Chapter 21

They were silent as they watched the displays. Their people were gone now, shivers of pain no longer struck at their spines as their fellows were killed by Earth's protectors. For now, they felt nothing. They were numb.

Well... Not quite numb.

"Would it be wrong to destroy them?"

"Perhaps... Have you decided, then?"

"I believe so..."

"They still do not all get along."

"No. But I am starting to believe that this is just a part of Earth. It would never change, I suppose."

"Even if we were to take control?"

"No... Even without its protectors, Earth is strong. They would never truly give in."

"I see..."

"You do not agree?"

"...I do not know."

"Would you be able to kill them, then?"

"Perhaps..."

"But you would regret it."

"Yes... eventually."

"Then we have made our decision."

"It would seems so."

X.

Germany stiffened as the barrier rippled, his eyes widening when the glowing wall disappeared between him and the others. Italy yelled and launched himself at the waiting German and his brother, his arms wrapping tightly around their necks. Germany and Romano staggered under the younger Italian's weight before they were steadied by Rome and Germania. Prussia cackled with laughter and launched himself onto his younger brother and the Italians, Spain and Hungary following close behind him while the two ancient countries chuckled.

Finland laughed at the Italian's antics before he was pulled into Berwald's bone-crushing embrace, his thin face buried in the Swede's trembling shoulders. Denmark crowed in triumph and threw his arms around the couple, Norway still tucked against his side. The Norwegian yelped in alarm and grabbed Iceland for support, effectively dragging his sibling down with him. America grinned at the pile of Nordics, his own arms already wrapped securely around Canada and England. France giggled and ran his hand through the Canadian's hair, causing the younger blonde to blush and glance over at the Russian that was currently being smothered beneath his sisters' affectionate hugs. Russia flashed the Canadian a strained smile from between his sisters' arms and gently tried to maneuver himself out of Ukraine and Belarus's tight embraces, only to be pulled back by Belarus.

China yelled out in shock when he was tackled by Korea, his bright red face nearly obscured by the rest of his siblings as they piled on top of him in a gigantic hug. Japan chuckled and stood back for a moment, his cheeks flushing a bright pink when Greece wrapped his arms around him from behind. Poland winked suggestively at the pair and flung himself onto a blushing Lithuania, somehow managing to include the other two Baltics in his frantic embrace.

Austria stood apart from the numerous hugs and excited murmurings of reunited couples, his hand clasped tightly in Switzerland's. He smiled slightly when Liechtenstein hesitantly left her brother's side to save Iceland from being crushed beneath his enthusiastic siblings.

"What do you think is happening?" he asked Vash quietly.

The Swiss shrugged. "Calm before the storm?" he suggested flatly, his sea-green eyes worried.

"No."

Switzerland and Austria jumped and whirled around, their eyes widening when they saw the two shadows standing behind them. One of the shadows nodded to them in greeting and pushed strands of her inky black hair behind her shoulder. The other shadow stood silently by her side, his- was it a he?- head bowed as if in deep thought.

"Earth has been judged," the female shadow murmured, her cool voice somehow audible to Roderich and Vash over the noise created by the other countries. "We have realized our error. You are free to go on as you wish, we will not bother you."

Austria stared blankly at the two shadows and glanced at Switzerland out of the corner of his eyes, his eyebrows raised in surprise when he saw the strangely-calm expression on the Swiss's face.

"You won't hurt our people again?" he asked warily.

"No," the female shadow assured him. "We will not return. Your lands will be returned to how they were, your people will not be harmed. It will be as if we never came."

"Will we... forget about you?" Vash asked cautiously. "About everything that happened to us?"

The female shadow hesitated and looked at her companion, her black hair flowing gently behind her as if in a slight breeze. Her companion shrugged and looked over at the other countries that were still celebrating, oblivious to the presence of the last two aliens.

"Perhaps not," the second shadow murmured. "Do you wish to forget?"

"No," Roderich broke in before Vash could reply. The Austrian looked over his shoulder at his fellow countries, allowing his purple eyes to sweep over the various families. His gaze lingered for a moment on his ex-wife as she pulled Prussia close, a small smile teasing the edges of his lips. "No," he repeated quietly. "I wouldn't forget any of this for the world."

The female shadow chuckled and stepped away from the two countries, her gaze resting on all of the countries for a long moment.

"We only wanted to help this world," she sighed.

"We didn't need any help," Switzerland shot back, a hint of his well-known anger appearing in his eyes.

The female shadow nodded, a smile appearing briefly on her serene black face.

"So we have seen," she murmured. "You may tell the others that we are gone. I wish your planet good luck, protectors of Earth."

Switzerland and Austria nodded in return and watched as the last two aliens faded away, leaving faint black wisps of smoke behind. Vash sighed in relief and unconsciously wrapped an arm around Austria's waist, ignoring the embarrassed growl that the Austrian sent his way.

"So... you don't want to forget?" the Swiss questioned, his tone curious.

Austria shook his head and turned to press his lips against Vash's lips, his cheeks flaring a bright red at the expression in Switzerland's eyes.

"No," he murmured, his violet eyes unexpectedly gentle. "Besides," he added brusquely. "Elizaveta would kill me if I made her start all over again with Prussia."

Switzerland chuckled and pulled the Austrian close, his eyes flickering warily in the direction of the other countries to make sure that no one was watching them. A wry smile twisted his lips when he saw that no one was looking and he kissed Austria, a low moan breaking through his lips when Roderich responded in kind. The two countries stiffened at the sound of a camera and looked over in time to see Hungary hide a digital camera behind her back, her expression slightly guilty.

"Roderich..." Vash growled. "I'm going to kill your ex-wife."

"Watch out for her frying pan," Roderich responded calmly.

Okay... short chapter, I know, but the next one will be longer, I promise! Actually... the next one will also be the last one, hahaha!

Thanks for all of the reviews you guys gave me! Sorry I was so cruel last chapter but... Well, it was fun! (Yes, I know I'm sadistic... Sue me). Also, good luck on everyone else who had to take those blasted PSATs, and thanks to those who wished me luck. Please keep up the reviews, okay? They make me sooo happy! Review!