In this section there is some aboriginal culture that is mentioned. If I have made a mistake please please please tell me, it is out of ignorance, though I did my best to research it.

I still own nothing mentioned in this story except for the weird musings from my head.


In the months before going through, Ludwig had conferred somewhat with Oberon in order to figure out what exactly the time difference was between the two realms. As their experiments progressed (while avoiding Titania like the plague, Ludwig did not appreciate her so-called gestures of affection), it soon became very clear that it's state was what it was indicated to begin with.

That is to say, completely and utterly unpredictable to everyone's frustration.

What they had been able to determine was that the time was shortening so that maybe in a few years a day there would be a day here but beyond that there were no laws that could be applied. Some days the time would shorten by a minute while on other days it would by a week. Over the course of November, the time had shrunk from 5 years to a day to 3 years to each day but then for the first two weeks of December the time only changed by a week. The entire problem was slowly driving Ludwig up the wall, why could it not be logical? And the worst thing was that they needed to know so that they would not stay past the dead line of October 31st and risk being trapped forever along with Canada. Ultimately, they managed to figure that when they were to be crossing, a day in the Real World would be about a year or so in the Spirit.

Back to the present, a year had now passed for them and they had yet to find any sign of the Canadian anywhere. In that time, apart from the Blue Fairy-who-has-nearly-nothing-helpful-to-contribute -and-is-annoying-as-hell, they had run in to practically nobody apart from non-intellectual creatures who were pretty tasty when cooked. Yep, their eating standards had gone down the tube, there was tasty when cooked, not tasty when cooked, too well done to tell and poisonous. To increase their joys was the fact that they were presently in a swamp. This is the situation where we find them now.

"What do they eat..." gasped Feli as he swatted at the insects buzzing around his head "...when they can't get a nation?"

"Did anyone bring any insectenwerend middel?" Lars suggested hopefully.

"No or we would've used a week ago idiot!" Shouted Mathias, though the reason he was annoyed was more that he hadn't thought to suggest it himself.

A few more minutes of silence occurred, save for the whine of the bugs before Romano snapped

"This is fucking hopeless you stupid bastards! The sun has set and we are going in circles!"

"I guess we should stop for the night." admitted Germany "Who has the food?"

"That'd be me mate."

The group slowly made their way to the nearest hammock (dry-ish land covered in vegetation in a swamp) to set up camp for the night.

"Guys something brushed my leg!" shouted Yong-Soo, as he panicked and happened to climb the person closest to him. (Note: this is possible, I have seen my aunt to this when she stepped in a nest of awakening garter snakes in the spring. She literally climbed my uncle, one foot behind the knee, the next on the hip before setting the first leg again on the shoulder)

After Yong Soo shouted, both Egypt and Prussia lunged at the water hoping to catch whatever it was so they wouldn't have to eat deer for dinner again. After all, a little variation is healthy. After a bit of helpless floundering on their part, they did indeed manage to catch the fish and joined the others up on the island. Here was where the little blue fae came in handy.

"Hey Buuuuuuuuuug. Is this poisonous?"

"I'm not a bug! And no it's not"

A rare smile crossed Egypt's features while Prussia fist pumped and danced around the newly built fire chanting "Fishy, fishy, fishy, fish!"


Meanwhile Australia was rooting through his pack did get the preserved meat from the day before and not finding it began removing items.

"Ve~ Steve. What's that?" Asked North Italy, poking a small bound package.

"It's not much." Answered the continent absent-mindedly "Zealand gave it to me before leaving, its some white clay that my Aboriginals use in ceremonies. Said it might help."

Romano who'd been listening in curiously asked "Like with what Vegemite Bastard?"

Australia, still not fully paying attention answered "It's used for spiritual ceremonies. When in mourning, my Arrernte cover themselves head to toe in the clay whereas everyday body paint symbols show status and relationships to both the people and to Altyerreor. Which translated, means something along the lines of the Dreamworld. There's quite a bit of magic that can be done with it as well"

There was a moment of silence as the two brothers processed what Steven had just told them before Romano asked "Could it be used to track something?"

"I suppose" Steven said absently as he finally pulled the meat out out of the recesses of his pack.

"And you've had this clay with you the entire time?" Romano said unnaturally calm while Feli just looked really confused.

Ludwig walked over to ask what was taking so long with the food just as Australia answered "Yeah, New Zealand gave it to me before we left."

What happened next deafened anyone within a 3 meter radius "AND YOU DID NOT THINK TO USE IT BEFORE NOW SO WE HAVE AN IDEA WHERE TO LOOK FOR MAPLE BASTARD?" Taking a deep breath he descended into Italian that left his Northern counterpart to get paler by the second and Ludwig to slowly turn red. "È stupido idiota! Come ha fatto uno come te a sopravvivere così a lungo? Fessi! Bastard! Figlio di puttana! Rifiuti di Air! Vaffanculo a Lei, la sua moglie e la sua madre. Affanculo!" and with that he stomped off.

Australia on the other hand just looked confused and turned to the other two and asked "What was that all about? Never seen him spit the dummy like that."

Germany just facepalmed and wished once again for that Aspirin.


After their feast of fish and deer meat, they turned once again to the task at hand. Australia had nearly completely stripped and his body was now covered in intricate designs from the clay. Looking up he said "Now I'm not sure this'll work. The only way I can explain it is that the Altyerreor, the Dreamworld is the creation of the world and the things in it, and each thing's eternal existence. Everyone has a dreaming which has its place, where its come from, though I might be able to come in contact with Matt's eternal spirit there and determine his location from that, there is no guarantee."

Denmark just looked at him and answered "If you fail, you fail and we don't lose anything by it but if you succeed we at least have an idea where to look. Intet pres."

Looking slightly cheered up by this, Steven started to dance by the fire and chant in an old language. As time passed, his skin and hair slowly darkened and his voice deepened as he began drawing on his eldest people and their culture. The pace of both his movements and words slowly increased and his pupils completely unfocused and dilated despite it being pitch black out. His feet began moving in more intricate steps as his hands also began to move, tracing patterns in the air. This continued until, to those watching at least, he looked almost like he was having some sort of fit before giving a great shout and collapsing.

Lars quickly bent down and picked him up before wrapping him in a blanket. A few minutes later, Steven woke but judging by his skin colour (which had gone back to it's norm but paler) it didn't look like he would stay that way. Looking up at the worried faces around him, he stammered out "'M fine. T-to the East. M-m-mountain R-range. I-it was-s d-d-d-d-ark an-d-d c-cold, so v-v-very co-o-old." and then passed out again.

Once again it was quiet except for the bugs and the crackling of the fire until Gilbert said "Well, we're not going to get much more done tonight. Let's sleep on it and move in the morning. Hong, could you take the first watch?" and with that the nations grabbed their sleeping rolls and went to sleep.

Little did they know that their most recent stunt and the magic it entailed had attracted the attention of something much more dangerous.

They were no longer alone in the swamp.


The first and only clue of the imminent attack was that it suddenly went quiet, not the pleasant kind but the dangerous sort. The calm before the storm type of quiet, the someone-is-about-to-get-murdered in this movie kind of quiet. It was unnerving as suddenly the whine of the insects and the cries of nocturnal wildlife just cut off. As Hong Kong began to shout a warning, four figures were upon the hapless group. They were tall, lean, wore full black and gave off a predatory aura, no guesses who their prey was, their movements gave that away.

The only ones who had managed to react fast enough were Feli and Romano who were now hiding in some bushes, helplessly watching the four figures who had infiltrated their campgrounds. Australia was still out cold from earlier and in silencing Hong Kong, the nation had been flung hard enough into a nearby tree for the thing to fall down and was also out cold. One of the cloaked figures was sitting on a struggling Denmark and clutching Ukraine to his chest while the other two were effectively subduing Prussia, Germany and Netherlands. The last one had begun throwing around Egypt and Korea like rag-dolls as they tried to fight back in their just-woken-up state.

All Romano could hear suddenly was quiet. Nothing. The cries of his friends, the sound of Yong Soo hitting the water or the sound of Prussia being flung so hard into a boulder that it split in twain, were all muted. The scene before him still really mattered but he found himself watching as if from some great distance. He knew that he was going into Shock but he couldn't seem to snap out of it and a glance at his brother told him that he was the same. The situation just was getting worse as those they knew to be strong and powerful fell and the number of unconscious, incapacitated, bleeding nations rose and for some reason he still could not bring himself to move.

Both of Prussia's leg were definitely broken, open fractures by the amount of blood, and so was his spine if the boulder was anything to judge by. Netherland's face had been smashed into the ground so hard that he was definitely concussed and could no longer stand while Denmark had stopped thrashing, and had his sightless, glassy eyes starring at the sky (the lack of movement caused by use of pressure point he hoped) and Egypt and Korea had been flung into the ground with considerable force and hadn't moved since.

That wasn't the worst thing though.

Nope.

He'd figured out who their assailants were. Or more specifically what, as the one how was holding Germany by the neck off the ground leaned his head forward and bit. Their glowing red eyes and fangs were also plenty enough of a hint. The second the vampire bit down, the potato bastard stopped struggling, stopped moving. The other creatures began to follow suit going towards Prussia and Egypt while the one holding Miss Ukraine just looked amused and moved his hand... alright, THAT was definitely sexual harassment and the bastard is lucky that Russia isn't here.

His brother whimpered beside him.

Shit.

He could hear the slurping sounds they made. It was so disgusting.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Why wasn't he doing anything? Why was he still hiding with his brother? Why hadn't they come over to their hiding place, they could obviously hear their hearts racing. Just what were they implying?

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

A small shrill whistling sound broke him from his stupor and he felt something snap. This could not be happening. The only one allowed to harass the stupid Kraut was him and these creatures was making his brother cry.

Leaning over, he said in a chilled voice "Come brother. I think it is time we showed these abominations under God what it means to survive revolutions, riots, plague and war. This is nothing compared to those times and we made it through then just as we will now." Realizing he wasn't really reaching his brother, he changed tactics "Remember, after that day, after his death, you promised you would never lose someone you cared for again nor would you let any one else suffer that loss. Fratello, we are the only ones left that can do anything and if we don't. we are going to lose them." Gesturing towards the scene in front of them, he knew he had his support when Feliciano's eyes opened fully and steeled and quickly explained his plan. They had a chance, a good one even. Standing from his hiding place, he strode forward, it was time to teach those bastard vampires how to die.


Romano came back and Feliciano came with him. They should have run. Run. Run. Run. RUN. "Get away from here", was all he desperately wanted to shout but he couldn't find the will to move. The one who was feeding off of him just let him drop and proceeded to taunt the Italians. Why weren't they running?

Get to safety.

Leave them.

Go.

RUN.

But they didn't. A small smile crossed Romano's face as he took his brother's dagger and sliced his palm with it, soaking it with his blood. What on Earth was he doing? All four pale faces turned to the shaking duo to the side. Gott, don't tempt them. Your blood is probably what they wish for the most, considering you are always shouting that you are a virgin Feli and how many sweets the two of you eat. Probably be like dessert or something. He finally managed to whisper to the blood soaked ground "Get away, get away". But it was too late, the undead creatures had already charged to the hapless duo.

He tried to stand, to go protect his friend but found he couldn't, all he could was watch in horror. Trying to keep his eyes open and focused was becoming so difficult. But when he looked at the faces of the two doomed, he saw nothing but determination reflected back. Strange, where was the normal fear? Fuck no! He was not going to pass out, not now, not when he might be needed even as injured as he was. The pair were usually hapless and rather defenceless, he needed to remain awake, just for a few more minutes. Just a few. C'mon body, cooperate.

Wait, the Italians eyes were open and the murder written in them was clear. Then he saw Feliciano, sweet Feli mouth something.

"Rule #1- never ever fuck with Italia's famiglia or you'll be fucked."

Wait, did he just swear? Ludwig needed to make sure they were okay. Focus... He couldn't, it, it was all too blurry and he couldn't concentrate. Scheisse.

The world quickly turned to black.


As Romano first began to talk, he was torn. Feli had lived as a coward for so long that to stand and confront the enemy was near impossible. If he ran, he could live another day.

What about everyone else? These were his friends. What about what was right?

What about Ludwig?

Hadn't he promised?

If you're in trouble, I'll come help you out. And if I'm in trouble, you'll come help me. Pinky promise, all right?

Yet, he had never truly pulled through on that promise, betraying the man time and again because of his fear. His accursed fear.

But he was just one person. He wasn't superhumanly strong or brave like Alfred or Ludwig, he was a lover. What could he do?

But what would he do without them?

Then Romano said it. Reminded him, how on that day he had sworn that he would not lose anyone else like that if he could help it and yet his first friend was bleeding out before his eyes as was Gilbert and all the others that he had made friends with over the past year.

This could not be happening

"Straighten up Feliciano!" His mind suddenly barked at him "There is more at stake then losing a simple war here. If we lose here, they die for real. No second chances. No reparation payments, treaties or pacts will change that. They will be gone, this is more then a simple battle but is a fight for our lives. Will you run or make a stand Italia?

Fight or Flight. Che cosa farete?

What had Ireland said to him? It is fear that keeps him from fighting but it will take fear for him to do so again.

A simple choice really.

Feliciano was a coward.

So he would no longer be Feli, just Northern Italy. A country forged by hardship, occupation and survival.

He refused to suffer that same loss again through his fratello and friends.

He was not ready to die but if that was what it took to protect those he cared about, then so be it.

If it kills me to fight then I will be ready to die.

He simply let go and embraced the darkness that had allowed him to survive through his nastiest time periods.

All those thoughts had passed through his head in less then seconds and the fight following passed a lot faster then he thought it would. After all, vampires had several crucial weaknesses, the most powerful of which being holy water. Which is why some blood from Romano's palm – the city of Rome which houses the Vatican, was like acid to them. To hear their screams after what they had done to his friends, to Ludwig, was like music to his ears and he took great joy in sheathing his now-Holy dagger into the fiends chest just as he knew that Romano was enjoying the damage he was inflicting with his bloodied hands and knife.

Gone were the cowardly and fairly passive duo and in their place were two rather terrifying individuals. Too bad only Katyusha was conscious enough to notice the change.

And so darkness they became.


Morgan Le Fay calmly strode over the ruins of the fairy court to where the Queen was being held, her (now) loyal servant trailing silently behind her. The siege of the fae court had lasted far too long and she was impatient to see the fruit of her labour.

She had saved taking control of Titania for last, for it was simply priceless the expressions people showed when rendered powerless, especially royalty. She had enjoyed doing it to King Arthur way back when, to assorted creatures she'd captured during her banishment here and she was loving it now.

Approaching the immobilized Queen (who was held down by her own court guard ~ how delightfully ironic) the Mage snarled out "Not so high and mighty are you now, princess?" Receiving nothing but a baleful glance in return she continued, "Soon I'll have you kissing my boots, just like dear Obi here. She leaned over and began touching Oberon's face. "It's delightful what a little a... persuasion and a bit of magic can do. Non?" As she began to move her hand farther south. She looked out of the corner of her eye at Titania's face. Ah, there was the expression she'd been hoping for. A little anger, confusion and overwhelming helplessness. So much fun to mess with.

Looking quickly skyward, she acknowledged the moon's position and deduced that the sun would be rising soon – which simply wouldn't do for the majority of her army. Best get this done with quickly. "Ah well pet, come now. Why so melancholy? Soon you will become one with the greatest force ever seen! Worlds will tremble upon our approach and everyone shall bow before me." As she said this, she reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small spider talisman. "Once we are done with this world we shall take over the next." Lightly cutting her thumb, she added a drop of her blood to it and it came to life twisting and squirming in her hand.

Marvellous.

Turning around she left as screams began to echo around her with an dark look on her face.

Watch your back Arthur, I am coming back to claim what is rightfully mine.


Translations

insectenwerend middel (Dutch- Bug repellant)

Arrernte (Aus aboriginal group and also means people in that language)

È stupido idiota! Come ha fatto uno come te a sopravvivere così a lungo? Fessi! Bastard! Figlio di puttana! Rifiuti di Air! Vaffanculo a Lei, la sua moglie e la sua madre. Affanculo! (Italian- You stupid moron! How has someone like you survived this long? Fool! Bastard! Son of a Bitch! Waste of Air! Go fuck yourself, your wife and your mother! Fuck it all!

Spit the Dummy: (Aus slang-Get very upset/angry at something)

Intet pres (Danish- No pressure)

famiglia (Italian- family)

Fick nein (Ger- Fuck no)

Che cosa farete? (Ita- What will you do?)