Authors Note:
If any of you have been reading some of my other fics...this is one of the reasons the updates have been so slow. Sorry, I got this thought in my head and couldn't help it! It started out as a whim, then a personal challenge.
Oh, if you see any pairings you like and like the basis of their meetings go ahead and use it. I don't care at all.
( just let me know where it is so I can read it too. ^.~ )
ALL pairings will eventually be in this story. And I do mean all...
Their giggles echoed in the covering darkness.
"Soon, very soon we'll have it all!"
"Of course." Came a second voice, the heavy traces of a Japanese accent playing across the conspirators shared language.
"And you are sure this will work?" A well practiced voice wondered, hinting more than what was actually appropriate for the situation.
"Positive. Now we just have to wait-"
"Watcha doin?" America wondered, flipping on the lights.
Hungary, Japan and France startled, beginning to mill around a bit nervously – as if caught in the middle of something rather embarrassing or at the least troublesome.
"Nothing...we were just-"
"Holy cow is that a giant LCD high definition flat screen no fucking way!" Flying across the conference room America landed with a solid thud against the wall, hugging it lovingly. "Oh baby...why don't you come stay with me for a while?"
"Er..." The three stared, taking a moment to exchange bemused looks.
Japan shrugged, causing the other two to relax.
As America continued to sing the televisions praises the other nations attending the conference flooded in, each divided into their own groups of familiarity – hardly noticing their fellow nations beyond a glance and a nod. There was always a crowd at these conferences – no wonder with some 30 + nations in attendance. With a sly grin France motioned to Hungary, the young woman starting to grin at the sight of him. It was time to put their plan into action.
Of course she might have a few more enemies afterward but hey, this could be argued to be for the greater good of the planet so they should be grateful that their intrepid trio cared so much! Once everyone took their seats and after a moment of prying America ( who was still whispering sweet nothings into the LCD's non-existent ear) Hungary took her place behind the podium – barely able to contain the laughter she was holding back so desperately.
"It looks like we're set." England noted – being the somewhat unofficial organizer of these international conferences. "So what do you have for us Ms. Hungary?"
Elizaveta nodded, green eyes shining deviously. "I have something quite different today. This is a joint collaboration by Japan, France and I to...help...move world...relations...along."
"Really?" Germany wondered aloud. "That's very interesting. Could you tell us more about it?"
"I could, but it would be more expedient to show you." Elizaveta responded, eliciting a quick "YES!" from Alfred.
Motioning to France she invited the nation up, stepping aside to work a panel near the screen.
"Thank you, Ms. Hungary." Francis flashed a flirting smile. "Many of you know how hard the world is to live in today. It seems there is so much anger – and not nearly enough love."
"Oh shut it!" Arthur sighed, his normally patient countenance vanishing ( as it normally did ) whenever France spoke.
"See, my point is proven. Thank you Angleterre. There is not enough love in this world! We must find a way to rectify this so that all nations can learn to live together. And that is why we have come up with this!"
As Elizaveta typed a quick code into the keypad there was a slight click that echoed throughout the room. A few curious glances searched for the sounds source. Austria sighed, getting a worrying feeling in his stomach.
Gilbert laughed. "Did you just lock us in?"
Turning to the sound of his voice the multitude of nations each looked at the doors against which he was leaning with a hint of nervousness, each hoping it was a shameless bluff – or more likely a more normal cry for attention.
"How did you even get in here?" Lovino growled. "We already have one potato bastard we don't need another one!"
Antonio shushed him to no success.
"This is for your own good guys." Hungary reaffirmed as she typed in the second screen, bringing the wall-screen at the front of the room to life. It flashed brightly before taking on a strange shimmering quality, raising a number of 'oh's' and 'ah's' in the crowded room.
"Alright Sheila! Run main program!"
"Affirmative. Initiating Random Generator. This program is designed to randomly select two items from a compiled list to be used in an alternate dimensional simulation. Program will initiate in 10...9...8...7..."
"What the hell is that!" Arthur yelped, jumping out of his seat ( which was far too close to the mechanical abomination for comfort!) and pointing at the countdown display.
"6...5...4..."
Low and ominous laughter began to grow louder. Elizaveta was nearly shaking with each breath as the slow stream of giggles became a full out torrent – echoing off of the walls and carrying over the sound of the counter. France joined her, though a bit more reserved in his joyous expression.
"I already told you." He smirked with a flip of his hair. " – the world needs more love. Love comes through understanding. This machine will give you that."
"But how!" Arthur yelled.
"3...2...1... Initiating."
With a blinding flash the screen began to glow with an otherworldly light. Many nations ducked for cover under the heavy oblong table, convinced that their co-nations had gone crazy and that judgement day was at hand.
Latvia / Latvia
A muffled chorus of confused comments began to circulate in the conference room. Latvia pointed to himself, shaking wildly at the thought that he might be 'the first to go'.
"Wh..me...?"
"Oops!" Elizaveta commented with a nervous smile. "Got it wrong the first time. Let's try this way."
Punching another set of numbers into the computer caused Latvia's name to fade from the screen.
"Understood." Came SHEILA's voice. "I will run secondary random sort method instead."
This time instead of an ominous flash the black screen simply popped out something equally surprising.
Russia / Germany
The two 'chosen' nations eyed each other warily before focusing in on Hungary. Ludwig was the first to speak.
"Um. And what does this machine do again?"
"It helps you understand each other. If you come up here and place your hands on the screen itself I'll show you how it works."
Germany sighed. "Once we're done can we move on with the meeting?"
"Come on. Don't be so shy. You too Russia! Please, come here."
"I'm not going near it." Russia responded, sounding a bit panicked. Which made the nations next to him bit nervous. There was no telling what a 'panicked' Russia might resort to.
But as the nation watched dubiously from his seat as Germany placed his hand – a bit hesitantly – on the screen he felt a wave of embarrassment creep in. Surely if Germany was fine he would be too?
"See? You try." Hungary urged. Ivan finally rose to his feet.
"Da. I try. But it better not be anything unpleasant."
Taking a deep breath as he approached the screen, Ivan only flinched a little bit as his hand touched the screen. Then began to move through it.
"What!" The two nations yelped, jumping back with angry looks on their faces.
Oh Great! France winced, feeling sorry for Elizaveta. Of course those two would be the first ones! "Calm down! No need to get so excited...yet."
The pair glared at him. Francis ignored it. "Just go on through. What is on the other side of that panel is another universe." At this he gave a devious grin. "It won't do you any harm and furthermore, we're all locked in until you do."
If looks could kill the the three would have died on the spot. While most seething expressions were directed at Elizaveta and Francis there were those ( China, England, Korea, America ) who hadn't forgotten the third accomplice who bowed his head and tried to look as innocent as possible.
"You mean until we go through this...AU, we're locked in this room?" Germany clarified.
Hungary fiddled with her apron, a bit nervous. "Yes."
"And if I break it?" Ivan suggested helpfully. Japan shook his head.
"No. That is not really possible...it's just...we knew there would be some bad reactions. So we made it so that it cannot break – even with our considerable strength."
"Pity." Russia whispered, his eyes darkening a bit even as his childish smile grew. "Then I will have no choice but to break something else instead."
"Ah!" France yelped, moving hastily back as Ivan approached. "Don't be hasty! This is supposed to improve international relations – make love not war! Besides, we've tested it already and been on the other side! It is..."
At the sudden recollection an unusually spacey look crossed the Frenchman's face. "It is...wonderful. Please do not turn away without trying it at least once!"
A calming hand on Russia's shoulder prevented him from pursuing the nation any further.
"Look." Germany sighed. "I don't trust this thing either but right now we need those doors unlocked. It's a fire hazard at best and suicide at worst. So let's get this finished, ja?"
Reluctantly Russia lowered the pipe he'd been handling so ominously as he turned back to the screen.
"I suppose you are right, Germany. We will see what this, 'SHEILA' thing does. I can always break France upon our return anyway." He added the last part with a chilling smile.
Both men taking a deep breath, the two placed their hands on the glass – feeling the strange tingling as they were pulled forward, walking into another dimension where anything was fair game.