Early March 2022

"There's an American delegation . . ."

"On its way, yeah, I know," Australia interjected irritably. He cast a sideways glance at his other set of . . . visitors. They perked up when he continued with, "I could tell the moment he landed."

There was a pause on the other end, then his boss asked in a much quieter voice, "Is it true then? What the other personifications are saying? That he's leaving a dark trail while he's visiting?"

Australia hesitated as he regarded his visitors. England leaned forward, his interest obviously piqued. France appeared bored while Canada . . . well, of the three, Australia's heart went out to the North American nation and to him alone. Ill at ease was a pale and inaccurate assessment, but it was also the only one Australia had.

'Not that I can blame him,' Australia mused as he took note of the energy America seemed to be giving off, which was precisely what countries, except for the Nordic nations, described in their last dealings with any American delegation. It was a near overwhelming sense of wrongness and offness. 'Weird how the Nordic nations never mentioned this but everyone else is. Even China said he felt it.'

A wave of nausea rolled over him, and he answered, albeit quite reluctantly, "Aye, mate. It's true. Unfortunately."

"And no one knows what it means, do they?"

Australia exhaled, shook his head, even though his boss couldn't see him, and said, "Not really, mate. Though there are some who are quite curious and could potentially find out." He focused his gaze on Arthur. "Ain't that right, Britain?"

"I suppose so," came the answer. The elder man narrowed his eyes as he continued, "though I daresay I'm not sure what it is you're talking about. I can guess . . ."

"It sounds entirely doable," Australia said, without missing a beat. "Have the Americans said anything?"

At the word 'Americans', Francis finally looked up and interested, Canada even more ill than before, and Arthur damn near stood up, his green eyes glinting.

"Just that they'd like to meet with us within an hour," came the reply. "How soon can you get here? We'd rather not behave the way the Chinese personification did when the Americans shut everything down there."

"I'd ask if you think they'd be shutting things down here, mate, but I already know the answer to that one." He stood up, stretching as he kept his phone to his ear. "I can be there soon. Will it be the American ambassador or someone else, mate?"

"I am personally hoping it will be the ambassador," his boss said, exhaling. "The times, they've been too chaotic. I just hope they plan on living up to their promises with the refugees. You know we're managing better than expected, but still . . . a promise is a promise."

"Agreed, mate. Give me about half an hour, and I should be there," Australia replied.

"Sounds good. See you then." His boss hung up, and Australia regarded his visitors.74

"You said you wanted to be where America was heading to next, mate," he said to England. "It appears you're getting your wish. I have to be with my boss in half an hour. I hope you have something planned."

"Oh, I do."

"One of us should 'ead to the airport," Francis suggested. "Amerika, we cannot catch 'im at zhe embassy, maybe we can catch 'im there."

"That sounds like a good idea, frog," Arthur said. "It's about time you came up with something useful."

"I take it you're not taking the Nordics seriously about the next world meeting's subject, are you, mate?"

"I don't understand what you mean." Arthur's green eyes conveyed confusion and hurt. Jack narrowed his eyes at his former caretaker. He half-suspected intentional deflection on Arthur's part because Matthew's discomfort grew more apparent, and Francis had the decency to look somewhat ashamed and guilty.

"And you call America an idiot?" Jack shook his head. "The Nordic Five and two micronations want to host a meeting – a WORLD meeting, no less – to address bullying, and you still go about acting like you can insult all of us? You're not taking the Nordics seriously."

"Watch your tongue, lad." Arthur's eyes glinted with his anger. "Or are you forgetting who you're talking to right this moment?"

"Uh, you watch your tongue, mate," Jack retorted, heading for the door. "You're in my home, on my lands, and you are a guest here. You are being rude. Or have you forgotten where you are?"

"I raised you, Jack . . ."

"Aye, you did," he agreed, "but that doesn't give you a go-ahead to be rude to my other guests or to me. I wanna find out what's up with America, same as everyone else, but I sure as hell won't be subjecting him to you if you plan on being a twatwaffle to him or anyone else who happens to be visiting me as well. God only knows the last time you spoke directly to him, you were cruel. More than cruel. If anything, I think your words to him were what crushed him the most. I have no desire to be repeating the past, mate."

Arthur stared at him, his green eyes flashing with anger. His cheeks were red, too, but Jack didn't care. Not anymore. His only complaints with America actually had nothing to do with the elder nation but more the government's approach to refugees and the like.

'And that's something he's gotten more from Arthur and Francis than anyone else.' He met Arthur's angry stare with a challenge of defiance. 'Go on, mate. I dare ya to say you didn't hurt him, that you've never hurt him, not once. I dare you. Every nation around knows it isn't true. Yeah. he's hurt you, too. Anyone can see that, but that's no excuse to be cruel. Never was. Never will be.'

"And what would you have me do?" Arthur asked stiffly, finally breaking his silence. "America's childishness, it can't go on . . ."

"Neither can yours, mate. Now, are ya gonna help us figure out why we feel this offness when he's visiting or are ya gonna be a twatwaffle about the whole thing?"

"I want to know what he's up to," Arthur said in what Jack believed was all honesty. "As I said, this can't continue . . ."

"A'ight then," Jack interjected. "Let's get work."

"Come, Mathieu," Francis murmured. "You and I, we shall try to catch Amerique at the airport while mon cher and Jack do what they need to do, oui?"

"Yeah," Matthew agreed, his discomfort evidently growing by the standoff between Jack and Arthur. "Sounds . . . sounds good."

They all got up and joined Jack at the door. Matthew and Francis got into one car while Arthur and Jack entered another one. The drive to his boss's house was done in silence. Jack wasn't willing to back down on his stance, and he was willing to bet Arthur wasn't, either.

'And he wonders why America and me are so stubborn,' he thought with a mental shake of his head. 'But then, he treated us both differently, too. I just wish he'd understand what it is that a lot of us are coming to see. That we're all in this. Together.'

While he kept his gaze on the road, he couldn't help but survey the land and its rather bleakness. The start of 2020 had been rough for him. Too rough. His lands had been completely engulfed by flames and all because of greed. His heart still ached horribly so at the loss of wildlife and plants, more than what any loss of human life had ever felt like. Koalas and kangaroos were Jack's signature animals. He'd been more than grateful when the Irwins stepped up to help, as well as the many volunteers from around the world.

He hadn't told anyone, but he'd received a message from America at around that time as well. It was a simple text, too, followed by an image.

Doing a raindance for you, little brother, as well as sending as much help as I can. My heart breaks for you and yours. I just hope it isn't too late . . .

The image had been that of America with one of the tribes of his lands. All wore formal ceremony garb. His elder brother wore an expression of resignation, contrition, and extreme sorrow, so much so the emotions emanated with intensity through the photo. Jack had no idea what America was going through, but he knew one thing with certainty.

The Nordics were right. Something needed to change and soon. The world couldn't carry on as it was.

"What are you thinking about, lad?" Arthur's voice was quiet and not in his usual haughty tone. A quick glance at the elder man revealed he watched Jack with intense scrutiny and concern as it darted back and forth between the nation and the recovering scenery.

"I'm thinking, mate, that the world is changing," he replied, his tone thick with his own sorrow. "There's just too much greed and apathy anymore, ya know? The world is burning, Arthur. Even if humans can't notice it, or won't, I can. It's . . . it's leaving scars, mate." He gave Arthur a quick, pointed stare. "I know you happen to be feeling it, too, you and your elder brothers."

"Aye, we're feeling it," came the confirmation. Exhaustion filled his voice. "And it isn't something we'd ever thought we'd have to face. And I keep thinking about the past . . . how things have changed, how I thought they were good back then, but maybe they weren't. I . . . didn't have as much time for America, Canada, or you as I would have liked, and with all three of you grown and nations of your own . . ." He shook his head. "It makes me wonder if it's too late. The world is just so chaotic."

"The world has always been chaotic, mate," Jack chuckled.

"True," Arthur conceded. Then he sat a little straighter in the seat. "I daresay we're almost there. Are you ready?"

"Not really." He stared apprehensively at the building where he knew he was to meet with both his boss and the American delegation. In the back of his mind, he sensed Matthew and Francis were nearing the airport. "But then I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

"Probably not," Arthur agreed. "And your boss will undoubtedly bar me from entering the talks. Alfred's people are being quite specific on these things, at least according to Austria. They knew that three of them lived together and required all three to be there but barred Italy and Hungary from attending the talks. It wasn't actually necessary . . ."

"But political negotiations are delicate at best," he finished. "You're right, mate. My boss-man won't be letting ya in there."

"Right." Arthur nodded. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a vial of clear liquid. "I've thought as much and was hoping to be somewhere in order to try this. What we're potentially dealing with is unheard of in the course of magic. Romania and I have discussed this intensively."

"Without Norway involved? I thought the three of you were all into magic and the like?" Jack inquired, eyeballing the liquid.

"Yes, without Norway," Arthur confirmed with a bit of a huff and a frown. "Though not for a lack of trying, my boy. Romania and I both had asked him repeatedly to aid us with this, the moment China said something about feelings off offness and wrongness. Once Japan said something and Norway still refused, we knew we were on our own." The Brit paused. "I daresay the Nordic Five know more about what America is doing than what they're letting on. They've been exceptionally frosty towards me over the years since America went into hiding. When I tried to call Denmark after America's visit to Italy, he shot me down on even trying to figure out what to do about what's going on."

"And now they're asking to discuss bullying at the next World Conference." Jack nodded. "Aye, mate. They definitely know something then. I wouldn't be surprised by that . . . so what do I do? Drink this? You realize America was the only one insane and trusting enough to drink anything you handed him, right?"

"What do you mean?" Arthur shot him a puzzled look.

"Exactly what I meant, mate." Jack exhaled. "America was the only one who would willingly eat and drink anything you gave him. Canada told me stories about how he and France would watch first to see what would happen to him before they'd eat anything you fixed. More often than not, America would get sick from whatever it was you gave him, even after your 'happy' little reunion." At the Brit's horrified expression, he blinked. "What? You never knew that?"

"No . . ."

Jack didn't know what to say to the Brit's astounded and horrified expression and answer, even after Arthur looked away in embarrassment. He, however, couldn't sit there forever, as his boss and the delegation were waiting for him. He shrugged and slid the vial into his pocket.

"I'm going to take it as a no on drinking this . . ."

"It would work better if you did," Arthur mumbled. "But I can't make you do something if you think it's too great a risk to your health."

"Aye, that be the truth right there, Arthur. I'll be back in a bit or so. Might be best if you got out of the car, too, and wandered around a bit. My guys, they be a bit . . . protective, you could say, if they see someone who shouldn't be hanging about doing just that. Take a walk, mate. Clear your head."

He didn't wait for the Brit to respond. He just got out of his car and entered his capitol building.

'The bloody world is on fire sometimes, and all he can think about is being as insulting as possible,' Jack mused darkly, well aware that some of his feelings stemmed from the offness and wrongness emanating from his elder American brother. At the same time, he couldn't, and didn't want, to help the feelings striking at him. The burn scars from the 2020 fires still covered a good chunk of his body. 'I wonder if this is how America felt in 2011, when those wildfires were razing his lands. God, it's bloody awful.'

Jack paused for the moment, considering the emails that Alfred sent him over a year ago. It was now occurring to him that perhaps Alfred was reaching out to specific nations instead of the world at large for whatever he was facing, and that he'd been one of those individuals. The feelings of offness and wrongness grew stronger the closer he got to where the American delegation waited for him. His boss stood outside the door and met him at the halfway point.

"Please tell me your friend Arthur isn't lurking about, mate," he whispered, his voice filled with hints of fear and urgency. "Because if he is, we've got a problem."

"He rode in with me, aye, but I told him he couldn't be close. Why? What's up?"

"You mean you can't tell that they're here?" His boss's face paled. Considerably. "Denmark and Norway are here."

"Denmark and Norway are here?!" Jack gaped that his boss, his mouth hanging open in surprise.

"They are," his boss confirmed. His tone indicated a hint of panic. "And I, for the life of me, cannot figure out why they would be here unless it has to do with Britain being here as well. Do you know where he is?"

At first, Jack didn't know how to respond. He told Arthur that he couldn't be anywhere in the area during the conversations. The Brit had said he understood and agreed.

'But that doesn't mean he'd actually listen to me,' Jack realized. 'Nothing with him ever really changes. He thinks he's right all the time, and to hell with anyone who might disagree with him. No wonder America wanted to break free from him all those years ago.'

"No, mate. But I can find out real quick. I just need to sit down for a moment and concentrate."

"Please do," his boss said. "Between the two of them, Norway is giving me the willies."

Jack didn't say a word. He found the nearest chair instead and sat down to do as his boss discreetly requested. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the energy that Arthur liked to emit. The last thing he wanted was for an international incident to occur on his land. His people, his wildlife, and his lands were still in recovery from the bushfires. A moment of peace instead of where he was at and what he was about to do suited him more than anything in that moment.

As he focused on seeking out the auras of his fellow Nations, Jack notice something rather unusual about the American delegation and his offices. They were blurry to his senses, as were Denmark and Norway. Jack found that odd. But he also noted with some small amount of relief that Arthur was actually doing as promised, for once. The Brit was at a restaurant about six blocks away, and France and Canada were closing in on the planes used by the delegation. He opened his eyes and let out a small breath, saying, "He isn't here. He's getting himself something to eat about six blocks away."

"Good," his boss said. "Let's get this over with. They're waiting. The sooner we find out why the American delegation and the two Nordics are here, the better."

"Agreed," Jack said. He stood up, his legs wobbling a little bit in the process. "Let's get this over with."

Side by side with his boss, they opened the doors and entered the room . . .

xXx-Dark-Intentions-xXx

Three weeks later . . .

"Big brother?" Lichtenstein poked her head into his office. Vash raised an eyebrow and his head up from his paperwork to regard her. "I know you're busy, and I hate to interrupt . . ."

"What is it?" he asked as kindly as he could. He couldn't say that he was busy. She just acknowledged it in her rather nervous way. And he couldn't be too terribly harsh with her, either. Lilly was just too sweet for all of that. That's why it was his life's mission, his personal one, to protect her.

"There's an American delegation on their way here," she said, stepping into the room and appearing quite miserable for having said so.

Vash could only stare, a chilled wave coursing through his blood. Those were words he didn't want to hear. There was a lot of American money involved with his livelihood; but then again, America hadn't even tapped into those reserves for whatever it was he was doing with each of the nations he visited.

And his delegations had been quite busy throughout the African and South American continents. Not just handing out currency where needed but in building everything every place needed, from schools and housing to better housing and sanitation. According to the nations involved, there hadn't been any fighting, either, just Americans taking directions on what the people wanted and making sure it was safe and healthy.

'And I know from experience that Americans like everything to be done cheaply,' Vash mused. 'They're always so loud about it and shocked when they do finally come over to places like mine. It's unreal. But what do I do about the delegation. I don't want them to land, but, at the same time, I can't refute them, either. What to do . . .'

"Tell them they can land," he said after a moment. "I'll meet them at the airport. Does my boss know about their arrival?"

Lilly nodded and said, "He does, and he isn't happy about it, either."

"Guess he's just going to have to get over it," Vash stated. "Are they flying in from their country? Last I heard, they visited Australia. Denmark and Norway were there, too."

"I don't know, big brother," she said. He'd already gotten up and crossed the room by the time she got to answer him.

"It's okay, Lilly. We'll find out."

He mentally steeled himself for what was about to happen next.

'If I see America, I'm going to speak with him directly,' he promised. 'I have to. Because whatever he's about to do, war or suicide, it isn't good. For him. For any of us.'

Author's Note: Yay! Another update! Next update will be next Wednesday, with a brief interlude. Chapter 10 has yet to be started. I gotta look at my list to see who's next in the chapter roster.

Thank you guys so much for bearing with me. I know it's taking me a while to get this written. I literally had to take a break at some point because of current events becoming too close to home for this story.

Rather than include some historical events here, I chose some recent ones, based on when I chose the year and what actually has happened. I couldn't ignore the bush fires in Australia when writing his PoV. That literally broke my heart for the animals and the people living there. A friend of mine lives there, and, fortunately, she and her family were safe. Still, it wasn't a good time, and I remember praying for rain for them. There's more I wish I could do for them in their recovery.

Switzerland is also a bit of a more modern context as well. I chose the money angle because, well, everyone wants to know where America is getting his money from.

It isn't from the offshore accounts.

Uh-oh.

The interlude is next. I'm not sure when I'll get chapter ten ready . . . I know there's a chapter I want to post in July, so updates might still be infrequent.

In the meantime, thank you so much for reading! Love you! (Updates on original stories and real life stuff can be find in my bio.)