Countryhumans: WW2

File Eight: Phantoms of Defeat.

Britain sighed; he was relieved that his wife, England had taken him in and healed him, however, now his joints were aching as he walked with Canada through the once lush, happy landscape of France's lands, which had all been taken over by Reich and Japanese Empire's technology. However, that is not what tugged on Britain's heart strings in the cruellest manner. What did him in was Canada, who was looking over her lands, all gone and destroyed, his breath was shaking, and his eyes filled with tears, so much so that it seemed like one blink would send him bawling. Canada's mouth was hanging open as well, and he let out a shrill, trembling gasp, when he saw a limp body on the dirty, bloodstained ground.

France... Britain felt his heart crack, while France was quite annoying at times, she was his frenemy all the same, as if they were siblings. Canada let out a terrified cry and couldn't hold back a decibel of horror. He knelt stiffly down beside her as if his joints had turned to stone. "F...France, I... didn't wanna believe it..." he said in a shaky, nerve wracking tone. Britain sighed, then patted his son on the shoulder. "Canada, It... it would be best if you got back for now." he said softly. Canada trembled and sighed, lumbering back the way he came. Britain went to follow, when he became slowly aware of a glow coming from France's chest, where her heart probably was. It grew brighter and brighter, until the glow rose into the air in one sparkling sphere, a very faint outline of her body was slowly appearing into view. Britain trembled with awe and confusion. He was agnostic and wasn't quite in disbelief. France levitated there in silence. Britain opened his mouth to speak, but the shock of the situation took his breath away, stealing his voice. Yet the words he wanted to say were fresh in his mind. What do I do France, for the sake of all we know, tell me what to do!! France stared at him sorrowfully as if she was reading his thoughts. "Keep fighting." Her echoing, haunting voice rang sharply in Britain's ears. "When the time comes, we'll do the rest." she says. And as soon as she appeared, she left with a large spark of energy, so large that Britain could feel it pulse through his veins. He trembled, feeling tears at the back of his eyes, but no. He wouldn't just wimp out this time. No! Each casualty ran through his head like a car trying painfully to start. Austria, Czechoslovakia, Netherlands, Belgium, France. Their sacrifices would never be in vein, never. "Not on my watch.." Britain said aloud.

Britain turned and sprinted with all the speed that was in him back to his air base, leaping into one of his proudest planes, its propellers spiraling in a fiery courageous manner. The thundering, confident clouds committed pathetic fallacy as his jet soared to the heavens, the cold, biting wind blasted into Britain's face, satisfaction came with each gust of wind, and despite its frosty intent, it had burned the same fire in his soul that burned in the churning propellers. France ordered him to keep fighting, and he didn't intend to cower and hide, not anymore. This was the last straw. Suddenly, as though from Thor himself, there was a looming silhouette, diving down, diving fast, diving for him. He swerved and missed Reich's Red-as blood Baron by a hair. She darted back up to meet Britain's gaze. However, she didn't flinch, move, swerve. Nothing. However, despite the dark, thundering clouds, Britain could almost see her smirk glowing with wicked intent. She must've been planning this encounter. Britain's fire from within blazed brighter and fiercer with each second, he was forced to look upon her sadistic expression. The sun had indeed set on France's warrior-filled life and had given way to Reich's hailstorm of woe as the rumbling clouds finally broke way to sleet which thundered upon Britain's jet. But like the jet itself, Britain would never dent or faulter. And with this mindset, each jet charged for the other as a lightning strike cracked across the thin air. The battle had only just begun.