All right, brief explanation here; this is a WWI and further on story I expect to make long. Something new readers should know is that it is a sequel to Savage, a story of mine, but that it is perfectly understandable without having read that story. This story will focus primarily on Australia and New Zealand.

So, to the readers who have followed me and read Savage, I hope you forgive me for taking so long; it takes some time to get an idea like this off of the ground.

I hope y'all enjoy the story!

I don't own Hetalia!end/AN/

"Mexico has gone loco, I'm telling you!"

America didn't often visit Australia, to be completely honest; and especially during such an upheaval in a neighboring country.

But ever since federation, Australia had been seeing more and more of the country, as well as other ones, including his Asian and Oceanic neighbors. It excited him, to some extent, but at the same time, foreign influences made him a bit uneasy. He'd reacted rather similarly to China's visits as America had: no thanks, stop coming over!

Australia couldn't help but try to lighten the mood by grinning. "Zea's pretty crazy too."

America, however, rolled his eyes, saying, "Australia, you wouldn't understand; I mean bona fide insane. You're just annoyed by New Zealand. Mexico's practically turning himself inside out. Hence, I've had to watch and make sure he doesn't cause problems across the border."

It always felt like America was being condescending when he compared their problems; it was true, Australia didn't have quite the contentious history that America had with neighbors, but that didn't mean he didn't get it! "No, I understand."

He'd never met Mexico; Canada had told him, once upon a time, that Mexico was a tan, dark-haired fellow with a penchant for swearing at America in Spanish. He also told him he was deeply religious and traditional.

"Of course you do." America's way, clearly, of saying 'No, you do not.' But America carried on, taking a sip of his beer as he talked. "Anyway, that bastard's causing so many problems. Nothing I can't handle, though."

It was just a little foreign, to think of having someone truly mad at you on your border. Being a continent all his own, Australia just had a hard time understanding. "Yeah. Hey, what else is going on? In Europe, and with Canada, and-"

"Yeah, yeah, world news, I know." America seemed to roll his eyes, but he also looked secretly pleased that he was vital to Australia's knowledge. "You probably know about Ireland. England's probably going to give her home rule. Maybe then she'll stop coming over to my house." He made a face, as if Australia understood how loathsome Ireland was.

It made Australia angry, to be honest. Ireland was a damn fine woman, and she didn't deserve to be treated the way she was by others. He was about to say so, maybe even challenge America to a fight, when the other country carried on.

"There's something to do with Wales, I think. Can't remember what…" America chewed thoughtfully on his lip.

"That'd be the church act," Australia supplied helpfully, knowing that this was something that Wales had been anticipating and hoping for, for quite some time. It meant that he would be allowed to go to church in any church he chose.

"Yeah. And, let me think... there's these pictures with this fellow called Charlie Chaplin that've come out, but I don't think they're going anywhere… Still, they're kind of funny. Maybe you can watch them next time you visit me? Oh wait, they won't be in the theater anymore…" America was easily caught up in his own thoughts, taking another chug of beer.

Australia had seen one picture in his life. It was some sort of re-enactment of a battle; it hadn't been that exciting to him. You couldn't even hear anything like with a play. He took a chug of his own beer, and said, "What's it like to be in a war?"

"Hm? Oh, you know…" America replied, looking at Australia for confirmation that he did indeed know. When he got no such reassurance, he continued, "It's, hm, it's sort of a whole mess, but if you're strong and courageous, then you fight, and you win, most of the time. Not always, but when you do win, it's the best feeling in the world, because you just proved that you're a nation, you're strong, and no one can push you around."

He patted Australia's shoulder. "You'll understand someday, when you cut the apron strings." Then he grinned, like what he had said was particularly funny.

Australia glared. "I'm not tied to England's apron strings!"

"No, but he still bottle feeds you, doesn't he?" America couldn't help but chuckle at his own joke.

Australia jumped up from his seat, snapping, "You want to go? Let's have a round, right here, right now!"

America only laughed. "Come on, I can't fight you; you're practically a kid. Besides, we're the sane ones; it wouldn't do if we were fighting."

In Australia's honest opinion, America may or may not have been one of the sane ones; but right now, all he knew was, he was one of the ones who made him angry. "I can take you! You're practically a kid too!"

Seeming pensive, America took a long draught of his beer. "No," he said, somewhat thoughtfully, "I really am not a kid." He stood, setting the empty glass on the table. Winking at Australia, he said, "You'll get your chance to fight someone for real; don't be too eager."

Australia hunched up his shoulders in annoyance. He didn't particularly like the way America treated him, but what was he going to do? America refused to fight him. "Yeah, we'll just see."

"We will," America agreed, and he patted Australia on the shoulder. "I wouldn't be too worried about fighting, though. It's not like you're in a volatile region."

Australia sighed, saying, "Are you going to get going or not? Don't you have a ship to catch?"

"That I do! Goodbye, see you, I don't know, next year or sometime!" America startled him by a tight hug, and then swiftly turned on his heel, waving as he left.

"Yeah. Bye!" Australia watched him go, and then sat back down. He probably wouldn't be in any real battles; it felt as though the time of great long campaigns and pitched battles were over to him, even though he knew that England and many other countries were just itching to try their new weapons and take over.

They were too civilized now for anything that would involve him.

They'd heard the news almost instantly, as the world reeled from attack on sanity after attack on sanity. First, the Archduke of Austria- gone.

Then, war declared by various countries. Austria-Hungary had started that, of course, and Russia had reacted protectively towards Serbia, though there was a lot of talk of ulterior motives there.

Germany had declared war on Russia, and then France had mobilized. Germany had declared war on France.

And within days of the whole thing, before even declaring war on France, Luxembourg had already been taken by Germany, and an ultimatum issued to Belgium.

Australia didn't know Belgium well, but he could only assume she was brave. She was a tiny country, but she'd gone and said, "No, thank you."

And Germany invaded.

England had declared war, and with him came all of them. There was no doubt, not even the slightest idea that they should have to declare war separately; they were the empire, and Australia was not inclined to make a spectacle of himself on the world stage at a time like this.

He'd shot at a German ship, detaining that; even as Belgium fell, his was the first shot of the war from the United Kingdom's empire.

It was only days later that Australia declared himself at war with Germany and Austria-Hungary and any of their allies. Maybe he had a stubborn or independent streak, but he was a federation, not a colony, and so had the right to say so.

New Zealand did nothing similar.

Australia got a letter in the mail none too long later. It was short, and to the point.

Dear Australia,

I depart for the battle front tomorrow. I should be back fairly soon, and then we will visit once it's all blown over. Stay safe, and fight from where you are. I couldn't stand it if you were hurt in something like this.

With love,

Canada

Australia felt a surge of disappointment. The dismissive attitude, as though he couldn't bring something important to the table in a battle, was irritating. It was similar to America, and damnit, he could fight if he had to! He'd been battling crocs for years, what was a person in comparison?

But he'd written back, saying politely that he wished him well, and not so politely that he should shoot some German ass.

Only one more ship came through, and Australia dispatched that easily enough.

But he could do more, if he were only given the opportunity! It stank that he was all the way stuck on the other side of the world while Canada and the rest fought for their countries and empires.

New Zealand had wrapped an arm around his shoulder, murmuring something about someday getting their chance, and how fighting England wasn't all that exciting, so how much better could this be?

It didn't soothe Australia, but he waited patiently for his chance to prove himself.

/AN/ I have this planned out, and I thought it would take a lot longer to get the start of WWI sketched out, but then I realized it barely involved the main characters at all. Huh.

History! Mexico and America are somewhat at war at this point. This was because of the Tampico Affair, which happened during the Mexican Revolution, which was ongoing at this point. Before the Tampico Affair, in which US soldiers were threatened and arrested, relations had been okay between the US and Mexico. After that, however, the diplomatic relations deteriorated to the point that the US occupied Veracruz for six months.

Now, the start of WWI is complicated. There were a lot of factors at play, including a lot of alliances and secret treaties that set the world up for a war like that. If it hadn't been the murder of the Archduke Ferdinand, it would have been something else.

Basically, as I understand it, the occasion was used as an opportunity by Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia; this was at a point in time when pretty much every major country had a great confidence in their new, advanced weapons. Hence, they so easily jumped into war.

However, Russia had good relations with Serbia, and saw this as an attack on their interests, so they mobilized. Then Germany had to declare war since Austria-Hungary was their ally.

This was where the Germans got ambitious. Why not take this opportunity to gain a lot of land and finally take out France, they thought? An excuse to go to war and use the superior weaponry was all they needed, since they already had a plan laid out for the exact thing. So they took Luxembourg, and then invaded Belgium, since that was the only way to France, because the French had a good defense along the border with Germany, but not with Belgium.

The USA declared neutrality, as you probably already know. They saw it as Europe's business and not theirs.

However, countries in the United Kingdom's empire were pretty much automatically included in their declaration of war. Even before Australia officially entered the war, they were already acting in the interests of England in taking out German vessels.

The views of the people, Canada vs. Australia and New Zealand, on their participation in the war and what good it was is actually a very interesting topic; however, it will come up later.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I hope to keep this updated about every week or so!