Disclaimer: Hetalia and all its particulars belong to Hidekaz Himaruya. Also, this features USUK. This means that I've romantically paired the male characters of America and England (Britain) together. Please be mindful of the rating on this piece. It may not be present in the current chapter, but there will be some sexual content, so be wary of that. With that out of the way, let's begin the story!

Knight

1

Once upon a time, in a fabled land told only in tales, the King, Roman Empire, and Queen, Ancient Greece, ruled the card kingdom together in peace. But that cherished era could not last as wars and disagreements ripped them apart and eventually led to the demise of the once great empire. Ultimately, the King and Queen vanished, never to return.

Centuries passed and their children separated, fighting for sovereignty over the kingdom. The blood of renounced brothers spilled on the grounds of their mother and in the seas of their father. Children were raised by resentment into hostile and distrusting adults, who feared to give and took all they could when they were given the opportunity. Soon, the most powerful of these brothers claimed parts of the land for themselves and painted their territory with colorful flags. The suits were born and the people divided four ways, turning parting the deck into principle.

Bitterness was to fade with time and successions of the throne, forced smiles and civil alliances joining kingdoms together with weak bonds that might as well have been forged with water and string. But even together, the Clubs, Hearts, Spades, and Diamonds were separated by suspicion, conspiracy, and cowardice. Each covered their convolution with the principles of love, happiness, and law, hiding behind masks to deceive their people. But behind the curtains, each kingdom schemed to overthrow another, and take that kingdom's power for their own.

Tired of the endless plot and plundering, the Spades Kingdom finally took matters into their own hands. On a stormy night, Saxony, the Queen of Spades, blew the dust from her volume of the Basic Laws of Alchemy and summoned the Jokers to plead for a solution. Adhering to their verdict, the Spades bargained with the Jokers, promising money, love, happiness, for the coveted jewel, hegemony. But the Jokers, thirsty for excitement and mischief, told the other countries in confidence of the trade and each country, overcome with ferocity and resentment, silently waged war against the Spades Kingdom.

Before Spades could even fathom attacks from the other kingdoms, Saxony gave birth to the heir of the Spades' throne, an emerald-eyed boy they named England. Overhearing a plot by Diamonds to kill their prince and sole heir, the Spades quickly covered his gender and fashioned him as a princess, bringing him up with the utmost daintiness and being careful to not reveal his gender to him. It didn't hurt that the "princess" had a rather effeminate disposition to begin with and took a liking to gardening and small animals. He made quite the convincing girl and the other kingdoms, scratching their heads and swearing they thought the child was male, left the prince of Spades alone.

The same could not be said for the King of Spades, whom Diamonds killed after the King and Queen of Clubs promised their daughter and her adopted brother, the Ace, to Diamonds for their alliance in the war against the Spades.

In her fear and grief, Saxony was driven to paranoia. Insisting on the safety of her child from attempts from the other countries to kill, kidnap, or rape him, she had him locked away in a tower by his fourteenth birthday. She then conjured a dragon to guard her precious child, who was instructed to wait until a brave knight of the Spades came to save him, marry him and make him a Queen, bringing peace to the world of Cards.

England passed his time writing tales of romance and adventure, ignorant to the world of war around him, the death of his mother, and the ascent of the silently deadly Ace, who aimed to rule world in the name of his fallen mother, to the throne of the Spades. He read and he learned and he dreamed, watching the days pass by, waiting patiently for his true love to come rescue him and bring the world to justice just like in the fairytale books he'd read as a child.

"Aw, come on, America, it'll only be a couple hours! You train all day, every day. Take a break, why don't ya?"

A silver streak flew through the air. The sword clashed harshly with the wood a final time until the top of the log slid gracefully off of its body and met the perfectly manicured grass with a loud thud. The swordsman twirled a blade that would normally have to be held with two hands between his fingers effortlessly, replacing it skillfully in its sheath. He then removed his fencing mask, turning to look at the source of the voice with his glittering cobalt eyes. A compromising smile stretched across his face and his friend rocked back on his heels, anticipating the words to come from America's mouth with a frown.

"Hey, I take breaks! Weekends, holidays, meals, bedtime," America protested, but Australia wasn't having it.

"I mean a real break," the syllables stretched as Australia stressed his point. "You're already the best swordsman in Spades Kingdom and you had the favor of the queen. I know you want to be the one chosen to fetch England more than anything," America flushed at the mention, "But you had that in the bag years ago! Have some fun why don't you?"

America grinned, removing all of his armor and turning into the castle to put it in his locker. "Alright, but I'm not about to smell bad before that dumb party we have tonight, so no football today. We can try the summertime sledding thing," He called to Australia, who'd gone into the neighboring equipment room.

Australia frowned, picking the sled from its hanger on the wall. "Ugh, I hate balls. I thought for sure when Egypt took the throne, he'd have outlawed any type of celebration."

"True that!" America laughed. The two walked sled in hand through the ivory castle to the courtyard, home of a rather monumental hill. "What a hard ass."

"Swearing, America? How unbecoming of a knight." The duo whipped their heads around at the same time, knocking together and soliciting a joint cry of surprise. The ebony-haired man sighed, placed his hands in the sleeves of his long blue and golden-flecked robe, and shook his head in scorn as the two brunettes rubbed their heads, giggling.

"Oh cool it, Hong Kong," The knight-in-training laughed, running his fingers through his soft honey-brown hair one last time. "We're just having fun!" Australia grinned in agreement, ushering his friend out the door and into the courtyard. The two ran, laughing in their excitement.

"I swear, you're both overgrown children." Hong Kong sighed, and at that moment he was roughly shoved aside by a small, cloth-covered ball of energy.

"Wait for me, aru!" China tumbled out the door, calling and waving to the energetic pair.

"Not you too, teacher!" Hong Kong called after him, but his calm voice was beaten mercilessly by the breeze.

China had been the Jack of Spades for as long as he could remember, even during the time of Saxony and Anglia. But his age did not limit his boundless energy or his character, and it was believed that he would be a kid for the rest of his life. However long that would be.

Long raven-hair whipped behind him eagerly as he bounced away from the ivy-coated walls of the castle. America and Australia cheered as he climbed the hill that the duo stood atop, and when he finally reached their feet he had to stop and catch his breath. The three boys then turned to look upon the beautiful cloudless sky beyond the spindly gates of the Spades kingdom, each golden door marked with a large navy spade and the tips adorned with blue and black flags.

"One day, I'm going out there, " America declared with a breath, pointing beyond the gate.

China and Australia turned to him in dubious surprise. Then they grinned widely and attacked each of his arms, wrestling the unsuspecting brunette to the weed patch underneath him. Laughing loudly, he easily overtook China, pinning him to the ground with his left arm. But where America had strength China had wit, and kicked at his weak spots in high spirits. He then tried to flip Australia over, but the thick-browed man managed to wriggle free of America's superhuman half Nelson and tackled him from behind. They fell to the ground, rolling in laughter.

America then propped himself up on his elbows, engaging the sky in a deep, hopeful, glistening stare. Sensing the mood, China sat up, crossed his legs, and leaned his back on America's shoulder. Australia rolled over next to him, stomach to the sky, hard-knock and careless as he should be.

"Why is it such a big deal that you get to be the one to rescue England again?" Australia wondered aloud, knocking America's knee and breaking the peaceful silence that blew in the wind around them.

"Well," America said, turning to Australia, his eyes sparkling at the mention, " I am her only childhood friend. We can't have some weirdo she doesn't even know running off with her and marrying her and doing who knows what! Besides, don't you guys know?" America grinned with pride, "I'm definitely gonna be the hero to this story!"

Australia and China burst into fits of laughter, making America's face fall into an angry pout. His face fell onto his arms, his chin dusting the grass underneath. He pursed his lips, wondering why his friends didn't believe he could be England's hero. On his account, he was the hardest-working, most talented knight in the Spades Kingdom. He was prepared to be like the brave heroes of legend, strong, bright, and handsome. He would jump walls, climb trees; cut thorny underbrush. He would give anything to join the ranks of the most revered people in the Spades Kingdom.

It wasn't just for the fame or the gold or the women. America wanted to be someone of consequence, someone worthwhile. He'd always felt like a waste of time and space. Without parents, he was forced to live alone as a baby, brought up by the wilderness. He never had anything to live for until he met England.

England, who'd rode up on a sparkling white horse one day and asked him all sorts of questions before finally stepping off and shaking his little hand. England, who came to visit every day after. England, who dashed to America's side when he'd been injured and death was certain and carried him back to the castle, vowing to never let him live alone again. She put clothes on his back, food in his stomach, and taught him to read and write. America couldn't allow that debt to go unpaid.

He was England's knight in shining armor, or at least that was what he had pictured. Who could be more competent, more motivated, more equipped to rescue a damsel in distress than he? He didn't understand their skepticism.

"Oh, America, don't pout," Australia crowed.

"Sulking doesn't get you anywhere!" China added emphatically.

"I'm sure England would be more than happy to see you if you busted into her tower right now and carried her out in your arms," Australia encouraged lightly, "But it's harder than it sounds, you know. We aren't fairytale supermen, mate."

"Well…" China rolled his head to the side thoughtfully. "Mei Guo is freakishly strong."

America winced, and Australia glanced at China tersely. China shrugged, unsure of what he'd done wrong. Australia sighed and patted America on the back, chuckling.

"Well!" America burst, "Since I'm strong, I have no worries!"

"No worries?" Australia asked, puzzled.

"Yeah!" America near-shouted at the confused men before him. "Not only is my strength gonna help me rescue England, but it's gonna beat you losers to the bottom of this hill!"

America then jumped on the sled and, to the astonishment of the other two, kicked away from the hill with his heel and flew through the air. He crashed into the grassy base of the hill, sliding to a slick stop.

"Think you can take on that?" He challenged from the bottom of the hill.

China stuck out his tongue and Australia huffed condescendingly. A sly smile spread across America's face. It looked like he had his answer.

Positioned at the top of the hill, the three boys stuck their launching feet in the ground. China grappled the handle of the wok he sat in, shuffling his weight around for balance. America scooted up slightly on the sled, gripping the steel firmly. Australia finally settled in his 'vehicle' of choice and knelt on the shield face down, holding the handle with both of his hands. The two to his sides nodded at America, who nodded swiftly back.

"Alright, on three," America announced, "One!"

The boys crouched in position.

"Two!"

Nerves caused them to dip a little lower.

"Three!"

Each of them shot off, gliding through the grass and weaving around each other.

China, who'd been behind in the beginning, was quickly advancing on first place, America. He nudged him with his wok, shoving America a little to the right. During this altercation Australia saw his opportunity. He slid into first place and the other two, looking up from shoving each other, watched him speed ahead in shock. They immediately teamed up; America shoved China's wok forward and grabbed onto the back as it bolted across the grass.

"Cheating, cheating, I call foul!" Australia called as the duo weaved around him and approached the end of the hill.

The others stuck their tongues out at him and laughed mockingly. You can't call rule infringement in a no-rules race. The discussion ended before it began.

America and China disbanded and leaned forward to gain speed. It was now a cutthroat race to the finish! The adrenaline was running high, and the two crossed the base of the hill. Australia skid to the bottom unmistakably in last, looking between the other two in bewilderment. It was so close, he sincerely couldn't tell who'd won.

That was, until China threw his wok to the ground in disappointment and America jumped and shouted victoriously into the air. He began to dance jubilantly, not forgetting to tell China that he had to do the remainder of his chores on his task list for the rest of the week. It was only three days of extra work, but China hated losing and pouted anyhow.

"Boys! Stop fooling around! Not only haven't you had your supper, you haven't been anywhere near a bar of soap and the ball is in two hours," a voice sounded from behind the hill. The trio's attention snapped to the top of the grassy monument, on top of which stepped a woman in a navy Ao Dai, her long black hair pulled into a strict ponytail.

"Vietnam," all three responded, and clambered to stand attention to the one powerful woman in the entirety of the Spades Kingdom. She was serious and serene and somewhat intimidating, full of hidden strength and emotion behind her detached façade. The boys didn't want to be responsible for letting that emotion loose and tried their hardest to be on her good side.

"We were just playing, ma'am, but we were about to head up and get ready right now, right guys?" Australia prompted his friends with a nervous smile, receiving swift yeses, totallys, and rights from either side. Vietnam huffed skeptically, but let the boys slide, following them as they scuttled across the green into the castle, the sleepy sun tinting the castle bricks orange as it set in the west.

Water splashed against creamy tan skin. Silky brown hair was brushed back, and a certain stubborn strand was wrestled with until finally its contender gave up and left it alone. A detailed navy blue and gold trimmed vest was pulled over a white button-up, which lay loosely on its wearer's body. Dark pants were laced up with gold string, and black boots with golden vines climbing to the cuff were pulled onto muscular calves. A confident pink smirk unraveled and twinkling blue eyes met in the mirror. He was ready.

America looked around as he shut the big wooden door of his room behind him. The knight's quarters were conspicuously empty, and he was a bit afraid that he'd show up late. Knights were always at the front of the procession, beside the King and Queen.

Well, that was how they'd been taught, at least.

He darted down the glistening stone stairs, boots clicking as he flew through the hall towards the thick navy double doors of the dorm entrance. The door staggered open and America's shaggy brown head popped out, moving side to side in search of his mates. The large circular passage proved fruitless. America sighed and walked into the room, shutting the large door behind him. His body was painted with soft oranges, purples, and pinks that filtered through the surrounding gold encased windows. He trekked over the Spade-adorned carpets and pushed open another navy door. America slid into the castle, drizzled with tapestries and candles, the chandeliers lit. The ivory glowed all around him as he marched through the foyer and into a small dark opening in which the Ace's procession waited to enter the ballroom and banquet hall. Luck seemed to be on his side, as sighs of relief escaped all around him and Vietnam, armed with a candle, ushered him beside the other knights.

"Jesus, America, what were you doing, putting on your makeup?" Australia mumbled jokingly to the knight beside him. America nudged him half-heartedly. Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder. America swiveled his head around to see the reassuring smiles of Macao and the other Spades knights-in-training. He gave a grateful, understanding smile in return. They were all in this together, brothers in a sense of the word, waiting to someday become part of the deck.

And they heard that day could be today.

The large black doors suddenly opened to greet the gentlemen. Candles and crystal and gold dripped light all around the dark blue floor. Golden spade tapestries and shimmering black and navy ribbon hung from the mosaic-covered ceiling. The ivory covered corners and curves of the walls shone brightly with light. A large, spade-laced carpet rolled out to meet the elevated hovel that hosted the diamond-studded empty chairs of the King and Queen of Spades. America breathed in deeply. This was the scent of the ballroom.

The Cards of the Deck stood attentively on either side of the carpet, holding wine, swaying back and forth with hors d'ouvres. The King and Queens of the other Kingdoms were privately attended to in the gold and ivory balconies that cut into the room's high walls. They were actually residing there pleasantly: the Diamonds being poured stylish wine, the Hearts talking politely with each other while holding hands, and the Clubs knitting and discussing something with another group of prestigious cards. America cut his eyes suspiciously at the latter balcony, suspicious of the Clubs' true motive for coming to the Spades Kingdom. The two kingdoms had never exactly been friends, and though the declaration of war from Clubs against Spades was called off, America wasn't willing to let his guard down. Hostility emanated from the knight as his eyes scanned the Diamonds' balcony. His eyes darted away and set straight forward, keeping themselves away. His teeth grit as he thought of the passivity in which Egypt, their sovereign, had signed the treaty with Diamonds, forgiving them for slaying the King of Spades. He, on the other hand, was not so forgiving. If he ever got his hands on France… he didn't know if he would be able to control himself. Granted, it wasn't he who killed Spades' beloved king, but America was not one to let a debt go unpaid.

And Diamonds owed Spades a King.

Erasing the grimace from his face, America led the Knights into the room, marching uniformly, two large flags with black spades stitched into the navy fabric grasped tightly in two fists. The Knights knelt on either side of the carpet, making way for the Spades Kingdom's Cards of the Deck. Macao, the two, strolled in first, followed expressly by a crooked-grinned Romania with a gold number three pinned into his suit. Vietnam gracefully came after, her arms folded in her robe and her number four brooch glittering by the candlelight. Mongolia, the five, followed her. Turkey, the six, ambled behind him, walking and smoking a cigar obnoxiously. The seven, Hong Kong followed in a manner similar to Vietnam, and moved to stand next to her by the alter. Next came a rather ambiguously dressed blonde with a gold eight tacked to his chest. Poland waved girlishly at the Clubs procession, and some of the Spades and Clubs more immature parties giggled. It was clear who that embarrassing target was, and Lithuania smacked his fingers against his forehead. At nine, South Korea rounded out the procession practically jumping to the end of the carpet. The Jack, China, emulated this energy and enthusiasm, as he carried the scepter to the steps of the stage and knelt respectfully as the Ace finally stepped into the room.

Egypt's long blue robe shuffled behind him as he marched to the stage, a blue, black, and gold-licked crown sitting comfortably on his head. The entirety of the room bowed as he ascended the steps of the alter, and somehow, as Egypt sat silently on the King's throne, a surge of irritation and jealousy coursed through America's veins. It was momentary, but strong enough and strange enough to trouble the young knight-in-training, who gripped his other arm tightly. Australia noticed America's vexed demeanor and tapped his elbow slightly to America's in reassurance. The other knight lent an apologetic smile. Egypt cleared his throat and all the Deck stood in silence.

"Welcome and thank you all for joining the Spades Kingdom in this glorious day. Today we address a very important issue and a very important opportunity. You may have noticed that not one, but two Cards are missing from our deck as I hopefully make the shift to King and wed the Queen: the Ace and the Ten of Spades. Today, these brave knights have the honor of getting a chance to move up and become part of the deck, as either Ten or Ace of Spades, in our potentially prosperous kingdom. Today, I will task two of these knights with a Quest that will determine whether or not they live and claim their place in the Deck, or lose all hope of becoming part of the Spades procession. Rescuing our princess will not be an easy task. It will take the most noble, faithful, and heroic knight to prevail. But I have faith in the knights I will pick, and they, along with the Jack, will undeniably return successfully with my future wife."

'Rescuing our princess!? Future wife…' America's nerves started to jump and rocket around in his body. His fingertips tingled with electricity. Could he possibly be assigning the quest he'd been waiting for? But he wasn't even a knight yet! It couldn't be happening, not yet, not now! Not England!

"I have diligently chosen. One at the top of his class in knight training who has the authority and expertise to give orders to his higher officers," America's eyes widened in fear. "Brought from near-death in the woods by my bride-to-be, and raised by the Spades, this young man has proved to be potentially just as great a Spade as our late King, Anglia. I choose America."

The crowd broke into wild applause as Australia nudged the brunette out of his stupor. Struck with disbelief and ecstasy, America floated to the alter and bowed quickly, his breath knocked out of him as he registered those three golden words.

'England…' He hummed in his head. 'Welcome home.'

It seemed like a dream. He couldn't hear a word of what Egypt said next, just more applause pealing from the crowd as another figure came and stood beside him, thudding him heartily on the back and pulling him by the shoulders into a tight hug.

"It's us, America! It's us! We're finally doing it, mate! We're finally doing it!"

End Chapter 1.

A/N: Hello guys. I am very excited about this story. Hopefully I did well setting it up.

Please R&R! ~Sam