(Joan's POV)
England and Joan were walking side by side, close to the edge of France's property, heading towards the small gate that was set in the very back of his yard. The stars were barely beginning to come out over our heads. and the first few rays of the moon were just beginning to peek over the horizon. Behind them, flashes of coloured lights, occasional whiffs of some exotic odor, and a few grunts and shouts here and there informed Joan that the duels were still going strong.
"You see", England began, "All countries have an innate ability to walk to each other's houses, whether it is inland or overseas, in only a few minutes. We don't-"
England was suddenly interrupted by Antarctica, who had followed us from where the duels were. "Hi England! Heya, Joan!" The pale Nation said. "Do you mind if I join you?"
England paused. "Not at all, Antarctica," He replied while Joan shook her head.
"Okay! Thank you! You're going to get Norway and Romania, right?" Antarctica said brightly.
Joan nodded. "Yes, how did you know?"
She shrugged. "I just guessed. We're going to need all the aid that we can get in the fight, and Norway and Romania are the other two magical countries. It wasn't all that hard to infer that you're going to get their help."
"True…"
"And also, I just wanted to say hi." Antarctica grinned, and Joan couldn't help but smile back at the Nation's friendliness, while England seemed surprised that Antarctica was being so welcoming and unshy towards Joan.
England coughed into his hand to interrupt the incoming girl-talk. "So, as I was saying, we can walk hundreds or even thousands of miles in only several minutes. And, once we get out this gate," He added ", I can show you."
Joan smiled at him. "Sounds good to me."
Antarctica added, "I know! I haven't seen Norway in ages; it would be nice to be with him again."
"Really? Why?"
Antarctica blushed slightly. "We've been dating for about a year now."
"Really? That's great! How is he?"
"Hate to interrupt the chat, ladies, but it's time to get going", England broke in, obviously not liking the fact that he was being ignored by the two women.
The two women ignored him and kept on talking.
England sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose, and then started walking in the general direction of Romania. Joan and Antarctica trailed after him happily as they continued their chat, ranging quickly from Norway to tricks with ice to what Antarctica was like, because Joan had never been there.
"Oh, it's great!" Antarctica assured her. "My homeland is cold and a bit uncomfortable sometimes, but during the summer, the midnight sun is so beautiful and the penguins are so cute!" She gushed. They then proceeded to start fangirling over various other cute animals when England tapped them both lightly on the foreheads.
"We're here," He announced.
Joan glanced up and stopped, her eyes widening, as she took in what was in front of her. In the space of only a couple of minutes, they had gone from France's backyard to in front of an imposing castle that loomed over the Romanian countryside.
"What… What is this place? It looks like Vlad the Impaler's castle…" Joan asked, then shuddered. She had met Vlad only once before, and she had immediately hated him.
England laughed. "No, this is simply Romania's house. Let's go up and give him a visit."
The three immortals walked up in a small cluster to the huge, wooden, front doors that were situated in the centre of the front wall. As Joan and Antarctica stared around at the stone walls and crimson-red banners fluttering in the small breeze, England took the black knocker set in the wood and thumped it on the door three times, the dull sound echoing around in the silence. A few moments later, the door creaked open slightly and a slender man with large, dark eyes, auburn hair, and a pale face peered out.
"Who is it- Oh! England! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" The man stepped out from behind the door and smiled, to reveal two unnaturally long and sharp canines jutting down over his lower teeth. Joan squeaked in surprise, and at that moment, Romania noticed the two other people with England.
"Oh, hello Antarctica! And- Excuse me; I believe that I do not know your name."
Steeling herself, Joan stepped forward and tentatively offered her hand. "My name is Jeanne d'Arc." She replied in a small voice.
"A please to meet you, Jeanne." Romania answered, taking her hand. "I am Romania. And don't worry;" He added. "I don't bite."
Joan smiled slightly and shook Romania's hand, then stepped back. Romania turned to England.
"So, what is it that you need?"
"We need you to help us prevent the end of the world."
"Oh. I suppose that you'd better come in then."
*Time skip brought to you by romaine lettuce (A/N My computer keeps on wanting to call Romania Romaine… Damn you autocorrect! D:)*
"…And so, that's why we need you to come with us to Norway, then back to France. We need to stop Tartarus before he can awaken Gaia." England finished. The four were sitting on comfortable leather couches in Romania's living room, in front of a blazing fire. Romania nodded.
"Well, I suppose that I don't have much choice in the matter. The more auras, the better, am I right?"
Antarctica nodded. "Then, will you come with us?"
"Of course! If we only have a week to save the world, then we'd better head immediately to Norway, right?"
"Exactly." Joan replied. "Let's get going."
The four walked through Romania's doors and turned towards the northwest. As one, they stepped forwards and began walking, the landscape blurring around them. Joan gazed around her; it was the first time that she had actually been paying attention while the Nations traveled. Although, around them, it seemed like they were only going at normal walking speed, Joan could see the world around them warping to accommodate their speed, hills, mountains, and even seas passing in a matter of minutes. Soon, they were all standing in front of Norway's house, the cold air swirling around them, and Antarctica had bounded forwards to knock on his door. As they waited, Joan was zoning out and staring at the horizon when she heard England begin to speak to her left. "Of course, don't worry, Flying Mint Bunny! We'll make it! Of course we can trust the immortals, what are you talking about? Don't be so silly!" Joan turned to England and was about to ask him who… 'Flying Mint Bunny' was when she saw that England was talking to thin air. Thin air. Joan turned away and had started to wonder about her friend's sanity when the door opened and Antarctica glomped the newcomer around the shoulders.
He was tall and thin, with pale blonde hair falling down over his deep blue eyes and navy blue clothes. He had a clip shaped like a cross holding some of his hair back, there was a curl that seemed to be… Floating… Beside his face, and a sailor's hat rested on his head.
"Oh… Hallo, Taya. Why are you here?"
Antarctica pecked him on the cheek and replied, "Hi Lukas! We're here because we need your help to save the world!"
Norway seemed startled. "Is that so? Oh, hallo, England, Romania," He added, noticing the other two Nations. "And you are…?"
"I'm Jeanne d'Arc." She replied with a small smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"And you as well," Norway replied, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He turned back to England and Romania. "Now, can you please explain why you need to save the world?"
*Time skip brought to you by romaine lettuce, part two*
The group of immortals sat in a warm room, richly carpeted with furs with several torches lining the wall. A painting of what looked like a green giant with vines coiling around its arms and body rested on the far wall. As Joan watched, the painting reached out, snatched a fly that was circling near its face, and ate it. Joan hastily turned away, just as England, Antarctica, and Norway were finishing their conversation.
"So, that's what you need? You need me to help teach these immortals my skills, and then you need me to fight? I suppose that I had better come along, no?"
"Yes. We need your help, as one of the few magical countries." England stated.
Antarctica stood and pulled Norway up with one of her hands. "Come on, Norge! It'll be fun!"
Norway looked at her. "Giving away my skills and then entering a fight that could, and probably will, kill me?" A slow smile spread across his face. "Sounds like this will be the most fun that I've had in centuries."
Joan clapped her hands together. "Then, it's settled. We have assembled a group of the most powerful countries, and some of the friendliest and strongest immortals and a couple of Next Generation. If I was Tartarus… I would be very scared." She finished, grinning.
England just laughed and pulled them all out the door, where they casually strolled across a sea to get back to France. But, while they were walking, they were all dreading what was coming in the next seven days…
Some of the craziest countries put together, in close quarters, for a week… When they couldn't even have a world meeting without it dissolving into chaos. As they walked together back to France, one thought was in all of their minds… Together, we will either save the world… Or destroy it.
Oh god. What have I done? D: Mneh. Sorry for the stupid filler chapter, peoples! I knew that there had to be at least one, but this was an especially boring one… So, after this, I will have about seven more (longer) chapters, one for each of the days, and then maybe two for the final battle and an epilogue. So, I still have a long ways to go… Oh well. At least, when this is done, I can get back to my other stories-in-progress that I abandoned for this….
Anyways, DO THE DRILL. DO IT. O.O I AM WATCHING YOU RIGHT NOW, SO DO THE DRILL.
Wuvs!~
