"R-rus…" America's speech trailed, the color drained from his normally rosy, young face. What happened? America's eyes locked on the limp form. It was funny, America thought, that he still had that intimidating aura even when in this shape. The blonde nation approached him Is… he? No, he can't be… He's Russia. He's my rival superpower… America outstretched his arm, hand quaking, and shifted Russia's shoulder. Russia's head lolled backwards exposing his half lidded and glassy eyes. His clammy skin was covered in dried patches of blood. The image of Russia's battered face began to distance itself in a tunnel as America became overwhelmed with dizziness.
"America!" A familiar voice echoed in the back of his mind. America gripped the desk next to him but the world tilted upward on him and he felt the back of his head connect with the hard floor.
"America?" England's fuzzy face loomed over him, "You all right there, chap?"
As America came to the room quickly became crowded when the rest of the countries –China, Japan, Canada, France, Germany and a very tired Italy - filtered in.
"What's happening here…?" Germany said barely above a whisper.
"Mon dieu…" France spoke forgetting his English, "…is he… dead?"
England stood; his voice was strangely firm, "No. He isn't dead. He's more in a coma than anything."
"You are kidding me." France walked cautiously to the large country, and placed a finger under Russia's nose. Sure enough, he felt faint, warm breaths coming in slow drags. "H-he is alive!"
"I thought I bloody told you that all ready." England's tone reached its normal volatility.
"England-san…" Japan spoke gently, "How were you so certain that he was alive?"
"You've been acting really weird all day." America got to his feet finally finding his equilibrium, "What are you hiding?"
"Why this place so squiggly?" China asked mindlessly prodding a squirming book on the shelf.
"Yes, yes, just a moment." England said in dread tinged words – which came off more as aggravation, "Well, I got here a few days earlier than you lot, right? In those few extra days I had time to well… how do I say this… practice a few things…"
"How do you mean, England?" France crossed his arms and tapped a finger against his bicep.
"I, well, I started practicing my…"
"Magic?" America finished.
"Magic?" Everyone chorused in similar disbelief.
"…America, how did you—," England thought until he remembered America had caught him trying a newer curse out, "Yes. I was using magic…"
"Did you do this to him?" America's face resembled a curious, yet betrayed child.
"Just let me explain. I didn't exactly put him in this condition, no. As I was chanting, out of nowhere, he appeared in my spell circle! Um…Well just his head, rather… It was quite a scare so I…"
Everyone waited.
"Kind of… sort of… kicked him…"
"WHAT."
"Uh, needless to say, the spell then went haywire. And he disappeared." England lifted his pant leg revealing badly charred skin, "… and I felt the effects too. I guess he ended up here."
"We should call the hospital!" Italy whined in concern.
"It is not that simple." England explained, "It seems his body fused with the curse… it's starting to effect this world." He pointed towards the door noting that the path to the hallway was contorted beyond recognition.
"So is he still himself?" Canada asked holding his polar bear Kumakiru close to him.
"Well, it's like this, his body is now being taken over by the curse and his consciousness, what one might call his soul, is lost somewhere in his mind. He may very well be aware of this conversation, but his body is unresponsive."
"S-scary…" Italy shivered, "Does it hurt?"
"I was burnt by it, so it may hurt…" England's brows tilted upward looking over the Russian, his guilt piling up, "… but maybe his body can't feel it since he's trapped in his mind."
"England! This is insane!" France snapped throwing his hands out, "You know what this will look like to the rest of the world?!"
"It will probably seem as if we attacked him." Germany concluded darkly, arms folded.
"You think I don't bloody well know that!?"
The room broke out into a heated argument over what countries would be most affected by the media, due to Russia's critical condition, who would get the most blame, or why England was even messing around with the dark arts anyway. Everyone except one nation.
"So, England… How do I save him?" America spoke still looking at Russia. They had been rivals for a long time now, America had thought, he didn't want to end the rivalry this way. This wasn't how he wanted to win against Russia: by outliving him.
England's tight brow loosened, "Well, I suppose you could try to bring forth his consciousness..."
France released England's shoulders, "How can he do that?"
"Well, I don't know." England sighed, the stress beginning to age his face, "It's not like you can just go in there and bring him out."
"Why not?" America firmly stared at England. He's serious England thought.
"Well, you can but," His words seemed like caution, "The mind is a dangerous place. Russia's mind seems like it would be unpredictable…"
"It can't be that deep!" China protested, "All he wants is flowers and to kill everyone!"
"Hm." Japan thought before speaking, "Do you think we could all go in?"
"What?!" China exclaimed more than questioned.
"Yeah! Then we'd find him quicker!" America perked up. Canada nodded in agreement.
"Big eyebrows! Talk some sense into him!" China cried.
"Hmm, there may be safety in numbers." England confirmed.
"Fuzzy chin, tell him!" China pleaded.
"I am always cleaning up your messes, aren't I?" France smiled.
"Germany, you sane, you talk to them!"
"If Japan and Italy are up to it, then I will go." Germany looked at his two allied countries who nodded, Italy a bit shakier than Japan.
"Ahh!" China covered his face, "I don't want to go into Russia's head!"
"Fine." England began chanting as a vortex opened up around his feet. "You can go home… but I don't know how you'll manage that…"
The Englishman indicated the door which was now simply non-existent. Shreds of the woodwork clung to the frame as a piece –almost like an omen – snapped off and fell into the depths of nothing. The color drained from the countries' faces Just what did England get us into?
England stepped back giving his portal a smile and nod of pride, "This will get us in there! You guys all sure you want to go in?"
Everyone glanced around and nodded firmly. England spoke, "We all must hold hands so that we don't get separated."
The countries looked awkwardly at each other but agreed and clasped hands. China, however, crossed his arms.
"China-san…" Japan pleaded, "Take my hand, please."
China observed the lightly concerned East Asian's face. He groaned and stretched an arm out, "We better get in and out of there soon as possible!"
"No problem, China!" America gave a heroic grin, "You said it yourself! He can't be that deep!"
And with that minor consolation, the countries began a chain hopping in one by one still gripped together - England leading and China taking up the tail.
