Forbidden And Forsaken

7

Germany managed to escape talking to any political leader for two more days before his hand was forced.

"Do you guys need help putting your suits on? What's taking you so damn long?" Germany banged on the bathroom door.

All of them had been summoned to an official meeting first with his chancellor and president and later they had to testify in front of parliament. Germany was not pleased with the situation and the others even less.

"Just trying to delay my witch trial!" Third sounded from the other side. Germany snorted.

"The longer you delay it, the worse your punishment."

Third groaned and banged his head against the door before coming out. While he wasn't a fan of more modern suits, he wasn't going to complain.

Prussia, on the other hand, oh boy.

"This is fucking stupid!" He shouted, throwing his tie on the ground.

"For the love of god, just put it on!" Empire shouted back, exasperated.

"This is stupid," he muttered.

"We heard you the first fifty times," Empire huffed.

With much difficulty, they were able to get Prussia into his modern suit, with much grumbling about how older uniforms were superior.

Germany quickly led them through the streets to the Reichstag. Thankfully no one paid the strange group any mind.

His chancellor was standing outside the building, tapping his watch while staring them down as they walked up the steps. Germany gave a nervous smile.

Germany opened his mouth to speak, but his chancellor beat him to it. "Let's wait until we're inside."

They dutifully followed him through the halls, silent. They shuffled into a conference room where his president was waiting. The door was locked behind them.

"Republic of Germany, explain," his chancellor said coldly.

Germany bit his lip, remembering the explanation he had rehearsed. One wrong word and the men beside him would be sent back to hell.

"According to UN, they appeared out of thin air. There were no glitches on the security cameras, they just appeared in New York City," he explained, trying to keep calm.

His president raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"

Germany nodded, chewing on his lip. He glanced over, seeing that Third wanted to speak. He had told all of them beforehand to let him so all the talking.

"We voted together on what to do with them, and well, majority won out," Germany continued. "Everything I know is what you know."

His chancellor turned towards Third, jabbing his finger at him. "Why should we let you live?"

Third seemed startled for a moment before grinning. "I have much to offer."

Weimar shot his brother a dirty look. "What he means to say is, what would the public think of you executing a nation? Even if it is this bastard, it would still sow distrust in your government. Especially if it happens under the table and without trial."

He sat back, pondering the response for a moment. The president spoke up.

"Who said it would happen without a trial?"

Weimar glanced nervously at Third, then Germany. Germany didn't have an answer. He hadn't rehearsed this!

"Would you put us all on trial?" Empire spoke up. "I do not see what I or Prussia would be tried for."

"We aren't concerned with putting you on trial yet." His chancellor said, eyes never looking away from Third.

"Talk about favoritism," Third said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"You are the only one here who was never brought to justice," the president glared at him.

"Is a life sentence still carried out after you come back from death?" Third grinned. "I am born again, a blank slate, free of past sins."

"I'd like to see you argue that in court," his chancellor smiled back. Third's grin wavered slightly.

"How would the public even react to the knowledge of them being resurrected? As far as I know, no other government has let anything slip," Germany asked.

"Good point," his president muttered, looking at the chancellor.

"Are you suggesting we hide this information from the public?" His chancellor said angerly.

"I'm not saying anything," Germany replied cooly. "I think we should just consider all courses of action and their consequences."

Weimar spoke up again. "Letting this information go public would put us in the public eye, no? You know how Third is, do you really want him to have the opportunity to sway opinion in his favor?"

Third grimaced but said nothing. Now was not the time to fight his brother.

"How do you plan to keep them out of the public eye?" His president spoke after a few moments of heavy silence.

"Most people don't recognize my human form and few if any pictures were taken of Third, Weimar, and Empire in theirs. But for extra safety measures we could move cities. I could telework like during covid," Germany spoke quickly, afraid they would interrupt.

They nodded along, however, seeming to consider his proposition.

"Would people recognize even my nation form?" Prussia spoke for the first time.

"I think if you were missing the eyepatch, they just might, which is just another layer of added security," Germany replied.

"What city would you move to?" His president interrupted. "It would have to be big enough for no one to question a group of newcomers, but not something most people would expect if they were looking for a nation."

"Köln is decently sized," Germany tilted his head, thinking. "Düssledorf could also work, although it is smaller."

"And what happens if other nations decide to release information on their resurrected states?"

"Well, we could just say we didn't get any. Most countries didn't."

"And if the public finds out you lied?"

"I'll take full blame and responsibility," Germany stated.

His chancellor leaned back, taking a moment to think. Germany held his breath.

"Can you guarantee that they won't break any laws or put themselves in the public eye? That also includes them not being in any social media posts or voting," he finally spoke.

Germany nodded enthusiastically. "Yes sir!"

His chancellor and president looked at eachother, smirking. "Now convince parliament."

Germany's smile dropped.