From the Ashes (fanfic)
"When tensions finally break, every nation falls under the shadow of destruction. Is it even possible to rebuild that which seems beyond repair?"
From the Ashes is a Axis Powers Hetalia fanfiction by Streamingwords.
Many nations are left dead or badly wounded after nuclear war finally breaks out. The survivors gather together at Geneva to regroup and begin rebuilding. A distress call from the thought-to-be-dead China, however, prompts America to volunteer a rescue mission despite such a thing still being considered a suicide mission considering the condition of the rest of the world. Not helped is that the war has left America blind, and the only people willing to go with him are Canada, still injured himself, and England, with whom issues still simmer.
Comes recommended on the Recommendations page.
- An Arm and a Leg: China loses part of his right arm and leg because of the nuclear war.
- Badass in Distress: Pretty much everyone is ready to kick ass after being in distress. In one instance, England gets captured, tied to a post and nearly executed by firing squad. The moment one of his legs is free during the rescue, he kicks a soldier in the gut.
- Being Good Sucks: Everyone is of this opinion with regards to America bringing Russia in to face tribunal instead of just abandoning him in Moscow, including America himself.
Canada: I still don't get why the hell you decided to bring him. Are you trying to make me as miserable as possible?
America: Aw, come on. The one time that I decide to do the proper, diplomatic thing, rather than my typical blow-him-up deal, you guys do nothing but complain about it.
England: There's diplomacy and then there's insanity.
America: Are you saying that I didn't do the right thing, Arthur?
England: Not at all. You did the right thing, America. I just wish that you hadn't saved that momentous occasion up for this instance.
- Big Damn Heroes
- Blind Mistake: There's a bit where America accidentally bumps into a woman, apologizes, and then realizes it was a mannequin.
- Blood Knight: Russia had been hoping America would become this so they could go around killing together, but America eventually mellowed out. He still has shades of it, though; when everyone is breaking out of an enemy camp, America's shot and injured but, to England's annoyance, he's still enjoying himself.
- Boom! Headshot!: How Russia picks off enemies.
- The Cavalry: Japan armed with a helicopter serves as this when the main group is nearly killed in the climax.
- Conscience Makes You Go Back: When America runs across Russia in a bombed out Moscow, he tells him off and walks away...and thirty seconds later shows up again, yells some more and drags him along.
- Cut His Heart Out with a Spoon:
England: I'll be taking my bath first. If you consider protesting, I swear that I will de-brain you with this spoon.
- Dude in Distress: Besides China needing a rescue that takes several months to accomplish, England manages to be the only person to fall into a lake through the ice, get captured by Russian soldiers twice and be specially pulled aside to be executed via firing squad.
- Dressing as the Enemy: During the second time part of the group was captured by Russian soldiers, America infiltrates this way, though the uniform is noted as not quite fitting right.
- God Test: Averted when the characters need to prove they're nations to a Russian commander. They show him that they have a Healing Factor before trying to explain anything, aware that this trope is going to come up anyway.
- Gondor Calls for Aid: The group uses the radio China has to call for backup, even taking it with them after they leave to continue calling. Japan later turns up as The Cavalry.
- Love Epiphany: America has one when he realizes he likes England on the first night of the rescue mission. Then he accidentally stay up all night pondering it.
- Made of Explodium: For a distraction during an escape, Canada rolls a barrel of gasoline at some approaching mooks and shoots it. He's rewarded with a massive fireball for his effort.
- Moment Killer: England and America are having a moment after working on some of there issues. Then Canada shows up, 'interrupting the moment with all the gentleness of a bull in a china shop.'
- No Social Skills: Russia needs it explained to him that no, most countries will not be thrilled to see him after he nuked Europe and that having an entire room dedicated to American culture could in fact be considered creepy.
- Nuke'Em: How this all started.
- Open Says Me: When trying to get into a cabin, England realizes it's locked and says they'll need to find another place to stay since they don't have the key. America responds by kicking the door in.
- Playing Possum: Used by America twice.
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: In the group volunteering for the Suicide Mission, there's America who's mostly blind, Canada who can't walk, and England who's crazy enough to go with them anyway. Later they add Russia, who's severally shrunk. And also crazy.
- Really Seven Hundred Years Old: Discussed when England informs America that he and Russia are five and seven thousand years old respectively, to America's shock (Canada, who's not completely oblivious, is embarrassed that this is practically a reveal to his brother).
- Separated by a Common Language: Played with.
England: Budge up, you stupid Yankee!
America: Do what to myself?
England: Move over!
- Shoo Out the Clowns: When several other nations confront America about his blindness and the fact he was covering it up, the Italian brothers are noticeably absent.
- Suicide Mission: Rescuing China is considered this, so much so that they weren't planning on sending anyone but America volunteered. Even he admits they agreed not because they think he can do it, but because it gets him out of their hair.
- Tempting Fate: Lampshaded when Canada says "I'm sure that it won't be that dangerous" and then immediately feels that he will be proven wrong.
- Token Evil Teammate: Russia.
- World War III: They don't call it that, but it otherwise fits.