Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia, Pokémon, or any of the characters present. Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya. Pokémon belongs to Nintendo and Satoshi Tajiri.

Barren wasteland was greeted by somber silence. Winter's breath chilled the pokémon as they emerged from their den. What little food had been scraped from the mansion was quickly devoured and relished with no words, perhaps their final meal to be. "Is everyone ready?" Mathias asked aloud, fire alight in his eyes. Eight nods of approval. "Then let's go." He leaped onto Berwald's back, and the lion galloped through the air on magnetized paws with Tino closely behind. Emil was atop Canada in seconds, and they too were off. Lukas darted onto Russia's back as the Dragonite picked up France in his claws. He and Natalya were the last to climb into the cloudy morning sky. Speed was there weapon. Their time in this world was drawing to a close, and they had none of it to waste confronting the Cryogonal that would surely be on their trail.

The trip to the Reversal's Spinel's location would take all morning of flying without rest. France wondered worriedly if Berwald or Russia would tire before then, the former having to expend the most energy to stay airborne and the latter carrying the most amount of members. But the minutes turned into hours and neither said anything about a break. Canada too was showing more determination than usual, staying focused and keeping quiet for much of the journey. The Serperior let out a small sigh as he glanced down at the tundra below, each kilometer covered looking just like the last.

"There!" France jerked from his daze, unaware his attention had slipped.

"What? Where?"

"Straight ahead," answered Tino, nodding to something in the horizon. The Serperior squinted at the black blob in the distance.

"Is that…an island?"

"We need t' land," Berwald said. He started to descend, slowing in speed. Canada adjusted his flight so as not to overshoot him.

"Why now? There's still quite a ways to go."

"Because the inhabitants of the lake will attack if we try to fly over it," the Linoone answered, clutching tightly to Canada as he lowered.

"Approaching the lake by foot from this distance won't alert them to our presence," Lukas added once they landed and he slid off Russia. "At least not immediately." He glanced up at the sky. "I didn't see any Cryogonal clouds in the distance, so it's likely they didn't warn the Seel and Dewgong ahead of time. We may yet still have luck on our side." Mathias gestured for the group to follow him.

France felt completely exposed in the open like this, not a tree or stone to hide behind if something decided to launch a surprise attack. And travelling through the snow was exceedingly slower than flying; it felt like they were covering hardly any distance. As much as he didn't want to look scared he stuck close to Russia and Natalya, careful to make sure he wasn't in the back of the group. "How much further is it? Giratina could catch us at any moment."

Lukas quickly hushed him. "Don't speak his name," the Zangoose warned under his breath. He pointed to the ice below them. "The Dewgong use underwater passageways to spy on intruders in their territory. No one refers to the Master by his name." The Serperior hastily shut his mouth. Lukas nodded and returned his attention forward. "Thirty minutes by the way." That was way too long to be out like this. But the group had no choice but to bear with the growing paranoia and anxiousness. The island was no longer visible, but the knoll that was atop it grew ever so slowly larger as they approached. France just wanted to pick up the pace.

Mathias let out two small snorts, so quiet the nations almost missed them. It didn't take much to figure it was a hint for them to do something, but what it was they couldn't fathom. Natalya nudged Russia and France lightly with her tail. "You must look relaxed," she whispered, "They will sense something is wrong if you act guarded or nervous."

"Easy for you to say," France hissed back. He spotted Tino whispering the same warning to Canada and could see the Togekiss's wings tremble slightly when he flapped. The lake was now coming into view, and France had roughly two minutes to calm his jittering nerves. After all, it wasn't like they were going to die or anything if they couldn't even look uninterested while crossing a treacherous lake full of Dewgong and Seel. He let out a shaky sigh and tried to relax his facial muscles into an expression of mild boredom. Calm down. Just calm down.

A splash and then a white head poked out from the water's surface the moment Mathias stepped up to the edge. The guarding Dewgong leered at him then each of his party members in turn; his gaze seemed to linger on Canada the longest, but eventually he snorted and dove back underwater. The Canadian blinked. "What was that about?"

"Remember, you're going to have to swim to cross. No flying." Mathias stepped into the lake, walking further out until only his head was above the surface. He began to paddle toward the island with the rest of his family wordlessly slipping into the water. France approached the edge and peered down as Natalya entered. The shore gradually descended until it dropped off suddenly, and swimming around in the deeper reaches were scores of drifting sea lions. Many of them watched with narrowed eyes at the ones passing through their home.

"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" muttered Canada. He glanced up at Russia. "Do you think I could just ride on your back?"

"Absolutely not," another Dewgong poked his head out. "All who wish to enter the sanctum must swim, no exceptions." He grinned meanly, his sharp teeth being exposed as more of a scowl than a sneer. "That is unless you're incapable of doing so. In which case proceed forth on your brethren's back, but I doubt the Master will find much humour in having a servant who can't swim."

Canada did well in showing offense to the accusation. "I only asked because I am the slowest swimmer, and I felt you wouldn't want me in your waters any longer than I have to be. But if you insist." And he hopped into the lake, leisurely kicking his feet to propel forward at an unhurried pace. "Water feels great," he smiled back at the sea lion. The Dewgong grumbled under his breath before disappearing. France and Russia stepped in too and quickly caught up to Canada, choosing to swim beside him in an act of showing support while really providing protection should the inhabitants retaliate against his haughtiness. They made it across eventually without further incident and joined the Jordyr and Natalya at the hill which had a narrow entryway leading straight down. So the island had a walkway beneath the lake.

"The next time I do something that stupid, hit me," Canada muttered lowly as they proceeded down the steps, Berwald now in the lead.

"Noted," replied Natalya, earning a leer from France. She slithered behind the Luxray and let the orbs on her body glow to cast a calm light around them. Mathias, near the middle, ignited his flames to add extra visibility and heat. Yet still with these two sources the tunnel looked bleak, dreary, and dark.

"It's been years since we've last been here," Lukas spoke up. "Emil, do you remember this place?"

"I was just a baby," the Linoone answered, "I'd be hard-pressed to remember anything during the first year after hatching."

"This cave is a nursery?"

Mathias nodded. "Deeper underground it is. This is the only neutral land in the entire kingdom. Many generations ago, before any houses were built or territories claimed, all of the families and tribes would leave their eggs here in mutual agreement to protect them from the elements and from the Master's wrath until the babies were old enough to survive on their own. The Drakon and Beartic've long since stopped making the trek here to lay, but the Jordyr continued the tradition up until our generation."

Berwald stopped without much warning. "Down h're." The group followed single-file down a side staircase that didn't go too far. They landed on damp rock only a few minutes later. In the center of the tiny chamber was a golden, pointy diamond-shaped crystal, standing perfectly erect, held upward by some unknown power…or maybe by the power of what it contained inside. Mathias, Lukas, Canada, and France stepped closer to it, if only to give their other companions a bit more breathing space. Mathias reached out and carefully plucked the stone from its pedestal. The whole while Natalya was staring at it with such awe and fear that, had their situation not been as dire as it was, France would have made a remark for her to remember to blink.

"The Reversal's Spinel. It was…here the whole time. And so close." It sounded more of a statement than a question. Tino nodded at her, and Russia rubbed her back. 'Close' might not be correct considering how long it took to get here, but France understood her meaning. The stone that could have sent everyone home, the stone that could have spared her family such hardships and misery and despair, the stone that was long accepted as lost to them on the Other Side was here, under a lake, mostly unguarded and almost as much forgotten to this world. So, actually, he had to take that back: a three day's journey to reach it wasn't long at all. Now he could see why there was quiet resentment starting to boil within the Dragonair.

"And yet here it stands," Lukas subtly reminded her, "Untouched and unseen for countless generations."

"So now what?" Canada broke the tension before it could form, "How do we get it out of here without the Dewgong and Seel attacking us?" Berwald wordlessly turned and stepped out of the room.

"Where's he going?" Russia wondered. Mathias grinned, a mischievous gleam in his eye.

"No worries; we'll be joining him shortly. But first, listen up…"

The inhabitants of the lake peered their heads up with faint interest when only one of the members of the Jordyr family exited the island's cave. The Dewgong rolled their eyes, wondering ever so briefly why they even came with those two representatives of the Drakon family anyway. Maybe they decided now was the time to put aside their differences and try to survive together; there were rumors both clans were near extinction.

The lone Jordyr—the large Luxray—waded into the lake and began to swim across. The Dewgong let him pass unperturbed. Some watched with a bit of puzzlement when he stopped halfway across. A few more glanced his way when they heard something crackling within his fur. All of them were unconscious when the Luxray released a powerful Discharge and electrified every inhabitant in the lake.

In a flash, the rest of the party rushed out of the cave. Same groups as before, the nine flew into the sky. Mathias, last to exit the cave and tightly clutching the Reversal's Spinel under one arm, leaped onto Berwald's back when the latter hovered back to fetch him. With a half-teasing kick, he spurred the Luxray to catch up with the others.

"There's no going back now," muttered France, looking at the unconscious Seel and Dewgong, "Once they wake up they'll sound the alarm."

"It won't take that long," Lukas replied grimly, "The Cryogonal will notice them before then."

"Speaking of which," France glanced toward the sky, spying not a cloud behind them.

"They've likely dispersed," Tino answered his unspoken question, "They're much harder to see as clouds at a distance if they're spread out." He looked worried. "The Cryogonal have probably gained a lot of ground with us having to divert course and steal the stone. We better hurry before they can cut us off at the altar."

"Agreed," Russia and Natalya said in unison, and all of them picked up speed.

Morning melded into early afternoon before the first strike was made. Emil happened to scout behind them, spotting a wispy cloud far in the distance, and before he could alert the others an Ice Beam streaked between their ranks. Russia barely avoided his right wing being frozen solid. "They've caught up!"

"How far are we to the mountains?" Russia asked Mathias. The Typhlosion growled, glaring back at their pursuers then at the mountain range ahead.

"Ten minutes about. Think we can stave them off until then?"

"Maybe," replied Lukas, turning around to sit backwards on Russia's back. Tino landed on Natalya, also facing the incoming Cryogonal. Emil, France, and Mathias could do little from their given positions. Another Ice Beam nearly hit one of their members; France only knew thanks to someone crying out in alarm. Someone else retaliated with a Flamethrower. The flames streaked back, but they petered out long before they could hope to reach the nearest line of clouds.

"This isn't going to work," he grumbled to himself as Lukas used Ice Beam. The attack reached much further than the Flamethrower, but at this distance it was impossible to tell if it even made contact. They had nothing at their disposal with which to fight back.

France perked up, an idea coming to mind. "Canada?" he turned around, "Do you think you can create a shield of some sort?"

"A shield?"

"Yes, with your Metronome. Something similar to Protect."

The Togekiss glanced back at him. "Like Protect? You mean Wide Guard perhaps? I'm not sure. But we all know even if I could it's not like I can control Metronome."

Russia soared closer to him. "It's our only chance," he spoke, "Perhaps one in a million, but as close as we are to the mountains, it would be unwise to waste all our energy attacking an enemy we cannot hit. And if it doesn't work, we'll have to make do with something else." Canada nodded in agreement. Emil jumped off his back and onto Russia's, Lukas making room for him, and the Togekiss angled himself vertically, waving his wing. The tip glowed a rainbow light.

But nothing happened. Canada righted himself, disappointment with a hint of guilt and embarrassment on his face. "I'm not sure what I just did, but it certainly wasn't a shield."

"What came to mind?" Natalya pressed. At this, Canada's humiliation was a bit more obvious.

"Wind, and that was it. But that could be anything: Gust, Hurricane, Twist—" Before he could finish a huge gale slammed into them from behind, knocking all of the flyers off-balance. France coiled tightly around Russia, nearly being blown right out of his claws, as the Dragonite worked to reorient himself.

"Whoa-ho-ho! Aw yeah! This is awesome, Canada!" France momentarily glared at Mathias before realizing why the Typhlosion was cheering. The strange blast of wind was giving their party speed. In fact, after catching himself from tumbling, Tino could be seen using his tail as a parasail, zooming to the head of the party. Canada and Berwald were gliding faster with hardly half the effort. And Natalya and Russia were constantly readjusting their wings to make sure they didn't overshoot them.

A trip that would have taken ten minutes before was quickly reduced by half. They landed at the base of the mountains with relative ease. After sliding off of Russia's back, Emil looked behind them. "I can't see the Cryogonal anymore. As if that means anything, though."

"Alright, listen up!" Mathias's shout brought back their attention. "Hope you all are ready for a fast climb 'cause we're likely to have some Cryogonal on our tails if we don't hurry. And I really don't want to have ta' deal with them in addition to Giratina. So Berwald and Tino, we're covering the rear. Lukas, Emil, make sure these fellows make it to the altar at whatever costs necessary. And you guys," he stared directly at the nations, "Don't stop for anything. Make it to that altar. We only have one shot at this, and I will not let this family go down in vain, you hear?"

Several nods and growls of "Understood," answered him. They ran inside the mountain's sole entrance, a jagged crevice split into its side. Its rocky walls and floors were slick with white ice, and the ground beneath threatened to crack. Barriers of stone and frozen stalagmites warped the cavern into a freezing labyrinth, and the only light came from Mathias's flames, Berwald's tail and stripes, and Natalya's orbs. Without delay, though, they all raced through, searching the winding tunnels for an exit of some sort into another chamber.

"Over here!" Emil, who had been scouting yards ahead, called out to them. In the near-quietness, his voice echoed almost painfully. The others followed him, noticing after turning a corner he had spotted a structure vaguely resembling a stairwell leading up. The Linoone was already climbing them. Lukas, Russia, and France ascended the steps, skidding a bit on the patch of ice right at the base. Natalya reached it seconds before Canada and Mathias did, hesitating briefly.

"What!?" A shadow beneath her grew. A rough Tackle shoved her out of the way, sparing her from being gutted by the emerging horn. The Dewgong that attacked her fell back into the water.

"Lort!" Mathias swore, rubbing the side of his arm, "How are they already here? There's no way!" But that couldn't be one of the Dewgong from earlier. Canada stared closer.

"You!" The Dewgong smirked at Canada. "Mathias, he's a Dewgong from a different tribe."

"And we aren't letting any of you traitors pass. Attack!" Five Seel burst from the sheet of ice. The six of them set their sights on the Typhlosion, Togekiss, and Luxray.

Tino was in the air. "Leave them to us." A barrage of rainbow orbs dropped down on the sea lions and exploded around them. Canada felt himself being nudged forward; looking around, he saw Berwald practically headbutting him to keep going.

"We've got th's," he uttered. Canada nodded, flapping his wings and drifting to the stairs. The Luxray glared at his family head. "Go." Mathias unleashed his flames.

"I'm not letting you fight them alone, bro."

"He won't be." Tino swooped low, landing on top of Berwald's mane. "The two of us should be plenty for one Dewgong and a few Seel. Go assist the others; we can handle ourselves." The Luxray gave the Delibird a glance of gratitude before nodding at Mathias to hurry. With a pained smile, Mathias leaped clear over the Seel and Dewgong and landed clumsily on the icy steps.

"Go! Go!" he shouted at the others waiting on the stairs during the ordeal.

"Get back here!" Blasts from multiple Ice Beams shattered the steps, destroying half of them in less than a minute. But the group was able to ascend them without losing a single member. All that could be heard were deep booms and muffled roars from below.

This floor at least didn't have a maze dividing the stairs and next level. Just total darkness.

"Stay close to us," ordered Mathias. He and Natalya took the lead while again providing the light. They walked slowly and silently, not daring to lose each other in the creeping blackness. After ten or so minutes, Mathias gestured wordlessly toward a faint blue glow some ways before and above them. Then he halted, holding out his arm in a signal to stop. The Typhlosion twisted his foot once, twice, then a third time more slowly. He placed the Reversal's Spinel by his feet and made a strange hand sign, one which only Lukas and Emil recognized, and the three of them shifted their positions to form a triangle around the nations and Natalya. Confused, the rest of the party watched as Mathias summoned a ring of flames around them and Lukas focused a ball of light directly above them. The emerging Sunny Day plunged the room into light, revealing a circle of Beartic poised around them and blocking the next set of stairs. Emil immediately began using Pin Missile on their visible opponents, striking them in the face or knocking them out completely. Those that were able to surged upon the group.

"Looks like there's no helping it." Mathias thrust his arms out, and the ring of flames expanded in tandem, felling even more of the bears. Russia, Lukas, and Natalya used Flamethrower to knock out six more. Canada's Aura Sphere and France's Energy Ball defeated an additional two. Still, the odds were not in their favor.

"You four get going! We'll stall them for as long as we can!" Lukas shouted at the others.

The Beartic leader stepped forward. "Don't even try. The entirety of the Drakon family couldn't defeat us without the help of these outsiders. As if you strangers can." He charged at Natalya, roaring. The Dragonair held her ground. Rearing onto hind legs, the Beartic brought up his arms to pummel the dragon mistress with his massive paws.

There was a fiery blur.

"GYAARGH!" He retracted his burned claws in haste. Mathias smirked, his axe raised as it parried the leader's blow.

"You underestimate the might of the Jordyr," he stated. To Natalya and the nations he said, "Don't worry about us. Find the altar and get back to your world. We've come too far to lose everything now."

"Assuming reinforcements don't come, we can hold out for as long as you need," added Lukas, in the middle of battling another Beartic and beating it with his claws.

"And Tino and Berwald will help us once they're finished downstairs," Emil said as he dodged a Fury Swipe. Mathias kicked the stone towards Russia. The Dragonite caught it effortlessly. As the nations hurried for the steps, Mathias called out to Natalya.

"Hey," he spoke genuinely, "It's kinda' late but…we're sorry." Natalya, the first time since their meeting, smiled briefly at him.

"You're forgiven. And thank you." She followed after her group up the stairs. She made it through the entryway just in time before a stray Ice Beam froze around the entrance and sealed it off.

"You okay?" Canada asked, looking back. The Dragonair nodded before fully taking in her surroundings. She trembled slightly.

They had finally made it to the altar's room.

The chamber was huge. The nations speculated all the clans at their peak populations could easily fit inside the room. Stalactites hung above them, some of them with hollow bulbs at their ends with tiny balls of blue fire lit inside them. On the ground were tiny stone basins also containing Will-O-Wisp flames and creating a pathway to the edge of the massive platform they stood on. Jutting out from the floor's edge, up a couple of steps and overlooking the sheer drop into oblivion, stood a construct entirely of ice. It was difficult to tell if it was shaped like a dragon or a beast's head, but regardless, the portion resembling its jaws were wide open, just large enough to fit something inside.

Russia stepped forward and placed the Reversal's Spinel in the statue's mouth. "Be ready," Natalya warned, and the other two tensed. But several seconds passed, and nothing seemed to happen. They relaxed somewhat. Russia turned back to them.

"Did I put this on correctly?"

"No, that can't be the problem," Canada answered. He fluttered over to him and the statue. "But I don't see any other clues."

"Let me have a look," France slithered forward as well. He and Canada and Russia examined the statue, peering on its backside and around its face. "Ah!" France had chosen to remove the stone and found a small hole within the chamber, something very easy to overlook. "What do you suppose this could be for?"

Russia bent down to inspect the indent, then the Reversal's Spinel that had been blocking it, then back at the hole. "If we are to be reasonable, I'm sure whoever made this altar would want it so no traitors could use it to release Giratina." He shut his eyes to ponder. "The Beartic, Cryogonal, and Seel most certainly didn't construct this. And the Jordyr too had members they distrusted."

"So only a Drakon could have built this altar," nodded Canada, understanding him. His eyes practically lit up as he too drew to the conclusion. "And the only 'key' the Drakons have that the other families don't is—"

"The Dragon's Song." Russia turned to Natalya. "Maybe the altar needs to hear your family's song before it permits others to cross." After placing the stone back in the statue, he and the other two nations stepped back and rejoined with the Dragonair. She closed her eyes and, after taking a calming breath, began to sing. Her orbs lit and pulsed with her notes. The air seemed to warm then chill then warm again in tandem to her pitch. The nations were flooded with vague thoughts and emotions of home and pain and comfort and happiness. The Reversal's Spinel began to shine.

Wind from nowhere picked up, swirling around the altar and threatening to send the four of them flying off the platform. Then a tear in reality itself slowly widened from within, dispelling the wind somewhat for them to see a cave eerily similar to the one they were currently in but clearly lacking in ice and crystals.

Natalya stared in awe. "Is that the…"

"Other Side," France finished. His grin quickly morphed into an expression of terror as a shadow that was merged with the air itself rushed past them. In the blink of an eye, the darkness slipped into their plane, inches from entering the portal. The sight of Giratina's manic eyes would have been enough to terrify most pokémon into freezing in place.

"Gah!" A Dragon Pulse, a Hurricane, and an Air Slash all knocked the Great Dragon off-course. France, mostly stunned by how quickly his body reacted without thought, glanced to see his fellow nations likewise shocked and impressed by their own actions. Natalya hurried to sing again, shutting the portal before Giratina could enter it.

Giratina stared almost in a daze at the diminishing hole through space. He spoke nothing as the ever-so-brief glimpse of freedom faded just as quickly from sight as it came. He only hovered there in place, his silent inactions setting France's nerves screaming to run away. Right now.

The ten seconds of silence lasted forever. Finally, a deep exhale of paramount fury. "…Expect no mercy."

And he fired a Dragon Pulse so large and so fast Natalya had no hope of evading it. The others started, stunned as she was sent flying to the edge of the massive platform, lying in a crumpled heap after she landed. Russia was the first to regain his senses and flew at Giratina to draw away the Dragon's attention. But Giratina blew past him without a thought, his wrath focused solely on the Dragonair. He swung with Dragon Tail.

Canada swooped down faster than the eye could see, knocking Natalya to safety before the move could land. He appreciated briefly the inexplicable burst in speed before turning around and launching an Aura Sphere at Giratina's head. The attack phased right through him like a hand through smoke. After wasting a precious second staring in disbelief, Canada mentally berated himself for forgetting his most reliable attack would be useless on the ghostly dragon. "Somebody!"

Russia answered his call, distracting the Great Dragon as the latter was nearly ready to fire another Dragon Pulse at Natalya. He used Dragon Rush, the aura blinding then burning his opponent across the face. Giratina roared and swiped at Russia with a glowing tendril wing. Russia narrowly missed the Dragon Claw and hurried to add space between himself and the monster. He let out a tiny sigh of relief when he saw that Canada successfully managed to carry a recovering Natalya to a safer area of the platform during that time.

France, taking advantage of the moment, launched three Energy Balls at Giratina. All of them landed successfully, and the Dragon balked at the blows. He easily located the Serperior and used Roar, blowing him back. Oddly, France found he was able to resist most of the blast. He scowled; it seemed Giratina wasn't considering him a huge threat. Very well, that would be his mistake. France used Dragon Pulse, and the bulleting orb struck Giratina near his right eye as he aimed for Russia again, exploding on contact. Now the Dragon's roar was much more menacing, and France quickly found himself dodging an unexpected Iron Tail.

"Together!" he shouted at his friends, and the four of them converged on Giratina from the air and ground. Giratina snarled before flapping his six wings, summoning forth a black and ominous wind. The nations and Natalya were all blown back and scattered, though fortunately not heavily injured. The Dragonair was the first to recover and was soon enough airborne again, preparing another attack. Fury radiated off of her, nearly as palpable as her former Master's. Her Dragon Rage hit him on the side, and he turned his red eyes toward her.

"For centuries my family has had to live in fear of you." A second Dragon Rage struck him on the wing. "For centuries we've dutifully followed your every command just so you'd spare our lives." A third hit him on the chest. "No more! No more from the Drakon family!" Her tail lit up a dazzling green. "We will not be taking orders from you ever again! Not Katyusha!" Her Dragon Tail struck him painfully as he stumbled back. "Not Toris!" Another damaging blow; Giratina could not block them quickly enough. "Not Eduard! Not Raivis! And most certainly not me!" Her final hit landed squarely in the middle of Giratina's crown with all the force she could muster. She huffed, worn from her barrage, she and the nations watching Giratina's reaction warily.

The Great Dragon hovered in place silently, his serpentine body spasming every so often from the inflicted bruises. His eyes slowly drifted towards Natalya. There was cold calculation within them.

"The Drakon family is no more in mine eyes. You are merely an echo of the loyal ones who feared me centuries ago. Your kin have already perished days ago." But Natalya let out a bark of harsh laughter, her tail lighting once again.

"Then they went down with honor defying you until the end. But I know you speak lies. The true Master shields them even now from your wrath." She charged once more with Dragon Tail, but Giratina successfully blocked her with one of his wings. A low rumble shook the air.

"Interesting…so the old king's spirit was living on through his subjects. And as long as we remain here—" His attention turned to the nations. "You won't go down so easily. But his blessings can only protect you for so long." His focus whipped back toward Natalya and he fired a close-range Dragon Breath. She fell, and Russia hurried to catch her. His sigh of relief was cut off by a swift Slash to his side.

A blur of white light circled around the monster's head. He growled, trying to hone in on his new target. But Canada didn't make it easy for him, and the light from his Sky Attack's aura made it too blinding for Giratina to focus on him. He swooped in low when an opening finally presented itself. He hit his mark, striking the beast's chest, feeling something heavy—like a heart—flutter. Giratina screamed. Black wings glowing white rained down on the Togekiss from above. Canada, alarmed, evaded the first two Steel Wings. A third sliced him from above, knocking him into the trajectory of a fourth, where he sustained heavy injuries.

"How dare you!" His last two wings closed in on the fallen bird. Blue beams froze them in seconds. Roaring, Giratina turned around just in time to see the Dragonair twist to the side and out of his periphery. When he attempted to refocus on Canada, Giratina was struck again by another Ice Beam, this one also freezing a wing. He grunted in pain, now spying Russia at the last second before he too flew out of sight. The dragons were trying to distract him from the Togekiss.

He'd gladly take their bait. Giratina spun, catching Russia by surprise and firing at him a Dragon Pulse.

Another Dragon Pulse collided into it, and the two orbs exploded before the first could hit the Russian. Both stared in surprise as the remnants of the blast fizzled away. Then Russia grinned, glancing downward. "Thanks."

France, on the ground, grinned back. "Anytime. Whoa!" He had little time to dodge out of the way of Giratina's attack, a shadowy blob of dark energy. Russia swooped down and picked him up. The Serperior wrapped himself tightly around the dragon. "Russia, I have an idea." He jerked his head upwards. Though a bit confused, Russia followed his direction.

Giratina launched several more Shadow Balls at the duo, but France was able to neutralize each and every one with Energy Ball. He quickly told Russia his plan. "Trust me on this." Russia nodded and rose higher.

"Trying to hide from me?" Giratina leered into the darkness obscuring them. He fired blindly into the shadows, his Dragon Breath causing several of the stalactites to crumble and fall. He swept his attack across, his blast eventually striking and knocking Russia down who had nearly hidden himself behind one of the giant stones.

An Air Slash hit Giratina in the side. Then a Dragon Pulse. The Great Dragon countered Canada and Natalya with Ominous Wind. And before either could recover he used Dark Pulse on the Dragonair. "Natalya, hang on!" Russia charged at Giratina with a fully-powered Dragon Rush. Moments before he could hit, Giratina disappeared into thin air. He reappeared almost instantly behind Canada who, checking on Natalya and unable to react in time, took the full brunt of his Shadow Force. "Canada!" Though heavily damaged, somehow, he could still find the energy to move.

Though still recovering, Natalya heard Russia's cry and fired back at Giratina with a Flamethrower. He blocked her attack with Dragon Tail and let the momentum carry his limb forward, striking her away. She cried out in pain, limply holding herself erect. So the Great Dragon struck them both with Steel Wing. Canada was knocked out cold, and Natalya barely hung on to consciousness.

Russia, crying out in anger, slammed into Giratina with Dragon Rush. Giratina gasped in pain, so Russia then tore at him with Dragon Claw. His opponent balked and, livid, flung two of his wings at the Dragonite. The spiked tips sliced clean through the scales on his arms, and Russia hissed in pain. Yet he still charged forward, his claws glowing once more. He was instead knocked out of the air by Giratina's unannounced Dragon Tail. The Dragonite landed painfully next to a struggling Natalya and a slowly awakening Canada.

"I am through with all of you." Giratina towered over them as they laid helpless on the ground. He opened his mouth wide, and a flaming ball of draconic energy and fire formed within. Natalya tried to prepare Dragon Rage, but Russia grabbed her, a silent order to give it up. Besides, she ended up coughing too raggedly to create anything. Giratina laughed. "Kyurem will be pleased to know how you three—" He paused, his attack slowly dissipating. He frantically searched around the platform. "Where's the Serperior?"

Russia smirked. It wasn't kind. "One step ahead of you." He then used Flamethrower. The flames soared clear over the Great Dragon's head. Mystified, Giratina followed the trail upward. His eyes widened.

France was coiled tightly around a stalactite with a lantern bulb, its blue fire providing heat and light, the Serperior's mouth glowing with the enormous ball of photosynthetic energy pooling inside it. Russia's Flamethrower added to the collecting light, making the white orb grow even larger. Giratina swiveled away, flying higher in altitude.

"As if you can hurt me."

"Maybe he can't," grunted Canada, sitting up and raising a wing, "But he can try." He brought his wing down, cutting at Giratina with Air Slash. Giratina hovered back to evade it.

"Gyah!" He was scorched by Natalya's Flamethrower, who launched it directly at his back. Russia shifted his Flamethrower to the left, blocking Giratina from moving forward. The beast scowled, glaring at France and bracing for his attack.

But France, lips turning upward in a cocky grin, redirected his aim upward. He fired the Solar Beam at the stalactites dangling over Giratina's head. They cracked and tumbled down onto the Great Dragon, pinning him to the ground. The quake disturbed even more stalactites to shatter and fall on him. The combined weight of him and the pile of frozen stones piercing him caused the ground below him to crumble and break away into the abyss below.

Russia and Canada flung themselves forward, catching wind and grabbing France at the same time before he could fall into the massive hole. The three of them tumbled ungracefully back, landing clumsily, tiredly beside Natalya, panting heavily. The booming echoes of shattering stone and ice slowly died away, and the ground beneath them eventually stilled. "Ha…ha…haha…" France started to chuckle. He was quickly joined by Canada, Russia, and Natalya. "Hahaha! Hahaha!" Tears were soon streaking down all of their faces. The Serperior turned to his friends. "We won."

"We won," agreed Canada.

"We won," Russia nodded.

"We…we're free." The others looked over at Natalya, the realization setting in.

Russia scooted over to her, wrapping her in a tight embrace. "Vy sdelali eto," he whispered to her. Tears of jubilation were overflowing now as her laughter and crying melded together into one. It was some time before the Dragonair could collect herself.

"The Drakon family is eternally in your debt. Thank you very much for freeing us from th—from Giratina's reign."

"Think nothing of it," France waved off with a tired smile, "We couldn't have made it to where we are right now if it weren't for you and your family. Speaking of which, shouldn't you go tell them the wonderful news? I'm sure they'll all be overjoyed to see you."

"I will," Natalya replied, "But won't you come as well? My sister would wish to offer her thanks personally, and my brothers would be proud to know their training—"

"I'm afraid," Canada interrupted, "that we can't. We three still need to get back to our world. Our real world, not the Other Side. But please send them our best regards." Natalya bowed her head once, understanding, and reopened the portal with her Dragon Song.

The Serperior rose. "Come, mes amis, it's time for us to return home." He gave a low bow to Natalya before leading the way through the portal.

"Give our gratitude to the Jordyr as well," Canada hovered over to her. "Here's hoping your two families can live on in peace now."

"Here's hoping they haven't already perished at the claws of the Beartic," Natalya retorted, but her words weren't coated with any of the venom they would have before. Canada grinned in polite humor and followed after France.

Russia stepped up to the altar. "I'm thinking it's being best we take this with us," he spoke almost conversationally, grabbing the Reversal's Spinel off the pedestal. "Something tells me keeping this as far away from Giratina is a good idea. And your song should be able to keep the portal open for a long while. You agree, da?"

"Russia." The Dragonite paused as he stepped away from the altar. Natalya blushed. "I…I wanted to tell you that…I love you, Russia." The nation blinked once, twice, his eyes widening slowly. Natalya ducked her head slightly, unable to further look him in the eyes. "I…always have."

"I…Natalya…" He turned away from the portal and took soft steps toward her. When he reached her, he delicately embraced her in a tight hug. "Natalya…I love you too. But…not in the same way that you do." He heard the Dragonair's quiet gasp, felt her flinch in his arms. He did not let go. "We are more different than you'll understand. I will always treasure you and love you like you are my baby sister. But—"

"But nothing more," whispered the other.

"No." He was going to be blunt, even if it was painful. "I sort of suspected your feelings from the beginning, but I didn't want to upset you. You know, you and Katyusha remind me so much of my sisters back home." He felt Natalya let out a weak chuckle.

"France may have said something along those lines earlier."

Russia gently brushed his claws through her wing. "I will miss you, Natalya, and I will never forget everything your family sacrificed to get us home." He gave three kisses on both her cheeks. "Goodbye. And be safe." He let her go and made his way back to the portal. When he was only a step away, she called out to him again.

"Wait. Won't you wait for us on the Other Side?" She stared at Russia imploringly.

"I'm afraid we cannot," he admitted regretfully. "But you all have a whole new life to live, free from this place. Be happy for that." He smiled at her, pained yet proud. Natalya, accepting and aware of this being their final moments, smiled back at him, truly happy he and his friends were finally returning to their world. That didn't stop her from crying as Russia stepped through the portal.

On the Other Side, France and Canada waited for him with knowing, subdued looks. "She took it well, I presume?" France asked when he saw the bittersweet expression on the Dragonite's face. Russia rubbed his eyes, only now realizing the tears starting to spring there.

"Da," he confirmed. Neither of the other two pressed on the matter more.

An intense boom followed by several roars and resounding screams starkly reminded the three that their journey wasn't quite over. Gathering their remaining strength and with the Reversal's Spinel tight in hand, they rushed headfirst into what was likely to be their final—and most certainly deadly—confrontation yet.

Vy sdelali eto = "You did it" in Russian
Mes amis = "My friends" in French