«Ground Level: Missing»

It was just another day for a world meeting, as it always was on a Friday morning. Each country, out of the powerful eight (except one country present at the time), represented their share of problems back home and asked their fellow colleagues for a solution. That was always how things go for about two hours every weekday, except holidays.

"Okay, today's agenda: how to solve today's current issues throughout the world," Germany began. Representing one of the world's advanced economies, as well as within Continental Europe, his leadership is highly respected…although nowadays he has own set of problems at home.

"But there's far too many to discuss," America complained, apparently late as he passed through the entrance with one hand carrying a paper bag, "don't you think we should just discuss on just one for today?" He proceeded to sit between France and Russia, who watched with a blank expression as America took out the usual hamburger-soda meal from the bag before putting his legs upon the table and leaning back on his seat.

"He's right," France agreed, frowning at this act. He shrugged his shoulders to focus his attention back. "I'm already having a hard time with my boss at home," he explained. "At least we should discuss on how everyone else are doing in Europe, before we could think of something that would benefit everyone. If Europe suffers in the long run, so will be America and Japan, along with Russia and China, too. Their economy isn't far from advanced like ours, but it won't be long now."

"Not only that, both Spain and I will suffer," Italy added with concern. "It's been pretty crazy just attending my people arguing about taxes and unemployment. But again, Romano has to deal with Mafia back home, too..."

"But even if that happens, I don't think there will ever be a way to fix that, Italy," England added. "Not unless all 28 countries agree, it will be impossible. And I bet my own boss is having second thoughts on leaving the group."

Germany sighed in defeat. "Fine, we'll discuss Europe for today," he replied. Then without any interruption, all the countries present on that meeting listened to each other.

Halfway through, Italy noticed something was wrong.

"Uh, sorry to interrupt, Germany," he began, as soon as he was called. "But haven't you noticed someone was missing this whole time?" To prove his point, Italy pointed at an empty seat between England and China.

"I don't think so," Germany replied, putting down his small piles of notes in front of him.

"Why?"

"Well, it's just that…Japan's really running late today. I haven't seen him since this meeting started. And for someone who usually shows up before the time, don't you think that's just strange?"

The whole room became silent. Everyone turned to glance at Japan's empty seat, as if he was actually there.

"Well, don't you three live together under the same roof?" France asked, eyeing both Italy and Germany. "When was the last time you both saw him?"

"We haven't seen him since last night," Germany explained. "Actually, it was after dinner that we last saw him."

"He said something about playing this role-playing game," Italy continued. "I didn't really understand it and I wasn't listening to him."

"Role-playing game?" America sat up from his seat. Until now, he had fallen asleep. "What is it called?"

"Sword Art Online," Germany responded. "And I remember seeing him carrying a box about the size of someone's head. I just assumed it's just a helmet for the game and the console itself."

"I think I know what it looks like," China spoke for the first time. Then he stood up and gently placed a small box on the table. The box was already opened, which contained a helmet that would fit a fully-grown human's head.

"Is this it?" he asked.

"Yeah, that's the one," Italy answered, pointing at it. "It's a little different from what Japan had, but it's still the same."

China slipped the helmet on, which fit him snugly. "I have a good feeling about what this game is," he muttered. "And you decide on what I'm about to tell you, whether this is good or bad."

"Tell us," France queried. "We all need a break from all this world issues anyway."

"Whatever this Sword Art Online Kiku is playing," China slowly explained, as his hands moved around the headgear and his fingers twirled around the wires, "it will give the player the ultimate experience in role-playing games. Beyond the game controllers most children are still used to, but definitely beyond using a keyboard and mouse. It's not where someone watches their player go around town or battle evil creatures, but more like the players are playing in that world itself. You will be your own character, including the five senses we're all accustomed to. Even if it's a virtual world, it's no different than living in the real world. When a creature scratches you, you will feel it. If it's RPG, then it will either include other players or on your own; I'm sure America knows enough about this."

"Of course, I do," America agreed, grinning. "It's basically a first-person game, via inside a virtual world. I know most games like these will have a multiplayer setting." Then he paused and widened his eyes at China. "So what you're telling us, that Sword Art Online has a multiplayer system?"

"We won't know until we get a copy of the game," Germany said, standing up. "When was it released?"

"From what I've heard from Japan two days ago," China replied, "there was a beta on it a month before that, but its full release wasn't until a week ago. If Japan only got the game yesterday, he's already in trouble."

"Why?" all five countries asked.

"On the same day the game was released, it turns out about less than 200-250 people already died. Apparently from the game's console called the NerveGear. It would send shock waves through the brain, if you try to remove it by force. And the only way to remove it safely is to beat the game."

"That should be nothing to me," America hushed in excitement as he stood up. "How levels do I have to beat?"

"Rumour states that you need to beat all 100 levels, including the final boss. Each boss is harder than the last, sometimes almost impossible to beat in a non-virtual world. If you die, you die in real life."

America sat back, disappointed. "I don't think I can do that alone," he replied, "but that doesn't mean I won't stop myself from rescuing Japan."

"We're all thinking the same thing, idiot," England agreed. "And besides, we've been in a similar situation before…"

Silence once more.

"So does the game support all six languages, China?" Germany asked, switching to another subject. "Most of us here understand English, but it'll be more comfortable for us if we can read our own native language.

"It depends on what language you set the NerveGear on," China explained. He took off his helmet and held it up. "Since the game and gear all came from Japan, it could either come with English or Japanese, but you need to ask if it supports German. I'm sure there are settings for that."

"And you don't need to fuss over on the language barrier in these kinds of games either," America added. "If you set it up in German, only you can read the location, items, and dialogue in that language. So Arthur's settings and mine will be in English. As for communication between players however, the system translates it to the preferred language of another player. If I send Russia a message within the game, he will get it in Russian. And if he replies back, I'll get the reply in English."

"How about killing another player?" Russia finally spoke for the first time. He had been silent and hasn't said a word since the meeting began.

"It's the same as committing murder in real life," China simply replied, shuddering a little. "Again, if you kill a player there, you kill him off on the other world. If the other players see you, they will know you're a player killer."

"How can you tell?" Italy asked.

"Red means enemy, yellow means someone who breaks the game's rules, and green is merely a player who also follows the rules. Simple as that. But of course, there could be more colour cursors once we're in the game."

"So I guess we hold off the meeting for now and get Japan out of there then?" France added alongside Italy.

"Well, by now, he's already levelled up after days in there. But if he's not, then we might catch up."

"Okay, let's go rescue Japan!" America yelled.

"So how was it that you know so much about RPG games, China?" England asked, as everyone stood up to leave.

"Well, if you have nothing to do, just do what most kids do nowadays…" China replied, shrugging. "If you feel like they're not motivated enough to study, then they'll be in front of a monitor."

And with that, all seven nations rushed out, leaving a certain "eighth" country behind.

Without a word, he also stood up followed the others, his mind the same objective as theirs.

"Similar situation" = referring to RomaHeta. I believe there's a fanfiction based on this, so my suggestion would be to read it. But if not, then search it via YouTube.