Fanfic / 1983: Doomsday Stories

On September 26, 1983, a false alarm in a bunker near Moscow quickly led to a two-hour war between the United States/NATO and Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact. This resulted in the deaths of billions of people and atomic fire raining over much of the planet. Those who survived found themselves forced to confront a brave new world. Life had to move on...but for certain Nations, some things are easier said than done.

The 1983: Doomsday Stories, or the "Doomsday-verse" is an Alternate Universe /Alternate History crossover between Hetalia: Axis Powers and 1983: Doomsday, which follows the changing face of the world through the perspective of the Nations themselves, mainly around what was once Central Europe. But instead of dwelling on the destruction or major global players, the stories put more focus on how the Nations go about their lives and cope with their losses After the End, among others. And as time passes, new Nations are born, more realizations are made and Austria finally finds peace with an old love.

In part, it is inspired as well by this kink meme fanfic (definitely Safe For Work), also set in the Doomsday timeline, though following England's death. Said fic can also be found here.

The AU is still ongoing, and currently comprises over 30 stories. So far, most of the stories primarily revolve around Austria, America, Prussia and Hungary, although a few fics focus on the British survivor nations, the Nordics, French survivor nations and others, covering the years from 1983 to 2013 (though one fic takes place further down the line in 2031 and 2067, with another set in 1967).

It can be found in its (current) entirety here. It also has its own Tumblr account here as well.

---

Tropes included here:

• Action Girl: Hungary is very much this, especially as shown in Dreams of Another Time. Not only could she still kick Prussia's ass despite being already dead. But she could also scare the living hell out of him.
• Aesop Amnesia: To a degree and deconstructed. The events of Doomsday demonstrated the horrors of war and nuclear holocaust. Fast forward a few decades and you have Prussia's armed "Polish Adventure..."
• After the End: Many of the fics take place after a nuclear war nearly wipes out humanity in 1983.
• The Alliance: The Atlantic Defense Community, a successor to NATO (and to a degree the "original" Allied Powers), led by the Nordics, Canada and the Celtic Alliance.
• Ambiguous Innocence: Most of the Survivor Nations, including Sopron, can come across as this. Though they too were forced to go through the chaos that followed Doomsday, these new countries for the most part have far less trauma and baggage than the remaining Old World ones.
• And I Must Scream: Implied to be Col. Andrei's fate thanks to Angelic Hungary's involvement.
• Antiquated Linguistics: Used to a degree in the historically themed stories, especially in the Victorian-era fics. Subverted however in that the Nations aren't fully in line with contemporary norms.
• All Just a Dream:
  • What Austria's encounters with Angelic Hungary might look like at first glance, which even he considers. Subverted.
  • Played straight with Prussia's nightmare in Dreams of Another Time. Although Angelic Hungary did visit him there.
• All Hail the Great God Mickey!:
  • There's mention of cults from the Survivor-Nation of New Britain, Albionism and "The Cult of the Once and Future King," both worshiping in one way or anotherj King Arthur and the remnants of The British Royal Family. Which could just as well refer to England himself.
  • Somewhat averted in the case of Hungary, who's not exactly fond of having people worshiping her. On the other hand, the cultures of her children tend to give their heritage an almost sacred reverence.
  • Averted however with the Survivor-Nation of Orleans in that she doesn't want to be treated as a saintly or divine figure. This is partly due to her own piety and her past as Jeanne d'Arc.
• The Atoner:
  • America. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
  • Russia as well. Which is also why he went into hiding.
• Anachronic Order: As with Hetalia, the stories jump between various time periods.
• Animal Motif: Hungary seems to prefer taking on the guise of a Turul in some of the stories. Although some of the characters unfamiliar with the symbolism simply call her a "strange bird."
• Apocalypse How: Class 1, just as in the source timeline.
• Back from the Dead: Angelic Hungary. Though it's also hinted that England and France may become this as well. And likewise, America.
• Balkanize Me: England and (West) Germany left a good deal of Survivor-Nations in their wake.
• Bedmate Reveal: Played with in One Unexpected Day. Prussia suspects that an oddly naked Austria might have had another bitter dream when the latter realizes that there's no one alongside him. Then Angelic Hungary smacks the albino with her frying pan just as he's about to "comfort" him.
• Big Brother Instinct: Features in What Family's For, with a total of three survivor nations coming to the aid of a younger sibling. England would be proud.
• Body Horror: The stories don't shy away in describing how scarred (physically or otherwise) the remaining Nations are from either the bombs or the chaos. (West) Germany and Hungary, meanwhile, before they died were portrayed as burned, torn and warped almost beyond recognition.
• Broad Strokes: Given its treatment of the source material and due to the wiki-style nature of said source, there are some differences in the AU's details, though still keeping with the spirit of it as much as possible. Among the more noticeable ones include:
  • Soviet Chairman Yuri Andropov's death at the very beginning of Doomsday being caused by Russia, although it was covered up by saying that it was a heart attack.
  • The exact times and extent of the nuclear fires.
  • Certain points in the timeline either happening differently or not taking place at all.
  • The Nordics being more active in dealing with Estonia and eventually Prussia.
  • The Celtic Alliance as a looser federation than the original version, with Scotland having virtually actual equal footing with Ireland.
  • A mixture of minor tweaks and changes in the nature of The Alpine Confederation.
  • Poland as being bi-polar and in a sort-of-civil war, compared to the somewhat more clear-cut East and West Poland in the source material.
  • The existence of the Sopron Frontier.
  • Some of the characteristics, personalities and backgrounds of the Survivor-Nations.
  • The existence of personified countries.
• Broken Bird: Both Austria and Prussia are shown at some points as on the very brink of becoming this.
• Brother–Sister Incest: Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which Austria very carefully tolerates, as much as the thought disturbs him. It's also stated in An Unexpected Union that Liechtenstein herself may have first initiated it.
• But What About the Astronauts?: The Salyut 7 Crisis
• Came Back Wrong:
  • Averted. Angelic Hungary makes a conscious effort not to come across as this, especially Her Guarding Arm.
  • Deliberately played straight by her in Dreams of Another Time. Which was meant to teach Prussia a shocking lesson.
• Canon Immigrant: A number of characters from 1983: Doomsday show up. Most notably Jean Burnel.
• Cassandra Truth: An inverted case. Over time, just about everyone who's not Austria is sure that Hungary is Dead All Along, with the Nation himself refusing to give up hope until there's undeniable proof. He got his wish.
• The Constant: While the Nations themselves fill this role (hence why they show up in different time periods), it's shown that they have constants of their own. It also takes on a darker tone when it's revealed that a particularly dear constant in Austria's life is Dead All Along.
• Cozy Catastrophe: Subverted in the case of the Alpines. Neutrality spared most of their land and people from the bombs. This didn't stop the swarms of refugees or the struggle to fight off the chaos surrounded them. Neither did it stop the Soviets from destroying Vienna and attempting to invade Austria via Hungary. Then again, like in the source timeline, they also turn out to be one of the more dominant powers in the wasteland.
• Crapsack World: In the immediate aftermath, just about everyone left alive is struggling to survive. Even further down the line, there are still large parts of the world that are still wasteland.
• Cruel Mercy: Austria tried doing this to Col. Andrei in The Vanishing Shadows by offering him surrender. Subverted in that he got shot in reply...leaving Hungary to take care of the officer.
• Dark Fic: Just about any story or scene set in the 1980s. Especially Hungary's actual death.
• Deliberate Values Dissonance: The historically-set stories bring these up, lampshading how the Nations never seem to fully conform to the social norms of the past.
• Determinator:
  • The remaining "old world" Nations are pretty much this. Hungary herself applies. Even after she died.
  • Many of the Survivor-Nations are also this out of necessity, generally treating their mere existence as an act of defiance against the chaos around them. Examples include Sopron, Partium and Orleans, the latter of which is located near the irradiated ruins of Paris. That Orleans also went by Joan of Arc probably helps.
• Deus ex Machina: Angelic Hungary's direct intervention in the Alpine Expedition's discovery of her own corpse. Although it's justified as a way to save Austria from snapping altogether, and is at least subtle enough that the people involved merely consider it a Contrived Coincidence.
• Deus Sex Machina: Averted. Angelic Hungary didn't have to go all the way to help Austria get over the pain caused by Doomsday. Rather, both of them just missed each other for too long.
• Dirty Communists: Taking them out is how America tries to rationalize his involvement in Doomsday, while Russia himself, through Socialist Siberia is a subversion of sorts.
• The Ditz: Even after dying, America still can't read the atmosphere.
• The Dog Bites Back: Austria and Prussia are mentioned as having done this with a vengeance.
• Downer Beginning: The AU chronologically begins with the Cold War rapidly turning hot in 1983, resulting in Doomsday.
• During the War: At least one fic takes place towards the later stages of Doomsday.
• The '80s: Many of the Dark Fic elements take place during this time, including Doomsday itself.
• End of an Age: A recurring element, especially in Austria's arc.
• Fanservice:
  • The implied sex scenes between Austria and Hungary. The "deleted scene" versions even more so.
  • The fight scene between Prussia and Hungary in Dreams of Another Time, especially once she strips down to her old and revealing formfitting armor. Which is soon averted once Hungary reveals her decayed form similar to her remains in A Wasteland Melody.
  • The "deleted" sex scene between Switzerland and Liechtenstein in An Unexpected Union may also come across as this.
• The Federation: The Alpine Confederation (Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein) serves this role along with True Neutral. Though in practice, it's implied that the siblings are the more dominant pair in the partnership. The Nordic Union (all the Nordics) and Celtic Alliance (originally a pact between Ireland and Scotland) are also implied to be this as well.
• Fighting for a Homeland: How Prussia justifies his "Polish Adventure," which is largely taken from the source material. It doesn't quite go as planned.
• Five Rounds Rapid: Played with in what happens to both Sopron and Austria. Nations could be taken down by regular humans given enough ordinance or certain kinds of bullets in Col. Andrei's case. It's played straight however when it's shown that even that doesn't work against Nations that are already dead like Hungary.
• Foregone Conclusion: A good deal of the stories take on a rather more depressing or bittersweet tone once it becomes clear that Hungary and Germany have been Dead All Along, Doomsday messed up a good chunk of the world and Prussia's still a bit of a prick.
• Futureshadowing: Given the time jumps and Anachronic Order, there are references to future and past events, leading to a number of Call-Back moments and Book Ends.
• I Gave My Word: When Austria makes a promise, he really keeps it, no matter how long it takes. And Hungary likewise does the same even in death.
• Generation Xerox:
  • It's implied, especially by A Wasteland Memorial that Sopron and Partium might become their generation's parallel to Austria and Hungary's relationship.
  • It's also hinted that both Heinrich and Franz, who are in their respective eras Austria's human assistants, belong to the same line that has served him for generations.
• Great Offscreen War: Both Prussia's "Polish Adventure" and the Alpines' squabbles with Sicily/Romano are mentioned though never actually shown in action. On the other hand, the consequences of the former are expounded upon. Doomsday itself averts this, however, given that the opening shots of nuclear war are shown.
• The Greatest Story Never Told:
  • Applied to a degree regarding the Nations' activities, though a more significant example is Austria and Hungary's relationship. Thanks to Switzerland destroying much of the incriminating evidence, many unofficial and personal details regarding the couple's affair now exist only in Austria's head and a handful of Nations.
  • The Expeditionary Report is one. As while the human explorers' exploits would be saved for posterity, one detail would be left out. The discovery of Hungary's remains.
• Gratuitous Foreign Language: Expect a good deal of (largely translated) bits of foreign languages, namely:
  • Gratuitous German, though Switzerland and Liechtenstein tend towards Swiss German.
  • Gratuitous Hungarian, used mainly by Sopron, Partium and Hungary herself.
  • Gratuitous Polish also shows up in the case of Poland.
  • Gratuitous Quebecois French, courtesy of Canada.
• Historical Domain Character:
  • There's a passing mention of "President Reagan" leaving the DC area in America's story, as well as a reference to Otto von Habsburg in Hungary's.
  • Yuri Andropov, who was General Secretary of the USSR in 1983 also makes an appearance in Russia's arc. He died by heart attack though Russia killed him upon learning the truth about Doomsday.
  • St. Joan of Arc still casts a shadow over what came to be the Survivor-Nation of Orleans. Especially since she is Orleans.
• History Repeats: A recurring motif of sorts. While a new chapter of human history had begun from Doomsday, life goes on, and so does the legacy of the past, including its mistakes.
• Hope Spot: A few.
  • America muses just before his death that his legacy and the Dream would live on in one way or another among the survivors. It's implied that, like in the source material, they do, eventually except he's not around to see it.
  • Russia suspects that not even the near-extinction of humanity would wipe out Communism. He's right but unlike America, he survives but goes into hiding.
  • Austria eventually learns that Hungary is finally found after so long. And she's been Dead All Along.
• Humanoid Abomination: If The Expeditionary Report is anything to go by, this is how the human protagonist views "Herr Edelstein's kind." Hungary can comes across as this in the same story.
• I Did What I Had to Do: How the Alpines justify closing down the borders and forcing out refugees in An Unexpected Union, which was taken from the source material. While they're not proud of it, it had to be done just to survive. Switzerland meanwhile is revealed in the "RE:" version of An Alpine Dawn to have had a good deal of Austria's private past purged using this justification.
• In Spite of a Nail: Like in 1983: Doomsday, some events similar to those that happen in real life either still occur or take place under different circumstances.
• Ineffectual Sympathetic Villain: Austria, Hungary and Prussia, who in real life tended to be lumped at the wrong side of history.
• I Will Find You: Austria and Hungary, though it goes as well as you'd expect. Subverted later on, however.
• I Will Wait for You: Austria never broke the promise he made to Hungary before the bombs fell. And as it turns out, neither did she. The same could be said for Prussia and Germany.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Switzerland and Prussia, in various ways.
• Just Before the End: The Last Minutes to Midnight, as well as the Americentric An American Twilight are all about this, showing a snapshot of what the world looked like just before everything went to hell in 1983. It culminates in Austria helplessly watching Doomsday unfold before his very eyes.
• Knight of Cerebus: When you combine Hetalia with nuclear war in The '80s, it's bound to happen. But as time passes however, parts of the world do become Lighter and Softer as the immediate fallout of Doomsday slowly fades away.
• Kick The Son Of A Bitch: Subverted. Many of the surviving "old world" Nations clearly wish to have their revenge on the USA and Russia for pretty much nuking the world. Then you get to see things from America's eyes...
• Lighter and Softer: The Christmas Episode, which focuses on Sopron and Austria, is the most blatant, considering the bleak or at least bittersweet tone of the AU. The more recent Halloween fic is also this with a dash of Genre Shift.
• A Lighter Shade of Gray:
  • The Alpines in general are this. Though they are a largely benevolent beacon of civilization in Central Europe, they're also rather self-serving and not all that altruistic. And that's not counting forcing out refugees at gunpoint just because there wasn't enough food.
  • The Nations in general are this in various ways. Just as in Hetalia and Real Life, they're portrayed as all good-at-heart and none of them are completely evil (even the more antagonistic ones). Although it's also mentioned that they're not saints either, considering the "regrettable things" they've done.
• The Lost Lenore:
  • Hungary is revealed to be this for Austria. And the reverse is also true for her in a way.
  • In a sibling sense, Germany fits this role for Prussia.
• The Mafia: They pretty much run Sicily/South Italy, who's at odds with both the Alpines and the Survivor-Nations of what was once his brother's land.
• Missing Mom: Subverted. Death hasn't stopped Angelic Hungary from visiting and looking after her daughter.
• Mood Whiplash:
  • Bordering on Hetalia's Genre-Busting, with stories ranging from light-hearted fluff to bittersweet tales, Historical Fiction elements, action and even horror. Given the perspective flips and time jumps, this was inevitable.
  • The Vanishing Shadows in particular winds up becoming a Lovecraftian tale. With Hungary being the Eldritch figure.
• Mummies at the Dinner Table: Hinted at in A Symphony for a New World, which has Austria playing his piano alongside a crate. That happens to contain Hungary's corpse.
• My Greatest Second Chance: Austria and even Prussia get that after having lost Hungary and their respective Empires.
• Mysterious Watcher: Hungary becomes this for a while after her death. But not for long. This is also revealed to be the fate of quite a number of dead Nations.
• Nebulous Criminal Conspiracy: Apparently, there's a secretive group of humans who're after the Nations. And even succeed in kidnapping Sopron.
• Never Found the Body: How Austria tried convincing himself in the chronologically earlier stories that Hungary was still alive somewhere. Subverted when his men actually find her corpse in A Wasteland Melody. Prussia himself has a similar experience with (West) Germany.
• Never Got to Say Goodbye: Austria, upon finally forcing himself to admit that Hungary has been Dead All Along for over 20 years.
• No Sense of Direction: Austria, especially in The Last Minutes to Midnight, where he had trouble finding a flower shop despite having the address. The time lost in that, however, would come to haunt him.
• Noodle Incident:
  • There are a number of references to events from the source timeline that are mentioned. One of the more common ones are to Prussia's "Polish Adventure," involving the "reconquest" of Pomerania and the subsequent asskicking from the Poles.
  • The Benjamin Franklin Expeditions, which helped reconnect the world in the source material, also show up in passing in Her Guarding Arm.
• Nostalgia Filter: Subverted, if not outright averted. The Nations remember both the best and worst of times, at once cherishing and regretting them. The flashbacks serve to drive home that point. It's in part because of this that Austria insists that Sopron (and to an extent, the Survivor-Nations in general) become better than any of them ever were.
• Nostalgia Heaven: Implied to be where dead Nations end up if Hungary's any indication.
• Not Quite the Right Thing: In order to survive the initial years following Doomsday, the Alpine Nations decide to close down their borders for the sake of security. This also meant leaving swarms of refugees to either die or be killed on sight. Even Switzerland wonders whether it was ultimately such a good idea in the first place.
• Not Too Dead to Save the Day: Quite a few dead Nations come into the picture over time.
• Nothing Is the Same Anymore: The events of Doomsday left many lasting scars, to say the least.
• Official Couple: Like in Hetalia, Austria and Hungary. Although their relationship is even further expounded upon, showing how they remain together despite all the grievances and misgivings of the past.
• Once Done, Never Forgotten:
  • Invoked, especially with how Russia and America are remembered, being the instigators of Doomsday.
  • This can also apply to Austria and Prussia as well, with their obsessions for finding Hungary and (West) Germany respectively.
• Only Sane Man: Switzerland and Austria try to be this, although Liechtenstein seems to actually live up to it.
• Original Character: The "Survivor-Nations" that emerged from the wastes, such as Partium, Tuscany, New Britain, Cleveland, Rheged and North Germany. Sopron, while mentioned in passing in the source timeline, is portrayed as a Nation (sort of) in her own right as Austria and Hungary's daughter.
• Passing the Torch: (West) Germany had done this to North Germany, as Prussia painfully learned. Further down the line, Austria does the same for Sopron.
• Physical Scars, Psychological Scars: Many of the surviving Old World Nations are revealed to have these, caused by either Doomsday or the chaos that came after.
• P.O.V. Sequel: A few of the stories revolving around Austria, Sopron and Hungary's arcs revolve around the same events from their perspectives.
• Posthumous Character: Germany, America and Hungary.
• Prequel in the Lost Age: A Forgotten Anniversary, which takes place in The '60s (specifically the 100th anniversary of the Augsleich in 1967). It's distant enough from Doomsday to stand alone but nonetheless contains some foreshadowing to what's about to happen. A number of other fics also take place at some point in the historical past, the most far back taking place in 1867.
• Proper Lady: Liechtenstein. Her pure, innocent and mature facade remains intact after Doomsday. But partly out of necessity and her eventual position as the heart of the Alpine Confederation, she also turns out physically older in the later-era stories. Her relationship with Switzerland meanwhile, at least in Austria's eyes, is anything but.
• Purple Prose: Deliberately invoked to a degree in the 19th Century flashbacks alongside Antiquated Linguistics. Austria in general though retains some elements of this well into the "present."
• Ragnarök Proofing: Varies, depending on the time period and setting. Though even relatively unharmed places show signs of neglect and decay.
• Reconstruction: While tone of the AU becomes progressively more hopeful and brighter further down the line (though not without its less pleasant sides) as the dark chaos of Doomsday fades away.
• Resurrected Romance: Hungary chose to come back for Austria, though knowing fully well that their relationship would never be the same.
• Revision: The Doomsday RE: fics.
• Room Full of Crazy: Austria's piano room in Sopron to a degree, which highlights his borderline obsession over finding Hungary.
• Sanity Slippage: Doomsday wasn't exactly merciful to Poland (having developed a split personality) and Sicily/South Italy (who hasn't taken his brother's death all too well). While One Unexpected Day initially give the impression that Austria may have finally lost it. Thankfully, he didn't.
• Scavenger World: Much of The '80s is portrayed as this, which is especially evident in Sopron and the British survivor-nations' arcs. It's also mentioned as the case for at least some of the Survivor-Nations even in the present.
• Sexy Discretion Shot:
  • While it's not explicitly shown, Austria and Hungary really missed each other. Twice.
  • Switzerland and Liechtenstein also have their own in An Unexpected Union, though whether it's a case of Not Blood Siblings or Brother–Sister Incest is left to the reader.
• Sex for Solace: Arguably played with in the case of Austria, who vents decades of repressed emotions through passionate, if somewhat desperate lovemaking in A Symphony for a New World as he tries to cope with Hungary's death. Coincidentally, the lady he goes to bed with also happens to be her.
• Shout-Out: To Hetalia. Among others:
  • Russia's "treatment" to Yuri Andropov mirrors what he's implied to have done with Josef Stalin in the manga.
  • Likewise, the backstory behind Russia's scarf. Although it implies that Ukraine died from Doomsday.
  • Austria's fashion sense, lousy navigation skills and references to Emperor Franz Joseph.
  • Prussia comparing his current monarchs to Frederick the Great.
  • The Survivor-Nation of New Britain implied to be Fem England.
  • Shall I sweep you off your feet?
  • The more recent Halloween fic being partly inspired by Hetalia Hetaween 2013‎.
  • Canada being one of the few Nations who could call out America.
• Someone to Remember Him By: Sopron is very much this for Austria. Though considering who the mother is...
• Sins of Our Fathers:
  • At least a handful of Survivor-Nations tend to resent their "parents" and predecessors, since they're the ones living through the mess they created.
  • Japan in particular hasn't forgiven America for his "betrayal" in Doomsday. While the Alpines and Prussia deeply resent both him and Russia for nearly destroying the world.
• Stepford Smiler: Quite a number of Nations hide their pain (physical or otherwise), some much better than others.
• There Are No Therapists: Averted. Switzerland even tries to suggest one for Austria.
• Time Abyss: This is hinted at to a degree by the 2000s-era stories, which Austria is trying to avoid. Though it's also stated that he had largely forgotten how Hungary sounded when she sang after all those years.
• Title Drop:
  • Her Guarding Arm is not only a reference to Hungary's national anthem, but also Angelic Hungary's fate and role to Austria and Sopron at the end of the story.
  • The Vanishing Shadows is the working title Jean Burnel uses for his novel.
• Took a Level in Badass: Austria gets this along with Prussia.
• Translation Convention: Most of the time, the Nations (except for the British Survivor-Nations) aren't really speaking English, which is hinted at through occassional Poirot Speak.
• Vestigial Empire: Despite being a core member of the Alpine Confederation, Austria still misses his old Imperial days (among others). Justified in a sense given that as in the source timeline, Switzerland (and to an extent Liechtenstein) holds greater influence having been completely untouched by the bombs. The same could be said of Prussia as well.
• What the Hell, Hero?: Switzerland calls out Austria in the early '90s for still clinging to lost glories and not waking up to the reality around them. Austria himself finds out for himself several years later.
• Who Wants to Live Forever?:
  • Austria is inferred to have succumbed to this. He may have survived the bombs, but the nuclear death of Vienna and the eventual passing on of the pre-Doomsday generation as well as confirmation on Hungary's death left him with a bad case of grief and survivor guilt lasting decades. Granted, he does get better eventually.
  • Russia also gets this, in part due to his direct involvement in Doomsday as well as his guilt over losing Ukraine.
• World Half Full: By the 1990s and especially the early 21st Century, life is returning to something resembling normal. Humanity is rebuilding and starting anew. Still, many parts of the world are still in ruins, much remains to be done and not everyone's happy.

---