A/N: AND WE'RE BACK! Sorry for the wait, life just got in the way so I had to put this on hold. So yeah. I divided the characters up into groups and stuff so it'll be easier to follow the story hopefully.
So what do you think of the story so far? Is it bad? Is it good? How should I change it? Are the characters, like, in-character and stuff? I need to know these things for your enjoyment. XD
The morning light slowly made it's way into Japan's room that next morning, engulfing everything in the golden glow. The Japanese man groaned as his brown eyes opened to his temporary bedroom. The room was rather simple, which Japan appreciated quite a lot. A small bed with the Japanese flag for a blanket, a simple desk, and a drawer for any clothes the small man might've left from one of Italy's sleepovers. Japan especially like the wood it was made out of, which was some bamboo ironically exported from his country. Germany is really thoughtful for making the furniture out of that type of wood. Thoughtful, the quality Japan liked most about him.
Wait...why was Japan here again? The old nation closed his eyes as he tried to think. Something about Prussia, right? Japan sighed as he tried to bring the memory back to him. He was, disappearing, correct? And Mother's back. Wait...oh shit, Mother's back! Japan paled as this thought came to mind and he shook his head. No, it can't be true. Maybe this is all a big prank. Yes, that makes sense. The rather short man sighed softly and walked downstairs to the kitchen where Italy and Germany were making breakfast. Well, actually it was just Italy cooking and Germany cleaning up after the rather messy nation. It still counts.
"Hello, friends." Japan slipped into a seat in the kitchen and watched with only half-focus. The house was strangely quiet without Prussia here. Was he that into the prank? Germany stood up and nodded at the man. "Hallo, Japan. Did you have a good sleep?" His voice was strangely sad and Japan blinked a few times. Was Germany-san apart of this too? He was into this kind of stuff? The Japanese man shrugged it off and swung his legs back and forth. "Hello, Germany-san. Yes, I have had a good sleep."
"Vee! Hello Japan! Did you get a longer kimono?" Italy greeted, pointing at the article of clothing Japan wore. The man looked at the Italian in a bit of confusion. "N-Nani...Italia-kun, what are you talking about?" Japan scratched the back of his head in a bit of confusion. "You know I don't like to go shopping often." For the sake of my life, the black haired man added in his head. How would Italy know if he got a longer kimono anyway? Not like he'd get one. Tokyo was a pretty hectic place to live in. Which, ironically, Japan did. The Japanese man sighed, wondering how he survived in that tight city up until this point.
"Then what happened to your legs, vee?" The Italian cocked his head to the side and Japan's skin slowly went to a deathly pale. Suddenly his ears were on alert. Was that...a sizzling sound? No...no no no! He slowly pulled up his kimono to see his ankles slowly, ever so slowly, sizzling away. This can't be happening. The former Axis stared at the discovery in shock and fear. "T...this isn't a joke." Japan sputtered, spit flying to the floor. Germany looked away and sighed deeply in sadness. "We need to go find Mother and get her to fix this. I'm not losing everyone." He crossed his arms and let out a loud sigh.
"How are we gonna find her, Germany? She could be anywhere, vee." Italy's curl crumpled and he started to sniffle.
"Well, there must be some place to start. Where did the earth started getting human population? That would be where Mother is hiding." the German stated. Japan noticed the worry tone in his voice and sighed as he knew what the German was thinking about. He just lost a brother and now he's going to lose a friend if he doesn't do something. Wait. Was Japan even his friend? Or were they something else? Acquaintances? The Japanese man sighed as he stood up, surprisingly still the same height as he was before his feet started to disappear.
"Let's start with China. That is were the first humans reportedly shown up." Germany stated. The blacket and brunet nodded their agreement.
"Yes. That sounds like the best place to start. I'll figure out a way to get us tickets. You and Italy just pack for now." Japan then walked off, which honestly looked like floating to the other two nations. It didn't even sound like he was making steps. Not even the old staircase squeaked when he 'walked' up them. The remaining two looked at each other for a moment. No words were exchanged. Just looks. And that was all they needed to know what the other was thinking.
"Doist-"
"Shh." Germany silenced the Italian with a wave of his hand. "You're afraid. I can see that. However you must put those fear aside or else your worst fears shall come true." The blonde waited for a reaction or realization or anything. "N...no more pasta?" Italy started to tear up. His figure started to shake and Germany sighed. Italy...always letting his stomach think for him. The blonde guessed that was what added to his charm with the ladies. ...Ladies like food, right? Well, that doesn't matter at this moment. "No, Italy. You disappearing and not being a nation anymore." Italy's eyes widened at this statement.
"T-that even worse!"
"Exactly. That means we must get going. We need to stop this, or else it'll get worse before it gets better." The German explained, placing his fist on his palm. "Start packing. We're heading off to China."
Over at the Nordics house, things weren't going so well either. "No...this isn't real! This can't be happening to me." Finland waved his right hand where part of his left arm used to be. He tried to touch stuff with his missing hand and felt nothing. As if he just had part of his arm cut off and he's relying on a nub. The disappearing process was slow moving for him, almost as if it might stop.
It won't.
The blonde knows it won't. OK, OK, Finland. Let's start with how you're going to hide this from the others, he thought in vain. It was a good question. How was he going to hide this from the rest of his family? Finland looked towards the closet and saw the sleeve of an old blue sweater. It used to be Sweden's before he declared it made him look like an old man. The Fin groaned at the idea of actually wearing that thing, but it was 2 sizes too big for him, which make it perfect to hide his arms.
He grabbed the wool material and slipped it over his head and through his arms. Actually, arm and nub. He took a look in the mirror and sighed. He looked like a blue, wool trash bag but it's not really the problem here. The blonde made his way downstairs and slipped into his seat at the breakfast table in the kitchen. It looked like everyone has cooked something. Finland looked at the foods and quickly figured out who made what. Denmark obviously was the one that made the kammerjunkere, basically circle vanilla wafers. Norway made some open faced salmon sandwiches for everyone. Iceland just fried a fish and called it his contribution. Sweden decided to bake some bread and put caviar on top of it. Sealand was still up in his room, asleep.
Good, no one has noticed him yet.
"Hey Finny! What the hell are you wearing?" Denmark bellowed out of the blue. The rest of the Nordics took a look at him. Shit. "Oh nothing. Just a sweater I found and I thought it would look good on me." Finland covered, mentally giving himself a pat on the back for that save. That was easier then the man thought. "It looks weird on you." Iceland commented, shoving a forkful of fish in his mouth. Finland shot the teenager a glare. "No it doesn't."
"Isn't th't my 'ld sweat'r?" Sweden tilted his head to the side in confusion and Finland blushed with embarrassment. He needed to lie again. Oh God, c'mon think. "O-Oh, is it? I just found it in the closet and thought it would look nice on me." The smaller man explained, chuckling awkwardly at the end. However it was too late. He hesitated too long. Now everyone was staring at him. "W-what? It's the truth." Finland gripped the left sleeve tightly, trying to look at nonchalant as possible.
"What's up with your sleeve? It's limp. Like nothing's there." Norway pointed out. "Fin, you're being weird. More weird then usual."
"I'm not weird! See!" Finland lifted his arms in a stretch. "Not weird at a-" The sleeves slid down and crumpled at the arm pits, revealing one full right arm, and a slowly disappearing left. The other Nordic's eyes widened at this discovery and turned pale. "What the flipping fuck?!" Denmark backed away, holding his fork toward the Fin in fear. Iceland gulped and came to realization. "So this was all true. Mother's back, Prussia's gone, and-"
"Finland's next." Norway's eyes darted around the room. "We're doomed."
"We're n't doomed." Sweden crossed his arms. "Th're must be a place where M'ther is residing th't is on Earth. N' way she could m'ke nations dis'ppear at her h'me." Finland nodded at this. It seemed simple enough. Now the real question is-
"Where would Mother even be?! Have you seen the Earth? It's freaking huge!" Denmark spread his arms wide apart to emphasize this point. The others sighed as they knew this was true. Very true. There was no way they could search the whole Earth without Finland disappearing forever first. They're must be one place where Mother could reside.
"Greece."
Everyone turned to Norway, the one who gave out that option. The man fixed his hair clip and shrugged. "Well it is the place of Ancient Greece so maybe Mother could be hiding there. It was an ancient civilization and you really think Mother could keep up with all this technology?"
"Did I hear technology?!" Sealand called from upstairs. The sounds of footsteps sounded throughout the house and Sealand darted into the kitchen. "I'm getting a new game, right?" He looked up at his family with wide eyes. "It's not even Christmas or my birthday, this is the best day ever!" As Sealand spoke, Finland quickly pulled up his sleeves and hid his arms behind his back.
"Actually Sealand, we're..." the Fin looked at his fellow Nordics. "We're going on a little vacation." Sealand gasped as he got this news. A vacation! Like, a real vacation!
"Where are we going?! Are we going to one of those Disney amusement parks in America? That's be awesome!" Sealand fistpumped at the idea.
"No. We're going somewhere else. We're going to Greece. So get packing. We leave as soon as possible." Finland stood up and made his way to his bedroom upstairs. Soon after the others went off in their own general direction, leaving Sealand standing there. "Something is up with Mama and the rest of them." He declared. "Why won't they tell me? ...Hmmph. I'll just figure it out myself."
KNOCKITY! KNOCKY! KNOCKER! KNOCK!
"I'm coming!" Estonia rubbed his eyes and walked up to the front door. It's six o'clock in the morning! Who would be up at this time? The Estonian opened the door and was tackled to the ground. "Estonia! It's been, like, forever since I saw you and the others." Of course it had to be Poland. The man was in a pair of skinny jeans and a pink shirt, laughing his little head off.
"Whoever that is, shut up!" A feminine voice called out from some direction. It was obviously Belarus. Estonia rubbed his head as he recalled everything that happened after he left that meeting. Ukraine didn't want to stay in some mysterious country she's never been in before so Lithuania had to drive the few hours to get to his house. Everyone went to a separate room away from each other and went to bed. Now Estonia now has an over-energetic, 'fabulous' Pole on his hands.
"Bela! You're here too?! Did you all, like, have a party and didn't invite me? I could've got the party jumping!" Poland stood up and dusted off his clothes. "This is Liet's house so I know he's here, what about Ukraine and Latvia? Were they at this party too?"
"We didn't have a party, Poland." Estonia fixed his glasses and stood up. "We went to a meeting at Germany's house and it was too late to drive to each other's houses so we stayed at Lithuania's." Poland gasped with Estonia finished, looking insulted. "You guys, like, had a meeting and totally didn't invite me?! Plus, you had to, like, go through my place to get to Liet's so you didn't bother stopping by?! Tch, how rude!" The shorter blonde, crossed his arms. Actually, Lithuania suggested to stop by but Belarus forced him to keep on the highway. Estonia mentally explained, not like Poland could hear his thoughts.
"What's going on? Why is everyone yelling?" Latvia walked into the room, his curly blonde hair sticking out in many directions. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"Latvia!" Poland reached out and hugged him tightly. "I knew you were here too!" Little did the Pole know he was choking the poor boy. "P...Poland! C-Can't breathe!" Latvia scratched against the taller nation's hands but didn't do much damage because of his worn nails.
"Oh, whoops." Poland let go anyway, giving Latvia the ability to gulp down air once again. "Sorry, got a bit carried away."
"What part of 'shut up' don't you people get?" Belarus now stomped into the scene, clearly pissed off. Well, her face always looked that way but this time her body language showed it as well. The two Baltics jumped and kept their distance away from Russia's younger sister. Poland on the other hand just waved. "Hey Mrs. Grumpy. Like, did you period come or something?" If looks could kill, and if nations couldn't die, Poland would've definitely been six feet under right now.
"Well Poland, did you grow a dick yet?" The woman fired back. Latvia let out a chuckle and Estonia elbowed him.
"Nope. Because I, like, already have one."
"Are you s-"
"Guys, can we keep it down a little bit?" Lithuania walked in this time, scratching his brown hair. "Stay out of this Li-" Belarus turned to the third Baltic and stopped speaking. Poland looked up as well and gasped. "L-Liet, w...what's up with your shoulder?!"
"My shoulder...?" Lithuania looked at his left shoulder. "It's fine, why do you ask?" He looked back at the wide-eyed quartet.
"N-Not t-t-that shoulder. T-the other o-one." Latvia pointed and Lithuania followed his finger to his right shoulder. Wait...where was it?! The brunet's skin color got whiter as he saw it disappearing, that soft sizzle echoing the walls around everyone. Everyone was dead silent. Poland tried his best not to let his emotions get the better of him and bit his lip. The sizzle slowed down a bit but kept going.
"So...Germany and the others were right. We're-"
"Dying." Belarus finished, trying not to look at the spot where the Baltic's shoulder used to be.
"W-We're not dying." Poland explained. "Just...disappearing. W-We're going to be replaced. ...That was what that meeting was about, wasn't it, Estonia?" He turned to the said Estonian, who was in a panic.
"Y-Yeah, it was."
"Well, why are we still standing here?! We gotta go to Mother and kick her ass." Poland thrusted his fist into his palm. Lithuania sighed. "One problem, Poland, we have no idea where she is. And Ukraine isn't eve-"
"AHHHHHH!"
"Nevermind."
Ukraine was standing near the hallway behind them, shivering at the sight. "Lithuania! Y-You're disappearing! It was true. I knew it was true!" Tears filled the woman's eyes and they ran down her cheeks.
"Ukraine, like, don't cry." Poland walked up to her and gave her a hug. "It'll, like, be OK. We're going to England to kick Mother's ass."
"Yes we a- wait, England?" Estonia questioned. "Why there?"
"Because that's where Mother will be. Like, trust me. I know these things" Poland rubbed the taller woman's back. "Estonia, buy us some tickets for the next plane to England, like, ASAP."
"Well...OK? What does ASAP mean?" Estonia questioned again.
"As soon as possible. I, like, just made it up." Poland explained. If the situation wasn't as serious as it is, everyone would've complained about the new acronym. "Now everyone else, get packing."
Soft music played throughout the house. Austria yawned as he rubbed his eyes. He couldn't sleep, knowing that maybe just...just maybe Prussia might actually be gone forever. And the aristocrat practically mocked his brother but not believing him and storming out of his house. "No...no it's just some stupid prank and Germany stooped so low as to go along with it."
"Mr. Austria, you've been playing all night. Is there something wrong? You know, other then the other messed up stuff that's going on." Hungary's voice called from the doorway. The man couldn't help but smile. It was nice to know that someone was still here. To Austria it felt like everyone was leaving him all over again.
"I'm OK, Hungary. No need to worry." He turned around. "Putting up such fuss ab-" He went silent. "H...Hungary, what happened to you?!"
There, in front of him was Hungary, disappearing from her right hand. "H...Hungary! Look at yourself. You're-"
"I'm what? What's going o-" Then she heard it. The sizzle. The Hungarian froze and you can see in her face that her soul was crushed. She didn't even need to look down to know what was happening. Her right hand was numb. Actually, what right hand? It was completely gone!
"Umm, uhh, I-I, ummm" Austria stood up and examined the process of the disappearing and sighed in relief. "It's slow going, which is good. That means we have time to pinpoint Mother's location and stop her."
"And if we don't?"
"Hungary, you know what will happen if we don't." Austria tried to keep his cool but felt tears in his eyes and the seriousness of the situation start to sink in. His wife... no... his ex- wife, was leaving him. Someone else was leaving him. "I-I'll make sure that doesn't happen, promise." He squeezed her left hand. "We...we need to wake up Switzerland and Liechtenstein."
"Yes, we should so we can think of where to start looking." With that the two went their separate ways to the rooms where the other Germans were staying. Austria opened the door to Switzerland's room and walked in.
"Switzerland. I need you to wake up." Austria walked up to his bed. A simple groan was all the aristocrat got in reply. "Switzerland, wake up." The brunet shook the Swiss a bit and his eyes flew open, definitely away now. He grabbed his shotgun from under the bed and pointed it at Austria.
"Don't you dare touch my m- Oh, it's you." Switzerland placed the gun down and crossed his arms. "What do you want? If it to pay you back on all the lunches we had together, I'll do that later." He narrowed his eyes and the Austrian, practically daring him to mention that.
"No. It's something more serious then our dang money. Come with me and I'll explain. Hungary went to go get Liechtenstein so you don't have to worry about her." The brunet then walked out of the room, looking about to make sure the Swiss was still following him. For some reason, he was. Pouting, yes, but he still was following. Austria smiled a bit. He looks like a child, pouting like that. ...Well, he does have a baby face? Austria then walked back into the piano room where Hungary was waiting with a half-asleep Liechtenstein in her lap.
"What's going on?" The little girl yawned. "Can I go back to sleep?"
"Sorry, Liechtenstein, but this is important." Hungary stroked her hair. "Remember that meeting we had?"
"Yes. That absolutely useless meeting." Switzerland answered, leaning against the wall. "What about it?" As an answer, Hungary lifted her right arm and revealed what was happening to her. The gun-crazy nation looked at the situation and sighed. "So, it was true?"
"Apparently so." Austria sat down in a chair. Switzerland took a glance at his sister and suddenly when into a cold sweat. What is Liechtenstein disappears along with her? My little sister... The blonde bit his lip and remembered what it was like without that little girl in his life. No...not again. Never again.
"We need to go hunt down Mother." Switzerland declared, cracking his knuckles. "She's hiding somewhere."
"Like where?" Liechtenstein questioned, swinging her legs back and forth.
"Well...ummm.." This is where Switzerland stopped talking. Where WOULD they go, actually? The earth is so huge, Mother could be anywhere. They have to start somewhere. Well, if Hungary's disappearing then that must mean other nations are disappearing and they're finding Mother as well. So that helps in a sense.
"Let's go to India." Austria suggested. The other three Germans gave him confused looks. Why India of all place to start. Hungary voiced these complaints and Austria explained to her. "Let's not forget of the great empires that where in India. Surely one of the towns there have a clue of some sort. We might as well try."
The room was deathly silent for a few moments.
"...Let's go there." Liechtenstein perked up.
China groaned as he snuggled up to his pillow that same morning. God, last night was awful. He agreed to himself to next sleep in the same room, actually the same HOTEL, with his former comrades ever again. It is literally hell on earth. When the fi- sorry, SIX of them went into the hotel room, America ran of to the lady behind the desk and practically made her death with his yelling. Not like she could understand him, she only spoke German. Then Russia got impatient and went all; "You give us a hotel room or you'll meet Mr. Pipe, da?" Of course England and France got into a fight about which of their languages was better and Canada just sighed and stole a key during all of this chaos, motioning China to grab the others and follow him.
If THAT wasn't bad enough, the time in the hotel room was even worse. Everyone kept fighting for the bed they wanted. It went something like this;
England went to go to the biggest bed, sit on it and say; "This is my bed." Of course America then tackled him. "No way, dude! This bed is mine!" Then they fought over the bed while France rubbed himself against China. "I don't mind what bed I sleep in as long as your next to me, my dear China."
"Aiyah! Don't touch me, aru!" China backed up, tripping over a bed post, falling back onto it. "T-This bed's mine!"
"Why must we be doing the fighting, everyone?" Russia smiled and tilted his head to the side. "There are five beds anyway so one of us either has to sleep on the floor and two of us must sleep in the same bed." Yes, Russia thought it was such a good idea to say that. China faceplamed as the fighting got worse.
"Back off, Frog!"
"Dude, stop pulling my hair! This bed belongs to the hero!"
"And the Frenchmen~"
"No! The Frenchmen can sleep on the bloody floor!"
"M-Maple! Can you g-guys stop s-s-stepping on me!"
"Why doesn't everyone sleep on the floor, da?"
"No way, commie!"
"Everyone calm down, aru." China sighed, burying his face in his pillow. Not like that was any use. The Chinese man sighed as he went under the covers and slipped the blanket over his head, trying to get to well needed sleep.
Somehow, he actually did, which leads us to right now. "Ehh...what time is it?" China looked over at the clock. 7 in the morning. Great... The nation looked around the hotel room and for the first time since yesterday he noticed all the details about it. The walls of the room were a creamy white with red flowers bordering the ceiling and the floor, which was made of a plush beige carpet. The curtains were striped maroon and beige and they flowed to the ground. The chairs were made of the finest oak and the seats were made of black silk. The beds were made of the same material and all five of them were right next to each other with a small wardrobe in between them to make walking space. China's bed was against the wall so he didn't have to work too hard to see who was sleeping in what bed.
On the other side of the wall was Canada, curled up to a ball, using his polar bear as a pillow. On the next bed was America, sucking his thumb and laying on his back. The Chinese man refused to urge to squeal at the display and looked over to the third bed. There was France and England in the same bed. France was laying diagonally across the bed while England was under him, laying in the opposite direction. England definitely was struggling to get out of the situation before he decided it was no use and went to sleep. The fourth bed was empty. And Russia was missing. ...Shit. Where did he go? Where WOULD he go?
"Ehhh...Good morning, China! You had a good sleep, da?" A voice called out from behind the Asian nation. China froze. You have got to be kidding me! He thought before he looked over his shoulder and saw the same Russia who he declared missed not even 2 minutes ago.
"R-Russia?! What are you doing in my bed, aru?!" The shorter man squirmed and found out that the Russian was holding him by the waist. W...we did not!
"You looked cold so I decided to help you get warm and I slept next to you." Russia rested his chin on his friend's shoulder. "Isn't it nice to sleep next to a friend, China?"
"L...Let go of me!" China squirmed a bit more and ended up falling tot he ground, taking the covers with him. "Hey! Dudes, can you chill with all the noise?" America called, obviously awake from the chaos. "Heroes need to sleep too."
"Bloody hell, what time is it?" England sat up, pushing the sleeping Frenchman off of his body. "Seven in the morning." China answered, standing up and stretching.
"Let's order room service! Or better yet, let's go to McDonalds!" America suggested.
"You honestly think there's a McDonalds around here, idiot?" England crossed his arms, waiting for an answer.
"I'll just order cook something myself, aru." China then started to walk to the kitchen.
"China, that is a cool trick. Can you teach Big Brother that?" France groaned out, sitting up from his spot on the floor. The older nation stopped. "What trick?" China questioned, tilting his head to the side.
"The trick that makes your ponytail dis...a...ppear." France explained, turning pale as he finished the word 'disappear'. China gasped and looked over his shoulder at his ponytail. Actually, what ponytail?! It's absolutely gone. "S...so you two idiots were right?!" China exclaimed, referring to England and America. He felt around to make sure France wasn't joking around with him. No. It was gone. He heard the sizzling and knew that it wasn't just a prank. He was actually disappearing.
"Ha! We TOLD you!" America decided that now was definitely the right time to brag. "America, I suggest you do the shutting up now. You agree, da?" Russia glared at the young nation, practically threatening him to agree. Meanwhile, China was flipping out.
"I can't disappear, aru! There's a lot of things I didn't even do yet! Like own one of America's computers, aru!" The Asian nation felt tears in his eyes and tried to wipe them away. France went up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Ne pleure pas, en Chine." Don't cry, China. "We're figure out a way to stop you from leaving us." The Frenchman gave the Asian a hug. China sniffed, trying not to let the tears fall. "B-b-but where would we go, aru? Mother's on earth I-I know t-that much, but where would she b-be?"
"Let's go to Rome, da?" Russia suggested. "Wasn't Ancient Rome one of the first nations, or ancients in our case, to disappear?"
"Yes, what's your point Russia?" England glared at him, something Russia was used to so he shrugged it off.
"I say we go there. Mother would want to stay as close to the old times as possible. You honestly think she would be liking all this technology?"
The other nations paused for a minute.
"Well no, but-"America didn't even get the chance to finish his sentence.
"So off to Rome we go, da?"
A/N: I think I'm getting the hang of this "multiple pairings if you squint a bit" thing. XDD Do you think so?
Yeah, Russia's dialogue has semi-bad grammar because I assume his English isn't really the best. XD
So um, shout out to all my readers who are from Rome or India or China or Greece or any other place I mentioned in this chapter. You're as awesome as Prussia. =u= Thanks for the reviews and favorites too. They're what keep me going. ^^
-xlittlecrazyviex
