Prologue

"Japan, keep the rudder steady!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Italy, stop crying and start throwing things overboard!"

"Y-y-yes, Germany!"

A bolt of lightning cracked the sky, then the flaming mast illuminated the small boat.

"Germany!" Italy shrieked, stopping dead with a box of tomatoes in his hands. "It's on fire! The mast is on fire!"

"I know!" Germany shouted, glancing over his shoulder.

"Hopefully the rain will put out the flames!" Japan yelled. He had to raise his voice over the roaring ocean and the pounding rain. Rolls of thunder punctuated the constant noise of the elements, and the conundrum was topped with the sound of the mast crackling and hissing.

"ITALY! MOVE!"

Germany abandoned the wheel to hurl himself at Italy, pushing the smaller man to the ground. The mast fell inches from them. Germany could feel its heat on his face.

"Are you all right?"

Italy's brown eyes were wide and panicky, but he was unhurt. "I-I'm fine."

"The helm!" Japan's voice, usually quiet and calm, was tight with terror.

Germany left Italy lying on the deck and crossed the ship in three strides. The wheel was spinning wildly. Germany grabbed it with both hands, struggling to regain control of the boat.

Suddenly rocks rose up out of the waves, lined up haphazardly like a sadistic sea serpent. Salty spray drenched the small vessel, extinguishing the fire.

"We're coming up on an island!" Germany yelled. Suddenly the wheel broke off in his hands with a loud crack. "Schiesse! Japan, the rudder!"

"Hai!" Japan gripped the rudder so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Germany's hollered instructions did not last very long, for the rudder smashed against a rock.

"We've lost the rudder!" Japan called, leaning over the side of the boat to see the splintered piece of wood bobbing away.

Germany cursed. "We're almost—" Then a shadow fell over him, and he turned around, blue eyes wide. "Everyone HIT THE DECK!"