Author's Notes: *Asteriks used for footnotes.
Human names are used to show familial/friendship ties.
"You! Check the news! China, can you hear me? CHINA?...Zut!*...no response. Get the vital economy stats machine in here NOW! Hong Kong! Taiwan!" The frantic yelling paused for a moment, "EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE STOP CROWDING AROUND HIM AND GET TO THE HALL!"
After the majority of people were pushed out, France already worked on the patient. The Frenchman slammed his ear against the floor to see if there was any movement coming from the man's chest. Silky blonde hair was sprawled over the floor. He took in a deep breaths himself, as the chaos around him increased.
When China collapsed, France broke first from his surprise and took over the situation. Such a quick reaction was only natural, he would brag if asked on another day. He was big brother France after all. In truth, his people made him this way with their high health system rankings*.
A brown blur of hair rushed alongside him. North Italy had pulled out his first aid kit in case there was any bleeding, as per norm with such emergencies. None were found.
Nations normally didn't catch human illnesses, other than a cold or a flu. If they were exhausted they could potentially collapse, but then that would mean that China had been missing two weeks of sleep. Unlikely. This collapse could only be explained by internal system failures. In other words, it might be a national crisis. If that were the case then China, who continued to be scarily unresponsive on the floor, was in a serious condition. They had to act fast.
Squeak! Squeak! Two countries rolled in a large machine. North Italy guided them carefully to the fallen nation's side. France let out a sigh of relief as he lifted up his head from the floor. China was breathing. Just to double check, the Frenchman placed his hand in front of the fallen nation-state's nose. Although separated by large worrying gaps, there was air flowing in and out.
The Italian started up the battery powered machine and France crossed his arms as he waited, flicking his eyes back to China every second or so. While the start-up continued, North Italy asked Taiwan and Hong Kong if they could sense anything. France suggested a rapid fire search through the news.
"What's wrong with him?" Hong Kong asked in a flat tone. He looked down at his teacher of sorts, face blank, but the shaking fists at his sides betrayed him. He knelt down beside him. "Y-yao?"
"There's NOTHING in the news!" Taiwan shrieked as she checked her phone with shaky hands. "Small stuff, but no reports to cause anything like this..."
Japan got up from his seat. No one noticed that he had never left the room. He kept as calm as ever and pulled something from China's bag before he walked over, "Excuse me, but I think this might help." A Hello Kitty plushie rested in his hand.
He cleared some strands off the man's forehead and placed the soft figure there. Stares of disbelief bore at him, and a smack in the hallway could be heard as someone was bitterly scolding the source of American influence, or something along those lines. However, as France leaned in to remove the doll, China muttered a quiet no.
"Keep.. it there." China continued weakly. His eyes cracked open, "Aiyah...my head is ringing louder than that time with Hong Kong's firecrackers on New Year's."
"Can you get up?"
Initially, China had a remark read to spring on his tongue, but then soon lost it. China's black pupils shrank, and they started to dart left to right. Tension rose in the room as his breathing hurried. In a fish-like manner he opened and closed his mouth. He stared up at the ceiling with vulnerable eyes.
"Calm down," Taiwan grabbed the Hello Kitty on his head. "Look at this doll, and relax."
After a couple deep breathes, China found his words and spoke softly, "My body...it...it feels like it's glued to the floor." He looked to Hong Kong. "Hey... Hong Kong do you still remember those pressure points I taught you?"
Incredulous, France almost objected to allowing the younger nation experiment. Yet, the man had little say. Country-care policy stated that the country in need of aid had the prioritized right to choose whatever treatment they wished. It was a matter of common courtesy, another way to respect sovereignty. Besides, a nation tended to know what would be the best method to get themselves better, so no harm done.
In a smooth manner, the boy jabbed at the spot hard. China's body twitched by reflex, but overall it had no effect. Hong Kong tried another one. Same results.
Ding! At last, the machine had finished turning on. French hands took off as they pressed various buttons on it and North Italy attended to the patient. Velcro straps wrapped around China's wrists and some weird head gear encased his skull. A large beeping pulse could be heard on the machine as it began to read the patient's data. Several windows popped up all over the monitor screen. France continued to configure the machine.
"I-is this necessary?" the Chinese man asked with a slight tremble in his voice. It has been years since that machine had been used and since he had never been connected to it before, he was afraid of what would happen. Only those on the team that helped create it knew how it even functioned and they only worked on their individual parts.
This machine had gone unused for so long that China, and quite possibly the rest of the world, had forgotten about it once it was finished and tested. The project was vague and had no purpose other than to create this machine. This Vital Economy Stats machine itself was a mystery to most, only known to be used to monitor nations when they come down with a bad cold due to a recession or something like that. An emergency like this seemed like an odd time to bring it out.
"We need to find out what is wrong with you, " France explained while looking the man in the eye. "It won't hurt. I can assure you of that."
America, unable to stay quiet and idle while he watched from the crack of the door, walked in, "Dude what's wrong with him?" He eyed the machine, "Is there anything the hero-"
"You're not helping! Let them deal with this!" a stern face stormed in and yanked him out. They returned to the hallway where a crowd muttered with each other. Some were on the line with their bosses. Others checked their phones. The faces only grew heavier as they found no possible reason to China's collapse; worry flourished. Germany had to step in front of the doors to block anyone from going back in again.
After fifteen minutes, which felt like two hours to those outside the room, France had concluded it was safe to move him. North Italy walked to the doorway and announced the somewhat good news. Held breaths were let out. After the relief settled in, he asked the gathered crowd if anyone could offer their room. The floor was cold and he needed to rest in a place very close by as the meeting carried on.
An argument of harsh whispers flared up in the back. A frying pan was swung. Slowly a hand emerged from the crowd. Prussia's face was not happy as he walked up to Italy to hand over his keys. Prussia knew he had at least three other rooms to crash at and it was the closest. Still, that gave Hungary no right to swing that lethal metal thing around to threaten him. The Great and Awesome him would've offered it anyways. France thanked his friend greatly in the form of beer promises before he rushed back inside the meeting room.
With a makeshift stretcher made out of flags, they carried him out into the hallway. The other countries parted to let them through. His closest family pushed the machine as they followed the man who was still attached to it. Eerie silence formed as the sight chocked everyone's words. One question echoed silently.
What exactly was going on?
Author's notes:
*Zut: Translation: Blast! (or Darn.)
*High Health system rankings: Based on the 2000 World Health Organization report which was based on 1997 stats (See report at: en. wi k iped /wik i/Wo rld_He alth_Organ ization_ran king_of_heal th_systems)
Part of my head canons come from little stuff like this. It also kinda of fits with the idea of him playing that 'big brother' role. I actually think France is more serious and caring of a character rather than the one minded pervert he is often presented to be.
Also, I apologize for the lack of the common "aru's" that china is known for saying. I find it funny in the show but...I find accents tedious to write and I don't think a Japanese accent fits in an English story.
