Hetalian Protectors

One

England's POV: From the shadows a man stepped forth, all dark. Eyes, hair, clothes, his skin a pale comparison. He was large, though. All bulging muscle, scarred across the left side of his face; probably burned, it might've been acid even. The glock on his side glinting in the weak light, deadly in its own right despite the much larger weapon clenched in his fist, a strange one that I didn't recognize even with the thousands of years under my belt. The girls, however, stiffened, inching together and creating a wall between us and him. I glanced at America, who shot a confused look right back.

The man chuckled, a deep sound that went all the way through his chest. Arms spreading in a why that said he meant no harm, which was greatly lessened by his appearance and the hulking threat lurking in his grasp. "Girls, stop this. How long will I have to chase you until you learn?"

A single step forward revealed that he was not the only one who'd cornered us, over two dozen other soldiers filing in behind him. A vicious grin widened over his cheeks, stretching the skin into a horrific picture of ragged flesh. "I will always find you, and I will get what I want."

Arwen stepped forward, glaring while she lifted her sword, gaze sharpening as he casually shifted the weapon in her direction. Prussia growled and Austria had to grab his arm to keep him from rushing forward; the girl never once glanced his way, eyes locked on target. "You're not getting anything."

"On the contrary, you've brought me everything I wanted." Even in the gloom it was obvious that his gaze roamed over us, chills running up my spine at the inhuman anger and sheer desire reflected in the otherwise empty pools. "Now, move out of the way, and this will be over all too quickly."

"Fuck off-!" Luna hissed, raising a gun only to flinch back when the sound of a gunshot rung out across the room. Smoke rising from the unknown weapon, a hole now in the ceiling above the man's head. The whites were clearly visible in the girls' eyes, though they didn't budge, and slowly a wave of unease passed through the countries gathered behind them. Something wasn't right. They'd never seen them like this.

My hands began to glow a light green as I took a deep breath, concentrating the magic in my core to my fingers. I had a feeling I'd be needing it.

But even with the tension swirling in the air like an out of control tornado, Scarlett's quiet voice rang out. "Major, we will not let you take them. You know that."

That... That was the Major they were afraid of? Taking another look at him, my jaw clenched. This wasn't good. From all the stories Kyoko had told us, or really what I'd managed to overhear when I just so happened to be... passing by the kitchen or living room late in the night, the Major was no man to be trifled with. He certainly seemed scary enough, though I would vouch for everyone here when I said that all the nations present had fought worse.

An alien face flashed through my mind's eye, all grey with large black eyes, and I shivered. Far worse.

But that didn't seem to matter as the Major took one step forward, then another, and while a collective murmur passed through the crowd the girls didn't break ranks. Weapons raised and glinting.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

The gun leveled at Scarlett's chest, but before it could fire there was an explosion of green, the Major's disfigured face disappearing behind a wall of shimmering emerald. At the same moment, Kyoko fell to one knee, a yelp tumbling free as her hands stayed out in front of her, arms visibly shaking. Arwen and Luna by her side in seconds while Scarlett limped to hover next to her -- wait... when did she --

"Kyoko-! Are you okay? You can't hold this! What were you thinking!?"

"I'm showing off." There was a broad smirk that didn't reach her eyes, something close to fear shining in her gaze, but she only jerked her head in the direction of where the Major was surely still standing. "He's not going to stop, so get out of here before it's too late. I'll join up with you once he figures out I'm too damn stubborn to give him what he wants."

The sweat that was already beading on her forehead said a different story to the bravado in her words, my feet moving forward on instinct. "You can't stay here alone!"

America's voice echoed behind me, my name dying on his tongue, but I paid him no mind. "You bloody prick, they'll get you if you stay here! Don't you understand that! There's no need to show off all the damn time!" Memories raced through my mind, one after the other, these being the same words I'd said to her all those years ago when she'd tried to do something stupid. When she tried to fight the monster alone.

She hadn't listened.

Kyoko didn't listen either.

*****

Kyoko's POV: I always said I wouldn't die for anyone. That wasn't going to change now. It fucking wasn't. All I was going to do was hold the Major and his men here until everyone had gotten far enough away that I didn't have to worry. Then, I could swagger all the way to the meeting point and take the compliments on how brave and selfless I was.

That was the plan.

But Arthur seemed to know something I didn't, seemed to have acknowledged a larger picture I refused to see. His eyes desperate just as they were all those years ago and not for the first time I wanted to tell him. Wanted him to know who I was so there wasn't this huge gap between us. So I could comfort him something small... at least a hug.

The most I could offer were a few softly spoken words that went completely against how I normally behaved. "Get out of here so I can have my bragging rights, you idiot."

Okay, so it wasn't that different. It got a pretty decent reaction, though, Arthur's eyes blowing wide as he fought to say something before America had grabbed his arm and yanked him backward, dragging him into a cave off to the side, Arwen and Scarlett staying by my side until every last country had disappeared.

"You know I was talking to the two of you too when I said to get your asses out of here."

Arwen's hand found my shoulder. "You better meet up with us later."

I swatted her away with a patient frown. "What are you talking about? Of course I will. I can't die. It's physically impossible." I made sure to ignore the spiking pain in my legs that fought to undermine the confidence in those words. Eyes going to Scarlett who was still eerily silent, only to get trapped in a tight hug, one which I couldn't return without dropping the barrier and allowing us to be filled with holes.

For some reason heat paid an unwelcomed visit behind my eyes, tongue swiping across the front of my teeth before I forced the tight knot from my throat. Making my tone as bland and sarcastic as possible. "Yes, Scarlett, I love you too, now release me and flee as fast as your tiny legs can carry you."

She didn't even try to get in a retort, hand wiping away what I'm sure were tears when she straightened and turned away. Arwen looked between us, then at the wall. Bouncing her sword in her palm, and I knew she was wondering if she could stay and help me fight them off.

"Don't even think of it. I love you, Arwen, but let me have the limelight for once. You can have it next time." Her head jerked in my direction, eyes boring into mine before she heaved a sigh.

"We'll keep them safe."

"You better. I need an audience to applaud my epic return." She got a wink and I got a heavier huff before they both disappeared into the awaiting darkness, leaving me to wait as every so slowly my magic started to buckle.

Under my breath I started to recant the last spell I ever thought I'd use.

The green wall splintered.