Prologue

Italy squirmed under the grip of Rome's huge hand. He writhed and struggled in vein; Rome's power was infinite. The young man bowed his head, out of breath. He slowly raised his eyes to face Rome, who stood high above him. His neck craned and trembling, Italy glared at his captor, a dark flicker in his amber eyes.

1

All the countries agreed: Italy was destined to become an overwhelming force, a threat to the rest of the world. Although still a nation in its infancy, Italy was strong and much more powerful than all the other countries when they were his age. Many discussions were held but still, no one knew what to do with him. If they took advantage of him now, they could form the strongest alliance in the world, but of course, everyone wanted that, and so, no one ever took possession over him. Italy would roam free, unaware of his growing admiration, living wild with his ancestor Rome. Rome became a father figure to him and tried to guide him as best as he could. However, it didn't take long for Rome to realise, Italy was not only powerful, but dangerous. His aggression would take over and he could easily destroy most obstacles in his path. Although Rome admired the boy's amazing strength, he decided, Italy would only grow more powerful and more aggressive. But he wasn't quite sure how to help him.

Rome kept a close watch on Italy at all times to protect him. Italy didn't mind this-he liked his independence but felt secure in the shadow of Rome. One summer's day, Rome and little Italy were lying in a meadow. Rome was gazing at the sky and Italy was drifting off to sleep. Suddenly, there came a cry and both nations sat up. Rome glanced both ways and made out someone lying in the grass a little way off.

'Help! Help me!' Rome stumbled to his feet. Italy followed. Rome stopped and turned over his shoulder.

'No Italy! Stay here.' Italy, confused, watched Rome bound over to the other person. Austria lay, dramatically strewn across the grass, a soaking crimson patch on his perfect lilac shirt.

'What are you doing France-hurry up!' He muttered under his breath, watching Rome quickly approaching. Rome dropped to his knees before Austria, towering over him. He gasped at the sight of his wound.

'Austria, are you alright? What happened!' Austria, ad-libbing, swayed his head deliriously and reached out with a shaking hand.

Italy stood, clutching his little shirt, watching the men in the distance. A shadow slowly crept over the boy and a hand was suddenly clapped over his mouth. Italy let out a small cry and struggled to free himself from the grip. France stood, bent over him, chuckling.

'I don't know what Austria was worried about, this was easy.' France clasped his other hand around Italy's waist, holding him still. Italy began to panic and wriggle under France's grip as he was picked up. Italy's eyes popped open, his irises ablaze and he stopped moving. France powered away, the boy under his arm. Italy began to draw himself into a ball and suspend himself there for a moment before suddenly thrusting his arms and legs out, shooting out of France's grip. France whipped around in shock. Little Italy landed on his feet nimbly and raised his eyes to look at France. The small boy fixed his gaze on France and glared at him with no expression. Somewhat intimated, France took a step back from the child.

Rome, clasping Austria's hand, listened to him with concern as he still looked around, bewildered. With his other hand, Rome carefully made to life Austria's shirt.

'Let me examine the wound.' Austria, in a panic, drew away and let out an agonising whimper. Suddenly, another cry echoed over Austria. Both men glanced round and gasped. Italy and France fought in the distance, locked in a brutal combat.

'Italy!' Rome took to his feet and sprinted towards them. Austria looked on, confused.

'Well this wasn't part of the plan.'

Rome reached out his hand to Italy. Italy lashed out, casting Rome's hand away.

'No!' He commanded. The tiny boy leapt into mid air and slammed his fist down to the ground. The earth beneath him suddenly quaked and a wave of energy smacked France and Rome in the face, hurling both of them backwards. Rome managed to land on his feet. He looked on in amazement. Italy curled back up into a ball, preparing for the next attack. France was injured and trying to recover on the ground. Rome could anticipate what was going to happen. Just as Italy sprung up, Rome dashed out in-front of France and Italy's blow struck Rome on the shoulder. He let out a hiss of pain through gritted teeth but remained unmoved. Italy fell to the ground, shocked, and inched backwards. Austria ran to France's side and helped him to standing. The boy shook his head and made to turn away. Rome lunged forward and clamped a firm hand on Italy's little shoulder. Italy turned back to face Rome, his eyes glistening with tears.

'Rome...I'm sorr-'

'No. Listen to me, Italy-'

'That brute!' France exclaimed from behind. He stood, leaning on Austria, his eyebrows knitted.

'He nearly damaged my gorgeous face! He's a monster! Get him away!' France thrusted forwards in anger. Austria held him back. Italy watched in horror. Rome turned to face France, disapprovingly.

'What were you two thinking? How could you pick on a small child?! He's still young, he doesn't know what he's doing!'

'You're telling me!' France snapped. 'He nearly blew us to bits!' Austria frowned, noticing Italy's expression.

'Oh be quiet, France. Look at the poor thing. Don't you think you've upset him enough?'

'He's not worth it-I wouldn't want an alliance with him if I tried! Come on, lets get out of here.' Austria nodded apologetically to Rome. Italy watched them disappear over the brow of a hill.

'Italy...' The small boy looked up at Rome. A patch of blood had appeared on his shoulder. They stood in silence for a moment before Italy's face crumpled and he began to cry. Rome sunk to his knees and embraced the boy tightly. Italy froze for a second before relaxing and resting his face on Rome's broad shoulder.

'I didn't mean to hurt you, Grandpa Rome.' he sobbed.

'I know, Italy.'

'I meant to hit France instead!'

'Italy.' Rome drew himself away from the boy. 'What they tried to do was wrong, but you can't let your strength get the better of you. I applaud you for escaping France but there was no need to continue fighting. You can't solve a problem with a negative eye. Do you understand?'

'Ci, grandpa Rome.'

'Just try to control that anger of yours.' Italy closed his hands into fists as Rome wrapped himself around him again. His tightly clenched fists trembled and Italy dropped his head back on Rome's shoulder, sobbing quietly.

2

Many years past and Italy slowly grew up. Since the incident, Rome still kept an eye on him, but decided to let the boy have his independence. Italy liked this new found freedom and became more and more contemplative because of it. He would barely ever speak and always bore a fixed grimace on his fine Italian features. Rome worried about Italy. He knew that inside of him, anger was bottling up-ever since accidentally striking him, Italy was always silent around Rome. But Rome decided that letting Italy make his own decisions would help him develop and become a better nation for it. He just needs to discover himself, he would remind himself.

One day, Rome found Italy, now almost a grown young man, sitting by a lakeside in his normal, vacant manner. Rome sat next to the boy and smiled.

'You're growing up so fast, Italy.' Italy glanced down at the ground and swallowed uncomfortably. His face was still irritated. He resumed to looking straight ahead, over the water. 'It seemed like only yesterday you were this high.' Rome chuckled, holding his hand a small way above the ground. Italy snatched a glance at Rome's gesture and remained unchanged. 'Do you remember what I told you, all those years ago, Italy?' Italy froze. 'I told you, you couldn't solve a problem with a negative eye. And all I see in you is negativity. You could be the strongest country on earth, have the most powerful alliances and lead a great nation of people. But you'll never get anywhere if you forever stay like this.' Italy turned his head away.

'I don't want to talk about this, Grandpa Rome.' The boy made to stand up. Rome extended his hand towards him. Italy cast it aside and started walking away.

'Italy, I know you are still haunted by hurting me, but you are hurting me more now than you did then. I need you to show me there is someone inside that empty shell of yours.' Italy paused for a moment. Distant images of Rome's wincing face and bleeding shoulder flashed across the boy's mind. France's voice echoed quietly, 'He's a monster! Get him away!' He shook his head and stormed away. Rome watched him disappear into a tall dark forest. He passed a hand to his head and let out a deep sigh.

'What am I going to do?'

3

Italy walked, head down through the forest. His brown locks swayed back and force across his face with every stride. Grandpa Rome doesn't understand, he thought. He patronises me and that makes me angry. I've hurt him once, I don't want to do it again. I just need to be alone. Italy continued to walk through the dark forest. Suddenly, there was a rustle from behind. The boy stopped and quickly glanced in every direction. A second, louder rustle assured him something was near. Italy held his breath and bent his elbows slightly, his fists clenched.

'Show yourself!' He called. 'If you don't come out, I'll find you!' From behind the bush, two figures appeared. A blonde haired, tall gentleman stumbled to his feet and brushed himself down. The second, a shorter, dark haired man followed close behind. It was France and Romano!

'Sacre Bleu! Italy?'

'Italy?' Romano stepped forward. Italy took a step backwards in surprise and fear.

'Romano, France...' Italy overcame his fear and stepped forward again, authoritatively.

'What are you doing here?'

'Well,' France flicked a piece of loose hair playfully 'We were going to a World meeting and I was having another argument with Britain and I got separated from the rest of the group and ended up here.'

'I tried to break it up between you two.' Romano added. 'But you stupid jerks wouldn't listen to me! And now we're lost!'

'Why are you here, Italy?' France asked skeptically.

'That's none of your concern.' Italy answered dryly.

'Help us, brother. We can find a way out together.' Italy dismissed Romano and continued walking.

'Where are you going?'

'You don't need to know.' Romano hesitated for a moment before making rush out after Italy. France caught his hand and pulled him back.

'No, don't touch him, Romano! He's a monster!' Italy gritted his teeth and ignored them.

'What?! I don't understand. Why would you say something like that, you jerk bastard!'

'He tried to kill me! And he hurt Rome!' Romano looked up in shock. Italy's breathing quickened.

'Italy, wait!' Romano called. 'I don't understand!' The boy whipped round and stamped his foot.

'Enough!' His amber eyes glowed brightly. The ground beneath him shook and like before, a wave of energy burst into other surrounding area. Both France and Romano were sent flying backwards. France was hurled against the trunk of a tree. He let out a cry and flopped to the ground. Italy walked collectedly over to the weakened nation.

'I didn't hurt Rome on purpose. Do you understand? You on the other hand, I will gladly get rid of! You tried to take me, make me join you. You don't care if it's what anyone else wants, it's what pleases you. You make me sick, I would never form an alliance with you, you dirty, perverted liar!'

'I don't want you! I don't need your garbage! All those years ago, I wanted to take you, with the best intentions!' France piped up. 'Please, just leave me alone!' Romano watched in horror as Italy picked up France by the scruff of his collar and looked him directly in the eye.

'You don't deserve to be a country. I'm going to end this, France. Everyone will better for it.' Italy raised a hand and prepared to attack. Romano lay on the ground, helpless.

'Italy stop!' Romano cried. Italy glanced over to his brother.

'Stay out of this Romano! This isn't your fight!'

'This has to stop!' Romano pleaded. France nodded in agreement, terrified. 'Please, just let him go!' Italy tightened his grip on France's shirt. Just as Italy made to make the next blow, a giant hand intervened and swept Italy up. Rome stood, towering above the trees in his God-like form. Italy squirmed under the grip of Rome's huge hand. He writhed and struggled in vein; Rome's power was infinite. The young man bowed his head, out of breath. He slowly raised his eyes to face Rome, who stood high above him. His neck craned and trembling, Italy glared at his captor, a dark flicker in his amber eyes.

'Rome...put me down. I need to finish this.'

'I tried, Italy. All these years, I've tried to help you. I've told you to suppress the anger inside of you. Negativity-'

'Shut up!' Italy shouted. 'I don't need your advice! I'm my own country!'

'But what kind of country will you lead? I only see war and hate in your future.'

'I don't care! France must be destroyed!'

'I didn't want to do this...but you leave me no choice, Italy.' France and Romano watched as, high above them, Italy was released from Rome's grip and suspended in the air. A translucent, purple bubble materialised around him and electric swirls began circling it at high speed. Rome cupped his hands around the bubble and applied as much pressure to it as he could, his great hands, trembling. Italy suddenly stopped moving and became completely still. Rome closed hi eyes, channeling his energy into the bubble.

'You will become a new person and forget all your anger before this moment. You can be a great country, Italy.' The bubble exploded with brilliant white light. France and Romano shielded their eyes.

'What the hell is going on up there?!'

Italy suddenly opened his eyes and, trapped in the blinding light, began to panic.

'Rome, what are you doing?!' Italy gasped and clasped both hands to his throat. His voice was changing; it had become higher and cracking. 'What have you done to me?!'

'I'm making you a better person, Italy.'

'What?!' With a flash, the bubble disappeared and the blinding light faded away, revealing Italy, still suspended in mid-air. Rome's giant hand scooped up the unconscious young man and carefully laid him back on the ground, a glowing purple pendant draped around his neck.

'Italy!' Romano ran to his brother's side and dropped to his knees. France stood, frozen. Italy's eyes began to flutter and he slowly awoke. Bewildered, he looked around, finally fixing his gaze on Romano. A broad grin grew on his face and he sprung up, wrapping himself tightly around Romano.

'Hey big brother, what's going on?' Italy squeaked in a happy, high pitched voice. Romano recoiled in horror and turned to Rome.

'What the hell did you do to my little brother, you jerk bastard!' Rome smiled contentedly.

'I fixed him.'

End of Prologue

A/N: This is only the prologue to what could be an elongated series, if people want to see more of it. Let me know!