Germany was having a relatively normal day. Or, at least as normal as it got when Italy Veneziano was having a siesta on the couch, occasionally saying "Pasta!" in his sleep which was really distracting for the Germanic nation as he tried to be a responsible adult/nation (Unlike Veneziano) and do his paperwork.

Also, did Germany have to add that he was doing Veneziano's paperwork since said nation was being extremely lazy that day? Really, and trying to mimic the Italian's handwriting was hard! Not to mention writing in Italian...

All of a sudden, Japan entered his office, looking uncharacteristically flustered. In his hand, was a rolled up newspaper. The most recent one, Germany noted as he saw the date neatly printed at the upper corner. However, which country it belonged to, he did not know. Although, it did look vaguely familiar.

"Germany-san," The Asian nation began. "Someone has found us nations out."

Germany's eyes widened in shock. That was not good. Swallowing his worry for just a moment, he asked. "And... what has been done?"

Japan unrolled the newspaper he was carrying in his hand and laid it out on Germany's desk.

As soon as the newspaper lay flat against the table, exposing the front page in all it's glory, Germany realized why it looked so familiar. The Central Times. Amestris's newspaper. As for why Japan had it, he had been collecting newspapers for Xing since the nation wanted to keep up with the events in Amestris for some reason. And since Japan had owed Xing a favour, he was entrusted with the happy job of collecting the newspapers once a week. Which wasn't all that fun, seeing as how far Amestris was from Japan. Thank goodness for Nation Hopping.

All that aside, however, Germany concerned himself with what was plastered all over the front page.

The Central Times

Personified Nations! Are they among us?!

The existence of Personified beings is a subject that has long been debated over without much success among the world's scientists and historians. Claimed as impossible, the idea was discarded until today.

However, recent proof has made itself known from an anonymous source that Personified nations live among us, in every country. Sightings have long been reported for centuries on end, going as far back as the Roman Empire.

Are they responsible for the numerous wars waged? The deaths over the centuries?

Germany quit reading around then, looking back up at Japan. "How has the secret leaked? The only ones who should have been aware are our governments."

"I am not aware of how our existence could have been leaked to this, anonymous source." Japan spoke, a grim look crossing over his face in contrast to his usually blank expression. "A spy could be possible."

A grim expression identical to that of Japan's crossed over Germany's face. The idea of a spy hurt any Nation personification. It was betrayal to them. However, it was too early to jump to conclusions, despite the high likelihood.

"We won't know this until we can confirm it," Germany spoke, standing up. "We have to go to the source. In other words, Amestris. We have to inform the G8."

Japan nodded. "I'll inform China-san, England-san and America-san."

The Germanic Nation nodded. "Ja. Then I will inform France and Russia."

Right after Japan left, Italy chose that moment to wake up. "PASTA~!"

"Italy! Get ready, we will be going Amestris!" Germany definitely did not expect the response that came next.

"Yay! I get to see Eddie!" The Italian cheered like five year old, leaving Germany to wonder who the hell 'Eddie' was.

0o0

The train screeched to a halt, the brakes sounding much like nails on a chalkboard. England winced at the sound as he stepped onto the platform, the others following closely behind him.

Ever since Amestris's shocking revelation that someone, a personification to be exact, had been shot in his capital, it had been an unanimous agreement among the present nations to head back.

Alphonse was confused, but England made an excuse that he had received a phone call while on board the train that he was required back in Central City for urgent matters. He also requested that Alphonse waited for them because... well, important matters.

Everything was getting so stressful. This was not something England was expecting when he travelled to Amestris's home. It should have been so simple. Introduce Amestris to his boss, familiarise the nation with his country, and then go home.

Just what on earth was going on?

Also, it didn't help that America was complaining about something.

"Good lord, Alfred," England hissed. "Would you kindly be quiet for a moment?! I have enough on my mind as it is!"

"But Iggy!" America whined. "My arm feels weird!"

"Knowing you, you probably sat on your arm and didn't even notice!"

"But I didn't!" America protested.

"Um... guys..." Canada whispered, only for France's voice to completely overshadow the Canadian's quiet voice.

"Angleterre, Ameriquè, we are currently on the move! You can release your sexual tensions later!" France said in his usual manner.

"Guys!"

"WE DON'T HAVE SEXUAL TENSION!" The American and English man yelled, drawing raised eyebrows from people nearby, at France who laughed.

"LISTEN TO ME!" Canada finally lost all his patience before he snapped.

"Canada bro, what gives? You don't normally act like that-" America started to say, before Canada pointed at his brother's arm.

"Your arm. You were shot there, and you've already healed, right?"

America nodded. "Yeah, dude. Why? I mean, I've already healed-"

"Then, what's that, eh?"

The Nations' eyes flew to the area Canada was pointing at, before their eyes widened.

"Holy shit." America breathed, seeing now what Canada was talking about. There, where the bullet had hit him near his elbow, was an ugly purplish bruise like mark that spiralled outwards. It was small, but it was there.

"Mon dieu," France gasped.

England's eyes was fixated on the mark, in almost morbid fascination. But he forced himself to concentrate. The bullet that was used on America had some properties to leave... something on a nation. What it actually did, he didn't know, and he wasn't keen to find out. He could only hope it wasn't something too bad...

But then again, what were the chances of that?

0o0

Ling sat in the hospital room, watching over his unconscious nation. Why hadn't he woken up? Xing should have been up hours ago...

So why?

"My lord, you should get some rest. I'll take it from here." Lan Fan spoke from the corner of the room where she had taken up residence.

Ling shook his head. "It's okay, Lan Fan. I should be here if- when Xing wakes up."

Lan Fan didn't say anymore.

Just then, a doctor walked in. "Excuse me, but I need to change the IV, so could you please leave for a moment..."

Ling nodded, stepping out of the room with Lan Fan.

A few moments went by, before Ling idly commented. "Hey, Lan Fan, was it just me, or did that doctor's chi seem a little familiar."

Lan Fan paused, thinking about this for a few seconds before her eyes widened behind her mask.

She pushed the hospital door open quickly, just in time to see the doctor standing over Xing with a knife, hand raised up high, ready to plunge the blade into the unconscious nation.

Lan Fan threw her kunai at the doctor's hand, knocking the blade out of his hand before she quickly subdued him.

"My lord, this man... his chi is the same as the one who shot your adviser!"

Ling's eyes widened a fraction, enough to reveal his eyes, before they narrowed into slits once again as fury bubbled in him.

"You shot my adviser?!" Ling gripped the man's collar. "How dare you?! He's my friend!"

The doctor scoffed. "They are monsters who deserve to be erased from this world. You can't stop us. We know how to kill them already, so there's nothing you can do!"

With that, the doctor bit down hard on his tongue, doing the unthinkable.

"I don't believe it..." Ling gasped in shock as the man's body fell to the ground limply, blood pooling under his jaw. "This is... this is insanity."

0o0

Alphonse strolled through the street on Central City, looking for Zanpano and Jerso. In truth, he had actually forgotten about the two, what with everything going on.

Just then, he spotted a commotion happening up ahead. Picking up his pace, Alphonse sped forward.

"-Can't do that! That's horrible!"

"Horrible? What about them? They've done horrible things to us, so why not us? After everything, they deserve to die!"

"Hey!" Alphonse called, making the two groups of people look at him. "What's going on here?"

"You ask them!" The person who spoke last pointed a finger at the second group. "They want to defend monsters who've done nothing but kill!"

"They aren't monsters!" The leader of the first group protested. "Why can't you see that?!"

"What are you guys talking about?" Alphonse asked incredulously, looking between the two groups.

"You haven't been reading the papers, have you? Personified Nations exist, and they've been causing wars because of their petty squabbles with each other, and they've caused millions to die!"

"They're personified nations, aren't they? It means they personify the population in general! How they act reflects how their people acts!"

As the two squabbled on, Alphonse felt the fears in his mind turn. Personified nations? How could that be? It didn't make any sense!

But then again, when had anything ever made sense around here?

[A/N It is I, and I have finally found the time to update this story again! I really apologise for the late update, but I'm afraid the updates will be really slow from here on out. I'm officially in Secondary 3, and my life has just gotten so busy. I hope you guys understand.Oh, and by the way, remember the poll I set up? Well, the results are in, and the story featuring Edward's past is going to be written. I have plans for that, so many plans!Well, that's all so bye!~ Gwntan12]