.

"I know, Ludwig," I calmly replied, not looking at him. It broke my heart to see him in this state. Something needed to be done about this, but what? "We'll figure out something. We can't lose hope. I know you need to protect your people. I need to save mine as well. But we just can't right now; we have to think up a plan first." I could see he was growing angrier by the minute. He glared at me with his hate-filled eyes that once held my lover's soul. "I know we can do this Germany. We can save--" Just then, his soft hand transformed into a powerful, tight fist. Ludwig punched me hard; I fell off the bed and banged against the wall. I grunted in pain, feeling the impact after it hit.

"Shut. UP," Ludwig screamed at me, getting off the bed and walking slowly towards me. I crawled over to the corner, hoping the lamp-desk could hide me from the angry country. "I don't need you helping me! You're just a weak, pitiful country!" I was shaking with fear as Ludwig got closer to me. I could hear the sound of him picking up something from the table across the room. "However, I will give you a choice," I turned my head to see a gun pointing between my eyes. I went crossed-eyed to get a better view of my possible death. "Either you're with me, or against me. Choose." I looked up at him, tears in my eyes. I shook my head at my use-to-be friend.

"I don't know who the hell you are anymore, Ludwig" I sobbed, tears dripping down my face.

"I'm not Ludwig anymore," He hissed, "I'm Germany: greatest country in the world. Now CHOOSE!" he barked at me, his bloodshot eyes staring into my soul. I pushed the gun away from my face and stood up, wiping the warm tears off my face. I stood my ground as I inched towards him, our faces only inches away.

"If you're going to act like this," I snarled, never feeling such power within me before, "then I want nothing to do with you, Germany." I spat his new name, my lips curling to show my grinding teeth. Ludwig chuckled evilly, smirking slightly.

"Well, then prepare for hell to come your way," he replied, then turning away from me, "I would love to see Italian blood all over the German Army." I held in the tears that wanted to escape. I was going to fight against someone I truly loved. Ludwig walked towards the door, but stopped in the doorway. "By the way," he added, grabbing something red from his jacket, "here's a taste of what's coming your way." He tossed the red triangle cloth to me. I nearly caught it in the palm of my hands. I looked at it in confusion. "Goodbye, Italy."

"Wait! Germany!" I shouted to him, but when I looked back up, he was gone. I looked back at the red cloth in my hands, starting to unravel it. A note dropped to my feet as I unraveled the mystery. I picked up the note and read it.

"Dear Feli, I was saving this for the day I went crazy. I guess today is the day if you're reading this. Help me. Help me destroy this flag, and then help me destroy the war. Ich liebe dich Feliciano. –Ludwig."

"Ti amo troppo, Ludwig," I replied to myself and the remainder of my lover. I placed the note on the lamp-desk and continued to reveal the flag. I gasped as I saw what it showed me. The Nazi flag stared at me. I could feel the evil smile at me, knowing it took Ludwig away from me. Anger rose within me. "Accidenti a te all'inferno!" I shouted, throwing the flag into the fireplace, watching the cloth burn in hell. The war against Germany had started, and I would win.

End of Chapter I