America gaped at the towering pile of french fries, cheese and gravy that Canada sat in front of him at Canada's kitchen table. "It's...it's so beautiful," he whispered, tearing up. "Little brother, I've heard of poutine's majesty, but to see it in real life...it's almost as good as chili cheese fries!"
Canada beamed at the praise. "I thought you'd like it! I know how much you like gravy."
"I do like gravy." America grabbed a fork and tucked in. He paused and pointed at Canada with his fork "Okay, so you feed me delicious fattening foods, you invite me to talk about combining our armies and hitting Russia. What's the dealio, Canada? You're always polite, but not always so accommodating."
Canada slipped into the chair beside America. "I'm tired of being a ghost on the international scene," he said quietly. "I've been dragged into wars. I've been told to defend myself. I've watched nations destroy each other. I always feel like I'm on the sidelines, forced to fight, forced to watch the carnage."
"Ah, you want to join the opposition?" America punched Canada's shoulder. "Be on the varsity team instead of JV? Well, why didn't you say so! I can take you out, show you the ropes. Not that your army is anything to snuff at, but well, heh. Can't really compare it to mine, right?"
Canada smiled weakly and rubbed his shoulder. "Right."
"So, when do ya wanna start training? I mean, we've got a bit of a meltdown right now, so it's kind of a bad time, but -"
"Oh, no, I don't think so." Canada looked over his glasses and grinned. "I think today would be a perfect time to start."
Elizabeth barged through Lithuania's door, dragging a struggling Emma after her.
"Sorry about waltzing right in," she said to the stunned Lithuania as she pushed Emma on his couch. Emma screamed through her gag, her eyes wild. "She just woke up and was being a bother. Quiet, you! We're guests here you uncouth colonist!"
Lithuania closed the door and leaned over the writhing Emma. "What exactly is going on?"
"She says Russia sent her to me," Elizabeth said curtly. "To capture me, what a laugh. I suspect he actually sent her so we can figure out what the hell is going on." She threaded her hand through Emma's beads. Emma growled and attempted to twist away. "See these? Look familiar to you?"
Lithuania narrowed his eyes and took a bead between his fingers.
"Russia's been playing with magic again," he muttered. "This is the color of my old pendant." He looked up at Elizabeth. "Emma's under a compulsion. All of Russia's emotions, the best and the worst, all of his desires, they're hers." He and Elizabeth dropped the beads. "One can fight against the compulsion, but it's very difficult. Even a country with many dissidents among his people fighting along with him has trouble keeping the compulsion at bay. I can't imagine what it does to a human mind, even one of an immortal."
"I thought as much." Elizabeth crossed her arms, her voice filled with disgust. "If Russia's messing about with the dark arts, it must mean he's snapped."
"But I swear he hasn't!" Lithuania threw his arms up in frustration. "It's what we've tried to tell everyone, but no one believes us!"
Emma went still. Her glassy eyes gleamed.
"Well, your outburst certainly elicited a response," Elizabeth said cooly. She crouched next to Emma and untied the gag. "Emma. What do you know?"
"If no one believes Lithuania that Russia is still sane, even if by a hair, then the plan's working," Emma said with a large grin.
"I knew it. I knew Russia hasn't lost it yet," Lithuania muttered.
"Where is Russia?" Emma asked, her eyes bright.
"As I'm sure you're aware, no one knows," Elizabeth said as she stood. Emma's grin widened.
"And where is America?"
"Out planning an assault on Russia with Canada." Lithuania sighed and paced the living room. "I don't know if I can convince either one of them to refrain from attacking for long. And if they do, that's millions of innocent why on earth is she laughing?"
Emma's giggling stopped Lithuania in his tracks. Lithuania and Elizabeth stared at each other.
"No. It can't be," Elizabeth breathed, her eyes growing wide.
America pushed back from the table as England, Russia, China and France surrounded him. There was a pause, a moment where everyone was still. Suddenly America jumped up from the chair, pushing China off-balance. Together, England and Russia grabbed America's arms. America attempted to yank them away, pulling Russia and England with him. China recovered and jumped on America's back, knocking America's glasses from his face. America groaned and took a few steps, dragging all three countries across the kitchen. Russia and England doubled their efforts, forcing the thrashing America to his knees. France yawned and sat on America's legs.
"It can't be you," America moaned, sweat pouring from his brow. "You can't be the one!"
"Why not?" Canada lifted himself from his chair and pulled a gold chain from his pocket. "I've spent the last couple hundred years watching you big oafs tear apart the world. Do you know how long I've had to wait to have an opportunity to end it? To end your carnage?" He picked up America's glasses and placed them gently on America's nose. "I've had to be very patient."
"You're crazy!" America cried.
"Oh no, quite the opposite." Canada let a slow smile stretch his mouth. "I see myself as very, very sane. And soon, so will you."
America cried out as Canada dropped the gold chain over his head. He breathed deeply as Canada's emotions smothered his. His face relaxed and he shook his head.
"No. I can't," he muttered. "I can't."
"Just let go, America," Canada soothed, smoothing his brother's hair. "Let go of the fight."
America struggled weakly a moment longer before losing himself completely. He sighed and his body went limp. The other nations freed him, Russia and England helping him to his feet. Canada stretched and yawned.
"Well that was exhausting. Everybody get to bed. We have a long day tomorrow."
Emma relaxed in the couch, her face dreamy. "It's done," she said. "America is Canada's now."
Lithuania looked on her in horror, barely perceiving his ringing cellphone. He snapped out of it and checked his text.
"There's an emergency meeting of the UN tomorrow." He looked at Elizabeth, at a loss. "It's from America. Oh, Elizabeth, what the hell are we going to do?"