Austria:

"I need your help."

"You always need my help." The voice on the other end was full of antagonistic alto notes and no-nonsense timbre. The tone was so pure and strong, it even took Austria aback. It was unexpected.

Taking in a sharp breath, Austria answered in his own mild tenor. "I know. But this time it's really bad."

"I would have heard something."

"Not necessarily. But if you have, try this. Three nations are missing and I know who took them. And the reason they are missing? Because they are wanted to help fight – against me."

The laughter on the other end was short and dry. "I don't care who it is, they don't need anyone else to beat you."

"This person does. It's Prussia."

Rest. Rest. Rest. Half and a quarter rest. "I thought he was dead."

"Of course he wasn't. Germany looked up to his older brother too much."

"But – you're his older brother too. Surely he knew that…"

Austria sunk lower in his chair. "Of course he knew."

There was a gust of air from the other side of the line. "I'm not that friendly with Prussia either. He – he didn't mention anything about me?"

"He did say that all who oppose him will be squashed. And he probably has his sights on you already. You can pack a punch."

"Yeah…"

"Will you help me?"

Rest. "I don't know."

Standing up abruptly, Austria drew up a mental picture. A boy about his height. Blonde hair. Good at fighting. Full of rigor and strength. Green eyes. Good with his gun. "Switzerland, I need your help. I promise I won't take you for granted." Never again, he added in his mind, remembering his past friendship with the other country. He missed the closeness he used to have. Switzerland had been his best friend.

Rest. "Fine, I'll be there. Give me a few hours."

Relieved, Austria let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. "Bring Lichtenstein too. You don't want her there if Prussia shows up."

"I know."

"Thank you, Switzerland."

"Don't thank me yet." The call abruptly ended, leaving Austria holding the phone awkwardly, once again having to wait. It was well into the night now.

There was a frantic knock from the lower floor. Descending the stairs, Austria felt relief settling upon him. Hungary must be here with Spain. He walked up to the door and looked through the peephole. Spain was standing right outside the door. The expression on his face gave Austria pause, but then he relaxed and opened the door. The western country flew in.

Continuing to hold the door, Austria waited for Hungary to waltz in. He imagined her in her old battle clothes, all white with her hair tied up behind her, eyes so green and alight with the fire of fighting. But no one came through the door.

Confused, Austria turned towards Spain. He watched the small brunette man shiver, the normal sparkle in his eyes gone. It made Austria feel nervous.

"Where's Hungary?" he asked, bringing up image after image of her, the way she stood with her head held high, even in her maid outfit, the way she lashed out with her frying pan as if it was a sword or a gun.

The look Spain gave him was enough to tell him everything, and he closed the door mechanically and in silent despair.

America:

"It's locked," England announced, his hand straining against the doorknob.

Sighing, America slumped against the wall. "Of course it's locked. Prussia probably knew that you had a pocketknife."

"Then why didn't he take it?"

"Maybe he wanted to test us?"

The two looked at each other briefly, then laughed. England walked back down the stairs to the bottom of the basement. He glanced around.

"What are you looking for?" America inquired.

England was silent for a second longer before putting his gaze back on America. "Another way out."

"There isn't one."

"How are you so sure?"

"France asked about it while you were asleep."

Again laughing, England walked around. "Prussia doesn't know everything. There has got to be something that has been hidden all this time."

"I don't think so. I think that Prussia will know this place better than you'd expect." America let his eyes wander around the walls of the basement. "He said that he'd been living down here."

There was a loud thump and an, "Oh," from England.

America watched as the other country walked back up to him. They looked at each other for a long moment, then England let out a sigh.

"I guess we are stuck here for now," he mused.

"Yeah."

Sitting down, America waited for something to happen.

The door opened.

A figure was pushed down the stairs and landed awkwardly.

The door closed.

The person stood up.

America heard England gasp and say a single word. "Hungary."

Russia:

As he walked in the door to the too warm house Russia slid the box under his coat. He plastered on his smile and called out a greeting, waiting for the rush of his subordinates coming to bow and greet. Before they could come he slipped into a different room, instantly dropping his smile, and went through a less used hallway into his office.

Russia slipped into his chair and gazed at the wood of his desk, slowly bringing out the box. He stared at the unassuming item for a second before opening up the lowest drawer of his file cabinet and tucking the box away. Locking the drawer, he then placed the key inside his pocket and sat up again, glancing around to make sure that he hadn't been observed.

He wasn't ready for others to know that he had it yet.

Closing his eyes, Russia thought back to the day that he had acquired the box. It had been completely by accident, right after Prussia fell. And the instant he had seen what it contained, Russia had known that it was dreadfully important, both to Austria and Prussia. But for different reasons.

But until one of them figured out that he had it, the box wasn't important.

Russia brought his phone to his ear and pressed a button. He listened to something on the other end, then brought the phone away. A smile almost appeared on his lips. Of course, he had been right.

The tall man stood up and walked slowly to the door, wondering just what to do now. He had all the moves of both sides mapped out, knew just what was going to happen and when, could almost hear their thoughts whispering into his mind. Hungary was taken, Spain had made it. Switzerland would get to Austria's without much trouble, because Prussia had his eyes on a larger prize. One that he hoped would get America to change his mind.

His hand on the doorknob, Russia smiled even broader. Of course, it wouldn't work. Prussia didn't know just what he was getting into. His next prey was like Russia himself: different than what everyone else saw.

Smirking, Russia opened the door. Yes, different from what people saw – or didn't see.