.:Chapter One:.

| : | The Invitation| : |

"Ready, bros? You ready?"

A hand hesitantly wavered over a lever.

"Yes, Mr. America. We are ready."

"Are you sure, Japan? All the wires plugged in, y'know, circuts up to date? Drivers updated?"

"Quit with that technical babble, you idiot, we're ready."

"No, no, Eyebrows, you don't understand, like I don't want all of the power in Washington to go out and then Mr. Pres comes up all 'angry noises and healthcare', are we ready?"

A second hand slapped away the first as it's owner cried, "Just pull the damn lever!"

Click!

A series of machines became audibly animated. They hummed in a chorus and a monitor flickered to life; three words flashed in a fancy scrawl across the screen:

World of Salem

"... What exactly was the purpose of that line break?"

"What exactly are you talking about, dude?"

"I believe it is for dramatic effect, Mr. England."

"Dramatic effect? It's a bloody line!"

"Bro, what are you guys talking about? What line?"

"Nothing, it's adult talk. The game's loaded, but I think we're going to need some more players."

"You are correct… America-san, is it alright if we invite more nations to your house to play?"

"Uhh, yeah, sure! Whatevs. I'll text everyone on my contact list now!"

"No, no, let me do it. Otherwise no one's going to show up…"

"Please ask Mr. France."

"Fine. Sent."

The curtains on America's windows were drawn back, allowing sunlight to cast warm hues across the living room. A flatscreen was connected to an odd-looking console, where many helmet-like goggles were strewn about a pile of controllers.

England and Japan scooted a pair of tables into place behind a ring of sofas that faced the television. America hauled a computer tower under each arm, sneering towards the others at his blatant display of strength as he mounted them atop the tables.

Chairs were settled in front of the television; fifteen.

"Anything else we forgetting?" America dusted off his palms and planted his fists on his hips.

"Are we forgetting anything else, you uncultured swine." England stiffly folded his arms.

Japan didn't look up from where he was connecting the pair of computers America had carried. "Just the players. When will they be arriving, Mr. America?"

At that moment, the front door slammed open.

"Hej, guys! Guess who's here!"

Japan and England exchanged a glance.

America trot out of the living room with a mutter of, "Nordics, man."

A beat passed. "Hej, guys! Guess who's lost in this house!"

"W-Well, I guess that's what you get for not knocking!"

"Finland is right. You're so annoying."

"Well, excuuuusse me, Princess! Which one of these three hallways do you think we should take?"

"This one!" America's voice assured the island nations that the Scandinavians had been located. America reappeared with all five in tow just a moment later.

"Wow! Your house is really big, Mr. America!" Finland clasped his hands together, his eyes sparkling in awe. "Will we really get to play here on such a big TV?"

"A Panasonic GT60 Series." Sweden grunted, vaguely nodding in the direction of America's TV.

"Uhh, hell yeah!" America beamed. "Only the best for gaming! Sixty-five inch plasma all the way!"

"You losers know way too much about technology." Prussia emerged from America's bathroom, eating a granola bar.

The population of the living room simply gawked at the albino.

"... How did you get into my-"

"Prussia!" Hungary, followed [too closely] by Austria, stepped into America's living room. "Wir haben gesagt, warten Sie!"

"Please do not speak in German," Japan lifted his palms anxiously, "This is an English fanfiction."

Any confused noises were drowned under the loud rapping of a fist on the door. England stood up. "I'll get it this time."

It was a matter of heartbeats before Germany and the Italy brothers, accompanied by France, were settled on the sofas with the other nations.

"Who are we waiting on?" Iceland held shut the beak of his puffin. "Can't we start already?"

America glanced at his phone screen. "We still have ten minutes. I think there's some more Easterners coming?"

Five minutes consisting of chatting (and a bit of arguing) passed.

The doorbell rang.

"I have a doorbell?"

America lead the Asian nations and a rather groggy Russia into the living room. "Wow. You look terrible, Russia!"

Russia glowered and scrubbed at his eyes. "You must consider that I had to awaken at one in the morning to answer stupid text."

"Save your sob story for later, big guy. This'll be totally awesome and worth it. Who else, England?"

England scrubbed at his chin. "Ahh-"

The slow, long blast of a rifle was followed by the heavy metallic clattering of an automatic.

Many nations leapt to their feet; angry footsteps marched here and there before finally reaching the others.

Switzerland pulled a nervous Lichtenstein by the wrist into the room, fixing all of the nations under the nozzle of a rifle. Various weapons dangled off of his belt.

"We're here."

The nations, one by one, took their seats again.

"Can we get started?" England stood up, sweeping his gaze over the assembled nations. They glanced and murmured among themselves but nobody spoke up. "Right. In that case, I believe we shall begin. America?"

America nodded and hopped onto the table, his feet landing dangerously close to the monitors, and placed his hands on his hips.

He was barely graced the chance to suck in a gulp of air.

"If you laugh, I'll shoot you." Switzerland growled.

America glowered back. "How did you even get all of that through US airport security, anyways?"

"I have my ways." The Swiss cocked the barrel of his rifle, prompting America to continue.

"... Anywho…. With today's day and age, technology is expected to be totally cool and awesome. And it is! We-" America gestured to Japan and England, "-are proud to boast that we have developed a new game with the aid of the Romulus Rift, three all-nighters and at least twenty pounds worth of WcDonald's freedom fries."

China folded his arms and leaned forward where he sat. "And how much money went into this game?"

America was quick to reply, "Such legal information is not to be disclosed at this time."

England snorted and spoke up, "This game has not yet been released to the public. We wished to try it with fellow nations first to gauge if they believe that their people would enjoy it."

Murmurs rippled through those gathered.

"Ahh, so we get to play the game?" Italy Veneziano spoke up, tipping his head to the side.

"No, Napolitano is going to play. Of course we're going to play, you idiot!" Italy Romano harshly rammed an elbow into Veneziano's side. He whipped his head around, scanning the sea of faces, and growled, "Did you not invite the tomato bastard?"

England visibly stiffened.

France and Prussia seemed to notice for the first time that he was missing, also joining Romano in looking around the room.

Japan stared at England, an all-knowing stare.

England shrugged a shoulder and grew embarrassed under his gaze. "W-Well, you said to invite Frog-face. You mentioned nothing about Spain. I'm sure he was busy, anyway."

France and Prussia exchanged a smirk and both pulled out their phones.

Romano scoffed and flopped back onto the couch, opening his arm around Veneziano. "Are you kidding? The guy would do anything to get away from his job! Invite him!"

"Ahh... You see-"

"Yeah, do it, dudes!" America drowned out England's stammering.

"Already done!" Francis waved his phone and crossed his legs.

"He'll be here soon." Prussia chimed, shoving his phone into a pocket.

"What if you do not want to play?" Germany spoke up, lifting a hand slightly.

"Or if we all end up wanting to play? There are fifteen controllers and manyof us." Taiwan piped in.

America flapped his wrists from where he stood. "Dudes, dudettes, chillax! There is a perfectly safe and rational solution to all of this!" The nation wrapped around and produced the lower half of an empty two-liter bottle. "We draw straws!"

A bullet whizzed by America's head. "Are you insane?!"

"You know, I am beginning to think that we all did not have to come. You invited far too many people." Russia stood up. "I am going home."

"American cuisine is pretty bland," Norway drawled, "How about we hit up France on our way home? I'm hungry."

"When was the last time we went drinking, France?" Gilbert tossed his granola wrapper at the Frenchman.

"No, China! Stay!" South Korea clung desperately onto China's wrist, his expression devastated. "This'll be worth it! Think about all of the reproducing we could do!"

America cast Japan and England a desperate glance. The pair stared back at him with growing apprehension.

"G-Guys-!" America tried, though the standing nations and quickly rising voices swallowed his voice.

Nations began to move towards the door.

America flailed his arms and cried out to them hopelessly.

It seemed as though all was lost.

The superpower collapsed onto his knees (missing the computers by a hair's length) and buried his face in his hands.

Suddenly, silence.

America looked up, blinking blearily.

"U-Uhh…" The voice of Spain drew America's, as well as the entire room's, attention. "I think this is yours?"

The Spaniard held a mortally wounded door sideways, his grip slipping as he knocked the wood into the walls and door frame of the room. "How did it get so many bullet holes…?"

"Spain! You're here!" Gilbert leapt to his feet. "Come, come here! We were just about to get started!"

Spain's eyes lit as he set down the door. "Ahh, Prussia! I'm glad I didn't miss anything; what's going on?"

"We'll be playing a game." Romano jerked his head. "Come sit already, you're such a distraction."

China sighed. "I do suppose getting to beat all of you younger nations in a game will be fun."

"As if!" Denmark sneered in his direction, "We Scandinavians will show you who are the real masters at video games!"

"What would be the fun in dreaming about your disappointed expressions if I can cause them here in real life?" Russia sat down and smiled.

America watched in awe as, one by one, the nations all took their seats and stared up at him expectantly.

England nudged him from behind; the American quickly found his feet again.

"So! Drawing straws?"

"Look, China! I got a colored straw!" South Korea failed to hide his overflowing excitement.

"Don't bring your family shame." China frowned and lifted his nose and leaned towards Hong Kong, whispering behind a hand, "Destroy the Westerners."

Sitting next to them, the Italy brothers chorused gasps, though Romano's was of horror and Veneziano's out of joy.

"Look, Romano! We did it!"

"I see that, idiota! Ugh, now I have to play with you…"

Across the room, Prussia let out a low, pained groan. "No faaaiirrr, West! You got a colored straw!"

Germany's fist tightened around the poor piece of plastic before he shoved the item into Prussia's hands. "It's yours. Take it."

Prussia didn't need to be told twice; he grabbed the straw and raced towards France and Spain. "Oi, you two! Look, look, look, look, look! I got one! I! got! one!"

Spain and France held up their straws and grinned. "Us, too!"

France held out a hand. "The BTT, non? Let's work together!"

"Si!Clado!" Spain placed his hand on France's.

"Ja, I wouldn't have it any other way!" Prussia joined the trio; they completed some failed attempt at a rallying hand gesture.

Austria glared in the direction of the triumphant Prussia.

Hungary placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Look at it this way, Austria; you'll have a chance to beat him now!"

Austria huffed. "I suppose. But what if I end up having to team up with him? Or go against you?"

Hungary shrugged and smiled, waving her straw. "That's the fun in a game, isn't it?"

The woman nodded politely to Russia seated next to her. "You're excited, aren't you?"

Russia's smile seemed a little bit too wide. "I will get great pleasure out of defeating all of you one by one."

Switzerland caught sight of Russia and edged towards Lichtenstein.

"This is going to be so fun, big brother!" Liechtenstein, oblivious to the Russian, tugged at Switzerland's sleeve with a tiny smile. "We get to play together!"

Switzerland placed his gun across his lap. "I'll protect you from those idiots, don't worry."

The Scandinavians crowded around Finland and Sweden.

"Awhhh, Sweden!" Denmark stomped a foot. "You're all of the luckies, hah? Why don'tchu trade with me?"

"No." Sweden held a firm eye contact with the Dane. "Because Finland is playing."

Finland squirmed awkwardly as Sweden's unwavering gaze fell onto him. "I-It'll be great fun, won't it, Sweden?"

"Bring the Scandinavians glory." Norway hummed, Iceland nodding at his words. Sweden and Finland returned the nod with confidence.

At the monitors, England leaned close to Japan and muttered, "Those authors really need to watch where they're flinging all of those line breaks. Someone might lose an eye."

America clapped England and Japan's shoulders. "So! You guys'll monitor the game, right?"

England and Japan exchanged a glance and nodded.

"It won't be a problem." Japan said.

"We'll do our best." England assured.

America turned to those who held their colored straws. "So that means that we're ready, doesn't it?"

While whispers and murmurs spread across the room, there were no objections.

He grinned widely.

"Then grab your Romulus Rifts and controllers and find a seat; we're about to begin!"

"What the honest-to-God hell is with the use of these stupid linebreaks?! Have I not already warned that someone's going to lose an eye if you authors keep slapping them everywhere like nobody's bloody business?! We do not need so many! You're putting them in such random places, you might as well put one in the middle of my-

"That's it. I'm done. Have you ever heard of a table-flip, Japan?"

"A-Ahh, yes, I have-"

"Good, I'm going to flip these tables right now-!"

"Mr. England, please calm down! These computers are needed to monitor the game, and they are quite expensive! We have to wrap up this chapter!"

"Ghhhaaaaaggghhh-!"

"... Mr. England, are you having difficulties lifting this table?"

"N-Not at all! I'm just… I'm… Hhhg, fine. Okay. What do we have to do?"

"A-Ah. Right. We have to give the readers a summary of the next chapter."

"Fine, whatever. The next chapter includes the tutorial and basic explanation of this game, that way those who have not played the game that this fanfiction is based off of will be able to follow along with the story. It involves arson and murder and stupidity. Oh, so so much stupidity. Please be sure to drop by again soon."

"H-Hai. The authors appreciate you as the reader for reading this. Please return for the next chapter. Sayonara."