Disclaimer: AilateH nwo t'nod eW!
A/N: Hey, everyone!
Can I come down yet? No, you are being punished. But I can feel all the blood rushing to my head! I've been standing on my hands for four hours! You're the one who thought it would be a great idea to rant. Come on! I said I was sorry. This is cruel and unusual punishment! Unusual, not cruel. You're mean. You can come down at the end of the chapter.
Oh, right! MISSY, GET YOUR REQUEST IN! We've got Dala's and Caha's and one will be filled in this chapter.
Enjoy! Please review! And please get me down from here.
World War One
1914 – 1918
Allied Powers vs. Central Powers
Denmark jerked awake at the sound of a door slamming against the wall. There was a grunt and broken Swedish as the sounds of a fight came from below the ledge.
"Lort," Denmark muttered. He gently shook China awake, wincing when his back rubbed against the wall.
"What, aru?" China opened his eyes slowly, blinking up at Denmark in mild confusion.
"They're here," Denmark replied. There was the sound of a head hitting the stone floor and he grit his teeth. "And it sounds like Sve just got the crap beat out of him."
"I wish they would leave," China whispered. "I am tired of being chained to a wall, aru."
"I'm getting tired of getting beaten," Denmark grumbled. "Can't we just retire already?"
"Perhaps Hawaii would be willing to let us stay at her house for a short while." China winced as he stretched the kinks out of his body. "I am far too old to be doing this, aru."
"China," Hangug sang. "Where are you, da-ze?"
China stiffened and clutched to Denmark. The Nordic nation could feel China shivering. It ran down the ancient nation's body and into his.
"Nihon would like to go back to bed," Hangug called up. "He says you must be very tired, da-ze."
"Damn wars," Denmark growled and leaned over the edge. "Why don't ya just get lost? It's not like we're going ta miss ya or anything."
"They are going to hurt you." China grabbed Denmark's upper arm desperately. "Do not say things like that, aru."
Denmark was about to response when a lead weight smacked him in the face. He fell back, clutching his nose and failing to stifle a scream.
"Aiyah!" China shouted, scrambling to Denmark's side. "You should not have said that, aru!" He pried Denmark's hand away to inspect the injury.
There was a thump as Pratheṣ̄thịy landed beside China. The War looked ecstatic at the sight of Denmark.
"I actually hit him!" he cackled. "I hit Denmark, ana!"
"You." China clenched his fist, fury raging through his body. "You . . . BASTARD, ARU!" Rushing forward, he shoved Pratheṣ̄thịy back off the ledge.
Pratheṣ̄thịy fell backward with a look of surprise on his face. He hit the ground moments later, barely making a sound. The other Asian Wars glanced up at China before the ancient nation found Việt Nam and Xiānggǎng standing beside him.
Xiānggǎng grabbed China by the throat and shoved him to the very edge of the ledge, barely supporting him. Only China's toes remained on the stone ledge. The rest of his body leaned over the edge. Instinctively, China's hand snapped out to grab at Xiānggǎng's wrist and he glared at the War.
"You may laugh at my weakness all you like," China spat. "But you may not laugh at my friends, aru."
"That is interesting," Xiānggǎng said, barely batting an eye.
Denmark reached out in an attempt to grab the War's ankle. Việt Nam scowled and kicked his hand away.
"What about him?" China suddenly found himself jerked back onto the ledge. He was thrown in a heap on the solid ground. Before he could react, Xiānggǎng grabbed Denmark by the hair, yanking him forward.
"Leave him alone, aru!" China's hand darted out to grab Xiānggǎng's wrist.
"Why should I?" Xiānggǎng snapped. Denmark grappled at his wrist, trying to free himself from the painful grip on his hair.
"Because it is not him you hate, aru," China snapped back as he tried to pry Xiānggǎng's fingers out of Denmark's hair.
"It doesn't really matter." Xiānggǎng shrugged. "I hate everybody." He released Denmark's hair, not even watching as the nation lost his footing.
Denmark's arms pinwheeled in the air, his eyes wide as he glanced behind himself. Instinctively, he took a step back. China's eyes widened as the other nation's foot slipped over the edge of the ledge.
"No, aru!" China raced to the edge and tried to grab Denmark's hand. His fingers just barely brushed Denmark's, grasping at thin air.
Denmark's shocked eyes made contact with China's before he hit the ground seconds later with a sickening thud. China's eyes were wide as he stared down at the ground. The room was silent. The Wars and nation looked down at Denmark with bated breath. China's empty fingers slowly closed into a fist and he pursed his lips.
Footsteps broke the silence before Nihon appeared in the doorway. His black eyes scanned the room, passing by Denmark before landing on China. There was a comical moment of surprise when his eyes widened and flicked back to Denmark.
"Xiānggǎng-kun?" Nihon asked in a dangerous voice. "Hangug-kun, is there someone I should speak to about his?" He crossed his arms, glaring at the Wars before him. The other Wars suddenly looked rather worried.
China leaned back on his heels, feeling the prick of hot tears in his eyes. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the body of his friend and the image was seared into his retinas.
"We said no killing!" Nihon strode forward, grabbing Hangug and easily throwing him across the room. The War hit the wall, collapsing to the ground with a curse. "You know what happens if they die!"
"He's not dead," Xiānggǎng argued. He was silenced when Nihon raised a hand.
"I don't care," Nihon snapped. "Do you see the mess I have to clean up now?" He motioned to Denmark's silent form. The other Wars looked down sheepishly, muttering excuses under their breath. "If I had wanted them injured I would have asked you," Nihon snapped.
"Wh't is going on h're?" a voice asked from behind Nihon and the other Wars winced. The boss was in the house.
China's hand clenched into a fist in his lap. He could feel the anger trembling down his arms.
Nihon turned to face Sverige. "My sisters and brothers were having a bit of." Nihon paused and glanced over his shoulder. "Fun." Sverige looked over Nihon's shoulder and his face hardened.
"Wh't did you do?" he demanded, storming forward. He bent down to examine Denmark.
"He slipped," Xiānggǎng snapped. "It's his own fault."
"Hai." Nihon rolled his eyes. "He slipped and broke his neck of his own free will."
"Ch'na," Sverige snapped and China glared down at the War. "Wh't h'ppened?"
"That bastard pushed him," China hissed. "He pushed him off the ledge and I could do nothing to save him, aru."
"Liar!" Xiānggǎng grabbed China by the scruff, meaning to harm him, but was stopped when Sverige suddenly tackled him against the wall. The taller War's face was inches from Xiānggǎng's.
"You h've no 'right to touch Ch'na wh'n N'hon is in the room," Sverige growled, slamming Xiānggǎng into the wall. "I m'de the r'les, you agreed to f'llow th'm."
Xiānggǎng grunted but made no sign he had even felt his head hitting the wall. China suddenly found Nihon kneeling before him. The ancient nation sent a glare up at the War. Something he had never had the guts to do before.
"You are on sw'mming d'ty," Sverige snapped, shoving Xiānggǎng to the floor. "R'ma w'nts It'ly to sp'nd four hours in the w'ter a day to stay healthy. He is g'ne r'ght now, so you w'tch her. If you touch or h'rt her, I w'll sk'n you al've. Do you und'rstand?"
"Duí," Xiānggǎng growled and stood, storming from the room.
"Would you like to play, China-kun?" Nihon asked teasingly.
"No," China hissed, making Nihon blinked in surprise. Standing, he clenched his fists at his sides. "I am tired of being your plaything. I will no longer do as you say, aru."
Sverige glanced sideways at China. "Being around oth'r n'tions has br'ken him," he commented.
"Hai," Nihon agreed. Grabbing China, he tossed him off the ledge. "Hangug-kun! Bughan-i-kun!" The twin Wars were quick to catch China before he could hit the ground. They pinned him to the ground on his stomach, each holding an arm and a leg. There was a soft thump behind China as Nihon landed on the ground.
"You no longer frighten me, aru," China hissed over his shoulder.
Leaping off the ledge, Sverige landed beside Nihon. He moved away and gently folded Denmark over his shoulder before leaving.
"I don't frighten you, China-kun?" China felt his pants legs being rolled up. Something rough brushed against his legs, resting on them.
"What are you doing?" China tried to jerk his legs away but the Korean Wars held them in place.
"It's birch," Nihon said cheerfully before China felt the wood lifted off his legs and brought down with a harsh snap. China howled in pain and tried to wrench his arms free.
"You say I don't frighten you, China-kun?" Nihon asked as he brought the birch down on China's legs again. "After we've had so much fun?"
"N-No, aru!" China gritted his teeth. He could feel welts forming on his calves from the beating.
"That's no fun." Nihon frowned and brought the birch rod down harder. "Shall we play some more?"
"No!" China howled in pain. "Stop! Please, aru!"
"Stop what?" Nihon paused in his beating. "You say you're not scared. Why should I stop having my fun?"
"You frighten me!" China shouted desperately. "You terrify me! You and your games, aru!"
Nihon leaned to whisper in China's ear. "I don't believe you." Straightening back up, he raised the birch.
"No, please, aru!" China's arms jerked against the Wars pinning him down. Hangug chuckled and increased his pressure.
The birch whistled through the air with its descent. This time it struck China across the back, leaving fresh welts along the skin. Old injuries still decorated China's back from Nihon's previous 'games'.
"Aiyah!" China cried out and his struggles weakened as tears filled his eyes.
"Why should I stop?" Nihon snapped, striking China once more. "You said it yourself, China-kun, you are not scared of me!"
China fell limp on the floor as the pain radiated through his body. 'Please,' he begged silently. 'Just let me pass out, aru.'
Nihon dropped the birch rod and knelt beside China's head. Grabbing the nation's chin, he forced China to look up at him.
"What do you think, China-kun?" he asked. "Should we play some more?"
China was silent before the words left his lips. They tasted like ash in his mouth.
"As you wish, aru."
Nihon smiled and patted China on the head. "Hangug-kun, Bughan-i-kun, you may mark him," he said before leaving the room to find Sverige.
China's hand clenched on the floor and he whimpered in the back of his throat. Bughan-i left briefly before retuning with a stick of iron, the end glowing bright red. China's breath hitched and he flinched before the iron even touched him. He could feel the heat before his face.
"Where do you want it, ez-ad?" Bughan-i asked teasingly.
"O-On my back, aru," China whispered. Maybe then no one would see it.
"He's no fun," Hangug whined. "Nihon said to mark him, not burn him, da-ze."
"Then what do you want to do, ez-ad?" Bughan-i snapped.
"I don't know." Hangug shrugged before leaning down and grinning at China. "What do you want, da-ze?"
"Whatever you want," China said mechanically. He legs and back hurt too much to move from laying on his stomach.
"Hmph." Hangug turned and stomped out of the room.
"He really broke you this time," Bughan-i commented as he poked China. "Didn't he, ez-ad." China didn't respond but he closed his eyes and prayed he would survive until he could escape.
"Here, da-ze!" Hangug chirped happily. Bughan-i was silent for a moment before broke out in loud cackles.
China dared to look at the War, fear in his eyes. Hangug held what appeared to be a mangled piece of metal in his hands. Memories of England shouting at her brothers about locking her in a bridle surfaced.
"This is more fun, da-ze!" Hangug squatted before China, holding the piece of metal out.
"No, please, aru." China tried to scramble away from the War but Bughan-i grabbed him.
Hangug grinned wickedly as he leaned forward. Bughan-i pressed down on China's jaw until the nation was forced to open his mouth. China felt a metal 'tongue' slip into his mouth and press against his own, rendering him unable to speak. Hangug forced the bridle onto the struggling nation's head and buckled it behind China's head. Giggling, he leaned back.
"It's a scold's bridle," Hangug said with a grin. "It looks good on you, da-ze!"
China could stare down at the ground with tears in his eyes. It felt like he was wearing a cage on his head and he couldn't move his tongue. The metal tasted horrible in his mouth and chaffed against his skin.
Bughan-i chuckled and grabbed the scold's bridle, shaking China's head.
"I think he's embarrassed, ez-ad," he laughed.
'Formosa,' China prayed to the one ancestor he never thought he would. 'You were strong. You could defeat this Wars easily. Please, help me, aru.'
o)O(o
Portugal screamed when Albania took his hand off the steering wheel to make lewd gestures back at Slovakia. The six nations were still trying to figure out how Albania had managed to land himself in the driver's seat. The van swerved dangerously off the road, frightening many Polish drives.
"Albania!" Germany roared from the backseat. Slovakia swore as the Germanic nation tried to scramble over the seat, hitting him in the head in the process.
"Don't do that!" Vietnam hit Albania over the head with both their hands. "Keep your hand on the wheel!"
Albania grabbed the wheel and accidently sent the car veering to the left and into the oncoming lane.
"We're going to die!" Belgium screamed, grabbing her husband's arm. Austria looked slightly green around the gills as he tried to cope with Albania's driving.
"Drive straight," Vietnam growled, whipping her gun out of her belt. She tapped it against Albania's hand. "Or I will shoot your hand off."
"Drive straight!" Slovakia roared as he tried to shove Germany off him. "DRIVE STRAGIHT!"
"Who the hell let him behind the wheel?" Switzerland demanded.
"What is going on over there?" Bauhinia demanded over the Bluetooth. "It sounds like you've already met up with the Wars."
"Mijn oh God te!" Belgium screeched. "We're going to die!"
"We have not met the Wars yet," Austria admitted, pressing the Bluetooth into his ear to try and hear better.
"Then what is going on?" Bauhinia asked curiously.
Albania made another rude hand gesture back at the passengers.
"Somebody let Albania drive," Austria explained as simply as he could.
"They what?" Hungary screeched over the Bluetooth. "Someone let Albania drive?"
"That's it!" Vietnam shouted. Pinning Albania's hand to the dashboard, she raised her gun to strike it. "I warned you!"
"Stop her!" Germany shouted as Switzerland and Slovakia shoved him back into his seat. "She'll get us all killed!"
"DRIVE! STRAIGHT!" Slovakia roared. Whirling around, he grabbed the steering wheel from behind Albania and steered the van.
"Kill him!" Portugal shouted from the back seat. "He no matter! Kill him!"
"Wait," Netherlands interrupted the shouting. "Someone actually let Albania drive?"
"WE'VE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT!" Germany roared through his earpiece. "VIETNAM, DON'T!"
Vietnam brought the handle of her gun down hard on Albania's pinky. Albania's scream of pain was muffled by his gag and he released the steering wheel to lunge for Vietnam.
"Mijn oh God te! Mijn oh God te! Mijn oh God te!" Belgium somehow managed to launch herself over two seats and into the trunk of the van.
"Dammit!" Slovakia struggled over the back of the seat and slammed on the brakes, sending all the nations flying forward in their seats.
Vietnam flipped the two of them over so she sat on Albania's lap, beating him around the head with her gun.
"We stopped." Austria blinked in surprise. Polish drivers swerved around the van, honking their horns and shouting curses at Slovakia.
"Yeah, yeah," Slovakia muttered as he began to drive at a decent speed.
"I am going to murder you!" Vietnam screeched as she beat Albania around the head.
A Polish woman did a double take at Vietnam, watching her with wide eyes, and Switzerland realized what she must have seen. A woman sitting backward on a man's lap bouncing up and down with his struggles. Reaching forward quickly, he pulled a handle and the back of the seat fell back into Austria's lap.
"Get down!" Switzerland forced Albania to lie flat against Albania's chest. The Asian nation glared venomously at Albania.
"I am going to murder you," she hissed.
Albania glared back at Vietnam, making a rude hand gesture at her. When that infuriated her even further, he made a suggestive gesture.
"Albania!" Germany roared from the back seat.
"You want to play that?" Vietnam asked. Slipping her free hand into her boot, she grabbed a knife. "I will cut it off if that's what you want." Her hand moved south with the pocket knife. Albania's eyes widened and he began to struggle wildly.
"Let her," Portugal grunted, leaning back and crossing her arms. "He deserve it."
"God dammit!" Slovakia shouted. "She's seriously going to do it!"
"Vietnam!" Germany roared. He tried to leap over the seat but Switzerland turned around shoved him all the way in the back with Belgium.
"You asked for it," Vietnam hissed. Albania felt something sharp brush his cloth-covered thigh.
"Mph!" Albania's eyes widened and Vietnam nearly squealed when she found their positions flipped and a knife blade pressed against her throat.
"Asshole," Vietnam grunted and kneed Albania in the groin.
"Kill me now," Slovakia groaned.
Albania barely grunted, pressing the blade against Vietnam's throat. Vietnam's snarl suddenly transformed into a smirk. In one fluid motion, she ripped the gag from Albania's mouth and yanked him down, kissing the other nation full on the mouth.
Albania made a muffled sound of shock at the action. A click echoed through the van and Albania's trapped hand suddenly closed around Vietnam's throat. The handcuff now dangled, open, on Vietnam's wrist.
"Clever boy," Vietnam smirked. "But not clever enough. Nighty night."
Albania blinked in surprise. His tongue darted out and he tasted something sweet on his lips. Drugs. Struggling to stay awake, the nation fell back against the passenger door.
Austria groaned and leaned forward. Unlocking the door, he opened it. The nations could only watch in shock as Albania fell out of the moving vehicle.
"Dammit!" Slovakia slammed on the brakes, sending everyone careening forward. "Someone get him before he escapes!"
Switzerland and Germany both scrambled out of the van and raced after the fainting Albania.
Vietnam sat up, looking pleased with herself as she wiped her lips clean. She winked at Portugal.
"Drugged lips," she said with a smack of her lips. "Works every time."
"Is it over?" Belgium peeked over the edge of the backseat. "Is he dead yet?"
"Eh." Portugal shrugged and leaned back as her husband scrambled out of the van. "Probably."
The finally quiet atmosphere of the van was shattered by Norway's horrified scream.
"Korea!"
o)O(o
Poland shrank back into the corner, watching Lietuva carefully. The stolen comforter was clutched protectively around her body. The female nation was alone now. China couldn't protect her anymore, and now she was trapped with a delusional War.
"This is a beautiful ring," Lietuva commented, holding Poland's engagement ring up to the light. "Who gave it to you? What is it for?"
"Slovakia did," Poland lied in a nearly silent voice. "He said he, like, wanted to show me how much he cared for me."
Lietuva stared at her before he broke out laughing. Tossing the ring aside, he approached the female nation.
"You shouldn't lie to me," he said with a dark look in his eyes as he chuckled. "I know who gave it to you. That filthy Germany. You two are engaged, aren't you?"
"Like, what's it to you?" Poland snapped, pulling the comforter around herself tighter.
"It's everything to me." Lietuva shoved Poland against the wall with a sneer. "You are mine, Poland, and mine alone."
Poland whimpered, closing her eyes tightly. "Nie."
"Taip." Lietuva kissed Poland along the jaw. "When I get Sverige's permission, I am going to hunt that filthy nation down and kill him."
Poland's eyes flew open at the words and she kicked out, catching Lietuva in the stomach.
"Leave him alone!"
Lietuva grunted but didn't flinch. "Ne," he snapped. "Not unless you swear your love to me."
"I, like, don't love you." Poland looked away, drawing the comforter around herself again. "Who could ever love you?"
"You could," Lietuva said, pressing himself against Poland and forcing her closer to the wall. "And if you love me back, I promise not to kill him."
Poland whimpered and shook her head. She pulled the comforter up over her head, pulling it tight.
"Do you know what I'm going to do?" Lietuva whispered in Poland's ear as he fingered the comforter. "I'm going to hunt him down. I am going to chase him until he is out of breath with his back against the wall."
Poland covered her ears quickly, releasing her protection.
"And then." Lietuva smirked, playing with Poland's hair. "I'm going to hurt him until he begs for mercy."
"Nie," Poland sobbed. "Nie."
"And even when he begs for mercy," Lietuva said with a dark note in his voice. "I won't give it to him. I will beat him until you cannot recognize him."
"Nie!" Poland shoved against Lietuva's chest, gasping when the comforter fell off her.
"Then I will kill him." Lietuva played with the collar of Poland's shirt. "But if you promise to love me . . . then I won't."
Poland whimpered and hung her head, her hands fisting her shirt.
"Will you love me, Po?" Lietuva asked in an almost sweet voice.
"Tak," Poland whispered.
Lietuva smirked as he leaned down to whisper in Poland's ear. "Prove it," he said softly. His breath tickled the female nation's hair. "Show me you love me."
Poland slowly stood on her toes. Tilting her head up, she kissed Lietuva gently. One of her hands moved to finger the buttons of Lietuva's shirt.
Lietuva broke the kiss with a wide smile. "Why don't we take this somewhere private?" he suggested. Taking Poland's hand gently, he led her toward the bedroom.
o)O(o
Norway ducked, covering her head when a tire tractor crashed into the wall behind her. Splinters flew everywhere, leaving scratches on every nation in range.
"Dammit." Turkey rubbed blood off his cheek. He glanced to the right where he spotted Korea on the ground, dazed.
North Korea was forced to duck when another wheel came flying from the cornfield.
"W-What do we do?" Latvia asked desperately. He backed away toward the barn, scanning the cornfield.
"South, wake up, ez-ad!" North Korea shouted.
Korea staggered to his feet, holding his head and groaning. The first tire tractor from the cornfield had struck him directly in the forehead, knocking him flat on his back.
"Hold this ground," Japan ordered. Drawing her katana, she made her away around the cornfield to sneak in from the side.
"Easier said than done," Turkey grumbled, ducking when an engine flew overhead. His head whipped around and his eyes widened. "Duck!"
"What, da-ze?" Korea asked in a dazed tone as he turned slowly.
"South, ez-ad!" North Korea leapt forward, tackling his brother to the ground.
Turkey grabbed Norway, dragging her down beside the Korean nations. He wrapped his arms around all three before ducking when fire exploded behind them. He grunted as bricks and wood rained down around them.
Latvia's scream pierced the air.
"Segishan," Korea said, his eyes flickering. "Why can't I see straight, da-ze?"
"Because ya decided ta look up when they threw the first tire," Turkey grumbled and rose. He froze at the form stepping out of the corn stalks. "Dammit."
Germany stood before the group, his dark eyes examining each one in turn.
"At least there's only one." Turkey cracked his knuckles.
China and Luxemburg stepped out after Germany.
"You just had to say that." Norway scowled up at Turkey. "Idiot."
"What?" Turkey reached down, grabbing an iron bar. "They can't be that hard ta beat."
North Korea's eyes flicked briefly to Japan who was sneaking up behind the doppelgangers on silent feet.
"They've been throwing an entire tractor at us for the past twenty minutes!" Norway screeched. "How can they be easy to defeat?"
"Don't, da-ze," Korea whined, covering his ringing ears.
"Yer the Vikin'," Turkey snapped back.
North Korea stood slowly, his eyes flicking in Latvia's direction. He couldn't see the smaller nation anywhere.
Japan made her move. Darting forward, she swung down at Luxemburg's throat. Germany reached up and grabbed the female nation by the front of her shirt. He swung her into the ground with barely a grunt. Japan grunted in pain and North Korea shouted angrily.
"I could have stopped her." Luxemburg's doppelganger scowled and crossed his arms. "I heard her coming from a mile away."
"Shut up," 'Germany' snapped. He reached down to grab Japan by the throat. "We don't have time for this."
"Gah." Japan grabbed the doppelganger's wrist and tried to kick him in the stomach, but it was hopeless.
"Put her down, ez-ad!" North Korea leapt forward at Germany. China swung out, catching him in the stomach with a foot and sending him stumbling back.
Korea shook his head like a dog and tried to stand but ended up falling back to the ground.
"Pathetic." China shook his head and strode forward. Grabbing North Korea by the back of his jacket, he lifted the nation into the air easily. "Was there something you were trying to do, aru?"
"Let. Me. Go, ez-ad!" North Korea struck China in the elbow helplessly. He spotted the limp form of Latvia buried under a small pile of rubble.
"So weak, aru," China sighed. And with a simple flick of his wrist, he sent North Korea crashing into the wall.
"Gah!" North Korea fell to the ground and laid still. A small trickle of blood ran down his forehead.
"I thought they were supposed to be hard to fight," Luxemburg pouted, crossing his arms.
"Ya want hard?" Dropping the iron bar, Turkey drew his scimitar and advanced on the War. "Try someone with skill."
"Now that's more like it!" Luxemburg smirked and crossed the distance between him and Turkey with relatively small strides.
Turkey watched Luxemburg carefully before he swung his scimitar, aiming for the War's neck. Bending backward, Luxemburg easily dodged the blow. He straightened back up with a grin and waggled his eyebrows at Turkey.
"Brat," Turkey snarled. He swiped his blade again, aiming for a knee this time.
A hand suddenly landed on the nation's forearm and Luxemburg used it to launch himself over Turkey, landing behind the nation.
"This is fun!" the War laughed. He struck Turkey in the back so lightly the nation must have thought he was playing around.
"We need backup!" Norway called desperately into her Bluetooth. "They're killing us over here!"
"That moron was asking for it!" Norway heard Vietnam shouting over the Bluetooth.
"Backup?" Hong Kong asked. "Where are you, Norway?"
Luxemburg suddenly ran his palm up Turkey spine. "Tag," he whispered in the nation's ear. "You're it." And he slammed his hand so hard into the nation's spine several discs were knocked out of place. Turkey howled, collapsing in agony. He gasped out Turkish curses at Luxemburg's doppelganger.
"We're in Netherlands," Norway responded quickly. "Luxemburg just took Turkey out!"
"Netherlands?" Romania repeated. "We're right on the border of Belgium. We could be there in a few minutes. Can you hold them at bay?"
"I don't know." Norway watched as Germany sent Japan tumbling in North Korea' direction. "I'm the only one left."
Korea swayed on his knees. He blinked in the harsh sunlight, trying to focus on his surroundings.
Luxemburg grinned wickedly at Norway and Korea. "Didn't Francia say those two are married?" he asked gleefully.
Norway froze, her eyes darkening. "If you do," she said as she stood. "I will kill you."
"This is going to be fun," Luxemburg chuckled. Darting forward with impossible speed, he struck Norway in the head, sending her stumbling back. Korea cried out when the doppelganger whirled around and kicked him in the back. The Asian nation was sent sprawling forward.
Norway growled and darted forward. She grabbed Korea, bending her legs in anticipation.
"Flúga!" Just as Luxemburg moved to attack the married couple, Norway and Korea were jerked nearly fifteen feet in the air. They landed softly behind him, Norway glared over her shoulder.
"Hey!" Luxemburg scowled. "That's wasn't very nice! Deutschland, she's not playing by the rules!'
"Nein." Deutschland joined Luxemburg, standing on the other side of the nations. "She has magic she can use against us."
"That's against the rules," Luxemburg said in a wicked tone.
"What rules?" Norway snapped, straightening up. "I don't believe you have any."
"The rules are simple." Luxemburg planted one boot on Turkey's back, leaning his weight on it. "Play right and don't break them." Turkey howled, writhing under Luxemburg's boot.
Norway raised a hand swiftly, "Mein," she whispered.
Luxemburg stiffened as pain shot through his body. His lips drew back in a silent snarl and he curled forward, toppling on Turkey and causing the nation to howl again. The War writhed but no noise came from his mouth.
Norway broke the spell, breathing hard. "What do you think of your rules now?" she asked.
"Do you see, Luxembourg?" Deutschland grinned darkly. "Her spells wear her out."
Luxembourg panted but grinned. "New rule!" he all but shouted. "Norway can only use spells!"
Korea clutched at Norway's arm before tipping sideways.
Norway quirked an eyebrow. "I can only use spells?" she scoffed. "That is pathetic."
"My rules are never pathetic," Luxembourg said surely. "They're too good."
"Oh?" Norway raised her hands out on either side. "Aldrnari!" Flams broke out, dancing around her.
"Now we're talking!" Luxembourg darted forward and struck Norway in the stomach, sending her stumbling back. He then grabbed Korea by the hair. "Hey, what do you think would happen if we cut this off?" He yanked on the nation's curl, making Korea whimper.
"Íss!" An icicle shot up from the ground, separating Korea and Luxembourg." Svell!" With a wave of her hand, Norway formed the ice into a thick dome over Korea. The female nation stumbled back a step, panting.
"Huh . . ." Luxembourg cocked his head at the ice. "I wonder what would happen if you doused that in gasoline and lit it on fire." He grinned at Deutschland. "Can we? Please? Please? Please?"
"Nein," Deutschland growled. "We must bring them back alive."
"Villieldr!" Norway screamed and a wildfire erupted around her. The corn on the edge of the field began to whither in the heat and Deutschland took a step back.
"What did you call me?" Luxembourg asked Deutschland. "Belligerent? Disobedient?" He held a small bottle in his hand over the dome of ice. "Dangerous and pyromaniac?"
"Luxembourg," Deutschland said warningly.
"Svell dauðr!" Norway howled. A wave of ice covered the corn, growing as it moved toward Luxembourg.
"I don't like her," Luxembourg said with a frown. "Knock that off, or I'll dump this alcohol on the ice and light a match."
The ice wave hit the ground, shattering into hundreds of fragments. Norway panted as he took a step back before her legs folded beneath her.
"Congratulations," Deutschland said as he strode forward. "You succeeded in wearing her out."
"That was my goal," Luxembourg said proudly. Slowly, his thumb popped the cap of the bottle of alcohol in his hand open. "But I'm still curious . . ."
China's hand shout out, grabbing the smaller War's arm. "Don't," he snapped. "Or I will set you on fire, aru."
"You two are no fun," Luxembourg huffed. Wrenching his arm free, he stuffed the bottle back into his pocket.
"This is not mean to be fun," Deutschland snapped. He scooped Norway into his arms. "We are here to intercept the nations."
"Aw," Luxembourg whined. Turning around, he gave a solid kick to dome of ice and it shattered over Korea. "You guys suck the joy out of everything." Korea whimpered when he was dragged up from the ground.
"Luxembourg," China sighed. "Grow up, aru."
"Ja," Deutschland grunted. "We need to collect the nations we can and head back to base. Nederland will stay to help. I am taking this one back now."
"Not Nederland," Luxembourg whined. "He's mean to me. He punches me and pulls my hair."
"Maybe you deserve it, aru," China snapped. Deutschland only shook his head and disappeared into the corn.
"And maybe you're an ass," Luxembourg retorted. He forced Korea to walk to Turkey's side. Handcuffing the nation too tightly, he shoved him down on Turkey's back, causing the lager nation to howl in pain.
"Grow up, aru," China muttered. He moved to collect Japan when the squealing of tires pierced the air.
Luxembourg's head snapped up. "Sounds like their backup," he said.
China and Luxembourg turned to see six nations charging at them, weapons drawn.
o)O(o
Sweden's head jerked up when he heard the slam of a door and screams. A young woman was shoved down the hallway, two Wars close behind.
"Loa tiga'at oti! (Let me go!)" the woman shouted furiously. Colliding with a stone wall, she tried to make a break for it down the hall. The Hebrew and Star of David on the woman's chest brought only one nation to Sweden's mind.
"She is fun, sí?" España wrapped his arms around the woman's midsection and pulled her back. "And so pretty too!"
"Oui," Kanata sighed as the female nation struggled against España. He glanced at an empty cell. "Shouldn't Xiānggǎng be getting back with Italy soon? She can just dry off in her cell."
"Sí." España rolled his eyes and shoved the woman at Kanata. "You're no fun. Hold her for me!"
"Don't tell me what to do," Kanata snapped back, but he caught the woman and pinned her against the wall.
"Loa tiga'at oti!" The woman tried to kick Kanata in the knee and missed.
"This won't hurt much," España sang, taking a needle from his pocket. "Unless you struggle!"
"Mah zeh? (What is that?)" the woman asked, freezing at the sight of the long needle.
"I don't understand you!" España chirped happily and approached the woman. He grabbed one of her arms and managed to tie gauze around it tightly.
"Mh ath 'eveshh? (What are you doing?)" the woman demanded as she resumed her struggles. Kanata pinned her arm painfully to the wall.
España only chucked and priced the woman's arm. The vial filled with her blood quickly and the woman shouted, trying to kick España.
"Lehafsiq! (Stop!)"
"All done!" España removed the needle and pocketed the vial carefully. Moving to an empty cell, he unlocked it and opened the door. "Time to go to your new home!"
"You need to stop being so cheerful," Kanata muttered under his breath. Grabbing the woman by the back of her gray dress and hair, he forced her forward and shoved her into the cell.
"Aavets'. (Ouch.)" The woman stumbled forward, caching herself on her hands. She whirled around to glare at her captors. "Memzeryem! (Bastards!)"
"Whatever you say!" España locked the door and left with a wave of his hand, Kanata following him quickly.
"Memzeryem!" Lunging forward, the woman grabbed the bars and shook them. "Damn you!" she screamed in English. "Damn you to the fiery pits of Hell."
"H'llo," Sweden grunted. He stood and limped to the bars, leaning against them to relieve his sore legs of the weight.
"What?" The woman turned her head to look at him. Her brown hair tumbled down to her shoulders and her amber eyes twinkled angrily. "Oh, hello."
"What's going on?" a voice called down the dungeon hall.
"Who was that?" the woman asked curiously. "I don't believe I've heard that voice before."
"It's Israel," Sweden called back down." I guess they caught her."
"Israel?" the voice repeated. There was the rustling of feathers as the nation moved to try and peek out of his cell. The Wars had bound Ireland's wings so tightly against his back they hurt.
"I don't believe we've met," Israel said cheerfully. "I'm Israel, it's wonderful to meet you."
"Yeah right," Ireland muttered, hitting his head against the bars. "I'm Ireland.
"Sw'den." The tall nation waved a hand.
"What poor bastard did they get this time?" Belarus snapped from her cell.
"And who is that?" Israel asked curiously. "I really should start leaving the house more."
"That's Belarus," Ireland sighed. "She's a bitch."
"What did you just say?" Belarus screamed and shook the bars wildly. "What did you just call me?"
"You really shouldn't," Sweden muttered to Israel. "I's d'ngerous to leave your house."
"Tell me about it," Israel moaned as Ireland and Belarus began bickering back and forth. "All I did was go to the bazaar and I was suddenly whisked away in a black van."
"I was t'ken fr'm my house," Sweden offered.
"Shot from the sky," Ireland called.
"Kidnapped from my own front yard," Belarus grumbled.
"These men are as bad as . . . as . . ." Israel crossed her arms and tried to think of the right words. "As bad as any bad person."
"Wow," Ireland said dryly. "That was a good metaphor."
"Sh't up, Ir'land," Sweden snapped.
The nations fell silent as Xiānggǎng walked down the hall with a dripping Italy in his arms. The female nation was deposited in her cell and Xiānggǎng marched up the stairs muttering under his breath.
Israel blinked at the opposite cell. "Was that a fish?" she asked. "Did I just see a fish pass my cell?"
"Th's was It'ly," Sweden corrected the female nation.
"North or South?" Israel asked curiously. "And how come she has a fishy tail?"
"It's a l'ng st'ry," Sweden muttered.
Israel slid to the floor of her cell. "Does it look like we're going anywhere?" she asked, propping her chin on her fist.
"I don't want to hear it," Italy said softly. "No more. I just want to go home."
Sweden sighed and limped back to his bed, collapsing on it. There was the sound of springs squeaking from Ireland's cell.
"You lot are oh so much fun," Israel muttered, wandering over to her own bed. "What are we supposed to do? Sit quietly and wait for Judgment Day?"
"That's how things go," Belarus snapped. "You're not supposed have fun."
Israel groaned and hit her head against the wall. "God, help me through this," she begged.
"You sound like Poland," Belarus grumbled. "All you do is whine."
"My Poland?" Israel perked up at the name. "Where is my Poland?"
"Stuck," Ireland called. "With some crazy git who thinks she fancies him."
"She already has a fiancé." Belarus kicked her legs in a playful manner.
"Don't," Sweden warned.
"Fiancé?" Israel repeated with a frown. "She didn't tell me about any fiancé. Who is my Poland engaged to?"
"Nej!" Sweden surged forward, but it was too late.
"Germany," Belarus sang.
There was a split second of silence. Italy squealed in fear and literally shot across the floor when something collided with the cell door beside her.
"I WILL KILL THAT BASTARD!" Israel screeched. "I WILL RIP HIM TO PIECES FOR GOING NEAR MY POLAND!"
"B'larus," Sweden groaned.
"Think on the bright side." Belarus rested her chin in her hand. "Free entertainment."
"I think you scared Italy enough," Ireland pointed out. "Or was that a mouse?"
Italy curled up in the corner, whimpering when her tail finally began to split into legs.
"Death to Germany!" Israel screeched.
A/N: What did you think?
Can I come down now? *Sigh* Yes. Finally! Ouch! . . . I can't feel my hands . . . or my legs. That's what you get for ranting. If this is going to be what happens when I rant. I quit. No you don't. Yes I do. No you don't. Yes I do . . .
World War One – (1914 – 1918) Allied Powers vs. Central Powers
Casualties: 33,124,245 (might not be correct)
Outcomes: End of German, Russian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungary empires. Formation of new countries in Europe and the Middle East. The formation of the League of Nations.
Israel was formed after World War Two specifically for the Jewish population so they could have a nation. Today, they fight with Palestine over Jerusalem. Both claim the city as their holy land.
The Scold's Bridle was mainly used in the UK but was also used in the New World. A nagging wife would be forced to wear this 'bridle' and paraded around town to show everyone she was a nag. It was used to embarrass her. It was a sort of cage-like object with a metal tongue in it so they could not talk. Sometimes the 'tongue' would have a spike on it. Yikes!
We know there have been certain . . . scenes in the last three chapters. But we swear this isn't going to turn into our original Midlife Empire! We swear!
Some scenes might seem out of place to you, or odd. That's because we literally don't have control over what's happening. The nations seem to literally take over and play it out as they wish. So if anything seems off kilter to you, it's not our fault.
Now, Dala, Medusa, Missy, Milana, Mantyke, Caha, Back, Toni, Naru, LYS; we're welcoming a new family member: the stray puppy Clio. We expect you to behave nicely toward her and treat her as you want to be treated. Now say hi to Clio for us, and maybe we'll give you all requests.
Okay! No more ranting! Castor takes my computer and makes me stand on my hands! So, on my honor as a girl scout, I swear not to rant anymore. Good.
