[Author's notes: OH MY GOD! Is this actually an update to this story that is over a billion years old?! Yep! You've guessed it. My time has freed up and my writing muse is back! Sadly this is the last chapter to this story but if you did enjoy it please feel free to check out my other Hetalia stories or even my other fics from other animes/genres! I hope for all of you that have been with me through the whole journey of this fic turn out pleased from the results. Even I was a bit uneasy with coming to a conclusion with this as it's a historical alternate universe that could essentially go on and on through the 21st century. But who wants to bore you with the NOW timeline? Not I. So without further a due~]

Chapter 5

Independence – Revised

~1756 Paris, France December~

Francis worried for a long time if what he did was actually the best choice or not. Judging by his people's and his government's reactions he would have to say no. Though he wasn't too sure as it seemed like a fifty fifty vote. King Louis XV wasn't too pleased at whom the deal was made with, but the amount of money that they had acquired in such a short amount of time was so desperately needed that it almost seemed as if the Canadian territory could be overlooked as a loss.

The Colonists still refused to have any contact with the mainland French since the day they found out about the exchange. To be pawned off at such a price and without much of an effort didn't give them comfort in how valuable they really were to the King and the French people on land. This wasn't the best thing for them since a lot of their trade money came and went through France to Europe, but at this point they were trying to do everything they could to survive on their own and prove to the mainland that they didn't need them as badly as they would love to believe.

Francis looked out his window at the beautiful city that was his heart. How is it that one day he was laughing and happy with the soul of his foundation and the next the cold wet rain reminded him of just how much he had lost. Arthur was right. He would never become an empire such as him because he had too much of a heart and conscious when it came to his territories. At least…he used to. This was the first real deal he had ever made concerning the two with outside nations. England, no doubt, is bragging to everyone how they are going there and taking over even though that is not nearly the case.

What makes matters worse is he still didn't know how those boys were doing, or if they had still refused to speak to each other all this time. He was hoping he was wrong and that honestly they all were working together and not competing against each other. He couldn't have been more wrong.

He walked into the meeting room and looked around at all of the noblemen and at the head was the King. Of course he had the usual look of disappointment on his face that Francis almost came to expect every time he walked into the room. He was in for a mouth full.

"Francis, so glad of you to join us," the King said as he folded his hands on the table. "Sit. We have much to discuss."

Francis didn't like the tone in his voice. It was his job to take care of and please his people, but when there was a band of colonist rising against you then there isn't much that you can do. "Your majesty I know that what I have done to this country is not something that you would consider wise."

"Wise?"Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, the official chief mistress, raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. "Surely handing over one of our most profitable valuables for a mere case amount of money is far from the word wise."

"Now Reinette," the King soothed seeing that she was getting worked up from the horrible news. "We should give Francis a chance to explain. Clearly there is a lack of communication between the House and our beloved country."

"There is no lack of communication," Francis said adjusting himself in his seat. "I know that there was good news that Austria is considering creating an alliance with us, which surprised me that Roderichis actually agreeing to this at this time."

"Which we can only be so grateful about," Poisson added in and looked to Francis angrily. "And you have our King to thank for that. No doubt that you wouldn't have thought anything as remotely close to a good idea if you would to still be in charge."

Francis frowned. "I know I may not have made the best decisions these past few years but I have brought more into this empire than I have taken out." he pressed.

King Louis looked to Francis and narrowed his eyes a bit. "Canada has left us. And now America is on the verge of leaving us too."

Francis sat up straight and looked over to the King confused. "What? What do you mean America is thinking of leaving? You mean like...revolting against us?"

"The Native Americans have teamed up with the colonists and have convinced them that the mainland is doing nothing but more harm than good," Poisson explained. "Because of this, word has carried across the Atlantic that if something isn't done right away there is a possibility that the colonies will indeed take back their to status of being independent."

"No doubt Antonio will try to take advantage of this news as well," Francis said rubbing his scruffy chin. "But he could not get any trust out of the colonists. Not after attacking them. So there is no way he would be able to make it into the land without them attacking first. Also with the British to the border north of him. Well I doubt he would do anything with Canada." he sighed and stood up. "I guess I have no choice but to go and talk to the people and try to convince them that staying apart of the mainland is in their best interest after all."

"We would be losing a valuable asset if in fact the colonist decided to revolt against us," the King reminded Francis and raised an eyebrow. "Show me that you have the power to control them and you just may redeem yourself."

Francis was appalled at the idea of having to lower himself to the manner in which his people were requesting. But all and all without them he would be nothing and thus he sucked it up and continued on his way.

~1757 Atlantic Coast April~

The next few months were nothing short of treacherous as he ventured the Atlantic and over to the colonist states. They seemed to be doing just fine when he arrived though the majority of them had not noticed him or even remembered who he was. That gave him a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

When he finally arrived to the cabin in which he had overheard Alfred was living in he hesitated before knocking on the door and entering the cabin on his own accord. Standing there was a tall handsome blonde young man. Francis almost didn't recognize him it had been so long and he had grown so much.

"America?" he asked almost unsure of whether he had the right place or not.

Turning around the young man looked to him and raised an eyebrow looking less than pleased at the sight that had bestowed itself in front of him. "Francis. I had caught word that you would be returning. If it is the taxes you are looking for to be sent back to the King we have already sent it. Other than that I don't see why you would make the trip all the way here for nothing."

Francis was a bit burned by how cold he was being. It was as if the little boy he had raised was a completely different person. That he was staring into the eyes of a stranger when he looked into those blue pools that were filled with hurt and betrayal. He sighed running his fingers through his hair and shook his head taking a step further toward him.

"America that is not the reason I have come here today. I came to check up on you. To see how you were doing. I have sent you multiple letters and multiple messengers. And yet I haven't heard a single thing back from you. Had it not been for the reports that Matthew was sending to me regarding your status I would have thought that you were..."

"I'm doing fine." he said curtly.

Francis paused and then looked to him before taking another step closer. "Is there any way that you would ever forgive me?" he asked knowing that it was a lost cause of a question to ask but still he had no other choice but to present it.

America kept his back to Francis as if he was thinking about what kind of answer to give him. He then slowly turned around and finally faced him head on and looked in square in the eyes with all seriousness.

"I want you to announce our recognition as our own country."

Francis knew this conversation was going to come up one day the minute he agreed to take Matthew and America under his wings. But never would he have imagined that it would have ended up this way.

"You want to detach from the main land... permanently?"

America nodded. "That's right. I'm tired of being a colony, a territory, a property known to the rest of the world as "owned by" instead of as my own nation."

"And what do you expect to get out of this said new found freedom? Do you think it's easy being a full fledged nation all on your own? You forget that you have Britain to the North and Spain to the South of you. Should something go wrong do you really think you will be able to handle yourself without any outside help?"

"I have been this entire time," America pointed out as he crossed his arms and looked away from Francis. "Besides you know as well as I do that I am not as much of a profit to you anymore. I outsource my own products and import trade with other countries who are willing to give me more of a financial boost. I'm not just dependent on you sending me things from over seas anymore."

"And what if you were to go to war?" Francis asked. He knew he hadn't finished his training with America yet. But the first war he had ever been with was a major tragedy to all of the colonists states. "Surely you do not want a repeat of the same thing that happened before."

"There won't be. I know Matthew has my back no matter what if I needed it. He is my brother after all. And though we may not be on the best of terms we are doing a lot better now thanks to England's help."

Francis looked to him a bit shocked. He never thought England would try to mend the relationship between the two for fear that Matthew would change his mind about being associated with an enemy as opposed to an allied nation. Nevertheless he nodded his head and took a step back towards the door.

"Fine. If you think you are set to go. Then I will have a talk with the King and see just how well off you will be."

America watched him curiously for a moment. "And what do you mean by that?" he said before Francis could turn to walk out of the cabin.

"Oh nothing. Just know that the minute you detach yourself from me you detach yourself from all of my allies. If you hadn't noticed, the only reason why those nations came to you in the first place to trade with you is because I knew you were running low on resources and since you refused to trade with me." he shrugged and turned putting his hand on the door knob. "Well I told them to start up a trade with you."

"LIES!" America yelled clenching his fists again before pointing to him. "You think you're so damn high and mighty as if you have control over every little thing I do or know every single thing that goes on this side of the Atlantic. Well you're wrong. Go ahead and tell them to stop trading with me. I'll convince them on my own to continue. And then maybe the day will come when they leave you to follow me. And how I would love to see the look on your face the moment that comes that I will be stronger of a nation than you."

Francis felt a sharp pain in his heart and refused to turn around to look at the boy. Saying nothing more he opened the door to the cabin and made his exit before standing out on the porch for quite some time before making his leave.

Unknowing to him America had knelt to the floor in tears. Why did things have to be this way? Why did he feel so much hatred towards someone he loved so much? There was an uncontrollable urge that drived him to push Francis away. His people had spoken and regardless of his personal feelings ultimately what they said was what he had to promise to deliver. Even if it was causing him such heart ache.

~1757 Paris, France August~

"You want to do what?!" The King asked in fury as he looked to Francis who remained calm and almost emotionless in his seat. He was already on the verge of losing everything. Why would this outburst be much of a difference to him at this point?

"You heard me sir. I'm going to cut ties with America. If those colonists think they can really handle themselves in the real world then let them see just what a cruel and undeserving place it really is."

Piosson looked to Francis almost a bit concerned before turning back to the King and raising a hand in suggestion. "The only way this will work out to our benefit in the end your majesty is to stage a confrontation that we know the colonists will lose."

Francis looked up at Piosson and shook his head. "I don't want to hurt them. Or even make them go through any more loss than they already have."

"Francis please. This is about power. Control. Wealth and ultimately in the end world domination. If you so much as let the colonists run and be free just because they raised a bit of a tiff what pray tell do you think will happen to the rest of our territories. When there is one bad apple in the bunch you snap it back in line before it can infect the rest. We aren't in this game to waste food." the King grinned almost a little to evil for Francis' sake. "So. Let us begin the preparation."

~1760 Atlantic Coast February~

"Sir! Sir! There are unknown foreign ships sailing in from the West! They appear to be battle ships and I don't think they are docking to restock their supplies!" A lookout solider announced barging into the cabin in which America was sitting in.

"What?" He asked standing up and sliding on his jacket before walking out into the bitter cold. It had been almost two years since the French monarch had sent written word to the colonists about finalizing their requests on becoming independent from the main land. Could this be another trick that Francis was trying to pull to get America to reconsider?

When he made his way out to the shore there was indeed many of ships with flags sailing above that he did not recognized. Curious he took a step forward only to be pulled back by another solider when he pointed out a cannon ball had been shot! They were attacking? But for what? And who where they?

"Ready the cannons! Prepare for battle!" America yelled as he dusted himself off and rose to his feet running back to the nearest town to evacuate all of those that could be potentially put in harms way.

The next week was nothing more but long drawn out battles with this unknown enemy. It could be seen all over America's face how tired he was. He had went through such a long period of semi peace after the whole fiasco with Antonio and Arthur had blown over. To say the least his skills as a general were more than a bit rusty. He had already lost five percent of his army and was still awaiting word from the Canadians on what they were going to do to help. After all most of the enemy was setting up base camp on the border.

One dark sinister evening the door opened and a messenger ran in with a sealed envelope addressed to America. He could recognize that handwriting anywhere. It was from Matthew. Practically tearing into the parchment he read over it quickly and then frowned looking up at the boy who delivered it to him.

"Sir...what does it say?" the young on asked cautiously even though from the look on America's face he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know the contents.

"Matthew...refuses to help me?" he asked before looking back down at the letter. "Do to current circumstances under the law of his majesty the King George the II, I must deny your request for help aiding in the battle of this enemy nation that attacks you? Currently my mainland, the Kingdom of Great Britain is preparing for attack on the newly weakened French empire?!"

America threw the paper on the floor and stood up. "What is this nonsense?! Surely he can't be serious! Going to war with France! It's...it's..."

"Sir! The enemy has breached the second line of defense! If we don't act now they will destroy the village and all of the crop harvest we've been storing up to last the rest of the winter!"

Panicked America looked around as if he could find something that would help in at the last minute. To no avail he sighed and nodded grabbing his hat and headed out towards the once again bloody battlefield.

It took another two days of battling before America retreated his troops. He had to find out once and for all who these mysterious people were and why they were trying to take over their land. But before he could get close enough to the enemy line Francis walked up to him all worn and ragged.

"Francis! What are you doing here? What..." But before America could finish Francis collapsed to the ground and let out a small sigh as if he was trying to speak.

"America...you must talk to the King. And stop him from entering war with Britain." Francis said as the boy tried to lift him up.

"The King? But how am I supposed to stop him from..." America started.

"My people on the main land are suffering. Attacks from every direction and now...they are taking it out on you. That wasn't supposed to be the plan." Francis continued.

"Plan...what plan are you talking about Francis? Calm down and just..."

"He promised me he would leave you alone. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I...couldn't protect you."

"Who promised you...protect me from what..." America looked to Francis as his eyes closed and tears collected in his eyes. "No...NO! Francis you can't do this to me. I can't do this alone. I need you. I need your help! Please! Please!"

Just then a cannonball attack hit not too far from where the two were knelt down on the ground causing America and Francis to split up as they flew across the road from the force impact of the steel death ball.

"FRANCIS!" America yelled as he tried to stand up seeing through his blurry vision the blonde man lying a few feet away from him motionless. Feeling the warm blood trail down his skin he forced his body to stand as he limped his way over to the shore.

One way or another he was going to win this battle. Not just for him. But for Francis too. And it wasn't just this battle he was going to win. He was going to go to the mainland and reclaim Paris in the name of France. Because that is where he belonged all along. That's where they all belonged. All of his colonists. No matter how much they tried to deny it they were French people as well. And if he had to become the new leader of the Empire. Then the world would never forget the day that the small American colonist states took over to form a new era.

[And that my dear is how the French Empire took over the world. Okay so that's probably not the way I, or any of you, expected that to turn out. And I really do apologize if that seemed a bit rushed. But the more I thought about it while I was writing, the more I wanted to leave the REAL conclusion up to the interpretation of you guys. The readers. (I mean I hate when manga artist do that to me but now I know how they feel...sorta) BUT in all honesty it would be SO bad ass if the French/American empire did take over the world if not for a few centuries longer than any other empire ruled.

But I know what you're thinking. Is Francis dead? Did America defeat England and Prussia in the upcoming wars and World Wars and blah blah blah? Well I was thinking of writing an epilogue but I'm not really sure how I would want it to turn out considering it is an alternate universe no one can say for sure how the wars would have ended or should have gone. Disagree? Let me know what you think! And as always thanks for reading and being so patient with me. I am so bad at this updating thing. LOLOL Onward to the next fic!]