The dazzling blue eyes of France looked into England's. Arthur had not felt an ounce of regret for what he was about to do. He knew he would talk to France again, but what had happened to Canada was something unforgivable. Releasing his ear, England then grabbed the boy's hand and led him over to the couch. He kept the boy in front of him looking into his eyes.

"Now you give me one good reason why you should not be punished?" England always wanted to resolve matters with talking first. Even though the child had done an awful thing. France went to open his mouth when Prussia interrupted.

"What are you going to do you stupid bastard? You have no power over us. You're just a tea sucking arschloch! Just because you are an adult…doesn't mean…" He was quickly silenced as England pushed aside France, and walked over to the rude little brat yelling at him. Gilbert soon quieted down as England knelt down in front of him.

"You're first." England said with a grin. Prussia's mouth hung open, and his eyes grew wide. He was quickly grabbed up in England's arms. Arthur brought him over to the couch. Prussia thrashed around, saying several obscenities. Shaking his head, Arthur gave the boy a warning smack, and this erupted some more anger from the child. "Such naughty language from such a little boy…oh my, we'll put a stop to that soon enough!"

France and Spain huddled together scared to witness what they now knew eminent to happen to poor little Gilbert. They watched as the older nation put the small boy over his knee, and take down his pants. Arthur did not have his slipper with him, and it was a shame. It would have been extremely useful and effective on the backside of the little tyrant. He lifted his palm in the air, and while it came down, Prussia's thoughts flooded with a wave of memories from the past. Being over Germania's knee in the kitchen of his childhood home for being mean to his brother, and breaking several dishes with his awesome acrobats. Prussia believed he could juggle, Germania not agreeing so much.

"What did I say to you before Gilbert?" Germania held a hand firmly on the small of the child's back, and his other hand came down covering an entire cheek. The child cried out in pain and was expected to respond.

"Owwww…Vati, Vati! You said…(sob)…" He was cut off by another quick slap.

"Go on, answer me you disobedient little brat!" His hand came down once again, causing the child to choke on his tears.

"You said, not to go near the dishes…that I can't juggle…and (SLAP)…owwww! Don't be mean to Ludie!"

Germania peppered the little boy's backside until he thought the child had learned well, and now expected him to leave certain things alone.

Every slap that came down on Gilbert's backside made him think about his horrible past. He was beyond sobbing when England finally stopped. The child's pants were pulled back up, and Arthur set him down. Running to the corner, because it was childhood instinct, he bawled like crazy while rubbing his backside. He leaned against the wall trying to compose himself. England stayed sitting, and shook his head, but seeing as the miniature nation knew his place, he now made a "come hither" motion to France.

"Alright you…come over here." The child looked at Spain, and then back at England. He knew it would be bad had he not listened, but something was stopping him. He shook his head no, stuck out his tongue, and put on a brave face. Astounded, England called him over again. "FRANCIS BONNEFOY…get your little self over here at once!"

"Pas! You can not tell me what to do! Only my Papa can tell me that…and 'e is not 'ere!" The nation turned around and made his way for the door when he felt a forceful tug at the back of his cloak. Looking back in horror, it was the smiling face of Russia. Apparently Ivan's drunken state was wearing off. The large nation picked up the small Francis and walked him over to England.

"He's so little no? Such a neposlushnyĭlittle boy! Here you go England." The Russian held him like a care package. England reached out, and without hesitation, put the boy face down over his lap. He bared the boy's backside by flipping back his cape, and taking down his pants. France has no choice but to hold on to the Brit's thigh. He closed his eyes as he sensed the punishment commence.

England's hand came down upon the boy's small upturned backside. His eye's opened with shock on how awful of a feeling it was to be spanked. The stinging sensation suddenly made his feel awful. Not only for the feeling on his own backside, but what he had done with the whip, lashing Matthew. His eyes started to water, and soon the tears flowed. Kicking his legs, Arthur was far from finished. This was too much to take, Francis started shouting while tears ran down his face. Words in French spewed fourth from his little face.

"Je suis désolé, je suis désolé s'il vous plaît arrêter Monsieur Angleterre!" He kicked his feet rapidly, but England did not let up.

Outside, little Alfred heard the commotion. He had climbed the ladder even though he knew it was forbidden to climb, but shrugging it off, he knew it was to find his big brother. He had trouble doing this in his night shirt, and the little shoes that were slipping off. Staying by the window, he looked in, and squinted his eyes. Shuddering, he caught glimpse of Arthur punishing a small boy. He also saw the state his brother was in with his appearance. The Brit was bruised and his clothing was in tatters. Alfred watched as France was punished. He watched the boy being held in the very same position that America had been in countless times. The boy held his hand to his mouth. Scared now because his brother was in an angry mood, he tried hard to turn around, but the ledge was too narrow. His hands latched onto the window, and the little noises alerted the large Russian who was holding a terrified Spain to his side. Ivan turned to face the window, and smiled at Alfred. He walked over and opened it. This caused quite the questionable expression from England who had since finished France's punishment and set the howling child down. He stood up from the couch and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Alfred Frederick Jones…what the hell do you think you are doing here?" England did not hold back on his language. He was beyond angry, and mortified by the actions of his own little brother. America looked around and saw the crying Prussia still standing in the corner, and then turned his eyes to France, the evil nation that had hurt his brother. He spoke up.

"Um…big brother…I was worried. You didn't say goodnight, and well…when you didn't come back I got sad, and couldn't sleep and…you're hurt! Look at your face!"

The boy began to step back as England walked towards him. He started to get upset, when Arthur noticed little Spain slowly trying to tip toe out of the room.

"Not so fast little Antonio!"

Within a flash, he grabbed the boy, held him under his arm, and swatted his behind five times. The boy broke out in a small cry, and was set down. England then turned his attention back to his brother.

"Don't you move a muscle young man." He said through gritted teeth, and then looked up at Ivan. "Russia, please keep hold of my little brother while I have a word with these three. I will be only a moment. Take him outside by the street, and we'll head back shortly."

Ivan nodded, took Alfred by the hand, and the two left the room, and walked down the steps. England shut the door, and cleared his throat.

"The three of you face me immediately." He stood with his hands behind his back, while Prussia turned around with a sour look upon his face, and a runny nose. France still had tears streaming down his face, and his eyes were red, and Spain who got the got the most mild punishment sniffed and looked up at Arthur. Staring at each one of them, he spoke up. "I placed a curse on you three…changed you to children. I did this only so you could see how ghastly you were, and how badly in need of chastisement." He waited to see if one of the children would speak up. It of course took a moment, but Prussia came forward.

"England…please change us back! I don't want to be little anymore! I don't want to feel this way, and I don't want to…" He shivered in fear from ever being spanked again, and looked up with doe eyes to the Brit. "I just don't want any more of this!"

England nodded and then looked over at France. The one nation he was especially irate at. He approached the boy, and knelt down.

"Then I have your full permission to take on Canada, and he is now an alliance with me? No more will you treat him with disrespect and have the little nation fear you?"

The French boy nodded vigorously and bit back his lip. In this compromising position, there was really nothing he could do. England had the upper hand…seriously.

"Alright then…the three of you will stay here and think about your misdeeds." He snapped his fingers and called out to his magical little friend. "Mint Bunny, come!" The creature appeared and looked down at all three children. Still not believing a little cute creature could have done this to them, they looked in awe. The bunny suddenly spoke in his high pitched voice.

"May the children be released of this fright…I give the power of one's true height!" Minty waved his little hands over the three nations. Gold dust particles flew around, and it made the little children drowsy. One by one they closed their eyes, and dropped to the floor gently, laying down to a deep sleep. The bunny looked back at England and winked. England on the other hand suddenly became alarmed.

"Minty…what happened? I thought they were going to turn back to adult nations? I didn't want you to knock them out cold! Are they okay? Will they grow?"

"Yes Arthur…and they will once they wake up. I wanted to protect you silly! If they change back now, and revert to their original sizes, they may try to hurt you again. Come now, there is not much time. Russia and America are waiting for you, and I believe you have nothing to worry about with France. Canada is all yours!"

"Excellent…and thank you so much my little furry friend." He smiled at the creature, and this made the bunny emit a little squeal. He then flipped aside, and disappeared into nothingness. Arthur looked around the room to three sleeping children. They would turn soon, so he quickly left and walked down the steps hastily.

Arriving down on the foyer, he opened the door to the outside, and was surprised to see America standing next to Russia. The boy held the man's hand, and waited like he was supposed to. With a stern look upon his face, England walked out of Prussia's house, and closed the door behind him. Glancing at Ivan, he bowed to him.

"Ivan, so glad of you to help. I was not sorry I summoned you, and very gracious that you were there to help. I must take Alfred home now, as it is very late…and way past his bedtime. Hopefully I will see you around."

"Yes Arthur…be seeing you, maybe for a couple shots of vodka. Do svidaniya my friend." He waved, gave America a pat on the head, and left in a hurried manner towards his own home.

England then turned his attention to America who was nervously smiling up at his brother.

"Hi big brother."

"Don't hello me little one…you are in serious trouble. Come…we are going home!"

He took the boy gently by the hand, and the two walked the long path home. As it was late, America had trouble keeping up. He stumbled, and when he could not walk anymore, England scooped him up into his arms and held him. America threw his arms around the larger nation's neck, and leaned into his chest, breathing heavy. England now felt almost bad for becoming angry. The boy was mischievous at heart, and did care deeply for his older brother.

Once the two arrived within the mansion gates, Hughes came out quickly through the front door. The faithful butler held out his arms and took America out from England's grasp. Whispering to him gently, Hughes sounded slightly relieved to see his master.

"Oh sir…we were quite worried for you, and Young Master Alfred."

"Yes well Hughes, see that he is put into another dress shirt, since he has soiled the ones he has on and he is to be put straight to bed. I will have a word with him in my study tomorrow. I must be off to bed…please see when you are finished with Alfred, that you speak with the wait staff that the gate is locked shut, and that the doors are secured. I am off to bed. Good night Hughes."

"Yes sir." Hughes walked ahead of England, and arrived in doors. He walked up the steps with the precious cargo in tow, and arrived in America's bedroom. The child was still sleeping, and was taken out of his clothing, and put into a fresh night shirt. Hughes covered the child properly, and sinking back into his pillow, the child snored.

Back in his own quarters, England stood by his bedside unbuttoning his uniform. He thought about the day, and what had happened. He had saved Canada. The child was now his, literally in the same house now, there lay the child sleeping safe and sound. Throwing off his shirt, and kicking off his pants, he slipped on a night shirt, and before getting into bed, he walked to the door of his bedroom, and opened it. Walking out, he went down the hall towards the guest room where Matthew lie. Arthur had convictions thinking when he got there, that the child would be gone, but this just wasn't the case. He gently turned the door handle, and opened it a bit. Looking in, he saw the child resting on his side. The sounds of his breathing sounded more relaxed than the previous day. Sighing, and feeling somewhat like the luckiest nation in the world, he closed the door, and walked back to his own quarters.

Morning arrived to the sound of laughter. Arthur rolled over in his bed with a groan. He must have slept wrong, and now had a kink in his neck. Throwing aside the covers, he got out of bed, and was greeted by Hughes walking in. Looking up, the nation smiled.

"Good morning Hughes…whatever is that noise coming from?" He threw on a robe, and walked over to the basin in his washroom. Hughes followed carrying a towel.

"Ah, well Master Kirkland, Matthew was the first one awake this morning, and he took it upon himself to go and wake up his brother. The two are now in the nursery playing. I thought I had better see if you were awake first before breakfast be served."

England stared at the man while brushing his teeth. Spitting the toothpaste into the sink, and grabbing the towel, he replied.

"Thank you Hughes…I assume you have checked on Matthew's wounds…and that both children are dressed?"

"Yes my lord. The wounds are very much healed. I applied some more of the salve, although Young Master Williams was not having it, I am sure he just wanted to play." The butler took the towel from England, and the nation walked over to his wardrobe.

"Hughes…I will be down in a moment…I just need to get dressed and…ugh." He leaned a little hard on one of his legs that was hurt, and Hughes ran over to him.

"Sir, please…allow me to assist you."

"No, no thank you Hughes…I need to do this on my own. Please gather up the boys, have them seated at the table, and I will be there momentarily."

"Yes…right sir." Hughes bowed and left the room. England struggled, but he had his pride, and fully dressed himself. When he was finished, he walked down to the dining area.

He walked through the door, and his eyes lit up as he saw Matthew sitting at the table holding a spoonful of porridge to his lips, and laughing at whatever Alfred had said. The young child looked up as the Brit walked in, and without a moments notice, dropped the spoon and got out of his seat as quickly as his little feet could take him. He ran towards his big brother. England dropped to one knee and the boy engulfed himself in the biggest hug, nearly making the man fall over. Rubbing the child's back and getting slightly sentimental, the boy wrapped his arms around the man's neck.

"Big brother, big brother, big brother! Alfred said I was here to stay. And I get to be with you everyday, and I get to play with my brother. I get to see you, I get to play outside. I love you big brother!" He hopped up and down in joy.

"I am so glad you are happy to be here young man. You never have to worry about France ever again. Now go and have a seat and finish your breakfast." The boy grinned and ran back over to his seat. Alfred smiled at his brother, and went to take a spoonful of his breakfast when he caught England looking at him with grim promise.

"Big brother?" Questioned the little boy, which he knew he shouldn't have. His brother was very smart, and did not forget events which caused trouble in previous times.

"America…please come with me so that I may have a word privately." He stood with his arms to his side, and watched as Alfred slid down from his seat. He listened to his brother, because after all…he had disobeyed. He walked to the nation and taking the outstretched hand, the two proceeded to walk down the hall. England turned back to little Canada sitting at the table. "Matthew…please finish your porridge, and Alfred and myself will be right back alright sweetheart?"

"Yes big brother." Matthew had known that Alfred was in trouble. The two brother's shared a conversation while they played in the nursery.

The two nations walked towards England's study and Arthur closed the door. He lead Alfred to the couch to sit, while he stood and faced the window, looking out, dreading what he had to do. The boy watched his brother while biting back his lip.

"You were giving instructions to go to bed, and I do recall from an earlier experience from you and Matthew's town visit that you were not to go there alone again. You disobeyed my orders, and you had the house staff worried, and most of all Hughes. The man is like myself, and when I am not around, he is in control. What do you have to say for yourself little one?"

England turned to face the boy with wide eyes. He was gripping his hands to the couch. He breathed in and then in a small voice which was trying desperately to hold back tears, he responded.

"I was only trying to find you Arthur! You said you were going to come back, and you didn't! You lied to me! I was worried." He sort of shouted at the larger nation and England stood before him now.

"What I do, or the time spent away from here is my business. Yes…I should have not told you I was going to be able to say goodnight. Emergencies always arise."

"I had an emergency!" Said America as he pouted slightly. He saw the look on England's face, and the man raised an eyebrow. Feeling defeat, Alfred spoke again. "Does this mean I hafta have a spanking?"

"Don't you think you deserve a spanking?" England waited for an answer, but he knew the child did not want to respond to a question like that. Nodding appropriately, England grabbed the slipper from his desk, and walked to the couch.

He set the slipper aside, and helped America unbutton his knickerbockers. Once they were down, the boy helped himself over his big brother's knees and setting a hand on the small of the child's back, England spanked the boy soundly, and made the punishment as effective as any "parent" could. When it ceased, Arthur put the child down, who had an inclination to put both hands on his backside, rubbing empathetically. His clothing were adjusted back, and he sobbed as large tears rolled down his small face. England looked into the child's eyes and pulled him close, kissing the top of his head.

"I love you with all my heart America…and to have anything happen to you would kill me. I don't punish you out of anger, I always do it out of love. The older you get, the more you realize that." Embracing him tighter, the boy nodded with a few more sniffles and hugged his brother back. "Come on love…lets go back to the dining room."

He took the child's hand, and the two walked back to the dining room. Matthew was sitting talking with Hughes, and he looked over to see a sullen Alfred, but he got out of his chair and hugged the boy, who's mood quickly changed. He turned to England and held out another hand. Arthur for the one time in his busy life did not have anything to do and with much anticipation, grabbed the boy's hand. He held out another hand to America and the boy embraced it. With the two little nations by his side, the three went outside, and life would begin with laughter, joy, and plenty of fun filled games. The nation of England smiled as the three walked outside. Thinking to himself, "peace…finally".

The End