I'm soooooo sorry for all the long author notes. I know you guys are just here for the fic, but I've got some stuff to say, so... :/
Anyway, let me get this out of the way so you can all enjoy the next chapter:
It seems a lot of people have suggestions to make about this segment-thingy (it's a segment, right?), and I'm totally cool with that. In fact, it makes me feel special, so I encourage it. But I'm wondering, should I just make this really long? If anyone wants me to write a chapter for a character who hasn't necessarily been a part of this yet, you can. It won't hurt my feelings, because songfics entertain me. Just leave a review if you want a chapter for, say, Austria, or Russia, and I'll try and accommodate. And if you just want me to write for the characters already mentioned here, then I will. It's up to my readers, because what's a writer without her readers?
Thank goodness I got that out of the way. Two more things to say, and then I'm done.
1) Reading Trains the Mind-THANK YOU SO MUCH. That's happening, mark my words. You get a cookie.
2) IntraSule-YES. OH MY FREAKING GOSH YES. That's happening too. Here, you can have a cookie as well.
Okay, I'm done for now. Here's the chapter :3
"It's going to be hard to top that," France remarked. "Who knew Angleterre could sing so beautifully?"
"I know, right?" America exclaimed from her older brother's lap. "It doesn't match his personality at all!"
Before England had the chance to say anything back, China stood up from his seat on the sofa. "I'll give it a try next."
Prussia laughed. "Kesesesese~ Wow, China, I didn't think you had it in y - OW!"
The reason for the sudden outburst was due to the fact that China had hit a certain Germanic nation over the head with his trusty wok. He placed the cooking utensil back on the sofa and calmly walked onto the stage. "Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand, will you help?"
The six little nations all cavorted onstage to join their older brother. Korea had her bass, Japan was tuning a guitar, Hong Kong and Thailand rolled out a keyboard and a soundboard and stood stationed behind them. Vietnam had a keytar, and Taiwan sat behind a drum set.
China nodded to Korea, who began playing a procession of notes, until Japan joined in with some chords that America recognized, being a guitar player herself.
Taiwan took up the drum beat, Vietnam and Thailand began pressing down keys, and Hong Kong controlled the sound as China began singing.
"Rising up, back on the street, did my time, took my chances. Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet! Just a man, and his will to survive!
"So many times, it happens too fast: you trade your passion for glory. Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past, you must fight just to keep them alive!"
Japan and Korea leaned over to sing backup as China entered the chorus. "It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight! Rising up to the challenge of our rival, and the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger!"
America and Canada began giggling uncontrollably as there was a short instrumental fill, and England had to shush them.
"Face to face, out in the heat, hanging tough, staying hungry!"
Prussia perked up at the word "hungry", mistaking it for another similar-sounding word.
"They stack the odds still we take to the street, for the kill, with the skill to survive!
"It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight, rising up to the challenge of our rival! And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger!"
There was another instrumental break, and France leaned over to Spain and whispered, "I wonder who the 'rival' is?", causing them both to go silent in thought.
"Rising up, straight to the top! Had the guts, got the glory! Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop, just a man and his will to survive!
"It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight, rising up to the challenge of our rival! And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night, and he's watching us all with the eye-" Here he paused and held the note, which was really no small feat. "Of the tiger!"
The little nations took over with their instruments then, and China entered with, "The eye of the tiger" four (and yes, America counted) times.
When Japan had played the last note, everyone clapped, still surprised that China would do such a thing, and all seven of them bowed. Spain whispered to France, "I think it's Russia", causing the other nation to nod in agreement.
The younger Asian nations cleared the stage for the next performer, and China walked over and took back his sofa seat.
"Dude, China, that was awesome!" America squealed. "I didn't know you were that cool!"
Korea appeared next to her and said, "Me neither, da-ze! Why aren't you like this all the time, Aniki?"
"Because you all drive me insane," was his curt response.
Well, I just spent the last hour listening to "Eye of the Tiger" on repeat XD