There is a very good reason for the lack of updates. I lost the flashdrive on which I kept the chapters somewhere around the middle of last school year, and only found it at the end of summer. To make up for that, I'll try to write more, but no promises (I have way too many stories going).
I'm also going to need translators at some point in the future. Maybe. I'm not sure. But if any of you are fluent in another language, it would save me the embarrassment of using Google translate and screwing up royally.
IMPORTANT: I know there are certain denizens for certain aspects, but given the large number of characters, I'm going to make some up. There will be more on that later.
Day Five, continued
~Be Liechtenstein~
She could tell she was approaching the dragon's lair; the flowers were burnt to a crisp, and the charred remains of shredded ribbons littered her path. In the distance, sharp mountains seemed to scrape the sky.
There was only one way into the mountains: through a pass at the base. Liechtenstein hesitated, gathering her courage.
Well, this is it.
She took a step forward…only to be yanked backwards by her dress collar.
"What the HELL are you doing?"
"Brother?"
Switzerland lifted her up by her collar until they were on eye level. He shook her, not sharply, but enough to rattle her. "What the HELL do you think you're doing?"
"I have to complete my quest…"
"Quest? QUEST? You think a stupid little quest is enough to risk your life over? What about all those self-defense lessons I gave you? If I'd known I was wasting my time, I wouldn't have bothered! Did you learn nothing?"
Liechtenstein started to cry. "I'm sorry, brother…I wanted to be useful, and help us beat the game! That's all! I'm sorry!"
Switzerland set Liechtenstein down and, without warning, pulled her in for a hug. "I know, Lili. I'm sorry I lost my temper. Just…be careful, okay? This isn't anything we know. We can be killed far too easily here."
Liechtenstein nodded. Switzerland patted her awkwardly on the back and pushed her away gently, as if he were suddenly aware of his uncharacteristic display of affection. "Ok…let's go home now, ja?"
~Be America~
freedomBurger started pestering gallowsCalibrator
FB: im bored
FB: am i redy 2 god tier yet
GC: WHY 4R3 YOU SO 4NX1OUS TO B3 GOD T13R
GC: 1T 1SNT 4LL 1TS CR4CK3D UP TO B3
FB: but i can b a real hero rite
FB: i can hav powers an save ppl
FB: i want tht
GC: YOU M1GHT NOT G3T 1T
GC: 1T D3P3NDS ON YOUR GOD T13R
GC: YOU M1GHT JUST G3T H31GHT3N3D S3NS3S
GC: DONT G3T YOUR HOP3S UP
FB: i wont kno
FB: if i dont try ::)
FB: oops :)
GC: 1 DONT KNOW
GC: M4YB3 YOU SHOULD TRY CH4LL3NG1NG YOUR D3N1Z3N F1RST
GC: OR TH4T M1GHT B3 TH3 WORST TH1NG YOU COULD DO
GC: WH4T DO YOU TH1NK
FB: i think im redy 2 fight th demon
FB: if ya think it would help me get 2 god tier fastr ill do it
GC: 1TS YOUR CHO1C3
GC: BUT B3 C4R3FUL
GC: 4ND L3T 1T OFF3R YOU 4 D34L F1RST
GC: TH3N YOU C4N D3C1D3 1F F1GHT1NG 1S WORTH 1T
gallowsCalibrator ceased trolling freedomBurger
/
America stood outside the cave of his denizen, the wind blowing his coat and hair. He hefted his baseball bat over his shoulder and kicked off, running at full speed in anticipation of a fight. He laughed as adrenaline entered his bloodstream. He paid no mind to the darkness that deepened as he proceeded into the cave depths. He ran the entire way.
Eventually, he came to a cavern. Sunlight poured in through a large hole in the cave's ceiling. Huge logs made up an enormous nest that held an over-sized creature. It had a brown snake-like body with golden-brown eagle wings protruding from its back. It had a beak and black eagle eyes, but the rest of its face was surreally human. It loomed over America with a piercing stare.
America held out his bat like a sword. "Prepare yourself for a challenge!"
I, Dilmun, am the one who issues the challenges around here, the denizen said, his words echoing in America's brain. Are you sure you wish to battle me with strength?
America recalled Terezi's words. "Depends. You have a challenge for me?"
Indeed. If you accept it, there is no turning back.
"In that case…" America gripped the bat with both hands. "Get ready to see some kickass American moves!"
~Be Terezi~
Terezi, watching on her screen, listening in, performed a Facepalm x2 Combo.
~Be America again~
"Gah!" America flew backwards as Dilmun swiped his cheek with claws hidden beneath the serpentine body. He had come dangerously close to losing an eye.
He was losing the battle. He knew he was. He already had cuts all over his body, and he had lost the use of his left arm when the muscles and tendons had been severed. As Dilmun drew itself up to consider its next move, America knelt down, panting, trying to keep his vision from blurring.
What do I do? he thought. The guy is too strong. I can't beat him…
No! another part of him said. I can't give up hope! What kind of hero would I be then?
But it's so hard…
Was it easy to fight for my independence? Was it easy to see my native people persecuted and driven back? Was it easy to fight my own people during the Civil War? Was it easy to see the suffering of the minorities, the oppressed, and still be unable to do anything to change it? Was it easy to drop that bomb, and live with the guilt? But I did! Even when it wasn't the right thing, even when I wanted nothing more than to prevent it, I couldn't, and I have to live with that! Because it's who I am.
Grunting with the effort, America forced himself back onto his feet.
After all you've gone through, you're still fighting, Dilmun said. Why don't you just give up?
"Because that isn't the kind of guy I am," America said. "I don't give up." He charged. At the same time, Dilmun dove, beak aimed at America's heart, with a force America couldn't hope to match.
Time seemed to slow down in those final moments. It was funny, but the thought running through America's mind wasn't how to win. It wasn't regret. It was something else entirely: a poem.
Oh, say, can you see?
By the dawn's early light…
He could see the glint in Dilmun's eyes, filled with murder.
What so proudly we hailed,
At the twilight's last gleaming…
He lifted his bat.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars
Through the perilous fight
O'er the ramparts we watched,
Were so gallantly streaming?
He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, and saw in his mind's eyes the waving flag, not with the fifty stars that had become so famous, but as it had once looked, the thirteen stars in a circle.
And the rocket's red glare,
The bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night
That our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does star-spangled banner yet wave?
O'er the land of the free…
He brought the bat down. He could tell, though, that Dilmun would pierce his chest long before he made contact.
…And the home of the brave!
As the final strains of the song died away in his mind, something changed. The denizen was blown away suddenly, flying backwards and crashing into the wall with a screech. The impact shook the cavern, and with a great rumbling, rocks began to fall. Still in shock, trying to process what had happened, America didn't notice when his body reacted to instinct and used the last of its strength and adrenaline to escape the cavern. As the cave crumbled to dust, America collapsed on the ground outside, in relative safety.
There was no explanation for it. Something extraordinary had saved his life. But for how long? He was still bleeding from numerous cuts and his left arm was still useless. He wasn't even sure he could walk.
One thing was sure, though—if he didn't move soon, he was going to die.
Perhaps now was the moment to go to his Quest Bed. But there was no way he could climb to the top of a plateau on his own.
He grabbed his phone and awkwardly began typing.
freedomBurger began pestering britishWizard
FB: help
BW: What is it now, America? Did you run out of ice cream?
FB: no
FB: dying
FB: denizen
FB: quest bed
BW: I'll be right there.
britishWizard ceased pestering freedomBurger
America sighed with relief. What a blessing it was, to have someone who wouldn't question what you said when you were dying.
He closed his eyes and waited.
~Be Eridan~
"Gog damn it!" Eridan yelled, smacking his computer. "Stupid aristocratic human!"
"He calling you ED again?" Sollux asked with a smirk.
"Not that one! The other one! Austria!" Eridan huffed. "He still won't believe that the game is actually dangerous! Even with all the evidence before him, he's still denyin' it!"
"Well, I can't help you. You're the Hope player, right?"
"Shut up, Sol," Eridan hissed. "You don't understand. Bein' a Prince is like bein' the outcast a your aspect. Ya either destroy it in yourself or ya destroy it in others. It's physically impossible for me to have any type a hope." He pushed himself away from the computer. "Ya might understand that yourself, you pessimistic asshole."
"You're the pethimithtic athhole," Sollux said. Eridan laughed.
"You can't even say it! How sad."
"Will you two stop fighting?" Feferi said in exasperation. "I don't want a repeat of what happened last time!"
"Sorry, Fef," Eridan said, at the same time Sollux said, "Sorry, fef-fef." The two glared at each other.
"Enough procrastinating!" Karkat yelled. "Eridan, keep trying. Sollux, what happens with Austria is none of your business. Keep out of it!"
"He wath complaining! I jutht anthwered!"
"Well, quit doing that. If you're going to flirt, do it somewhere else."
/
alpineGunman opened memo "Day Five" on the board "Daily Report"
alpineGunman responded to memo: "Day Five"
AG: Report!
mapleVeranda responded to memo: "Day Five"
MV: Ukraine and I are on LOIAC again.
AG: Very good. You told me earlier that she God Tiered?
MV: Yes, it was a bit unexpected, but she's fine.
MV: She doesn't have a pesterchum set up yet, though, so she can't respond to the memo.
MV: She says hi!
vodkaMatryoshka responded to memo: "Day Five"
VM: Tell her hello for me again!
VM: Also, Ukraine and I saw our ancestor.
VM: She was…underwhelming.
VM: But we are worried about Belarus. She didn't show up in the spirit orb.
MV: Maybe she's not actually your sister?
VM: No, she is my sister. Unfortunately.
MV: Ukraine says to tell you that you should be nicer.
VM: Sorry.
VM: I'm worried that Belarus is dead. I had been hoping that she might have survived the injury, but it appears it finished her off.
AG: In the face of recent evidence, I will declare Belarus dead, until further notice.
AG: We will work under the assumption that she has left us.
AG: I don't know if you have a special way of honoring the dead, but if there is one, and you need help, let me know. I'll be there.
VM: Thank you.
vodkaMatryoshka stopped responding to the memo
AG: …
AG: No one else?
AG: Do I need to do role call?
AG: Everyone has been contacted, correct?
pandaCulinarian responded to memo: "Day Five"
PC: We Asian nations have not been contacted.
AG: That's weird.
AG: Maybe because you don't have an ancestor? You're the oldest Asian nation, China.
PC: But we should still have someone to advise us.
AG: Well, we can't do anything about it. If things get serious, we'll think about it.
vikingBerserker responded to memo: "Day Five"
VB: Hey, I know I probably shouldn't have waited to tell you all this, but it's kind of important.
VB: I haven't heard from Norway in a long time.
AG: Wasn't he there when your ancestor spoke to you?
VB: Yeah, but he wasn't talking. He just sort of stood there.
AG: And you waited to tell us this why?
VB: Because I was sort of hoping the whole thing would resolve by itself.
VB: I didn't want to make a big deal out of something trivial.
kuchenMechanic responded to memo: "Day Five"
KM: That doesn't usually stop you.
VB: Yeah, I'm aware, Germany.
VB: Why are you so touchy about this?
KM: I only made a comment.
AG: We are not arguing about this.
AG: Denmark, what do you want us to do?
VB: I'm not really sure.
VB: Maybe search for him?
VB: But I don't know how high of a priority he is for the group.
VB: I just worry about him.
AG: He's strong. He'll be okay.
AG: If he's alive and not complaining, he can't be in that much trouble.
AG: Still, I'll note it, and we'll return to it later.
AG: Anybody else missing?
MV: America and England haven't responded to anything.
MV: I hope America hasn't done anything rash.
AG: It's just like America to ignore things.
MV: He's sort of like an eagle.
MV: From the side, he looks majestic and powerful. But when you look at him full-on, he's just scared and confused.
AG: So England and America are MIA as well.
AG: America is more AWOL than MIA, but whatever.
AG: Is it impossible for anyone to stay somewhere accessible?
kimchiGamer responded to memo: "Day Five"
KG: I haven't moved from my land for a long time!
AG: Good for you.
AG: The one person I wouldn't mind losing.
KG: Hey!
vineyardLover responded to memo: "Day Five"
VL: I've been replaced?
AG: I still don't want you living with me.
AG: But you're God Tier, and I think it would be best to keep our strong players around.
AG: In case of emergency.
AG: In fact, I think we should all attempt to reach God Tier.
autumnFlower responded to memo: "Day Five"
AF: I don't know if I'm ready to do that…
AG: You're different. I don't want you getting too involved if I can help it.
VB: C'mon, let the girl play with us. She's a part of the game, too.
AG: She's a child.
VB: So is Sealand.
VB: And no one is trying to keep him from playing.
AG: Sealand is different!
AG: He's got those twin cannons to fight with.
VB: That doesn't mean he's any more equipped to beat a game like this!
AG: It's none of your business what my sister does or doesn't do.
AG: You aren't even on our team.
VB: You're trying to protect her, but you're only going to get her hurt!
VB: If she's God Tier, she can't die unless it's a just or heroic death.
VB: She's not going to die a just death.
VB: And once she's God Tier, all she has to do is refrain from sacrificing herself for us and she'll survive!
VB: If she goes God Tier, she's safer.
AG: She's not ready! She doesn't want to!
VB: Is that what she wants? Or what you want?
AG: Of course it's what she wants, you…
AG: I can't even think of a word to describe how stupid you are.
VB: Liechtenstein, is that what you want?
AF: Well…
AF: I do want to reach God Tier.
VB: Ha!
AF: But not now. I don't think I can go through with it right now.
AF: I just need some time to get used to the idea.
AG: Are you sure?
AF: Yes.
AF: And I do want to help, brother.
AF: However I can.
VB: You've got to stop babying her, Basch.
VB: We're not in Europe anymore. You aren't protected by the Alps or your banks.
VB: We're fighting for our lives, and this time, we are the army.
VB: It's us.
AF: Um, Mr. Denmark?
AF: I appreciate your support, but…
AF: I would really rather you not take out your anger on my brother.
VB: Who says I'm angry?
AF: Well, Norway is missing.
AF: And you're probably worried about him, right?
AF: And people do stupid things when they're worried.
VB: I guess you're right.
VB: Sorry, Lil.
VB: And I guess I should apologize to you, Basch.
VB: I was out of line.
VB: From one leader to another, let's just focus on getting everyone out of here safely.
MV: Switzerland isn't really the leader.
MV: Well, formally, anyway.
VB: Yeah, but he's been running the show from the start.
VB: And America is MIA/AWOL/whatever it's called.
VB: I think Basch is next in line, right?
VB: Acting leader?
MV: Well, yeah.
MV: But I just think we shouldn't decide on a new leader if America isn't here to defend himself.
AG: I'm not looking to replace anyone.
AG: Regardless of who 'formally' recognizes me, I'm still the working leader.
AG: If it keeps America quiet, he can be leader in name, and I'll be leader in action.
MV: What if we lose you? Who steps in then?
AG: I hereby announce that the vice-vice-president of this group is
AG: Well.
AG: This is a much harder decision than I thought.
AG: I may need to think about this.
VB: How hard can it be?
VB: Just choose someone reliable and a go-getter and you're golden!
AG: It's harder than that.
AG: I need to evaluate my choices.
AG: It's at the top of my list. I'll let everyone know when I decide.
KM: No pressure.
AG: Danke.
AG: Anyone else have any pressing matters to report?
AG: No?
AG: Then I'm closing this memo.
AG: Guten nacht, and don't get into trouble.
alpineGunman closed memo: "Day Five"
~Be Switzerland~
Even before he had logged off, Switzerland's mind was already at work on the problem. He realized that he probably should have worked out the line of succession much earlier, but there had been so many things on his mind.
Usually, he would have just named Germany off the top of his head. But was Germany really the right man for the job? Putting aside the recent death, which surely had impacted Germany, he was a soldier, and he would treat this as an army routine. And although Switzerland was one of the first to shoot at anything suspicious, he wasn't sure that force was the solution.
He supposed Canada could work, but the guy wasn't very…well, present. He was smart, cautious, and brave, but he was also virtually invisible, passive-aggressive, and inclined to suggest things instead of ordering them. He could maybe carry a small band to victory with minimal casualties, but a whole team? Switzerland wasn't sure.
Russia would volunteer, but there was no way in hell that Switzerland was allowing that unpredictable giant anywhere near a position of power. Besides, there was too much bad blood between Russia and the other members of the team.
Japan or China, maybe? They were old enough. They were wise. But in recent years, Japan had lost all fighting spirit. He wasn't a samurai anymore; he just went along with whatever America suggested, and it drove Switzerland crazy. And China wasn't always the most mature. He may be thousands of years old, but he still acted like a child at times.
Everyone else was either too lazy, too nuts, too passive, or too unreliable. They made good foot soldiers, but promoting them would be a bit much.
Switzerland rubbed his temples and realized he was thinking about these things as if he planned on dying. He wasn't about to let himself be offed. Choosing a successor shouldn't be such a big deal.
He closed his eyes and narrowed down his choices, making a mental list. Austria? He's a slacker. Prussia? Loose cannon—backup plan, maybe. England—MIA, and France won't cooperate. France? No. Hungary? A possibility, if we catch up to her. Spain? I probably shouldn't. Russ—not even gonna finish that. Lithuania? I guess, but then there's still Russia. Japan? Too passive. China? No. Greece? Too lazy. Canada? Too passive, but he might also be a good backup plan. Romano? He's unstable.
So I guess it's Germany for now, he thought. He was still reserved about the decision, though. It was logical, but…was it right? Was Germany up for the task? He'd seen Italy die—he might be so afraid of losing another loved one that he'd avoid conflict and inhibit the progress of the team. No, Germany was a soldier, he'd lost hundreds of people. But he'd remembered his past as HRE…was that enough to throw him off? No, he was still Germany. Was he too militaristic? No, he'd toned that down. He was smart. But he still needed manuals when he tried new things. There was no good manual for dealing with Sglobe.
But there was the possibility that France, faced with new threats, might actually agree to follow England's orders. And despite the bad blood between England and the other Europeans, he'd gained their (sometimes grudging) respect during the Second World War. He was responsible, mature, and the former possessor of a large empire. Provided he turned up, England was the obvious choice.
Regardless, I don't plan on dying, Switzerland thought. He reached for the mouse to wake the computer, but then, glancing at the clock, thought better of it.
As a side note, many of my stories are being removed for re-writing. Not this one, but some. I'm also posting other stories, ones that aren't going to appear here, on Archive of Our Own. If anyone likes Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan or Rise of the Brave Tangled Dragons, I've got a few stories you might like. Yay for shameless self-promotion!
When I rewrite the stories, they'll be back here and on Archive of Our Own.
Group 1:
AF: Liechtenstein/Lili Zwingli (autumnFlower)
AG: Switzerland/Basch (Sebastian) Zwingli (alpineGunman)
BS: Prussia/Gilbert Beilschmidt (beilschmidtSuckerpunch)
BT: Lithuania/ Toris Laurinaitas (balticTechnician)
BW: England/ Arthur Kirkland (britishWizard)
CS: Japan/ Kiku Honda (clockworkSamurai)
FB: America/Alfred Jones (freedomBurger)
FS: Greece/ Heracles Karpusi (felineSomniatic)
GN: Belarus/ Natalia Arlovskaya (gracefulNightshade)
KM: Germany/ Ludwig Beilschmidt (kuchenMechanic)
MV: Canada/ Matthew Williams (mapleVeranda)
PC: China/ Yao Wang (pandaCulinarian)
PG: Italy/ Feliciano Vargas (pastaGondolier)
PP: Romano/ Lovino Vargas (pizzaPiazza)
PR: Hungary/ Elizaveta Hedervary (paprikaRebellion)
TA: Spain/ Antonio Carriedo (tomatoArmada)
VL: France/ Francis Bonnefoy (vineyardLover)
VM: Russia/ Ivan Braginski (vodkaMatryoshka)
VV: Austria/ Roderich Edelstein (vienneseVirtuoso)
Ukraine
Group 2:
EP: Poland/ Feliks Lukasiewicz (easternPhoenix)
GL: Monaco/ Mona (gamblingLibrarian)
KG: South Korea/Im Yong Soo (kimchiGamer)
LD: Vietnam/ Lien (lotusDragon)
MO: Turkey/ Sadiq Adnan (maskedOttoman)
NP: Egypt/ Gupta Muhammad Hassad (nilePharaoh)
SR: Latvia/Raivas Gallante (singingRevolutionary)
VB: Denmark/Mathias Køhler (vikingBerserker)
WK: Estonia/Eduard von Bock (winterKeeper)
God Tiers:
Monaco: Seer of Light
Denmark: Knight of Blood
Spain: Knight of Life
Norway: Mage of Life
France: Bard of Heart
Canada: Heir of Void
Ukraine: Maid of Hope
Seychelles: Maid of Breath
Lands:
LOBAC: Land of Boats and Cauldrons (England)
LOBAG: Land of Books and Glasses (Monaco)
LOBAS: Land of Bells and Sunshine (Finland)
LOCAL: Land of Copyright and Lemons (Korea)
LOCAR: Land of Chimes and Rivers (Italy)
LODAF: Land of Drops and Flan (Spain)
LOFAI: Land of Fire and Iron (Germany)
LOFAR: Land of Flavour and Roses (France)
LOSAF: Land of Scent and Frogs (Hungary)
LOGAA: Land of Geysers and Auroras (Iceland)
LOGAS: Land of Green and Sparkles (Norway)
LOGAW: Land of Gold and Waterfalls (Latvia)
LOIAC: Land of Ink and Coffee (Canada)
LOKAI: Land of Knives and Icicles (Belarus)
LOLAC: Land of Lily Pads and Cinnamon (Vietnam)
LOLAP: Land of Lanterns and Plush (China)
LOMAD: Land of Moons and Deserts (Turkey)
LOMAM: Land of Mines and Mountains (Switzerland)
LONAS: Land of Night and Searchlights (Prussia)
LOOAC: Land of Orange and Chocolates (Belgium)
LOOAI: Land of Ocean and Cannons (Sealand)
LOPAF: Land of Pink and Forests (Poland)
LORAF: Land of Ribbons and Flowers (Liechtenstein)
LOSAC: Land of Statues and Churches (Romano)
LOSAF: Land of Snow and Forests (Russia)
LOSAP: Land of Sand and Pyramids (Egypt)
LOSAS: Land of Stars and Stripes (America)
LOSAW: Land of Swamps and Wires. (Estonia)
LOTAC: Land of Teal and Cages (Denmark)
LOTAM: Land of Tune and Monochrome (Austria)
LOTAS: Land of Tulips and Scarves (Netherlands)
LOTAT: Land of Tech and Tick-Tock (Japan)
Ancestors:
Grandpa Rome: Alessandro. Grandfather to the Italy brothers
Ancient Egypt: Amunet, she is both Ancient Egypt and Lower Egypt. Married to Upper Egypt. Their son is Egypt.
Upper Egypt: Hamadi. Married to Lower Egypt/Amunet.
Ancient Greece: Helena. She's in love with Turkey, but Greece came about as a result of a one-night stand with Rome.
Brandenburg: His name was originally Prussia (while our Prussia was Brandenburg), but to make conversation easier, he's stolen the name Brandenburg. And he's not giving it back. He's a volunteer ancestor for Poland and Lithuania. He's more closely related to Poland, though.
Germania: Alaric. Ancestor to the Germanic countries, which includes Sweden.
Gaul: Conall. Ancestor (father) to France, and England's dad.
Britannia: Evelyn. England's mother.
Ancient Scandinavia: Björn. Ancestor to Finland, Norway, Iceland and Denmark.
Iberia: Valencia. Mother to Spain.
Livonia: Ancestor to Latvia and a father figure to Estonia.
Native America: Shikoba. Mother to Canada and America.
Kievan Rus: Zoya. Mother to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Mughal: An old Indian empire, he is India's ancestor, and delegated ancestor to the Asian nations.
Other:
Amani: Egypt's Anubis-like dog, now a sprite
Kumajiro- Canada's sprite
Tony- America's sprite, made from a jarred alien specimen
Jeanne d'Arc- France's sprite.
Old Fritz- Frederick the Great, now Prussia's sprite
Mr. Puffin- Iceland's sprite.
Scotland: England's older brother.
Ireland: England's older brother.
Northern Ireland: The youngest of the five, she is England's younger sister.
Wales: England's older sister. Sometimes she appears as a nun. She isn't usually active in teasing her brother, but she doesn't help him, either. She's the youngest of England's older siblings.
Relationships:
Moirails:
Poland Lithuania
Matesprits/Dating:
Greece 3 Seychelles
Canada 3 Ukraine
Turkey 3 Ancient Greece