Alright! Only two more chapters after this! It seems odd to see it end, doesn't it? It's actually really depressing for me to have it end! I love coming on here and seeing what you guys write, what you think about the story! I'll miss you guys most until I start on the next one! (In the meantime, I wrote a little oneshot about America finding a feather...)

I-Heart-Sesshoumaru13- He was actually being really kind to her. He was trying to disqualify her in a way that didn't hurt her. Germany, as much as he can be cruel, is still a good guy, at least to me. 3

Anywho, on with the show!

Disclaimer- さよならみんあ!

Chapter 55

Since the children were staying in three of the rooms, the group all congregated in the center room, the kids laying on the beds as Mattie and Ivan sat at the corner of the room and told them stories for bedtime. It wasn't normal stories, but those of the past. Instances in their lives they had their hearts sunk into, and for a while everyone sat, captivated by the tales they wove. As the night wore on, and hot chocolate was consumed, tired eyes adorned those around, and finally the children were asleep. Mattie and Ivan took Daniil and Alek to their rooms before returning for the next ones, Illyana and Kira starting on the youngest, Anya and Dmitri. Aria and Gavriil took the cheaters way out and decided to stay with their team mates, in case anything was started in the early morning. Alfred had a similar idea and ended out staying in the room with the youngest of the group, in case they woke in the night. Mattie and Ivan laid down to go to sleep that night with a smile.

Everyone woke the next morning and happily made their way down to the restaurant. As everyone ate, Mattie glanced up, noticing China making another phone call and nudged Ivan, letting him know. He glanced over to Illyana and Kira, who nodded with a smile. "You go, keep your family safe." Illyana patted his shoulder and Mattie sighed, looking up at Ivan who nodded, looking around, not seeing the others there yet, but it only took fifteen minutes for both to be down in the room, Gavriil smiling as he nibbled on some sort of spring roll, while Aria and Arthur nibbled toast and tea. Ivan listened as the group chatted, Francis telling Gavriil he needed to go to France to try Escargot sometime. Ivan felt nauseous, remembering the last time he'd tried the dish.

"I have a grand idea. Why don't we go now?" Ivan glanced up at Gavriil who looked back at him with thinly veiled surprise.

"That eager to get out of here, Da?" Gavriil laughed as Ivan sighed.

"I can't help but worry. I know Yao, the contests will get more dangerous, and they never did find all of Romano. It was disintegrated by flesh smashing against the concrete." He grumbled as Aria frowned, pushing her toast away, yet taking another sip of her tea.

"If it really is too dangerous, we'll quit." England stated, surprising Aria.

"But Grandpa-"

"No, Ivan is right, love. We can't let you die the way Romano did. He'll survive it. You wouldn't." He watched as she frowned, crossing her arms. "I'm only saying if I truly believe it's dangerous. Have a little faith in me." Arthur smiled, winking at the girl who sighed, letting out a shuttered breath.

"I can't believe my fratello is out! I'm the only Italian in the contest now!" Seborga grinned as he threw his arms over the chair beside Aria just as Sealand sat in it. I hope mio bella slept well?" He grinned as Aria smiled and blushed, but rolled her eyes.

"I'm not your 'bella'." She stated, though with the blush it was hard to believe she'd actually said it. "But yes, thank you." She glanced up, meeting his eye and Ivan and Mattie watched, both sending glares that would send any sane country running for the hills, but Seborga didn't even notice. "And you?"

"Ah, it's wonderful of you to ask." He grinned, sliding her hand from the teacup and kissed the back with a smile. "I slept well, with dreams of you running through my mind." He grinned as she giggled, covering his mouth.

"A lady? An actual lady in a place with us?" Mattie heard and turned, seeing Austria looking down at the girl. His eyes shifted over to the very overly protective Ivan and Mattie and it seemed to click in his mind. "Ah, the human girl." Austria watched as the girl turned to him, standing and smiling as she curtseyed in her dress, a dull pink with white lace trim and a large collar.

"I am Aria Braginsky, sir." She stood and Ivan smiled, happy the children had been taught some manners.

"Roderich Edelstein. I am Austria." He held out his hand and she shook it softly.

"It's a pleasure." She smiled, tipping her head, her waist length braid sliding over her shoulder and Seborga looked up at Austria with a frown.

"Don't waste such beautiful smiles on him. Everyone knows he's still madly in love with Hungary." Seborga grumbled and Roderich laughed, nodding.

"I never claimed I wasn't, but it's still nice to greet new people. Especially when it looks like they may offer more manners and sophistication than that of the boy who hangs from trees, ketchup dripping over his face, scaring people half to death." Roderich couldn't help but laugh as the boy flustered, trying to explain himself to the girl who had joined in, watching him stutter over his words.

"Seborga, it's alright. Things happen, Da?" She smiled as she reached out and clasped his hand. Roderich's eyes shifted over, seeing Mattie and Ivan both narrow their eyes at the boy. A soft hand covered, poorly containing the chuckle from the brunet as he watched the group before him.

"Parenthood looks like it's done you well, Ivan." Roderich smiled at the man, seeing a dangerous glare shift his way almost caused the smile to slide from his face, but the amusement couldn't be kept off that easily. "And Canada... I believe we've met..." Roderich frowned. He knew he'd met him, but for the life of him he couldn't remember it.

"Don't worry about it, Eh. I'm still getting used to people remembering me." He chuckled as he patted Ivan on the back, relaxing the man before Ivan leaned over, resting his head on Mattie's shoulder. Even sitting there and watching them, Roderich hadn't realized they were nearly the same height til right then.

"I don't mean to pry, but how big is your country?" Roderich asked, seeing the man smile.

"No, it's fine. 9.985 million kilometers squared." Mattie grinned, seeing Roderich's eyes widen. "I'm the second largest country." Though he couldn't help but boast, both other nations felt it was earned.

"Very impressive! I guess I should be happy you two aren't teamed up, then!" He thought for a moment before turning back with a frown. "Seeing as you're together, it's actually very surprising you AREN'T teamed up. May I ask why?" He spoke softly and Ivan looked at Mattie with a frown.

"It's a bit of a secret. Matvey doesn't even know the reason." Ivan stated, hoping Mattie wouldn't get too curious.

"Ah. Well, it looks like Yao's about to start. Good luck." Roderich bowed lightly before turning and returning to his seat, Hungary watching the whole interaction before her with wonder.

"Everyone!" Yao stepped up to the doorway with a grin. "There is only one part left to the competition! A fight! A showdown! It'll be a battle to the end!" Yao grinned and Ivan glanced down at Aria with a frown. "We'll fight to the last one standing!" Yao spoke out before sighing, a happy smile covering his face. "Let's go to the White room!" He waved the group on, and they found their way to the room. It had three large fighting floors, weapons lining the back wall, around the area where the battles were to take place.

"Aria..." Ivan glanced down and she stared, for the first time her conviction wavering.

"Let me think!" She gasped out, looking up at Ivan with worry, almost to the point of panic showing in her face.

"On the first stage, we have Aria Braginsky and Seborga!" Yao called out and Aria made her way forward, looking like she was on her way to her own execution as they stepped through the rope barriers. She looked across, seeing the worry on Seborga's face and realized she couldn't do it. As his hand started to raise she yelled.

"I forfeit!" She called, her hands clasping over her chest as Seborga ran forward, grasping her before she fell to the floor, shaking like a leaf.

"You didn't give me time to quit first." Seborga spoke softly as he carried her, still trembling in his arms to her family.

"If I was that afraid, and it was you, then what would have happened if I was in there with someone who wouldn't mind seeing me dead?" She cried, tears starting down her cheeks as Seborga held her close, sitting beside England, who couldn't help but smile at the two. "If I was too scared to yell, I could have died!" She grasped to his chest as he wrapped his arms around her, whispering soft words, calming the girl before him.

"Looks like I'm out." England sighed, but couldn't help but smile at the girl.

"In the second ring is France against Hungary!" France stood and looked over, seeing the girl eye him with a vicious grin and he raised his hands.

"Castration isn't my thing! I give!" He sat back down easily and Ivan stared, seeing the situation he'd been put into. He was safe now. His children were alright. He glanced up at Yao who shot him a wink before turning back to the group and calling out other countries. Francis didn't even try to hide it.

"That fool did that on purpose to keep the kids out of the competition!" He laughed, watching as Ivan nearly fell, his knees almost giving out from the huge waver of relief.

"I'll have to thank him later." Ivan nearly whispered as Alfred's name was called and he made his way to the center ring, going up against Norway, who glared at him in wonder. When the fight was called to start, Alfred was punched by seemingly thin air. It was hard enough to knock him down, but he stood up and ran forward, taking his own fist to Norway's cheek and the two ended out fighting tooth and nail, though often enough he would be pulled back or punched in the kidneys.

"What on earth..." Francis nearly whispered as he watched the fight and Arthur sighed.

"He's being attacked by Norway's troll. It looks like he's fighting mythology with sheer willpower." He watched as the fight drew on, both trying to win, but not trying to end the other. It finally finished when Alfred was able to lift Norway by the back of his uniform and walk him to the end, tossing him out of the rink, earning himself the win. Denmark let out a disappointed grunt, but helped Norway to stand and dusted him off, fussing over the injuries as Alfred climbed from the stage and grinned as another team was called to the stage. It was a few more rounds til Ivan was called to the front, a battle against Sweden. The two stood in the center of the arena, looking at each other, trying to decide how to proceed before Ivan stepped forward, holding out his hand to at least appear civil. Sweden took it, a sceptical look taking his features as if he expected Ivan to respond with something underhanded.

"Go!" Was called, though they couldn't hear it except from the stage and Ivan took off running right at Sweden, who made a break for the weapons on the wall. He was tossed back as Ivan jumped, a hook kick catching his chest and he was flung back away from the wall as Ivan got himself between the wall and the man before him.

"Not very... gentlemanly, Da?" Ivan grinned, watching as Sweden frowned, looking longingly at the wall over Ivan's shoulder before setting his gaze on the Russian. He'd have to go through him. He ran forward, throwing a punch into the center of Ivan's chest, almost surprised when he didn't bother trying to dodge or block, simply tensing his muscle to take the blow as he brought his fist up and hit right below the diaphragm, causing Sweden to stumble back. Ivan could hear the wheeze as he realized how much stronger the Russian's blows were than his own, he decided with his smaller size, he'd be faster. He ducked down and went in, passing Russia and turned quickly, hoping to get in a kidney shot, but was surprised to find an elbow falling into his face as he turned.

Sweden blew hard, blood pouring from his nose as he turned and made a run for the wall. If he could reach the staffs or something long, he knew he had the advantage. Instead he found a knee in his back, pressing the air from his lungs.

"You're very fast. I didn't realize how strong you would be." Ivan grinned, watching as Sweden gave up, tapping out. Ivan stood and offered a hand to the other, which went ignored as the Swede stood and wiped his nose. "You are a good fighter." Ivan held out his hand and Sweden shook it, though he looked completely furious. Finland shook as Sweden came from the stage, grabbing a towel from a man nearby and took it to Sweden's nose, trying to clean and comfort the man.

Mattie stood there when Ivan came down with a cocky smile. "You alright? Any pains I need to kiss and make better?" Mattie watched with a twinkle in his eye as Ivan turned bright red, a few chuckles coming from the rest of the room as Ivan Held his head down and made his way to the front of the room, sitting down with his hands over his face, trying to keep others from seeing his blush.

"WHAT?!" Ivan heard yelled from beside him and glanced over, seeing Seborga laughing with a cheer. Ivan followed his gaze to another stage to see Sealand jumping up and down with a cheer, Austria laid out in the center of the ring and Hungary jumping in to check on him.

"What happened?!" Ivan uttered in complete disbelief as Mattie laughed.

"Sealand grabbed Hungary's frying pan, got in a nut shot and when Austria went down, he hit him in the back of the head." Mattie spoke up, surprised as well at the odd turn of events.

"Little wanker has guts, I'll give him that." Arthur looked half bemused, half laughing at the oddity as Sealand ran up and happily hugged Seborga and Sat beside Gavriil, chatting happily. At least his exclusion from the contest didn't mark the end of the friendship, Ivan thought with a smile.

This was good. Gavriil, Aria, all of his kids needed to get more involved with the other nations.

Well, maybe not MORE involved, he thought as he looked, still seeing Aria sitting on Seborga's lap.

Seborga was called back to the front, and Alfred climbed into the ring with him and only one sentence was heard when the 'Go' was sounded.

"THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR HITTING ON MY CUTE NIECE!" Seborga yelped and ran, missing a couple of blows that would have certainly sent him crashing into the two in the next ring, and after a minute of running like a scared child, Seborga finally jumped the rope and ran back to his seat, sliding under Sealand, who laughed at the antics.

"We're finally down to the last part of this competition! One final battle! Prussia Versus Russia!" Yao called out and Ivan stood, his eyes wide, his breath panting in excitement at the prospect of getting to beat that bastard's face in.

Today he would pay for telling Mattie to kiss him!

That's it til tomorrow! Hope to see you all back!

じゃね!

ジャスミン