(Joan's POV)

Joan sat in a small semicircle, along with the rest of the immortals, explaining everything to the countries. "…So, in conclusion, we have to save the world by using our auric abilities, and we have to train you to do it in only seven days. Any questions?" She asked brightly, ignoring the promise of Armageddon that was hovering over their heads.

The countries shook their heads, one after another. It almost seemed like they were used to this kind of drama and excitement. Well, they probably are… She mused. Most of them are way older than me…

Joan stood up, clapped her hands, and announced, "Okay, so, can everyone go outside into France's backyard? For the countries that have already mastered their auras, we need to get a feel of how strong you are, and we need to give examples to the other countries as well."

With a wave of muttering and the occasional 'Ohonhonhonhonhon' from France, which caused everyone near him to back away slowly, except for Joan, the countries and immortals were shepherded outside, where they stood, waiting, in a neat line. Joan stood at the end, near France. She gestured at England to step forward.

"Okay, England, what kind of magic do you specialize in?" Sophie asked. She was standing at the front of the immortals."

"Well, I'm an adept. I don't have any mastery of elemental magic, but I know powerful spells."

"Good. Show us what you got."

England nodded, obviously trying not to look nervous. He closed his eyes, and a moment later, his black aura flared up around him, seemingly absorbing all the light that touched it. The strong odor of incense wove its way through the still summer air.

"What do you wish me to do?" He asked. When he opened his eyes, they were like onyx marbles, glittering dimly between his eyelids.

"Fight." Palamedes stepped forward. "Unless you're scared," He added.

England shook his head slowly. "Why would I be scared?" A moment later, a black ball of auric energy formed itself around his hand and England launched himself at the Saracen Knight.

Joan stared at the duel that was going on. "Palamedes is going to lose," She said absentmindedly. France leaned over her shoulder. "I agree. Angleterre is kicking his nicely shaped ass."

Without turning around, Joan slapped him on the face. "'Ey!" He protested. "Zat was uncalled for!"

"No it wasn't." She replied, still without looking around.

"Well, maybe not…"

A moment later, they stopped talking because England had completely immobilized Palamedes in a prison of hardened… Is that grass? Joan wondered. Palamedes struggled, trying to use his aura, but England completely stopped his power.

"England, you've won! You can stop now." Joan called. England glanced her way, then blinked. His aura faded and Palamedes dropped to the ground, panting.

"Next time I won't go so easy on you," He grunted as England hauled him to his feet.

England winked. "Neither will I."

The rest of the immortals seemed impressed. "If this is the reach of your power, then maybe we have a chance!" Tsagaglalal proclaimed. "Portugal, you're up next. You'll be facing Saint-Germain, another Fire master."

As the duel went on, Portugal sending blasts of heat at Francis while Francis narrowly avoided them, Joan noticed that the countries that had fought seemed to easily outpace the immortals. Is this because they're countries? Or are they just naturally powerful? The answer came when Portugal finished off her duel, then Antarctica easily plowed Virginia Dare into the ground. It must be because they're countries… Not everyone can be this strong…

Joan jolted out of her reverie and clapped her hands sharply. "Okay! That was great, everyone. Now, the rest of the immortals will teach you how to bring your aura into view and form it into armour. Once we do the basics, we'll have to bring you to an Elder who can Awaken you, so that you will be able to use the full range of your powers. England, Antarctica, and Portugal obviously had centuries to refine their abilities, but, since we don't have that time, we'll have to find one tomorrow. Okay?"

There was a wave of muttered consents. Prussia opened his mouth to speak, but Joan immediately cut him off. "Yes, I know that this is awesome. And no, Scotland, you can't have a beer or two before we get started." She added to the redhaired Nation, who was about to start talking. "We need to focus."

The immortals split up and went to the different countries. Machiavelli was shoved over to the Italies by a grinning Aoife, as the author struggled and protested. When Italy saw the other Italian, he immediately broke into a huge smile and glomped Machiavelli around the waist. Romano spotted Aoife and was about to talk to her, presumably with several swear words and insults thrown into the dialogue, when Aoife broke him off and launched a tirade that put even Romano to shame.

Virginia and Billy stuck around America, and the three Americans started to chat excitedly, while Scathach made a beeline for Scotland, obviously trying to be subtle. Billy and America eyed her and laughed quietly, while Virginia looked on, rolling her eyes in disdain.

Telemann, Copernicus, Prussia, and Germany all teamed up in one group, although both Copernicus and Prussia kept on breaking in and shouting various things about being awesome, while the two Germans did their best to ignore them. Eventually, they both just decided to move a little ways away, not even looking at the Prussians.

China and Sun Yat-Sen had struck up a lively conversation, while Portugal and Antarctica hung around and watched, giving little pointers to both Sun and China at the same time.

Japan and Niten stayed close together, holding an incredibly polite and refrained conversation, until Prussia, who had taken to running around wildly, broke them apart and they simultaneously punched him in the face. They then grinned tentatively at each other and started a warmer conversation.

France, Canada, and England all hung back with Joan, watching the proceedings, until Tsagaglalal and Marethyu came up.

"Even though they have learned to bring their auras into view, there is still much they must know. May I steal Canada for a little while, please?" Tsagaglalal asked politely, her black hair falling over her back. Although she was ageing at a normal rate ever since she had given up Prometheus' aura to save Niten, two years before, she was still looking incredibly young and beautiful. Canada blushed slightly and walked off a little way with her, where they sat down to an earnest conversation. Marethyu strolled away with England, and Joan almost dreaded what would happen when the most powerful magical country had a conversation with the oldest and strongest immortal.

She was broken out of her thoughts when France flicked her head lightly. "That leaves just me," He said with a twinkle in his vivid blue eyes. "It's better you than Saint-Germain, over there." He added with a jerk of his head in Francis' direction. Joan turned and saw that he was right; Francis was glaring daggers at the Nation.

"Oh, come on then," She replied with a sigh. "We may as well get started."

*Time skip brought to you by Flying Mint Bunny*

Several hours later, in the early evening, Joan was proud to learn that every single Nation had learned how to bring their aura into view, along with how to make it into armour and a few other basic tricks. She gazed out over the countries, who were doing mock duels with each other. Italy's bright amber aura was flaring up as he randomly created some uncooked pasta in midair, then sent it like darts through the air at Romano, whose darker amber aura quickly moulded itself into armour to protect himself. A few meters away, Germany and Prussia were using their nearly identical gray auras to add speed and strength to their usual punches and kicks. Joan winced as Prussia used a gauntleted hand to punch Germany in the gut, and as the younger Nation stumbled back, Prussia leaped up and performed a roundhouse kick into his chest. Germany went flying, but quickly jumped up and used his fist to punch Prussia square in the jaw.

Japan had taken out his katana and had covered it with his navy blue aura, using it in his duel with France, who was trying to defend himself with a rose, for some reason. Japan neatly chopped the flower's stem in half, the plant smoking where the katana had touched it, and leaned over France, his katana at the other Nation's throat. All of the sudden, France jerked up and kissed him on the lips. Japan immediately recoiled with a surprised expression on his face, and France leaped to his feet, grinning triumphantly. Joan tried not to smile at his antics, then shifted her gaze to Canada and America.

Canada was kicking America's ass.

He had somehow pulled out a hockey stick and was using it to whale on America, who could only try to protect himself with his red aura. "Maple! Maple! Maple!" Canada shouted each time that his stick made contact, his eyes wild and his cheeks flushed with anger.

A little ways away, China had paused in his duel with Portugal, who was going VERY easy on him, and they both watched as Canada chased America around France's backyard. China's forest green aura faded, along with Portugal's golden red one, and they both settled down on the grass to watch the show.

Someone tapped on Joan's shoulder and she started, then turned around. England hovered over her shoulder. Joan gestured at the ground beside her, and when England had settled down, she asked, "What is it, England?"

"I think that I know two more Nations that can help us; Norway and Romania. They are both magical countries as well, and they specialize summoning and transformation, two things that could be useful."

Joan nodded. "True… But we're in France! How would we get from Norway, to Romania, and back, without taking a plane? Even the nearest ley line is miles away."

England grinned. "Just leave that up to me." He turned around and called out to the immortals, who were watching the duels, "Joan and I are going for a quick walk, okay? We'll be right back."

The immortals nodded back without even looking their way.

England offered Joan his arm, and the two walked away, Joan blissfully unaware of France's hurt gaze boring into her back.

Meeeh! Sorry for the stupid filler chapter, people… I just felt that I needed to have at least one with their training and the duels and everything… And I'm gonna introduce two more characters soon! I have so many! D: But oh well… I'll live!

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