- HetaWorld Online -
Glimpse of Yesterday ( I )
A flurry of confused voices erupted, but England was able to speak over them.
"What do you mean that leaving the game is impossible?" England demanded in a loud yet steady voice, despite his deepening frown.
"Japan," Germany ordered in a commanding voice, eyes growing wary, "explain yourself."
The Asian country looked at the German man directly and strangely. His brown eyes scanned the blonde country carefully, seeming to search the man for something.
"Japan —"
"The game's software appears to have been corrupted by a foreign virus." Japan interrupted him an uncharacteristically assertive manner. "The only way to leave the game at this point is to beat it."
"Dude…" America gapped, pausing to deliberately allow a dramatic silence to settle in: "That sounds totally awesome!" The America's eyes sparkled with indescribable glee — a glee that seemed to ward him from the irritated looks he was receiving. "This is just like all of those anime shows you have at your place, Japan!" He continued excitedly and spiritedly. "Y'know, the ones where the characters get trapped in a virtual world because of an evil mastermind dude?"
"Your enthusiasm never ceases to amaze me, America." France sighed with a slight shake of his head.
"You mean 'idiocy' instead of 'enthusiasm, right?" England huffed from beside him with a smirk.
"Ahahaha, England," America laughed as he walked over to the Brit and patted him roughly on the back, "you're jokes are still just as bad as your eyebrows!"
"W-What did you say?" England stuttered, face beginning to glow a bright red.
"Look at zat," France shrugged from in between the two English-speaking countries, "you two are right for once."
"Shut up!"
A verbal three-way fight then broke out between England, France, and America. Unrepeatable insults were thrown around and about, and the tension in the room rose to familiar heights. Seeing this, Russia began to mutter profanities under his breath all while wearing a smile.
"Enough!" Germany ordered in a loud and commanding voice, halting the three bickering countries in their tracks. "Mein Gott! You are countries, so act like it! This is a serious situation."
England, who had one arm grappled around France's neck and the other locked behind his back by America, straightened himself up and took upon himself a professional demeanor. Adjusting his bent halo above his head, he approached Japan with a curious expression.
"Japan," the Brit began, "are you certain that there is no other way to leave the game?"
"The only way to leave is to play by the rules and beat the game." Japan confirmed with a solemn expression that didn't seem to quite fit onto his face.
"T-That sounds like a lot of hard work, Japan." Italy murmured with a depressed sigh; he lowered his eyes and absentmindedly fondled with his bag.
"I can make it a bit easier." Japan proposed suddenly as he waved his left hand nonchalantly in the air. Several holes appeared in ceiling as he did so, and from those holes rained a collection of gray backpacks. The backpacks fell into the hands — in Italy's case, his designated bag fell painfully onto his head — of the countries; so in the end, each of them were in the possession of a single bag.
"And what's this?" Britain questioned, lowering his pack onto the ground and snapping it open.
"Wow, Japan!" America grinned as he immediately dumped the contents of his bag onto the ground. "Did you get me a present? I mean, you really shouldn't have!" As the American came to the realization that all that was in his bag were a pair of gloves and a leather bound book, his expression fell and he laughed again: "Seriously, you really shouldn't have." He paused with a mild grin, before he continued: "I mean the gloves are wicked cool, but what's with the creepy-looking book?"
"The book digitally records all of the experiences you will come across in this world and also holds information about your skills that have been transfigured into this world." Japan answered. "It's what the rules of the game call for."
England and Germany drew out their own leather-bound books from their bags and started to flip through them.
"England, a.k.a Arthur Kirkland." England read out loud with a frown. "Class: Gentleman Mage. Skills: Scone Attack - Pelt scones at your enemy and poison them —- wait a minute. What the bloody hell is this?!"
"OMG!" America chuckled despite himself. "Even the weird book thingy knows that your scones totally suck." His chuckle then grew into full blown laughter that filled the room and drowned it with noise almost completely. France's own good-natured chuckle soon followed.
"Those are the moves that you can use in this world to defeat monsters." Japan explained with another strange smile. "Only the moves listed in your books and actual weapons found in this world can actually damage monsters. These are the games' rules as well."
"M-Monsters?!" Italy and America exclaimed in horror.
"Yes." the Asian country nodded. "To complete the objective of the game, you must defeat the monsters that spawn in the game. I cannot, unfortunately, do anything about the monsters with the resources I have at this moment."
"What is the objective of zis game anyways, my dear Japan?" France asked lightly, hands on hips, lips so ever slightly pursed.
"The objective of the game, Francis," Japan replied with an edge to his voice as he eyed the Frenchman strangely, "is to achieve five of the seven dubbed 'Sacred Stones' that are scattered around the game and to bring them to the Central Tower of the game."
"Wait a minute." England blanched. "Slow down. How exactly are we supposed to find these 'Sacred Stones'?"
"A map designating their locations is provided at the back of your books!" Japan pipped in a sudden manner, clapping his hands together once.
He seems to be enjoying himself right now, doesn't he? Germany thought to himself with suspicion. He wasn't alone in his suspicion, however, because many of the other countries were thinking along the same lines.
"Well that sounds kind of easy and boring." America complained snidely to himself.
"That's a good thing, you twat!" England shouted, smacking the American upside the head with his book.
"Actually," Japan spoke up suddenly, "its not as easy as that. For the game to fully be beaten, the players are required to form groups of four at random and compete against each other for the stones."
"Wait a minute." Germany muttered. "What happens to the group that only manages to collect two of these stones?"
Uneasiness filled the air at the asked question
"I'm afraid that I don't know." Japan answered promptly, a hint of irritation and impatience evident in his voice.
"Japan, dude," America frowned suddenly, following up on a completely different note, "I think you miscounted or something. Four groups of two make eight, right? There are, like, only seven of us here."
"Oh, you're right, America." England blinked in surprise from beside him. "However, maybe we're forgetting someone?"
"Let's see." America grinned, pulling his hands out of his pocket to count. "At the G8 meeting there was me, the Amazing Hero," he counted one with his fingers, "there was you, England; there was Japan; Germany and Italy were there too, so were Russia and France…" America stared at his seven counting fingers, pulling up a final eighth one as he remembered the name of the last of their group: "...and Canadia! Canadia was with us too!"
"I-It's Canada…" came a whispered sigh.
Seven heads swiveled towards the back corner of the room which was occupied by none other than the Canadian country himself. The maple-syrup-loving country was dressed in a thick and fluffy brown trenchcoat and had his gray backpack in one hand and his recognizable polar bear in the other.
"Woah, Mattie!" Alfred exclaimed as he rushed over to the Canadian and ruffled his hair. "When did you get here?"
"I've… been here the entire time." Canada whispered with a hurt look that was hidden by sheepish facade.
"Seriously?!" America gapped goodnaturedly. "I didn't even notice you!"
"It's okay…" Canada smiled at his twin. "The author actually forgot about me too…"
"We mustn't waste any more time." Japan snapped suddenly, raising his left hand loosely in the air. "We must begin the game now!"
"Wait —
The room was then filled with a blinding white light; and when it faded, the room was empty.
Italy felt as if he was falling through the air. His stomach felt like it was filled with a billion butterflies, and his head felt like a spinning top. It only took up him a couple of seconds to register, as he opened his eyes, that he was indeed falling through the sky. A meld of blue that was dotted with white and deep green swirled wildly around him, as air whipped viciously at his face.
"Help me! Help me!" the Italian cried as he flailed uselessly. "Help me, Germany!"
The blue of what he registered as the sky suddenly tucked away beneath him, and he felt his body collide with something soft. He had landed reasonably unharmed. So, here he lay, staring up at a foreign sky as shaken-up leaves rained down around him. He was about ready to cry, when a sudden voice broke through his lonely reverie—
"Italy? Japan?" rumbled a deep voice. "Italy, are you here?"
"Germany!" Italy exclaimed in teary-eyed joy as he shot up from his sprawl and waved his hands wildly in the air. "I'm over here!"
The Germany country, having fallen into a thicket of bushes that had broken his fall, brushed himself off and followed the sound of the Italy's cries into a clearing with his backpack in hard and stern gaze softened in relief as he saw that the Italian was sitting at the center of the clearing, looking relatively unharmed. Something must have broken his fall as well. Germany's relieved expression, however, fell short as he fully registered what — or rather who — had broken Italy's fall.
"Italy…" Germany drew cautiously, as he stopped short several feet away from the addressed country.
"What is it Germany?"
"I want you to slowly come towards me." the blonde ordered. "And don't look down."
So of course the Italy chanced a glance downwards and saw that what had broken his fall was none other than the large form of a smiling Russia.
"R-Russia!" Italy yelped as he jumped literally five feet in the air and landed in Germany's awaiting arms.
Russia, who was fully conscious and staring goodnaturedly at the two European countries, simply smiled some more. He came to a stand and brushed of the loose debris that clung to his coat, not paying any heed to the wary looks he was receiving.
"So we're on the same team then, da?" the Russian questioned, bending down to pick up his backpack that had fallen several feet away from him.
"What makes you think that?" Germany inquired with a cautious tone.
The Russian simply gestured to the blue armbands that were tied steadfastly onto the two European countries' left arms and then gestured to his own left arm where a similar band was tied. Italy whimpered at the sight of this. He, however, swallowed his fear and peered at the large country peevishly.
"W-Well," Italy managed a pleasant smile, "I hope we get along!"
"Ah, yes," Russia nodded in turn, smiling facade still in place. "I will enjoy using you as my footstool, my dear friend."
Italy felt a cold chill ricochet down his spine.
"We're missing a team member." Germany commented, eyebrows furrowed. "We're supposed to have four."
"Oh, maybe Japan is our final member!" Italy pipped cheerily. "If he is, it'd be almost like the good old days, yeah?"
"I'm not sure that Japan being part of our group would be such a good thing, Italy." Germany sighed.
"Huh?" Italy pouted in a confused and sheepish fluster. "Why not? I thought you liked Japan, Germany!"
"I do, I do," the Germany explained with several curt nods, "but —
"Your little Asian friend was acting very suspicious, no?" Russia interjected as he drew closer to the two Europeans. "Working with him would be difficult, da, because we would have a hard time trusting him."
Italy became even more flustered at this statement. He alighted down from Germany's cradling arms and onto the forest ground, turning to the latter country with a confused expression.
"There's no way Japan would betray us or anything like that, right?" the Italian pressed. "He's our friend!"
"I'm sorry, Italy," Germany sighed again, slicking several strands of blonde hair back against his scalp, "but Russia is right. Japan was acting very suspicious."
"Putting that aside," Russia began with a slight tilt of his head, "if we are to exit this game and beat the other stupid countries, we should find our final comrade, da?"
Germany glanced at Russia warily, before he nodded firmly.
"T-there's no need for that." came a quiet whisper from right beside Italy. "I'm pretty sure that I'm part of your grou—
"Ahhh!" Italy yelped, jumping into Germany's arms again and shaking his head wildly back and forth. "Save me Germany; it's a ghost!"
"Actually," came the polite, yet tired voiced again, "It's Canada."
The three conversing nations turned their heads towards the nearly transparent figure who had spoken. For once, their thoughts were aligned uniformly and they internally asked themselves the sake question: Who is that guy?
Something wasn't right.
His bed was way too comfortable and way too familiar. And the scent wafting in the air was practically nostalgic — it was a scent that he hadn't smelt for centuries. Dried flowers, fresh ink, freshly-printed hand-made paper…
England's emerald green eyes snapped open and he shot up to a sitting position, panting hard with absolute confusion. He scanned the area quickly and found that he was in what appeared to be a room in an inn. The walls surrounding him were creamy in color, and a window opened up to his left. He glanced downwards and saw that he was in a wooden bed and a woolen blanket was drawn over the lower half of his body.
Suddenly, something shifted to his left, and England came to the realization that he wasn't the only person. Shaking ever so slightly, the Brit turned his head and, when seeing that it was none other than France who occupied the bed with him, leapt in the air while screaming bloody murder. The Brit tumbled to the ground, pulling the blanket along with him, and landed on none other than America, who was splayed out on the wooden floor with a loud snore.
The American and the Frenchman shot up in unison and stared at England in utter confusion.
"Dude…" America mumbled sleepily as he propped himself up on his elbows and glanced down at the Englishman who laid ontop of him. "You're heavy!"
"My, my, Angleterre," France grinned devilishly, peering down at the two from his bed, "you're so forward!"
"S-Shut up!" England protested, blushing a deep shade of red. He jumped away from America, accidently — or perhaps purposefully — kicking him in his vital regions as he did so; and he frivolously looked around the room. "Where are we anyways?"
America looked around the room with a serious face, before he commented with a grinning expression: "Wow, everything here looks so old!"
And indeed everything did. Everything within the room was reminiscent of the early fifteenth century in Europe. Both France and England noted this fact warily; America, on the other hand, simply wandered around the room curiously, prodding displayed ornaments with his index finger.
"It looks like zis is a part of Japan's game." France commented, as he untangled himself from his blankets.
"Well, it's unsettling." England frowned.
The wooden door leading to the room suddenly swung open and the familiar form of Japan entered. The Asian country quietly closed the door behind him and addressed the gathered trio with a smile that did not meet his eyes.
"I see that you're awake." Japan commented.
"Yes, we are…" England drew slowly, exchanging a quick glance with both America and France.
"Well, then." the Asian man continued, straightening a fold in his crisp black uniform. "It appears as if we're in a group together—
"Dudes!" America shouted suddenly, eyes sparkling with brightness. "We should totally come up with a team name! How about we call it Team-USA-and-co?!"
"That is the most idiotic idea I've ever heard." England sighed with a shake of his head.
"What?!" America whined in exasperation that quickly turned into an egotistical and triumphant smile; he turned to Japan who was observing the three with an unflinching expression: "You agree with me, don't you?"
It was then that France and England realized that the American was testing the Japanese man. Depending on the way Japan answered the question, they would be able to tell whether he was.. well, himself. Seeing this, the two Europeans focused their attention on the Asian country's expression.
"Yes, I agree with you." came the steady reply.
America, France, and England felt their muscles relax ever so slightly —
"...Even if I did think that was a stupid and pathetic idea," Japan finished as he smiled a fox-eyed smile, "I wouldn't say anything because I wish to be on your good side, America-kun." The phrase was said so nonchalantly that even England was almost convinced that the Japanese man said such things all of the time.
"Japan," England asked cautiously, "are you feeling alright?"
The Japanese man looked right at England; and for a second, the Englishman swore he saw a flash of hatred and disgust in the man's eyes. The flash disappeared as quickly as it came, however, and was replaced with another fox-eyed smile.
"I'm feeling quite like myself, if that's what you're asking." he answered. "I thank you for your concern."
"Dude, Kiku," America gapped with a nervous smile, "your smile is kinda creepin' me out…"
"I apologize." Japan bowed halfheartedly — it was evident that he didn't mean it. "I'll try my best to stop."
The atmosphere became clouded with an awkward silence. It was an unnerving silence that put England, France, and even America on edge. They were so on edge that it was only naturally that they started when the door behind Japan swung open.
Perhaps another country…? England thought, as he peered around the Japanese man. And when he saw who it was that stood at the doorframe, his heart seized in his chest. Impossible… It can't be!
An aged woman stood at the doorway, a small smile resting on her lips. Her hair was an auburn color and it fell in curls around her pale and slightly plump face. She was dressed in an extravagant outfit made of beaded pearls woven with gold, a gold that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.
"E-Elizabeth?" the usually composed British man stuttered, eyes wide with a mix of shock, joy, and sorrow. He took a step forward, brushing past both America and France, and shook his head in confusion. "Elizabeth, is that you?"
"Huh, y'know that chick, Iggy?" questioned America curiously, peering around Japan to study the woman. When England didn't answer him, he turned to France, but froze when he saw the same shocked expression on the latter country's face.
"Impossible…" France murmured, taking a step forward with slightly distrustful yet slightly hopeful eyes. "Elizabeth… the First?"
No one saw the smirk that crawled up Japan's face.
China was enjoying a nice cup of herbal tea with Hong Kong at his house when he received the call from Spain. Hong Kong, who had been stoically sitting across the short table from him, placed his held teacup onto the table's surface and glanced at him.
"Laoshi," Hong Kong deadpanned, "the phone is ringing." He then picked up his tea again and began to sip.
"My back has been hurting lately y'know." China informed the other as he took on a tired look. "There's a big political debate going on in my house and it's very stressful… It'd be a great help if you picked up the phone for me… "
Hong Kong continued to sip his tea, and the phone continued to ring.
Ungrateful child! China thought shrilly to himself as he unfolded his legs and removed himself from his tea and the table. The ancient nation calmly made his way over to the other side of the room and unhitched the phone that hung there on the wall, pressing the device to his ear.
"Ni hao, this is China speaking." He answered crisply.
"Hola, China!" came an extremely cheerful voice from the other side of the line. "¿Como estas?"
"Spain, is that you?" China blinked in surprise as he leaned up against the wall. "I'm fine… Do you need something?"
"Si, I was wondering if you've seen Japan around lately." the Spanish country explained amicably. "Y'see, Romano hasn't seen Italy around lately, and since Veneziano usually hangs around Japan and Germany, I thought I might call them up to see if they've seen him. I called Japan's and Germany's houses, but they didn't answer…" The last sentence was said in a pout.
"That's strange." China frowned. "Did you try calling Prussia's cell?"
"Y'mean Gilbert?" Spain questioned back, before he answered: "He didn't pick up either…"
"Well," came another voice from Spain's side of the phone line, "did he know anything, you bastard?"
"China hasn't seen Japan around either, Romano." Spain answered the rude voice with a kind tone. "I'm sorry; maybe, we could try calling someone else?"
"The last time I saw Japan was a few days ago, if that helps." China informed, suddenly feeling a sickening sense of worry himself. It wasn't like Japan to just take off all of a sudden. "He stopped by to give me a game he developed—-
"Oh!" Spain interrupted with a cheery demeanor. "Do you mean HetaWorld: Online? He came to my house and gave me the game to try out too!"
"Nevermind that." the Asian drew slowly as he suddenly remembered something. "Wasn't there a G8 meeting being held this week?"
"Oh! Yeah, you're right!" Spain murmured. "Maybe they're still at the meeting…?"
"There's no way the meeting would last that long, you bastard!" came the angry voice from Spain's side of the line again.
"I'll ask around as well and I'll tell you if I find anything out." China informed the Spanish country curtly.
"Gracias, China!" came the energetic words of gratitude. "Well, I'm going to try calling someone else… Adios!"
"Zaijan, Spain." China said as he placed the phone back on the receiver.
Save?
[Yes]
[No]
A/N: Duhn. Duhn. Duhn. Plot thickening! I hope the characters weren't too OOC or anything. Hilariously enough, I actually did kind of forget about Canada in the first chapter. /bows head in shame. Hopefully, I didn't fix it up too sloppily. Btw, Elizabeth the First was a monarch that ruled over England and Ireland from 1558 to 1603. She was greatly loved by her people. Her reign is known as the Elizabethan Era and is marked by lots of artsy and drama stuff like Shakespear... n' stuff.
So, what did you think?
Thanks for those who reviewed, favorited, and alerted! You people make me smile. /winkwink. /shotdead.
