Fall, falling, fallen

Chapter 4

It was scary how quickly the tide of the battle turned against them with the switch in alliance. All it took was merely a few months and they had already lost many critical and decisive battles against the EAU… no, it's the EAAU now.

Canada clenched his fists that rested on his lap; twisting and crumpling his neatly pressed pants. With his brother's forces on the EAU's side instead of theirs… they hadn't knew that his brother's forces were so significant in pushing back the EAU forces before –

Canada frowned, shaking his head slightly. Who was he kidding? They had always known that it had been America's troops that aided the GNL to gain victory after victory against the EAU. That it was America who had pushed against Russia to stop the latter from taking over as many countries as the bastard could. That it was America whom had protected the countries – even those not even in the GNL – from being taken over by the EAU.

Around the table, similar thoughts – some more sorrowful than others – flashed through the remaining members minds. They couldn't understand America's actions. It was true that America had always been the crazier one, the one whom had thought out of all the crazy ideas that nobody can even think of but this… this was the icing on the cake.

The GNL was America's brainchild, America's Justice League. He founded it, led it, supported it and sustained it. The GNL was practically America and yet, he left and joined the EAU.

The loud bang of fists colliding with the wooden table rang soundly throughout the room. Canada could not help but think that had it been America who had slammed his fists and not Ireland, the table would have broken into two – maybe more – by now.

"Damn it!" She growled, her fists clenching and unclenching, her brows furrowed in a frown and her lips twisted into a ferocious scowl. "What the hell is going on?"

Canada wanted to reply, wanted to soothe her, and all of the other's, worries. Wanted to say that it was just a joke made by America, to say that everything would be all right but even he knew that it would be a lie. Everything was too fucked up to be all right. But before he could say anything, the silence broke.

"Maybe they planned it this way, America and Russia." Romano scoffed, leaning back into his chair as he folded his arms across his chair. "Maybe they already had a deal to defeat us all, and all those waterworks from America was just for show, to weaken us and make us unwilling to fight back."

Canada's eyes shot wide open in surprise as he looked up to face the others for one of the first few times since the meeting started hours ago, when no one was willing to break the silence without the usual head start from America.

Romano and Ireland had always been the more explosive countries of the group, the more temperamental and stubborn ones. And now, it seems like they had turned against their once-leader.

Canada hurriedly shook his head, pushing himself off the seat and slamming his palms – hard enough to make a sound upon impact but not with as much force as Ireland – on the table to catch the attention of all. "That can't be true!" He rapidly scanned the faces of the others, disbelief filling him as he noticed that some of the members seemed to buy Romano's words. "You guys can't seriously believe that America would betray us!"

"And how do you know that?" Romano rebutted before narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. "Unless you're on their side too? After all, you're America's brother, his twin? How can you not have known since the beginning? Maybe you're a spy, a EAAU spy sent to take sympathetic and steal our battle plans from us!"

Canada snarled, his darker side surfacing, "If you haven't noticed, my land and people aren't faring any better against the EAAU troops!" And it was true; his land was rapidly being taken over by the advancing EAAU troops – mainly consisting of American soldiers. He doesn't know how much longer he could last against the EAAU and he knew that the situation wasn't any better in Europe.

But still, he wanted to believe in his brother. For it goes against every fibre of America's faith, principals, and morals to pull what he had done. He turned his hopeful eyes towards the rest again, his voice pleading, "He must have a reason, something he's not telling us, that forced him to ally with the EAU!"

He then shifted his eyes to look at England and France, both whom had been steadfastly avoiding his eyes. "Please, don't you believe in America too? England? France?" They had to believe in America.

"I see no reason why America would do this?" Came the shaky reply from France.

"And even if America did it for a reason, a just one, it doesn't change the fact that he…" England's voice hitched, "he did join the EAU."

Canada felt tears pooling in his eyes, betrayal rushing through him – far more than how he felt when America had turned against them. How could no one believe in America? His brother had fought so hard for all of them and they just… How could he save America without the strength of the others?

He looked at the occupants of the room. England and France refusing to look at him. Romano and Ireland glaring at him. Veneziano staring at his own lap, having not spoke a word since the start of the meeting. Spain remaining as silent as Veneziano as his eyes darted to and fro the others, observing the argument.

Would they even try to save America if he truly had a reason for joining Russia?

No.

His eyes hardened and pursed his lips. If they didn't believed then fine. He would gather enough strength of his own. Even if no one else believed in his brother, he would continue to do so. He pushed away his chair and turned his back towards the table, walking towards the door.

"You're going to join your brother now?" Romano taunted.

"Rest assured." Canada stopped mid-stride and shot back, barely holding back from rushing towards the nation and shooting the nation full of holes or bashing his head in with a hockey stick. "I will stay in the GNL so don't get your panties in a twist." He sneered, taking pleasure in the chagrined expression of Romano.

This was pathetic. They all were.

With a final glare at all the occupants in the room; he left the room, not looking back even once. And unbeknownst to him as he left the meeting hall, shoulders drawn back and tense, a pair of sympathetic eyes followed his back.

"What the hell was his problem?" Romano spat after the doors were slammed close behind the raging Canadian.

England sent a disapproving glare at the Italian but remained silent. Guilt gnawed at him but he refused to acknowledge it. He will stand by his words. No matter the reason behind America's sudden change in alliance, he is the enemy now. Even though beneath the table, his nails bit painfully into his palms as he clenched his fist. That stupid boy.

Then, comeback came from a surprising source that no one expected. "Fratello, Canada is already feeling upset over the fact that America left. Don't rub it further in his face…"

Romano's eyes widened at his brother's words for a second before narrowing. "So you're defending America too?" Veneziano frowned at him; rubbing him the wrong way, and he couldn't help but add, "Want to run over to the EAAU too to join your precious potato bastard?"

Veneziano's shoulders tensed as his eyes flashed with suppressed anger. He hissed, "Don't bring Germany into this!" Silent threats were passed between the twins before Romano looked away, gritting his teeth. The tense silence continued for moments more before Veneziano sighed, explaining, "I'm not taking any sides, fratello. I just want you to be more considerate of Canada's feelings because I'm sure he's feeling more betrayed than all of us…" Just like how he felt when…

He cut off his train of thought abruptly and turned to look at the rest of the members, his brown orbs firm and serious. "Whether or not America is our ally is no longer important, so we should focus on what is. We are losing, and if we continue arguing over whether America left us for a good reason or not, we will lose to the EAU."

"EAAU." Romano sniped grumpily, emphasizing on the second 'A'. Veneziano ignored him and continued staring at the others steadfastly. He, unlike the others, had not felt anger or sorrow when America switched sides. He had felt numb. Perhaps after having felt the bitter pain once he was no longer as susceptive to the hurt.

"Feli is right." Spain agreed, waving off the furious glare shot his way by Romano. "Don't look at me like that Lovi. We're losing and we're not fighting back because we're all too caught up with America. And if we continue to anger Canada, who knows if he would really join the EAAU or not? After America, Canada is the next strongest country amongst us."

Ireland rolled her eyes and finally sat down, slumping in her seat. "But what can we do? This is America and Russia we're talking about."

"We have to push them out of Canada first, and make sure that they don't advance far enough to attack us from the East." They looked at England, who finally seemed to have gotten a hold of himself, with surprise. It seemed that they had gotten far too used to America initiating the actions against the EAU.

England's eyes hardened. Now that they no longer could rely on America, they would have to buck up and take the lead themselves. Looking at France, England continued, "Aside from Canada, you are currently the closest to the threat, France."

Looking startled at being singled out, France then pursed his lips and nodded. "Oui, the EA…AU troops stationed in Germany had recently increased in size with the addition of the American soldiers and seems more vicious in pushing through my front. I'm afraid I might not be able to hold them off for much longer."

England nodded then shifted his gaze to the rest. "Any other urgent problems?"

"The EAAU troops are steadily approaching my borders too." Veneziano added. "Austria and Switzerland are doing nothing to stop them as the EAAU has not breached the non-aggression pact between them and I can't stop them now else we would be the ones breaking the pact."

"And we don't need any more enemies than we have now." Romano finished.

"Currently, the CC seems to be keeping out of the war but it'll only be a matter of time before the EAAU strikes them. If we keep ourselves out of the conflict, they would either try to fend for themselves and not bother us or we might find ourselves with more allies against the EAAU. A win-win for us." Ireland contributed.

"What about the OP, AC and SS?" England prompted.

Spain answered, "Besides Portugal, the SS is a goner. The EAAU managed to flush out all of the SS troops that were in America and are now pushing far into the South Americas. It's only a matter of time before they surrendered. Portugal may try to get out of the SS though. He's far enough from the threat for now."

France continued, "The OP and AC had been negotiating an alliance but… I don't think it'll go through. After all, with China as the main power in the AC and his previous good relations with Russia… And with the current situation as it is it may seem more beneficial to ally with the EAAU. But I can't say much about the OP."

England laced his fingers today as his brows furrowed. "Ireland, Spain and I will send more of our soldiers to aid Italy, France and Canada. We have to regain the status quo we had before, then try to get as many on our side as possible before pushing back against the EAAU."

He looked into the eyes of the rest, showing the seriousness of the situation they were in. "This is a war we cannot afford to lose."

Alliances:

The Great Northern League (GNL): America, Canada, England, France, Spain, Italy, and Ireland

The Asiatic Confederation (AC): The Asian countries excluding Singapore

The Non-allegiance Bloc (NAB): The Nordics, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, and Singapore

The Southern Sphere (SS): South America, Mexico, Portugal

The Central Coalition (CC): Middle East, Turkey

The Oceanic Partnership (OP): Australia & New Zealand

The European Allied Union (EAU) [Former]: Eastern and Central Europe with the exception of Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Austria

The European American Allied Union (EAAU) [Now]: America, Eastern and Central Europe with the exception of Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Austria

A/N: I'm so so so sorry! I know I haven't updated in forever! But lack of inspiration along with school work and a job kinda kills all form of writing on my part. And I have to blame myself for getting caught up in too many other fanfics and manga too I might be writing the next few chapters of FFF within the following few weeks? Though I can't say much for the all my other fics… I'll try my best though!

For those confused between the Romano and Veneziano thing, I know only Romano calls North Italy Veneziano but I figured it'd be easier to differentiate them rather than using North Italy and South Italy.

This chapter is to focus on what is happening to the rest of the world after America joined the EAU. I originally wanted this fic to concentrate mainly on America but I realized without a 'background' it might be quite hard to understand what's happening?

Chapter 5 would be about America though!