Luxembourg jumped when alarms blared in his house. He ran to the window and parted the curtains delicately with his fingers covered in expensive, black leather. His fear dropped when he saw his older brother, Netherlands, walking up to the front door of his grand house. Luxembourg hurried away and hopped down the stairs. He shut off the alarm before he swung open the door to greet him.

"Brother!" he exclaimed. "What? You never said you were coming over!"

Netherlands looked over Luxembourg with a tired look in his eyes. Luxembourg frowned and tilted his head in concern as he noticed this and that Netherlands had not even gelled up his hair although it was his usual. Without the aura of sharpness, he looked so run-down and this startled Luxembourg.

"I'm sorry for coming on such short notice," Netherlands sighed.

"Hey, it's fine," Luxembourg said. "Come in, please."

Netherlands plodded in after him. Luxembourg took him to the couch and looked over him worriedly.

"Can I get you something? What do you want?"

"No, don't worry about it."

"I insist."

"I'm not in the mood."

Luxembourg was really thrown off by his brother's attitude. He sat down beside him while still holding his eyes upon him. Netherlands stared forward at nothing until a huge, gray dog walked into the room and he shifted his gaze onto him. He knew Netherlands well. Perlutze came up to him with an amiable attitude until he noticed as well that something was off. He whined while regarding him as expectantly as Luxembourg was.

Luxembourg murmured, "It's Belgium, isn't it?"

Netherlands was still for a moment, then he nodded slowly.

Luxembourg continued gently, "I'm so scared too. But… I like to think that no news is good news. If she was killed, it would have been obvious. Every time it happens, there's a mess and chaos. So maybe… she's just been turned psycho. It is a little better. She can be captured and fixed like they're trying to fix Switzerland."

"I really hope so," Netherlands whispered hoarsely.

"I've been expecting her," Luxembourg said. "I have all these alarms in the yard, you see, and if she comes I will catch her."

"Why just alarms?" Netherlands looked at him. "Why didn't you get any guards?"

"I know you got one, but they're useless," Luxembourg told him. "All they do is get killed and get in the way. And I don't want a soldier to hurt Belgium rashly either. I only trust myself."

"But don't you have cameras? Anything else?"

"No cameras, but I have weapons and that monster right there." Luxembourg indicated the fluffy dog who had placed his head over Netherlands' knee. "Also, all the alarms sound different. I mean, different sounds depending on what side of the house someone is intruding on."

"Oh, that is interesting."

"Yeah, but only I've been triggering it until you showed up."

Netherlands dipped his head. Luxembourg felt awkward now, wanting to comfort him but not sure how. Belgium was the most outgoing of them. Luxembourg was somewhat anti-social, being stuck at home too often overworked by his boss. He knew she would know what to say, but for now Luxembourg leaned into Netherlands and attempted to create comforting contact.

It was unusual when Netherlands hugged him back, for both of them had not been the type to do this. His brother, the tallest sibling, put his head over his and swept his hands over Luxembourg's fine clothing. Luxembourg closed his eyes and listened to the beating of Netherlands' heart.

"So no one else visits?" Netherlands asked him in a murmur.

"No," Luxembourg replied just as quietly. "I go out to see my boss, but often I am given assignments online."

"Then you must be bored," Netherlands said. "You would have stayed home alone all day if I hadn't come, correct?"

"Yeah."

Luxembourg sighed. He had not thought about how lonely he had been in this summer of madness. He had Perlutze, but talking to his family online and never seeing them or anyone else because of personal lockdowns was draining. He became appreciative of his brother's appearance. This embrace helped him too, and he thought to himself that he was surprised that Netherlands gave such a nice hug.

He curled up his legs and kept his face pressed against Netherlands' ribs, still listening to the soothing thuds. He wanted to stay there for a while. Netherlands' arms shifted behind Luxembourg's back, then he held him again with his wrist over his hand on his back. Perlutze watched the preparation in confusion, wondering why Netherlands had just pulled something shiny out from his sleeve.

"Luxembourg..." Netherlands lifted his head off his. "Can you look up at me?"

Luxembourg raised his head and looked into his brother's placid face. Netherlands took one of his arms off him then sliced the straightened throat with his knife. Luxembourg yelped at the contact and fell off the couch. The quiet dog suddenly exploded into frantic barking and ran to his fallen owner. Luxembourg knelt and coughed, turning to look at his brother and confirm with his eyes the knife in his hand.

"What are you doing?" Luxembourg gasped.

Netherlands dove for him. Luxembourg scrambled to his feet and fled. Netherlands hurried after him with the knife raised, but the gray dog blocked his path and he unceremoniously tripped over the massive creature. Netherlands looked up as Luxembourg ran to the door, but when the house's alarms began to go off, he smirked.

He saw Luxembourg panicking, and to encourage him outside, Netherlands charged him and yelled, "Come back here, Lux! Let me eviscerate you!"

Luxembourg screamed and dashed out. Netherlands felt that awarding success feeling hit him and he started to chuckle. Netherlands stopped at the doorway and watched Luxembourg skid to a stop and gawk at Russia and Germany who were marching towards him.

Luxembourg veered to the side and ran, instantly setting them off. They overtook him and smashed him to the ground easily. Luxembourg screeched on the grass as fists promptly beset him.

Netherlands heard the dog running down the hall, barking in hysteria. Netherlands shut the door in Perlutze's face then hopped down the steps. He wandered closer then stood in one spot, leaning to the side nonchalantly while observing Luxembourg writhing under the blows. Luxembourg cried and covered his face vainly while turning onto his side. He looked over at Netherlands with one eye squeezed shut in pain and he jolted as fists cracked his skin and bones.

"No, no, please- Netherlands!" he screamed. "Help me!"

He raised an arm and extended a clawed hand out towards him. Netherlands blinked at him and said nothing.

"Why?" Luxembourg sobbed. "Brother, please…!"

Germany nailed Luxembourg in the temple and he was smacked back down. His vision blurred as he was tossed into a daze, and from seemingly far away he heard the alarm resounding and his dog howling in terror over the noise. Blows came again and again. Luxembourg felt himself breaking, and his voice cracked as he whimpered, "Make them stop, Netherlands…"

Netherlands lifted a corner of his mouth but continued to watch in silence as Germany and Russia savagely beat him. Nonstop punches were aimed to inflict the most damage upon his smaller body. Constant cracks emanated until Luxembourg stopped moving and lay still, only sobbing and gasping occasionally in pain. The loud clacks of flesh striking flesh continued mercilessly and after a long while Luxembourg's eyes fell shut and he stopped crying out to him.

They did not stop there. They just kept hitting him, tearing open his skin and spreading blood over the tender spots while driving the shards of bones deeper. Eventually Netherlands walked up and motioned them to stop. Russia and Germany stood and stepped out of the way as Netherlands knelt to check Luxembourg's pulse.

There was nothing now. His younger brother was dead, and he could not stop himself from enjoying the rich feeling of joy. Germany and Russia creaked their mouths open in smiles while bruises they could not feel brightened on their hands. They all were launched into a good mood, and they merrily took Luxembourg's body back inside.

When Netherlands opened the door, Perlutze sprang at him. He dodged him, and Russia dropped Luxembourg's legs to grab the animal.

"Don't kill the dog!" Netherlands barked. "I need him alive."

Russia hurled the dog at the near wall. Perlutze cried out and collapsed, stunned but alive. They continued inside and dropped Luxembourg on the floor. Netherlands pulled off Luxembourg's shirt that he was sure was covered in his DNA, and now he could really see how dented and messy the corpse was. His brother's death had been slow, painful, and primitive. Netherlands blinked and for a second he saw the body and knew what it meant. Netherlands inhaled sharply and his throat tightened. He stepped back into Russia as fear struck him.

Number Five. Remember who you are.

Netherlands felt his heart rate slow when relief came over him. Gradually, all his emotions numbed and he stared at Luxembourg with indifference. He turned away and left him on the floor, taking his shirt with him. He found the switches for the alarms on the wall and he had Germany flick them all off. The three of them then left the house and closed the door behind them.

The dog whimpered to the side as they went down the steps, and he started to get up. They continued on to the car and when Perlutze realized they were leaving, he ran forward yipping. He was kicked away then they all jumped into the car that immediately sped away on the smooth pavement. Perlutze sprinted after the car for as long as he could until it left sight. Then he flopped in exhaustion, panting and resuming his vain whimpering.


"The dog," Netherlands explained to Hendrik, "will be found soon by people. He will lead them back to the house and they will find Luxembourg."

Netherlands was at Hendrik's house, dropping off Germany and Russia. They had planned to meet there after Netherlands had returned. Now he was relaying how it had went, but the soldier had questions.

"Why do you want him to be found so fast?"

Netherlands replied, "So I can put on a show."

"Show?"

"Tomorrow, I predict."

Netherlands walked away from him back to the front door. Hendrik followed him and they drove the very short drive back to Netherlands' place. Once back, Netherlands washed the knife then directed himself to the shower. It had been too long since he had cleaned up. He had driven the long drive back from Denmark and disposed of Sweden's body in the creek of a small forest; one so slow moving that the riverbed was a sucking mud that happily consumed the body entirely. Right after he had made it home, he was pressed to make up for the failed mission. He had been told to start smaller; he had been commanded to be rid of his final sibling.

He had grabbed a knife and tucked it into his sleeve, deciding to finish his brother like he had his sister. He drove to Luxembourg's lavish house, not getting the luxury of sleep that Germany and Russia did in the back seat. Now, he felt so exhausted and weighed down with so much filth. Even after the shower and brushing his teeth, he felt terrible. Rings cut under Netherlands' eyes and he was absolutely weak with fatigue. He groaned and stumbled into his room, clutching the back of his head as another headache befell him. He fitted himself in pajamas and collapsed on the bed.

He was starving, he realized, but now that he was down he was too weary to move. Netherlands pulled the blankets over himself and closed his eyes. As he felt as though he was sinking, he dimly became aware that he had drunk practically nothing in two days. His throat felt just slightly dry and painful. He knew it should have been worse, but he was finding recently that he could hardly feel anything. Smooth objects in his hand could not be felt. He had never felt the cuts he had received climbing up onto Denmark's roof; he had only seen them.

He thought, I don't know if there's anything wrong with me. I can hardly feel a thing.

Number Five, you need to take care of yourself immediately.

"I'm too tired," he murmured.

Get up. Drink something. Eat first. You must be strong.

Netherlands felt obliged to obey. He sat up and shuffled to the kitchen. He put a shaking hand on the fridge door and opened it. He grabbed milk and drank straight from the carton, then he wandered to the counter, got a glass, and filled it with water. He chugged this then decided he could eat more later.

"You're going to sleep?"

Netherlands paused after hearing Hendrik's voice. For a moment, he became afraid when he heard his footsteps approaching, but when he tried to figure out why, he lost interest. It was not that Hendrik had drugged and made him into an organization's head assassin. There was something else about the Dutch soldier that had frightened him.

"Yes," he replied. "I am very tired."

He thought that Hendrik was staring at him strangely, but then he remembered his bed and he headed off towards it. Netherlands felt eyes on him the entire time until he had closed his bedroom door and isolated himself. He felt secure now even without chemicals calming his mind. Netherlands fell into his bed and this time did not even have the energy to cover himself with blankets. He simply fell asleep before he considered this at all.


Netherlands blinked when a beam of morning light shone over his face. He moved his hand up and rubbed the crud out from his eyes before he stretched. He checked the time and realized how long he had been sleeping. When he looked forward, he sat up with a gasp.

Hendrik was standing at the foot of his bed and the door Netherlands had closed before was now wide open. The soldier was staring at him, and Netherlands found something in his gaze that caused the terror to return. He felt uncomfortable lying over the blankets. While looking back at Hendrik, Netherlands moved under the blankets while asking lowly, "Why are you in here?"

"It is my job to watch over you."

"I believe the synonym was guard, not regard," Netherlands replied. "I closed that door."

"And I am wondering why you closed it," the soldier said. "Don't you trust me, Sir?"

He is one of us. You must trust him. Without him, you cannot proceed with the mission. He is your cover. You do trust him. He is trustworthy.

"I do," he murmured.

Hendrik smiled slowly at him. Netherlands got up and padded past him on the way back to the kitchen. This time, he ate properly for the first time in a while. He felt better after, and awake enough to start continuing his plans. His soldier hung on the couch as Netherlands got out his laptop to check for messages and any new assignments. He was still caught up for work, he discovered, and no one had said anything to him. He did see however posts about the attack on Denmark's house, from Denmark himself.

WATCH OUT. There seems to be a FIFTH one! Tuesday night, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and someone else planned an organized attack on me, Finland, and Norway. This is no longer singular threats. They are working together now.

They took out all our soldiers too. My house got wrecked and now we're moving somewhere we hopefully won't be found.

I also managed to catch Sweden. I hit him in the head and that toxic stuff came right out. Almost got him fixed but they jumped in and took him back. I'm no surgeon but, I think that Switzerland can really be fixed if they just go for it and tap that vile! Let's not wait for Switzerland to escape custody like Germany and Russia did… Four out there is already scary enough.

Netherlands read the comments. Everyone was thanking Denmark for the warning and some were supporting the surgery on Switzerland to be conducted immediately, while others advised caution. Some, Netherlands was glad to see, were writing exactly what he had hoped they would believe.

France had written, Could it be Belgium? She's been missing for over a week.

Spain had agreed, It sounds like Belgium's that fifth one. No one knows where she is.

Netherlands felt satisfied. His concealment of her body was a useful advantage. Leaving Luxembourg to find would only strengthen the belief that Belgium had turned psychotic, for it would seem that if someone was dead, their body would always be found.

"Let them think Belgium and Sweden are alive," Netherlands said, "and I can move around much more freely."

Hendrik came up to the table and looked over the screen.

"You are really on a roll," the soldier commented, "despite the failure in Denmark, you're prepared for everything."

"I cannot get caught," Netherlands told him. "I am Number Five- the last one, correct?"

"In a way… No more projects are ready. If you fall, we have to create another perfect model. The issue is money now though. We had so much stockpiled in the beginning. It was easy to develop everything fast and it was also easy to install it with our multinational supporters to help."

Netherlands asked before filtered, "Is this why Number Three had to be terminated?"

"Yes," was the response. "We had no materials to fix him. But it is okay. Everyone is relying on you."

"I would send money," Netherlands mentioned, "but I don't want to get caught based on my transactions."

"We understand."

Netherlands asked, "There is a headquarters, isn't there?"

Nothing inside him was stopping him from wanting to know. It seemed that he was trusted enough to learn about these things. Hendrik easily replied, "Of course. Here, in the Netherlands. That is why you are the final, perfect model. Our own demon will command the others and bring an end to all the filth on Earth."

Fear crept up on him.

"Did you just call me a demon?" he exhaled with a quiver.

He gasped as pain flared up his spine. Instantly he fell back with blackening vision and a throbbing head. The fear was sucked away swiftly and when he opened his eyes again, his vision was as clear as his mind.

"I did," his soldier told him. "Because it is true. It is what you all are, even if you have forgotten it in all of your time in your vessels."

Ask him for more, the voice encouraged Netherlands. You want to know more. It makes sense.

"Why do you believe this?" he asked calmly.

"There is no mention of nation personifications in any religious text in the world," Hendrik told him with full confidence. "You are immortal, staying young for centuries. You heal unnaturally fast and can take hits that would kill a regular man. Only one of you can kill another. If God intended for you to exist as a superior race, surely you would have been mentioned. But no… you aren't supposed to be here but you want everyone to believe that you are. So a long time ago, you arrived and took over the bodies of young children and you named yourselves as nations. Perhaps you all began to believe that you really were what you called yourselves."

Netherlands had confusion stir up within him, and it was allowed.

"That is not true," he said.

"You just don't remember. You would think this, but you have managed to convince even yourself that your name is the same as this country. But you are demons in reality, dark creatures who have fused themselves with their vessels. Always encouraging their leaders to fight, because you want to destroy and take. You cannot be angels. You are evil, sneaky filth crawling the land."

Netherlands was trying to formulate a counter argument. Hendrik was outlining things that even Netherlands could not explain. He did not know where he came from. In his memories, he just sort of appeared. He was there one day, not born, but existing. That was how everyone else knew it to be too. They had lived believing that if a nation was established, a personification would automatically be created, even though no one had known the reason why.

I don't know where I came from… Have I forgotten?

The voice replied, You have. You cannot explain your origin. You cannot explain your purpose. You know you live long past the normal lifespan of a human and that you can heal fast. That can not be scientifically explained. So, Number Five, what do you think you are?

"I don't know," Netherlands murmured. "But…"

"But what?" Hendrik stared at him. "You have nothing to say, Five. You cannot argue because you are doubting everything that you have known. You realize that we are right. You cannot argue against us."

He wanted to say that they were not demons. He did not believe in demons and yet, he could not rationalize his own existence. He wanted to say that maybe they were some other form of supernatural creature, but Hendrik had made a point that they had been too malevolent to be angels or any good creature. From the Viking Era, the Middle Ages, and the World Wars, they were proved to not be perfect beings.

"But we have attachments," Netherlands finally said. "We can love. We have pets and family."

"Loyalty to other demons for the sake of survival," Hendrik replied. "And your pets? Well, don't they live as long as you do?"

Netherlands felt dizzy. He thought of his rabbit, how old she was, and wondered, Is she a familiar?

"And, Sir," Hendrik continued. "You are fully conscious. We influence you, but you are still doing everything on your own. You killed your family because you found out that deep inside, you do not care."

It is true. You can fight against our influence, but you do not.

Netherlands thought groggily, No… That's not true…

You are a demon.

The soldier said, "But you can be forgiven. You must help us be rid of the other filth in the world. You have been chosen to be cleansed, but the others must be eradicated."

Kill them all. They are evil. Dirty. You are becoming clean. You are perfect. One of us. Fire and Brimstone- we are God's wrath and we bring just punishment to those damned.

The headache and spine pain returned. Netherlands yelped before he received a sharp rush that made him feel determined for something. He grasped onto the words he was being told, then rage burst as an inferno inside him.

Yes. You will kill them all. You will lead Number One and Number Two and slaughter the demons.

Netherlands nodded. I will do this.

Because you want to.

I do, he thought.

Never forget the mission. Continue as you were, Number Five.

He remembered in a flash his plan with Luxembourg's dog and what he was doing now. That utter focus arrived to him, like it did whenever he had to do his work.

Netherlands found Denmark's contact. He began to write to him.

Hey. I feel as though we have been misunderstanding each other and I think we should talk. I heard that you were attacked… Are you all alright? Was anyone hurt?

He left it as that for now. He was not sure how long it would take for Denmark to respond; it depended on whether he had gotten to his new house yet or not. In the meantime, Netherlands left his computer and now that he was feeling better, decided that he could take Germany and Russia out for training.

"Take us back to the forest today, Hendrik," Netherlands told him once in they were in the car.

They gathered Russia and Germany, and Netherlands inspected the weapons they had attained before putting them into a bag and placing it into the trunk. Once far from people, he shouldered the bag and led them down the trail until they came to a clearing. There, Netherlands strung up a shirt on the low branches of a tree then gave Russia and Germany bows and quivers while taking his own.

"We cannot miss," Netherlands muttered as he loaded his bow. "We have to be fast and silent. Guns alert neighbours and so do screams."

He glared coldly as he spoke. He nailed the shirt, then Germany and Russia did as well. They then trained for more precise objects, trying to catch leaves, thin branches, and mushrooms. They switched to javelins after, although their accuracy needed to be improved.

"But," Netherlands said, "the biggest problem is when they run. You have to catch them before they can get help."

Russia and Germany stared at him silently with their fake eyes. Netherlands knew that they could not really hear him, and that he was talking to whoever were in charge of controlling them. He had to tell them essentially, what he wanted the bodies to do. They had to create the right emotions that would motivate the barely conscious nations to do anything.

"So catch me."

Netherlands sprinted away and got a few seconds of a head start before the other two reacted. The soldier stayed behind gathering up their weapons as Netherlands escaped the clearing and dove into the forest, instantly dodging trees and trying to be unpredictable. He heard the crashing and snaps of branches as Germany and Russia plowed through them. They were much heavier than he was, so he tried to be more nimble, taking sharp turns and leaping between the narrow gaps of adjacent trees that they would have to go around.

Netherlands spied Russia going off on an angle. He knew he was trying to get back onto the path so that he could run faster. Netherlands tore off to the side, trying to get there as he did. Netherlands was a bit late so when he leapt out onto the path Russia was practically upon him. He saw Russia's face enraged, and it struck him that at this part of the drill both Russia and Germany truly wanted to kill him.

Netherlands did not become afraid. This was as realistic of a simulation for them as it could get for they were truly giving it their all. He ducked away from Russia's extended hands as he dove into the forest on the other side of the path and ran horizontally. He was beginning a loop back to the clearing. Russia burst through bushes after him and Germany raced to catch up. Netherlands was just beginning to put distance between himself and them again now that he was in the forest, but then he was back to their starting point.

When the trees were gone, Germany and Russia broke out into a ferocious charge. Netherlands whipped his head over his shoulder in surprise when they were suddenly right up behind him. He had not known they could be so fast. He gasped when Russia grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him backwards.

Netherlands crashed onto his back onto the grass. Russia's face was automatically above his, the gaping socket and his robotic eye huge while his teeth were bared in a vicious snarl. Germany slammed down on Netherlands' legs and Russia pressed his biceps down firmly into the ground with one hand and a knee. Russia's free hand shot out to his throat and squeezed for a moment before a change happened.

The muscles in both their faces relaxed. Germany and Russia got off him and stood. Netherlands sat up and the three of them respired deeply after their full-out sprint.

"Good," Netherlands breathed. "You were very fast."

Once they were ready, they practiced combat. However, because of the ruthless demeanor of the other two, it was essentially real combat and Netherlands had to full-heartedly defend himself. It became obvious quickly that he was the one who was going to learn the most. Germany and Russia, powerful countries, were stronger than him. Netherlands was thrown to the ground again and again, snatched, and choked until Germany and Russia were mentally called off him each time.

Germany backed away and Netherlands peeled himself off the grass, feeling covered in bruises.

Keep fighting. You must improve. When the time comes for a fight, you cannot fail.

Netherlands sprang at Germany and managed a hit before he was kneed in the stomach. Russia watched as Germany hurled Netherlands and his eye followed him as he crashed into the tree they had earlier used for target practice. Hendrik was there, and he stepped away with the bag as Germany charged forward.

Netherlands thought, I cannot expect to be stronger than him. I need to practice focus and craftiness in fighting instead.

That's right, the voice agreed. Perfect.

Netherlands leaped up and snatched a dead branch. He hung from it and it promptly broke under his weight. He whacked Germany in the leg with it, momentarily incapacitating him so that he could hop back and break the branch over his knee. Two sharp-ended halves were produced. When Germany rushed him, Netherlands zipped around the tree and met him as he was turning around. He hit his face with the blunt end of a branch then struck his ankle.

When Germany collapsed, Netherlands pressed the tips of both branches against the side of his throat. The fight was now officially over. Russia was silent, but Hendrik clapped from beside him. Netherlands dropped the sticks and swept his sleeve over his sweaty brow then left Germany to get up on his own.

"That'll do for today," Netherlands sighed. They had been fighting for the most of their training, and now not only was he hungry and tired, but he hurt all over. His sense of feeling was dimmed, so he knew that if he felt this destroyed, then he must have accidentally attained injuries.

They put Germany and Russia back in Hendrik's house as though they were animals being returned to their enclosure. Then, Netherlands dragged himself into his house and went to his computer before anything else. He opened it and discovered that Denmark had replied a curt, Any reason you care?

Netherlands responded to the rude answer, I'm sorry.

He showered and changed before eating. In the bathroom, he had found his chest and back spotted with dark bruises and there were tons of scratches on his legs and arms. His clothes were cut in some places, but he had them washed before he would have them sewed later. He got himself something to eat and drink then he was back at the computer.

Denmark seemed to be online sitting at his computer, because he had already answered.

What do you mean, you're sorry?

That was all he had written. Netherlands replied, I didn't mean to intrude. I was just worried like everyone else, but I guess it's different because I'm asking.

Denmark wrote, We're all fine.

Netherlands typed, Did you see my sister? Was it her?

He waited for Denmark to remember her disappearance and her relation to him. He would remember his first accusation of him, then he would feel guilt for being harsh when Netherlands was "missing" someone important. Denmark would believe that he was saddened by her loss, if the way he had been responding indicated those feelings.

No… I never saw the other person.

Another message from Denmark.

You okay over there? You're not really in a good spot, are you? You should probably move like we did.

Netherlands replied, Thinking about it, but I don't think it will do any good if I get the interest of the police. I'll probably just get followed anyway.

Denmark asked, Why don't you move in with someone?

Who? Netherlands replied. Luxembourg? I mean he's got a big house, but that's not a far enough move to be safe. Also, two makes us more likely to be targeted.

Denmark said, You both should go to France or Spain. A lot of people would make them reconsider attacking you, I think. I mean, no one's even touched the Baltics yet. France, Austria, and Liechtenstein are living together. Five isn't too many if you help with the living costs.

He replied, I can ask, but they don't trust me, I'm sure. No one does.

Netherlands was trying to press Denmark again into guilt. It succeeded.

Don't be so pessimistic. I'm sorry for yelling at you and all that, but it's not that anyone hates you. I don't think anyone's really looking your way anymore because now you got your soldier vouching for you.

Netherlands wrote, I don't believe anyone truly thinks I'm innocent. Even when German soldiers were revealed to be terrorists and people in Russia helped break him out, they still look at me. Why don't people realize that there are supporters from more than just my country?

He hoped Denmark would realize the truth in this statement. He was not lying. There were people who supported the cause all over Europe. There was no particular reason to believe that the Netherlands was the origin, even if it was in reality.

Yeah, I am really sorry about this, Denmark told him. I've been so rude to you. I can't imagine how you feel right now.

Netherlands knew the setup was close.

It is lonely.

Denmark typed, Do you want to talk or something?

What do you mean?

The reply was, We can Skype for a bit if you want. Norway's right behind me telling me to do it and apologize properly and Finland wants to see how you are too.

"Hendrik." Netherlands snapped his head in his direction. "I need Number One and Two."

"Huh? Now?"

"For the show I mentioned earlier," Netherlands said. "I am going to Skype the Nordics. This is the chance to utterly clear myself of suspicion…"

Netherlands quickly explained what needed to be done before he tapped at his keyboard, Sure, just give me ten minutes. I just finished lunch so I have to clean up. I'll call you.


"It shouldn't take too long," Denmark told the two at his sides. "I mean, he's not usually the type to stick around and talk for long about anything other than business."

They waited until the pop-up appeared on the screen that Netherlands was calling them. Denmark picked up instantaneously and the video opened up of Netherlands sitting alone. He was at the end of the table and the rest of the room could be seen warm from sunlight. The others got a good look at the perfect cleanliness of his house, although that was not what Netherlands was wanting to show them.

"Hey," Denmark said immediately after catching sight of him. "What's up?"

"Nothing really," he replied easily. "Just work."

The call was holding well. They have a good connection, Netherlands deduced. They are not in an isolated area and they are probably close. They might still be in Denmark.

Finland asked, "Didn't you have a guard? Where is he?"

"He went to check on his house. He'll be back shortly."

"Oh."

Denmark spoke up, "Why do you have a guard anyway? They haven't been useful to anyone so far. We are so strong and experienced that the psychos have no problem taking them out."

"I don't need him to protect me," Netherlands replied. "His presence proves my innocence."

A silence that Netherlands had expected followed- an awkward one for the Nordics and Denmark especially.

"But seriously…" Denmark started. "I am really sorry for coming over to your house and screaming at you. I said some rude things, I know… I hope you can forgive me."

Netherlands closed his eyes and nodded slowly. He replied, "I can, because I know how stressful it has been recently. You are still grieving for Iceland and that made you a bit irrational. I understand."

"No, no, I should have used this"-Denmark tapped the side of his head- "I just blamed you automatically instead of thinking that there is maybe an organization in your country that you are totally unaware of."

Norway said, "But we know now that it could be any European country, because of that point you made. It might have originated from Germany, Switzerland, Russia, or Denmark… we can't say for certain yet."

"Central to East Europe," Netherlands pretended to affirm. "I think it's somewhere there."

Another pause.

"Let me just say, I don't think you are involved at all anymore," Denmark told him. "There's no proof."

Netherlands thought, You say this, but I know there is still be doubt in you and everyone else.

"That means a lot." Netherlands bowed his head.

Now is the time, he thought. Bring them.

Seconds later, the three Nordics were startled by a huge crash on the other side of the call. Netherlands' eyes shot open as did his eyebrows before he snapped his head to the side in the direction of the noise.

They stared at the screen as Netherlands rose cautiously from his chair. When another crash emanated, they heard him inhale sharply and jolt. Netherlands looked frantically around himself but stopped his search when pounding feet were heard incoming. Netherlands whirled around with a scream and the Nordics cried out when Germany burst onto the scene wearing black clothes and the telltale skull mask while holding two knives.

Netherlands yelped and put up his arms to cover his face as he scrambled backwards. The knives stabbed his arms and Netherlands hollered. It was true pain. This time he could feel it. Netherlands did not need to pretend to scream as he was thrown against the window and Germany's knives jabbed into him. One sunk into the muscle beside his neck while the other went right into his oblique. Netherlands could hear the Nordics screaming in horror as he crumpled with the knives sticking out of him. He flashed his eyes up to the screen and saw their horrified faces as they shouted, then he saw himself in the corner, bleeding heavily from his wounds.

Germany dove for him. Netherlands yanked the knife from his shoulder and dodged him. He jumped to his feet and held out the knife. Germany stared at him and the weapon, but he did not need to decide whether to attack, for Russia burst into the room also masked and in black.

"No!" Netherlands boomed. He backed away, crumpling unintentionally but gladdened because it added to the show. He turned to point the knife from Germany to Russia.

Russia also had knives. He threw one at Netherlands and the Nordics panicked when it lodged itself into Netherlands' thigh and he fell. He dropped his knife as he clutched the impaled muscle with his face scrunched up. Russia swiped the knife at his eyes and Netherlands turned his head in time so that only a clean, deep cut went right across his cheek. Germany and Russia pounced on his fallen form and his screams went shrill as they pulled the knives out from him then stabbed and sliced him.

He knew that they were only demonstrating half of their usual enthusiasm, but they were still aiming for vitals. They were giving him enough time at least so that he could roll and block with his limbs. The side of his leg was stabbed and his biceps tore. Germany got a knife between his ribs on one occasion, but it did not go far. Germany had been stopped before he could insert it further.

Those watching did not see the difference, however. They saw Netherlands writhing on the floor screeching as Russia and Germany attacked him. They believed entirely that Netherlands was being assassinated and that he was going to be killed right in front of their eyes.

Their hopes were raised when Netherlands kicked them both in the face simultaneously and skittered away. He stumbled on his grossly bleeding legs, then he tore off. Netherlands disappeared off screen and Germany and Russia gave chase. They heard the outer door slam and Netherlands yelling outside.

Although out of view, Netherlands knew that they had not hung up. He screamed, "Help!" after he watched Hendrik ushering Russia and Germany into the car. Netherlands then pulled himself slowly into his tree and draped himself over the branches, his blood dripping down like rain onto the ground.

Netherlands stopped yelling for aid now. He hung in his tree, too weakened to cry out anymore. Eventually his neighbours exited their houses, too filled with cautious curiosity to stay in. They found him limply set in the tree and they instantly reacted. A few called for aid simultaneously while others raced to the tree.

Hendrik pulled in at this time. He hollered, "Move!" and shoved past the people. He stood up on his toes with his arms raised, and Netherlands leaned down his upper body. He dropped down into him, smearing blood all over his front upon impact. By now, he had lost enough blood that he ceased moving. Hendrik set him down and began pressing down on his worst wounds until the ambulance arrived.

He was loaded into the back of the ambulance. There, he closed his eyes and entered a conversation in his head.

Stay awake, Five.

Netherlands thought back, I know.

They were hard to control. You sustained serious injuries.

I know! he growled back. But I'll get through this.

This was your idea. Do not die.

I won't, he replied in his mind.

This was a bad idea.

No it was not, because now the Nordics will tell the world what happened. No one will suspect me ever again. I have their pity now and today I managed to get closer to the Nordics. With patience, I will eventually get them to tell me their location. This is all part of the plan.

You will have to take the time to heal.

Until then, he thought, Russia and Germany can attack someone else and two of you guys should help. It would be suspicious if no attacks happened while I was recovering.

Attack where?

He responded, Get them to Asia somehow. Catch someone by surprise. Also, if all the European nations die but me, it looks suspicious. We need to spread out. I can help again later.

It will be arranged, Number Five.


In the hospital bed, Hendrik passed him his computer. Netherlands opened it and saw that the Skype call had been dropped hours ago. It must have been accidental however, for there was a mass of messages from Denmark asking constantly if he was alive and begging for a response.

Netherlands went straight for the Skype call. He expected that they had been waiting for a reply, and he was proven right. They picked up instantly.

"Holy shit!" Denmark cried while Norway and Finland wordlessly exclaimed.

"Hey," Netherlands murmured.

"You're alive!" he gasped.

Netherlands laughed without humor. He said, "Yeah, barely. I climbed a tree then those brutes ran off before they would get caught."

"We thought you were done for," Norway muttered.

"I wanted to contact you as soon as possible before anything else," Netherlands said. "You know, because you were left on a cliffhanger. I haven't even told Luxembourg I'm alright. Did you tell him I was attacked?"

The faces of the Nordics flashed into horror. Netherlands knew exactly why instantly.

"Oh my god, he doesn't know!" Finland looked to the other two.

Netherlands feigned terror.

"What?" he demanded as he sat up. He did it too fast on purpose, and the pain on his face was real.

The Nordics flinched, then stared at each other waiting for the first to speak up. Norway and Finland focused on Denmark, who protested, "I can't tell him!"

Norway sighed, then looked into Netherlands' eyes through the camera.

"They found Luxembourg an hour and a bit ago, deceased in his house."

Netherlands made sure to stretch open his eyes very wide before he collapsed back into his bed. It hurt him again, but he carried on with his acting. He threw his hands over his eyes and let out a sob. He whined behind his fingers, "No- tell me that isn't true, please! No…"

"It is true…" Norway murmured. "I'm sorry."

Denmark and Finland looked away. Netherlands managed to squeeze tears out from his eyes as he whimpered, "How long ago?"

"Recently," Norway answered him. "Apparently his dog led some people back to the house and they, well, found him…"

Wonderful timing, he thought as he continued to fake-cry.

Netherlands choked out into his hands, "No, no, not him… not my little brother…"

After he said those words, there were a few seconds where the truth pierced his heart.

I killed them! Belgium and Luxembourg-

Don't say a word, Five!

Netherlands began to truly cry. Tears rushed from his eyes and he sobbed loudly, barely in control of his own breathing. Then the headache came and the sorrow began to slip away.

Focus.

Netherlands revealed his face to the screen. He saw himself now, with soaked cheeks and red vines under his skin. He shivered as he stared at the bandage patched over the cut on his cheek.

Before he was stopped, he whispered, "They're all dead…"

Then the pain in his spine returned. He gasped and his mind emptied for a moment. When the pain faded, he was reestablished.

"I don't think Belgium is dead," Finland told him. "You read what Denmark wrote- you saw the comments."

"Belgium is with them," Denmark agreed. "She's alive."

Netherlands looked down with two fresh tears dripping off his face.

"Oh please," he murmured. "I hope she is. I couldn't… bear it."

This was how it went on. The Nordics became twisted in concern as they looked over Netherlands as he lost his composure. They were shocked to see him crying and so hurt in ways more than physical.

"We'll catch her," Finland said, "and fix her. It will be okay."

"But I will never get my brother back," Netherlands whispered. "He's… gone forever."

He reveled in the discomfort he put the others in. He continued to pretend to grieve for their sake and he kept his acting realistic until the end of the call. By that point both sides seemed to be upset and nothing could be done about it.

Unsure of what to say, Denmark told him softly as his farewell, "Stay safe."

When it was over, Netherlands wiped away his tears as a feeling of pride arrived. Hendrik came closer now that only they could be heard talking in the room.

"You almost had me fooled," Hendrik finally told him. "I was starting to believe that you were out of control. That's how good your acting was."

"I am fine," Netherlands replied. "As always: perfect. Everything went to plan."

"Naturally." A too-wide grin spread across the Dutch soldier's face.

When he saw the smile, he felt the old fear fill him again. It baffled him. He was still struggling to grasp the reason for the appearance of fear in his guard's presence. Every time he questioned it, his emotions were tampered with until he longer cared at all and that fear floated away to be forgotten yet again.

Before that happened, he was able to realize that what he sensed was something bad that was going to befall him. The soldier, despite what he was always forced to believe, was not to be trusted.