Tri-Stars Chapter 13: Escape From Seychelles, a hetalia - axis powers fanfic

Hetalia

Tri-Stars

Three ordinary girls somehow get transported into the anime world of Hetalia, where they're somehow called "Elements". More importantly, everyone around them is crazy, there's a lot of really hot/perverted guys, it's only 1942, and a meteor is coming to "end" World War II...and the world!

Author's Notes: Okay, so D. P. Master 01 suggested that I translate all the Japanese and such that's being exchanged, because you're not as smart as I am. *Gets shot at by Switzerland* What'd I say? Okay, truthfully, I apologise, and so, here are the translations for everything that hasn't been translated yet:

~French (spoken often by France and Seychelles, sometimes by Canada and Kumajirou, and once by Emma)~

. Qui êtes-vous - who are you?

. Médecin - doctor.

. Mon Ami - my friend

. Bien sûr - of course

. Oui - yes (but you knew that)

. Désolé - I'm sorry

. Ange - angel

. Trouver - find

. Comment grandi tu es devenu - how grown-up you've become

~German (spoken often by Germany and Prussia, and occasionally by Emma)~

. Ja - yes

. Nein - no

. Mädchen - girl

. Bruder - brother

. Was? - what?

. Unsterblich - immortal

. Lebewohl - farewell

. Mein lieber - my dear

. Meine süße - my friend

. Sturm - storm

. Dummkopf - idiot

. Danke - thank you

. Gefallen - please

. ICH WERDE SIE VERNICHTEN! - I AM GOING TO ANNIHILATE YOU!

~Italian (spoken often by Italy and Romano, and occasionally by Emma...she knows a lot of languages, doesn't she? 0.0)~

. Tempesta - storm

. I sarà anche perdere, è pomodoro amante idiota - I will also miss you, you idiot tomato lover

. I sarà - I will

. Idiota - idiot

. Cagna - bitch

. Ciao, fratello - hello, brother

. Si...ho capito...mi dispiace... - yes...I understand...I'm sorry...

. Mostro! - freak

. Mostro grande! - major freak

. Troia! - wh*re

. Cazzo! - d*ck

. Zoccola! - wh*re (again!)

. Brutto figlio di puttana bastardo! - ugly son of a bitch bastard

. Fica! - c*nt

. Ti ammazzo! - I'll kill you

. Arrivederci - farewell

. Quello che sta succedendo? - what's happening?

. Fate attenzione - be careful

. Scommetto che fanno male - I bet that hurt

. Non lo so - I don't know

~Spanish (spoken occasionally by Spain)~

. Novio - sweetheart

. ¡Hola - hello!

. So yo, España - it is I, Spain!

. Buenas noches, Señor España - good evening, Mr. Spain

. Bella dama - beautiful lady

. Chica nueva, por supuesto - new girl, of course

. Encantada de conocerte - nice to meet you

. Todo el mundo - everyone

. Modales - manners

~Japanese (spoken often by Japan and Emma)~

. Hai - yes

. Kotatsu - "A knee-high table with an electric foot-warmer installed inside on the top board, which is used with a coverlet during winter."

. Anata wa daijōbuda - you're okay

. Watashi wa anata no jaketto o ushinatta...gomen... - I lost your jacket...sorry...

. Sumimasen/sumi - I'm sorry

. Gomenasai/gomen - sorry

. Sore wa daijōbu, kawaii on'nanokodesu...tada yasamu... - it's okay, pretty girl...just rest...

. Ta no min'na wa daijōbudesu? - is everyone else okay?

. Watashi no on'nanoko, nani mo shinpai shinaide kudasai - my girl, please don't worry

. -San - a formal honorific meaning Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss.

. -Chan - a very cute honorific for lovers/children/girl friends

. -Kun - a less formal honorific than -San, used amongst friends/male colleagues/towards younger colleagues

. -Sama - a very formal and respectful honorific, equivalent to basically Milord or Milady, but not as in this direct translation as the English versions are mainly used for royalty

. -Chama - *hasn't shown up yet, but is a cross between -Sama and -Chan*

Remember, if there's anything you want to ask me, just PM me, or include it in your review! Reviews are love, and so is Hetalia!

Now, on with the story!

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Escape From Seychelles

Emma thought about how she was going to be able to tell the Axis Powers that Prussia was (hopefully) sending some back-up their way. She didn't feel at all guilty about sneaking about and helping the 'enemy' when the Allies (including her very own nation) were right here in the same house. In a small corner of her mind, she wondered if she was acting childish. Childish seemed to be a better word than devious. She felt like a double-agent.

The trouble was, somebody - probably Australia, possibly assisted by Krystal and Mayling and America - was keeping the Axis Powers out of Emma's room, and Emma didn't like that one bit. True, Seychelles had called a truce, and everybody seemed to be abiding by it, but the Axis Powers were outnumbered, and they knew it. Emma missed them, though.

She was feeling a lot better the next morning, as Seychelles and her doctor had predicted, and people kept on coming and going, seeming to not want to leave her alone for very long.

She was feeling a lot better the next morning, as Seychelles and her doctor had predicted, and people kept on coming and going, seeming to not want to leave her alone for very long. She wasn't as shy as she had been a few months ago, but she was still a bit overwhelmed at times, mainly due to the fact that she'd had tiny fan-girl crushes on all of these characters at one stage or another.

Boy-crazy, as Krystal and Mayling had fondly referred to it as, more than once.

However, as boy-crazy as she was, Emma was not prepared for what happened at about eleven o'clock on their second day at Seychelles' house.

The doctor had suggested that she stay in bed for the rest of the day, and then maybe she could get up in the evening. Emma was looking forward to it. She wanted to go somewhere in Seychelles' house other than the bathroom, and she wanted to find Japan. He, like Italy and Germany, was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, Emma was graced with the company of Krystal and England, the latter having made tea for the three of them, and was now sorting through some things in his backpack that he'd had with him (somehow).

Emma suddenly spotted something in his bag, and pointed it out. "Treasure Island?" She recognized the hard-cover of the book. Knowing England, it was probably the original copy.

England nodded, and took the book out, seeming surprised. "You know this story?"

"Yeah, I was reading it..." Emma replied, laying down and drawing the bedsheets up around her. "Before...I was just up to the part after the pirates came looking for the map, and the doctor and the squire have decided to find a ship and look for the treasure."

England was flicking through the pages of the book. "That's part two, chapter seven, I believe." He told her and, when she nodded her confirmation, he began to read.

If, a few months ago, one had told Emma that she would be listening to the England read one of her favourite classic stories to her, then she wouldn't have believed it.

Now, however, she thought that if a meteor suddenly came and wiped out all of humanity, then she would at least die happy.

A virgin, but still happy.

Emma glanced at Krystal, and noticed that Krystal was frowning slightly, as she picked at the pattern on the bedsheets. Every once and awhile, Krystal would glance up at England.

One time, their eyes met, and both the mermaid and the former-pirate blushed, and looked away.

Emma's eyes (which were the only part of her face below her forehead visible over the bedsheets) widened a bit, wondering what had gone on in the last two months. The Krystal she knew would never have blushed under the gaze of a man!

England hadn't read very far (he was only up to the part where Jim goes to deliver a note from the squire to Long John Silver) when Krystal coughed slightly and, questioningly, England glanced at her, unable to ignore the fact that the sunlight streaming in through the window was making her hair look like gold.

Krystal nodded pointedly towards Emma, whose eyes were now closed, and she was quite clearly asleep.

Nodding, England stood up quietly, and reached out a hand to Krystal to help her up.

She glanced at his hand, wondering if she should take it, when she just happened to glance towards the door, and saw Seychelles. She was motioning to her, and Krystal immediately got up and hurried quietly over to the door, leaving England to follow in her wake, somewhat disappointed.

Emma awoke about twenty minutes later, because Edward the koala had crawled across the bed and was now nuzzled up against her neck.

Also, she could hear voices, and they happened to belong to Australia and America.

"Dude, I don't like it either." Jeez, hadn't America ever heard of an indoor voice? "They're so totally our enemies, and we're sitting down there eating fried rice with them! Why on Earth did Mayling and China let that Jap cook with them?"

"I know, mate, I couldn't eat what he'd had made, could you?" Australia sounded like he was sitting right by Emma's bed.

America was standing by the window. "Nah, no way. That's why I'm up here. Give me a burger any day!"

"That's not what I..."

"Oh, I know what you meant." America interrupted him. He had suddenly turned serious. "Seriously, dude, what are we gonna do? We've already called for back-up, but when are they gonna get here?"

"I dunno." Australia reached across and brushed a strand of hair away from Emma's forehead. Her hands clutched the blankets from the underside on either side of her head, and her fingers were on top of the blanket. Australia's slightly calloused hand (so different from Japan's smooth but steady ones) gently took the fingers of Emma's left hand, gently touching the slightly torn cuticles around the nails that had very chipped nail polish on them. Australia then did something, that did not go unnoticed by America and, unbeknownst to them, Emma.

America stared incredulously at Australia. "Dude...did you just...?"

Australia sighed. "Yes." He said, smiling somewhat sheepishly, and Emma could hear it in his voice, though her heart seemed to have stopped. "I'm just giving her some options, mate."

"Does she even know how you feel about her?" America still sounded incredulous.

Australia sighed, again. "Look, I dunno. She's been through a lot, but..."

"But...?" America pressed, instantly going into his nosy-mode.

Australia ran his thumb across Emma's knuckles. "Can I be honest with you, you know, mate to mate?"

"Sure." America replied.

"Picture this, then - one of your citizens, even coming from a parallel word, she's still your citizen - gets taken, not by a Japanese man but by Japan himself, and she yells out your name...you go to get her, but..." Australia's hand tightened around Emma's fingers. "Even her dog knew that it was bad, he tried to go after her and I had to grab him before he went over the cliff..."

Oh my God... Emma thought, tears spring to her eyes, which she had to keep closed. She tried to stem her tears, thinking of her beloved pet dog. That made her think of how much Krystal must miss her dog, and her family...which in turn made her think of how much Mayling must miss her family, and how much she missed her family. Yes...I miss them...Mum and Dad and Nee-San...I can't help but think how Mum would, despite the anime-nish, react...heh, she's polite, but she doesn't like Asian drivers and she works with too many Americans, she says...she thinks British people complain too much...she doesn't like Aboriginals...but...Mum would talk me through this...she'd be encouraging and pleased...she would know how I should react when a man has just put a ring on my wedding finger!

"Emma would be stoked if she knew that." America commented.

"You think?" Australia mused. "I dunno...I wanna know Emma...I want to understand her, and everything about her..."

"That...doesn't make any sense..." America admitted.

Australia rolled his eyes, and continued to play with Emma's fingers. "I know...I don't think it's supposed to...as cliche as it sounds, I think she's really pretty...she's the most amazing girl..."

Emma's heart was pounding, and she wouldn't have been at all surprised to discover that the two nations present could hear it. She willed herself to stay still.

"That's deep, man." America stated.

"These three girls have changed us..." Australia replied. He couldn't seem to leave Emma's fingers alone. "For humans...no, because they're humans..."

"They're the first humans that aren't royalty or presidents or whatever that know our secret." America was smiling. "Oh, except that Joan Of Arc chick that France loved, and that one random guy, and Rasputin."

"He was evil!"

"Even so."

There was silence. Emma was wondering what was going to be said next. She was dying to change her facial expression unsubtly, and then throw her arms up and gasp at the revelations; she wanted to shake her head in disbelief, and scratch the itch that was on her forehead...oh, that itch...

She almost missed the next bit.

"You know that girl?" America said quietly. "The one that was killed by Japanese soldiers?"

Emma nearly stopped breathing.

"Yeah..." Australia replied. "I was freaked out that Emma would end up that way...something about her must've made the Axis Powers stop...not because she comes from another world, but...I want to know how she broke her wrists before..." His hand gently caressed Emma's knuckles, and she willed herself not to shiver.

"You think the Axis Powers did it?" America said. "Dude, that means she was brainwashed, or else it's that...well, whatever that thing that England said it was..."

"You mean Stockholm's Syndrome?" Australia rolled his eyes. "Yeah, maybe...I'll feel a lot better when they're out of our lives, mate." He sounded meaningful.

"Dude..." America turned around, and looked Australia straight in the eye. "Are you...did you..."

"Yeah." Australia nodded. "If you could."

"Know what will happen when...?"

"Not a clue. You?"

"Nope. My righteous techs just said 'it'll work'."

"Well, then, that's good."

Well, this was really frustrating. Emma had no idea what they were talking about and, it didn't matter, because Australia and America both left soon after that.

Once she was sure the two nations were gone, Emma threw the covers back, breathing heavily as she tried to process what had just happened. I feel another head-ache coming on... Emma placed her hands over her eyes, and then opened her eyes wide, thrusting her left hand out and staring at it in shock, not able to believe it.

She didn't even know Australia! They'd seen each other for about three minutes before Japan had whisked her away, and she'd been too focused on Japan for these past few months to even think about Australia...

But...he was her nation! She had always admired and respected him...as a nation. But Japan...his culture and the general atmosphere of his country were new and exotic and...

Emma was incredibly confused, and drew the covers up to the top of her sweating forehead, feeling tears coming to her eyes, but this time she didn't try to stop them. This was so confusing! What was love? Who was she? How would this all end?

You wanted this. A voice in her mind said. You need to act more mature and sort things out.

But...how?

Just as Emma was working herself into a real silent sob-fest, the door to her room opened again, and two people entered, talking quietly. What the Hell is my room, the gossip lounge?! But, as soon as Emma realised who the voices belonged to, she stopped feeling sorry for herself.

"I don't know what to do!" Krystal sounded upset, as she and Mayling sat down on the bed. "What should I do?"

It was strange hearing Krystal sounding so vulnerable. What had happened?

"Krystal, I'm sure that it's going to be okay." Mayling said reassuringly. "Just tell them that you don't like them, and be sure about it. You are sure, aren't you?"

"Yes." Krystal replied. "I mean...I thought...I did...or...didn't..."

"Krystal...?" Mayling pushed her glasses up her nose, and looked calmly at her friend, waiting for the snap she knew was coming.

It came.

"I was never friends with any boys, but suddenly there are two that are in love with me!" Krystal threw herself into Mayling's arms, sobbing. "France is a pervert, but England is so nice...I don't want to hurt them, but it's not like I love them, it's just...this is so confusing!" She admitted.

"It's okay, Krystal..." Mayling had tears in her eyes, too, but stemmed them for Krystal's benefit. "Just be yourself...you don't have to change for anyone..."

"But...Seychelles..." Krystal said, her voice muffled in Mayling's shoulder. "She said...the nations have all acted differently...since they met us...she said they've changed...because of us..."

Mayling closed her eyes, and two tears fell down her face. "i know, I heard her say it, but..."

"Why did this happen to us?" Krystal asked.

A hand suddenly reached out and touched Krystal's hand.

Both Krystal and Mayling looked, to see Emma looking at them. She was crying silently. They had only ever seen her cry once, when she'd told them about her parents locking her out of her room, without any books, computer, video games or movies, and that they were threatening to make her sleep in the shed over winter. She hadn't even let anyone at school see her tears when she'd been bullied. She was as guarded as Krystal was naive, and Mayling was strict. But, Emma could also be understanding, as Krystal could be independent and Mayling could be secure.

Now, however, the tears fell unhindered, from all three girls. Emma wrapped her arms around Krystal and Mayling's shoulders, and Mayling rested her head on top of Emma's as she wrapped her other arm around Krystal.

The three girls were being watched by Seychelles. Seychelles had tears in her own eyes, as well, and she knew then and there that this was a precious moment between three best friends.

I wonder if these three girls could be...the ones... Seychelles thought, smiling softly. They certainly have...changed the nations they've met...which reminds me, I must call Monaco and tell her what's happened...

That evening, Seychelles and France cooked dinner. The theme was most definitely French. England had offered to help, but everyone had shouted: "NO!"

So, England had gone off to sulk, as Mayling played the piano that was in Seychelles' house, and China sat listening. Krystal was mending a tear in America's jacket and talking with Canada as Kumajirou dozed nearby, along with Edward. Australia was chatting avidly with America about the differences between their footballs, and Russia was watching Mayling and China for some reason.

The Axis Powers were sitting in a corner, talking quietly, when Italy excused himself to use the bathroom.

Italy was walking back from the bathroom, when he nearly walked into Emma.

"Ah, bello, you're up!" Italy exclaimed, looking thrilled.

Emma nodded. "I was not staying in that bed, Italy - when I was in the hospital one time, I asked the doctor if I could go home the very next day!"

"Ah, but why were you in the hospital?" Italy wanted to know.

Emma paused on the top of the stairs. "Oh..umm...that..."

"Does it have something to do with the cicatrice on your neck?" Italy asked innocently.

Emma paled. "Y-you saw that?" Is my scar really that noticeable?

Italy tilted his head to one side. "Well, it's there, so..."

Emma nodded, and sighed. "Yes...it was cancro..."

Cancer.

Italy's eyes widened slightly, and he dashed back up the stairs and grabbed Emma's hands. "Really?! Are you okay?!"

Emma replied: "Yes...now I am...back then, though..." She averted her eyes. "People were really horrible to me..."

"Eh..." Italy was shocked. "But, you were sick!" He exclaimed.

Emma didn't look at him. "You don't know the half of it...anwyays, is somebody cooking?" She changed the subject. She always got uncomfortable talking about her thyroid cancer.

Italy's expression changed. "Ve! Big Brother France and Miss. Seychelles are cooking!" He took Emma's hand, and they walked down the staircase together. "French food is good, but not as good as Italian food!"

"Is...everyone getting along?" Emma asked hesitantly.

Italy shrugged. "Si...sort of..."

They walked into the living room, just as Mayling punched Russia in the face, and the tall nation went flying through a wall, much to everybody's shock.

"I swear, if he asks me to become one with him one more time..." Mayling clenched her fists, before turning back to China and saying, very sweetly: "What song should I play next?"

China stared at her for a moment, a slight blush on his stunned face, before he muttered something in Chinese, and Mayling nodded. She turned back to the piano as if nothing had happened, and began to play a beautiful melody that nobody but China seemed to recognize, although Japan looked a little perturbed by the tune.

He turned around, and that was when he noticed Emma standing in the doorway with Italy. He rose immediately, and Germany noticed.

So did Australia. The tanned nation was up in an instant, and by Emma's side, subtly tugging her away from Italy.

"You okay, mate?" Australia grinned. "Glad to see you're up and about..." He took her gently by the arm, and led her over to the other allies. "You okay?"

"Yes, how are you feeling, love?" England smiled for the first time in a few hours.

"Are you okay?" Krystal asked, before accidentally poking herself with the needle. "Ouch!"

"Are you okay?!" Emma exclaimed. "Be careful..." She shook her head, and looked over at the Axis Powers.

America exclaimed: "Dudes, I just totally realised something!" He looked excited. "It's my birthday soon!"

Everyone was surprised. "Really?" Krystal asked. "When's your birthday?"

"Fourth of July, isn't it?" Mayling asked from the piano, as England began to look sullen again, as did Canada.

Emma saw this, and stated: "Canada's is the third of July."

"Who?" A few people asked.

"That guy there!" Krystal pointed at Canada, an annoyed look on her face. "I give up..." She threw America's fixed jacket to him, and stood up. "I'm going for a swim, call me when dinner's ready...please..." She added, and nearly ran from the room.

Everybody stared after her for a moment, before Mayling posed a dicey question. "Soooo...Emma..." She continued to play the piano. She didn't want to put Emma on the spot, but the question needed to be asked, and Mayling had a feeling that time was running out. "Your favourite anime...Hetalia...the one with all these guys in it?"

Emma turned three shades of red. "Umm, well...yes..."

America metaphorically pounced on her. "Whoa, dudette, that's awesome! Who's your favourite character?!"

Emma was glaring daggers at Mayling and, subconsciously, gripped Australia's arm, her non-existent nails digging unpainfnully into his arm. "M-y favourite...character?" She stammered.

"Yeah," Mayling played a few low, ominous notes. Emma wanted to scream at her. "I mean, in the show's different from real life..."

"Not really." Emma replied. "I mean..." She stared at the carpet. "These guys are as real as it comes..." She dug her toe into the carpet. "Coming here was weird...getting out powers was even weirder...can Krystal really turn into a mermaid?!" She cried suddenly.

Mayling kept on playing (how did she do that?) as she replied: "Yes. She's got the powers of Water...I've got the Powers of Earth...you're...?"

"A-Air." Emma replied, touching her necklace subconsciously. It felt warm. "I guess we're like...you know..."

"Avatar..." Mayling's eyes were sparkling, as she focused on the keys. "There's no Firebender, though..."

"Well, Fire's an unnatural element." Emma said. "I mean, I know the Chinese element thingie says that Air is an unnatural element..." She glanced at China.

China nodded. "True, aru, but Air could also be considered a more spiritual thing, like on the level of the celestial plane..."

"Cahan?" Emma blinked.

"How do you know about Cahan?" China wanted to know, seeming surprised.

"She read it in a book." Mayling smiled. "Emma's a bookworm."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Yup." She replied.

America suddenly looked interested. "You guys could be..." He began, just as Seychelles came in and told them all that dinner was almost ready.

Emma glanced in the direction that Krystal had gone, and said: "I'll go and get Krystal..."

"I'll go with you!" Australia, America, Italy and England all said.

Emma just stared at them.

Mayling sighed, and rose from the piano. "I will go with Emma. You lot stay here and try not to kill each other." She took Emma by the hand, just as Edward jumped from Australia's shoulder to Emma's shoulder. The koala cuddled up against the red-head's neck. "Oh, great, so you're nice to Emma and Krystal, but to to me?"

The koala glared at her.

Emma smiled sheepishly. "Don't worry, Mayling, I'm sure you'd get along with pandas!"

"Only because pandas aren't vicious like, say, grizzly bears."

"What about polar bears?"

"Touché..."

Krystal wasn't sure how she was breathing underwater. It seemed slightly unnatural to her, and she'd only discovered it a few days ago, by accident. It had been scary, at first but, pretty soon, it had become as easy as breathing air. She was alive when she was in the water...she was Water...

Krystal swam in the evening waters, as the sunset gleamed orange and gold above her, and bathed the underwater world she swam through in a soft pink hue. Fish seemed to be drawn to her when she had her tail, and Seychelles' dolphins called greetings to her that she seemed to be able to understand. This seemed...right. It was what Krystal had dreamed about her years, and it helped her to forget about the troubles she had with France and England, as she swam past a few brightly coloured sea anemones.

Her tail seemed to turn her into a whole new being. She could think clearly in the water, and swimming in the water that seemed to move to her will made her feel stronger. She saw a rip current - a powerful surface current that moved away from the shore at twice the speed a human can walk - and immediately dispelled it with a wave of her hand. How, she knew not.

Krystal's tail moved steadily, pushing her through the water. She had, she admitted to herself, enjoyed acting out scenes from The Little Mermaid, and done a little bit of role-playing. It was fun!

She was, if truth be told, pretending to be Ariel right now, and contemplating things. If somebody was to be her Eric, than who would it be...?

Krystal contemplated this, and came up to the surface, feeling the difference between water and air instantly.

Just then, she heard Mayling calling to her, and turned to see both the Malaysian girl and Emma standing on the beach, waving to her.

Krystal waved back to them, and then swam towards them, going under and then jumping a little bit above the water, under and above.

"You must be happy!" Emma called to Krystal, cupping her hands around her mouth (which really doesn't do anything). "You're like the little mermaid!"

"I...know...right?" Krystal said, as she surfaced and submerged. "It's...totally...awesome!" She jumped up out of the water, and pushed herself up, her tail turning back into her legs as she landed on the beach. "It's my dream come true!"

Emma and Mayling smiled. "We know." Mayling stated.

Krystal was curious about something, though. "Hey, Ems, you've got wings, right?"

Emma nodded. "Y-yes..." She stared at the sand. "It only seems to happen sometimes, though. Not like you and your tail..." She buried her left foot in the sand, and then exclaimed: "Guys, how can you just sit by?!"

Mayling and Krystal exchanged a glance, and then Krystal asked: "What do you mean?"

Emma looked uncomfortable. "I mean...with this war...with Japan and Germany and Italy...Krystal, I know you said once that German people are scary, but how can you just side with the Allies even though we know what we know from the future?!"

Krystal blinked. "Umm, because the Allies are the good guys."

"Plus, Australia is our own nation." Mayling pointed out, and then added, gently: "I think he likes you, Em."

Emma gulped. "Y-yeah, I know he...does...look..." She held up her left hand.

Krystal and Mayling gasped, and grabbed her hand, staring in shock at the ring on her ring finger. "But...why?!" They exclaimed in unison.

Emma tugged her hand back, and nervously fiddled with the promise ring. "I don't know...I hardly even know him, but...he seems to be really, like, over-protective of me, especially when it comes to Japan..." She added, her face turning red.

"You like Japan, don't you?" Mayling asked directly.

Emma finally stared straight at them, and nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do. I love him."

There was silence after that statement, except for the waves crashing on the shore. Emma absentmindedly scratched Edward behind the ears, hoping that he wasn't able to communicate with Australia somehow. It was the first time she had admitted her love for Japan to anybody, and it felt very strange to say it but, at the same time, she knew that it was true. She did love him. She'd never been in love before, but she was pretty sure that this was it.

"Let's go back inside." Mayling suggested, seeing that this conversation was getting them nowhere.

Her two best friends agreed, and they walked back into Seychelles' house.

That night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Emma tiptoed out of her room, going into stealth mode as she navigated her way to the Axis Powers' room.

She knocked quietly on the door (knocking with Dragnet's theme) and the door was opened by Germany. He let Emma into the dark room silently, and shut the door behind them.

As soon as the door closed, Emma was crash-tackled by Italy, nearly squeezed to death in a bone-crushing hug.

"I missed you!" Italy exclaimed.

"Italy, I just saw you two hours ago!" Emma reminded him, rolling her eyes.

"Si, but I still missed you!" Italy told her.

"Yes, well..." Emma smiled. "I have something to tell you guys."

"Vhat is it?" Germany wanted to know, leaning against the closed door.

Emma held up a letter in one hand. The other hand she held out, and Gilbird flew out of her hair and landed on her index finger, chirping quietly. "I've been in contact with Prussia." Emma said quietly, holding the letter out to Germany. "I only got the gist of it, since he wrote it in German and I can read German about as well as I read French."

Germany nodded, and took the letter, scanning his brother's hand-writing with an unreadable expression, reading it in the only light available - the moonlight. He rolled his blue eyes once, however, at the amount of times Prussia had used the word 'awesome' - twenty-seven times, eight times in one particular sentence.

Meanwhile, Italy was looking at Emma's left hand, which she realised a moment too late. "Ve, Emma, that ring..." Italy grabbed her hand to get a better look at the ring, but jumped back when Gilbird pecked his knuckles.

Japan, who had been sitting silently on the window-sill up until that moment, now looked up. "What ring...?" he asked quietly, his calm dark eyes searching Emma's face.

Emma gulped. "Umm...well...you see...Australia kind of...umm...and then...so, yeah..."

Italy and Japan just stared at her, before Japan got up and crossed the room, picking up Emma's hand and examining the ring silently, his gaze as unreadable as Germany's was right now.

The German man looked up just then, and said: "Ze Füchsin Du Anmut - vun of my bruder's ships - entered zese vaters about a day ago, and will be vizin range for us to board by tomorrow morning." He looked at Emma. "He said zat you contacted him via telephone. Is that correct?"

Emma nodded silently.

Germany smiled one of his rare smiles. "Zen I zank you. Viz your help, ve vill be able to leave earlier zan expected."

"Umm, you're welcome...I think..." Emma mumbled, staring down at the floor, so she didn't see the glance exchanged by Germany and Japan.

"Emma," Germany said. "Vhat have you decided to do?"

Emma glanced up at him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"Vell, vill you be coming viz us, or not?" Germany wanted to know.

Emma blinked. "Umm, hello, I thought I was your prisoner..." She sighed, and muttered something none of them could hear, before saying, a bit louder: "Yes. I've made up my mind. I'm coming with you."

"What about Australia?" Germany asked.

"I'm Australian..." Emma said slowly. "But...this is the way things have gone. I don't know him as well as I'd like, but I know you three...you're my nakama..." She looked straight at Japan. "I choose you." She said firmly.

Japan nodded slightly, his gaze suddenly smouldering.

Italy was grinning. "Yay!" He hugged Emma around the waist from behind. "Bella's coming with us!" He nuzzled against her neck, and she had to smile. Italy was so cute!

Germany was nodding. "So, about Australia...?"

"He is my nation." Emma confirmed. "I care about him, but not as much as you guys, since I don't know him that well. Why...?"

"Oh, no reason." Germany sighed, before grabbing the door handle, swinging the door open quickly and throwing the first punch at Australia, who had been standing just behind the door, listening.

It was over in less than ten seconds...

Australia awoke groggily. The first thing he realised was that he was lying down, and his mouth was gagged and his hands and feet were tied.

The second thing he noticed was that Emma was holding a flannel to the bloody wound on the side of his head. She was kneeling over him, a look of shock and horror written on her face, and she was speaking to somebody else in a language that Australia recognized vaguely as German.

Huh? Since when could Emma speak German? Krystal and Mayling hadn't said that she could, so she must've picked it up recently...

Emma looked back at Australia and, when she saw that he was awake, her eyes brimmed with tears. "I'm so sorry." She mouthed, one tear spilling over and dripping onto Australia's face, just as Japan grabbed her and yanked her away from Australia, much to the tanned nation's anger, but with his hands and feet bound, he couldn't do anything. Plus, the side of his head was killing him where Germany had punched him. That damn Nazi...Australia would dearly love to return the favour one day...

Germany appeared in Australia's field of vision, looking pretty much the way one would expect him to in this situation. He looked so much like the strong, intimidating country that he was, that Australia realised that he suddenly wouldn't have been able to say anything even if he'd been un-gagged.

"You are lucky zat you are Emma's nation." Germany said coldly. "Ozerwise, ve vould have killed you by now."

Australia looked past Germany, to where Emma was standing, with Italy and Japan. The former wore his usual vacant expression, but the latter was wearing an unusual expression. It was cold, but it was also smug, and Australia recalled Emma's words: I choose you.

She'd made her choice...she'd chosen Japan...

Emma was avoiding eye-contact with Australia. He noticed that she had a shoulder bag with her, as well as a weird yellow bird perched in her hair, and wondered where she'd gotten it from.

The one time Australia had forgotten to bring Edward with him...

Germany muttered something to Emma in German. She nodded, and relayed it to both Italy and Japan in their own respective languages.

The four of them nodded, and then Emma said: "Alright everybody out the window!"

They trooped over to the window, which was already open, and Japan jumped. Australia suddenly envisioned the Japanese man breaking every bone in his body but, with his ninja-skills, he probably didn't. Damn it...

Germany went next, and the ground cracked beneath his feet, due to the immense power that the strong nation had.

Italy looked down, and then shook his head, grabbing onto the window frame. "I caaaan't..." He whined, tears building in his closed eyes (seriously, how did he even see with them closed like that?!). "Ho paura..."

Emma, standing on the window-sill, turned to him, and held out her hand. "Come on, Italy. We'll jump together, va bene?" Her wings extended gracefully out from her shoulders, and Australia had a sudden vision of her as an angel. Maybe that was because of the white dress she was wearing.

Italy sniffled, and glanced at her, before nodding, and taking her hand. She pulled him up onto the window-sill but, before she jumped, she turned and glanced at Australia, and then muttered something to Gilbird in German.

The little yellow bird hopped off of her head and down onto the floor, as Emma turned back around and jumped, using her wings to glide her and Italy gently down onto the grass, where Germany and Japan were waiting for them.

Meanwhile, Gilbird strutted up to Australia, eyeing him for a moment, before chirping quite loudly.

He was answered by another bird, a white one which flew in through the open window, and the two birds had a conversation.

The white bird then flew away but, before Australia could wonder what was going on, the bird returned to the window-sill.

The door to the room then opened, and in walked France. "Okay, Pierre, what is...?" He then looked down, and saw Australia bound and gagged on the floor. "...?" France stared at him for a moment, before a strange look came over his face. "~Ohonhonhon..."

Australia glared at him, silently saying: Don't you DARE...

Within minutes, France had Australia untied, and the rest of the house was awake and informed of what had happened.

"Blast those wankers!" England cursed, and then realised what he'd just said. "Oh, not Emma, of course, but..." He looked around for Krystal and Mayling, and saw that they weren't there. "Where are...?"

The sound of a car starting could be heard from Seychelles' garage and, a second later, screeching tires, and a huge crash.

Seychelles groaned. "The least they could've done was put the roller-door up before they left!"

"Don't worry." America told her. "Because China's girlfriend was driving, he'll pay for the repairs."

"Hey, aru!"

Krystal sat in the passenger seat, clinging to her seatbelt as Mayling drove the car down the dusty road, not really paying attention to the speedometer, and honking the horn occasionally whenever an animal or a person ran out in front of them.

The people would sometimes curse at them in French, which made Mayling and Krystal immensely glad that they didn't speak that language.

There was only one thing on their minds right now - get to Emma.

However, driving like this was not a good idea. The visibility was low, as the sun hadn't properly risen yet, and they actually didn't know where they were going, but Krystal had said that she sensed something out in the waters to the east of the island, so that was where they were headed.

However, Mayling was having a hard time trying to control Seychelles' car, considering it was a manual and she was sued to driving an automatic.

By the time they reached the main drag, where shops were located on each side of the street near the sea, they had knocked down twenty-five trees, gotten some air-time on three separate occasions, taken six corners on two wheels, and nearly run off the road nine times...

So, it was inevitable that they should crash...

Gilbird landed on top of Prussia's silvery-white hair, chirping.

"Ja, is that so?" Prussia nodded, standing on the deck of his ship. It was a huge and impressive ship. Its theme song could've been the Imperial March from Star Wars. It even had its own post-code. "Well, then, we'd best get them on-board. Romano, lower the long-boat!"

"Go to fucking Hell, you albino bastard!"

"Spain?"

"Si!" Spain replied cheerfully, before ordering some random sailors to lower to long-boat, which they did so, without any argument.

Prussia returned his gaze to shore, looking through a small golden telescope at the shore.

There, he saw the Axis Powers, with Japan looking stoic, Germany with his arms crossed, and Italy waving wildly.

Next to Japan, Emma stood, looking calm, as she smoothed out the skirt of her knee-length white dress.

Prussia lowered the telescope, smirking. "There's my Bunny..."

Police sirens flashed, as the boys in blue filled out an incident report. Two girls had crashed a car into the local florists.

Krystal smiled. "It's a good thing nobody happened to be in that store. We were pretty lucky!"

"I guess so." Mayling replied. "I am a little perturbed though that all this flower shop seems to sell is cacti!" She could hardly move, as she was buried under a mountain of prickly green plants. Only her legs were sticking out. The car was completely totaled.

Krystal sighed, and looked up. "What are we gonna do, though? How are we gonna get to Emma...?"

"Hmm...well..." Mayling froze suddenly. "Hey, do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Krystal tilted her head to one side, but couldn't hear anything over the sirens and people talking. "What is it?"

Mayling closed her eyes, and concentrated. She could definitely hear something, coming their way fast...it sounded like...no, it was...

A carriage drawn by two horses came into view. Holding the reins was a short girl. She had long light brown hair tied in a braid, blue eyes and glasses. She wore a dark brown coat despite the hot weather, and had a stern expression on her face, but it lightened slightly once she saw Krystal. She drew the horses up to them, startling everybody else.

"Krystal?" The blue-eyed girl glanced at the pile of cacti. "And, Mayling?"

"Yes?!" Mayling sprung up from the pile of cacti, sending the spiky little plants flying, and everybody ducked.

"I can take you to the shore, Seychelles said you might require my assistance!" The girl reached out a black-gloved hand and helped Krystal into the carriage, and then Mayling.

"Who are you?" Krystal asked, as the girl snapped the reins smartly against the black horses' rumps.

"I'm Monaco."

Emma sat in the long-boat, staring at the wood beneath her feet, and wondering if she was making the right decision. She had basically gone turncoat, and turned her back on her nation and her people...did that make her a traitor?!

Just as she was drawing this conclusion, she heard a shout from the shore, and turned to see...what was that? Emma squinted, and saw that it was a horse-drawn carriage...Krystal and Mayling were in it, as well as an unfamiliar girl...was that Monaco? Emma couldn't remember, she hadn't seen Monaco in the anime, yet...

Krystal jumped out of the carriage, and shouted something to Emma that she couldn't hear.

"What?" Emma called back.

Krystal shouted to her again.

"I can't hear you!" Emma replied. She really couldn't.

Mayling and Krystal both shouted to her, but she still couldn't hear them! Sighing, she turned to Germany and said: "In precisely how many minutes is Prussia going to open fire on the island?" The thought made her sick, but she willed herself to stay strong.

Germany gazed steadily at her. "Two and a half."

Emma nodded, and stood up. "Then, I'll be back in two."

"Vun."

"Deal." Emma spread her wings and jumped out of the boat, gliding across the waves and back towards her two best friends. Her heart was pounding in her chest, as she crested the tops of the white-capped waves, and drew herself up to land on the sand in front of Krystal and Mayling, who immediately hugged her.

"Emma, please don't go!" Krystal begged her. "We only just got you back!"

"I have to do this." Emma replied firmly, feeling a lump in her throat.

"Emma, if you go out there then you'll be turning your back on your own people!" Mayling cried.

"I'm trying to help my people!" Emma explained, drawing back from them and looking at them both. "Listen, you two are my two best friends, the only ones I ever really had! I need you to understand me!"

There were tears in Krystal eyes. "How can we?" She wanted to know.

Emma closed her eyes briefly, feeling the waves wash against her ankles, as she mentally counted the numbers in her head. She had about half a minute to go.

Opening her eyes, she saw a car pull up on the road near the beach, the the Allies jumped out. Okay, make that ten seconds.

Emma grabbed Krystal and Mayling's hands, and said: "Listen, you've got to get off this beach, they're going to open fire!" Krystal and Mayling gasped. "Get yourselves and the Allies and Monaco out of here!" She jumped into the air, just as the sun came up over the water (A/N - that's right, isn't it...east to west...on Seychelles...yeah...).

"Emma!" About five voices cried, just as there was a slight change in the wind current, which all of them felt.

The weather... Mayling thought, and China was thinking the same thing.

Just then, from the ship, Prussia shouted in a most terrible voice: "Feuern die Raketen!"

Emma gasped. "Go!" She shouted to her friends and the Allies, as the first wave of attacks was launched from the ship. She then turned and flew, dodging the missiles as they flew through the air in the opposite direction.

The Allies stared in horror as the missiles arced towards them, but Krystal and Mayling were the ones that acted.

They both felt the familiar glow from their necklaces, and drew their hands up, summoning both earth and water up from beneath hem, forming a muddy shield that solidified, and the missiles hit the massive wall of terra-cotta instead.

The shield exploded into a thousand pieces, throwing them all off-balance. The horses whinnied in fright, and everybody else tried to shield themselves from the wave.

Krystal and Mayling recovered first, and looked back out to sea, just in time to see Emma reach the ship. Their red-haired friend hit the deck, and fell straight into the arms of the silver-haired guy that had given the orders to fire the missiles. they were immediately surrounded by the Axis Powers, as well as two brown-haired guys.

Australia suddenly ran past Krystal and Mayling, and shouted, loud enough for those onboard the ship to hear: "Emma, I WILL get you back, if it's the LAST thing I do!"

A pair of scarlet-red eyes pierced into Australia's green eyes. "I would LOVE to see you try, ja!" Prussia replied. "Course, I'd love to see you as a crater!"

Australia clenched his fists, just as a second round of missiles was fired at them...

Back in the United States, scientists stared at the picture depicted before them. It showed strange weather patterns across the globe, including earthquakes in the UK, a heat-wave in Canada, and a snowy flurry in Melbourne.

They weren't sure what was causing it, until they ran scans from satellites, and saw it.

The meteor to end all meteors, and it was on a direct collision course with Earth!

The Ring: albums/b534/Tokyo_Honda/ScreenShot2013-02-09at124852AM_