Hetalia One-Shots

PruCan : War Hero

  "He was a special soldier. From his looks to his personality, he was one-of-a-kind. With his cocky, joyful smile, he would bring happiness to the darkest of souls. His peculiar red eyes led you to the warmth of his spirit. His white hair meant damnation to some, but benediction to others.

  "He was a renowned fighter pilot, probably the best of the German army. He had spite, and a handful of guts, allowing him to perform the unthinkable. His plane was his best friend if not his lover. He named it Gilbird, being the big fan of birds as he was. He shared a unique bond with the skies, his knowledge of the air surprising the best of scientists.

  "During the war, the Germans were pictured as the bad guys, as the murderers, the merciless. He... he was not like them. He followed orders, like so many of his comrades, and didn't think of the harm he was causing. He had a purpose, according to him, and he said he was meant to bring glory to his country. I never understood his dedication. For me, he was just another soldier among thousands. But that was what kept him going. That, and me.

  "I was also a fighter pilot, serving the Canadian Air Force. I was nothing like the German soldier. I was timid... shy... quiet. I was never noticed by anyone on the ground, or in the air. That made my strength. I may not have been as talented as all the rest, but I was the sneakiest they had.

  "One day, I was sent to Europe to help fight with the Dutch. My team and I shot down so many enemy planes that week I didn't know whether to feel victorious or depressed. I hated the war more than many. Killing people that way wasn't what I thought of justice. My companions reminded me, when they managed to notice my presence, that what the Germans were doing was much worse.

  "I nodded... although not sure. I didn't really understand what was going on in that war. I simply followed the main orders without executing unnecessary actions.

  "During my stay in the Netherlands, I met a kind salesman who did his best to help the Jews searching refuge from the Nazis. But that, that is another story for another time.

  "One night, while most the Canadians were out in a bar with the Americans, I stayed in our base analyzing the German's attack routes. I fell asleep on my desk but was promptly woken up by an alarm shrieking. I jumped to my feet and observed the radars. A single enemy plane was flying over the Dutch border. I remember being perplex as to why one jet crossed the territory in the middle of the night. It could have been a surprise attack, but one pilot was not sufficient.

  "Its trajectory was unusual as well. It kept... swerving. I didn't think twice and grabbed my flight jacket. Inside my plane in less than two minutes, I took off leaving a message to the control tower. My take-off was granted and I was in the airs, sending warnings to my comrades.

  "Very soon I was near the enemy. I spotted them on my display and searched through the dark clouds. Then I heard a frightening rumble followed by backfires. A glowing orange light appeared on my right. I steered to the left to keep my distance and remarked the jet was on fire and losing ground rapidly. The pilot inside seemed barely conscious, striving to stay in the air.

  "Red alarms beeped in his cockpit and smoke filled the space. The plane dove down and crashed into a small forest near an evacuated village. I circled the area searching for a landing. It wasn't my job to make sure the pilot was living, but it was simply my good conscious. That was something my superiors said all the time. They repeated everyday that I was too soft, too kind. That for a soldier, for a fighter... it would get me killed.

  "I landed and hurried to the wreckage. The jet hadn't blown up yet. There was only smoke and a couple flames scattered around the metallic war vehicle. Through the smog I perceived a silhouette slumped over the instrument panel. Covering my mouth and nose, I rushed over and pulled the man out. I heaved his unconscious body on my back and trudged away from the hazardous vehicle.