Here's Chapter 9! Yay!

*Warning* In this chapter there is a little explanation of a surgery, but very minor in terms of how graphic it is.

/

After he looked at the key realizing Holy Rome's location, "I know where Holy Rome is! He must be nearby the river where he usually is."

Chibitalia ran to the river with all of his might in his tiny body. He pondered various reasons why Holy Rome behaved unusual.

Maybe he had to because some one forced him to, just maybe he had no direct involvement. I just don't know what to think anymore?

Within five minutes he made it to the river, but nobody was there. "Holy Rome, where are you? I received your letter. I have the key! What purpose does this key serve for?"

Another bush rustled off in the distance. Chibitalia gasped for a few quick seconds. He turned his head frantically around searching for Holy Rome.

Holy Rome emerged from the bush with a saddened look on his face, "Chibitalia, I don't want you to be around me anymore. There is too much to explain."

Chibitalia tugged at his robe, "But Holy Rome, I need to know, what happened?"

"Where do I begin?" Holy Rome struggled to let out even a single sound.

Finally he said, "The key that you have, will help unlock the greatest treasure in the whole world has ever known."

Whatever this treasure had no value to Chibitalia, "But why did you give this to me? You could unlock this great treasure. But, I need to understand why you are acting like this." He tugged even more and a look of guilt.

Holy Rome looked away and pulled his robe away, "I decided to do this by myself. No one else could understand what I am going through." In a begging tone, "Please! You will end up murdered."

The little Italian was flustered and held his tiny, little hands close to his chest. He sniffled and was confused, "By who? For what reasons?"

The two looked at each other's eyes. Holy Rome slowly approached Chibitalia creepily and stopped suddenly. His face is covered in a looming shadow, all of a sudden he bursts off in the other direction.

/

With Spain gone, now, everyone became emotional again. Cuba admits, "Why does this keep constantly happening to us?" As Germany acted before, he too slammed his fist on a crate.

Once again, another element of guilt and sorrow did not help anyone. Japan sternly looked onto the nations, "I guess that many of us have connections with Mr. Prussia history-wise, even for his own personal agenda." His eyes shifted through the skylights to look for some sort of hope.

Cuba sighed in disbelief, "Still, I just don't get it."

The other nations carried Romano into an impromptu doctor's office on a grimy, but semi-clean, table.

Romano smirked, but he smirked too much, "Regardless, ugh. Man this stings!"

He wanted to touch his chest, but Austria hit his hand to prevent any kind of infection. This tricky bullet was just about a few millimeters away from Romano's heart. Even though they still have their immortality, a wound like this required delicate surgery. Romano kept on shifting his body and Austria became a little furious, "It wouldn't sting as much if you keep still. Now thankfully the bullet didn't penetrate through your heart otherwise this surgery would be a lot more complicated."

"Well duh, that's why I'm still breathing."

Italy held Romano's hand and didn't want to cry again. "I'm so sorry big brother. I really screwed up this time."

Romano tightened his grip and smiled. "Don't worry little brother. You did that to distract Prussia someway and attempted to get Spain out of that mess. But still, I feel so bad that I couldn't save Antonio."

He let his arm dangle along the table and his face saddened a little.

With all of the adults running around like crazy, Sealand wanted to help in some way, "Is there still anyway I can help out?"

His face brimmed with happiness, but parental England stepped in. "Sealand, it is best that you leave the work to the adults. At most, why don't you go play with the other tikes?"

Sealand's smile turned into a frown and with a disappointed tone, "Fine!"

While the little micro-nation ran off, an idea popped into the British man. "I guess Italy will have some part in this battle now with Romano on the sidelines."

All taken into consideration Germany knew that Romano's condition can only get worse with the battle ahead. "Now that you mention that, Italy, I guess I could have you as my scout since you know how to run so fast."

Italy smiled and, for once, took it seriously. "That would be an honor. Thank you Germany."

After that, Austria knew removing the bullet would take some time. "You guys are going to have to leave the room momentarily. This will take some time. Cuba, England, Greece, I'm going to need your assistance. Cuba I need you to help with anesthesia, Greece hold down Romano just in case, and England, if by any chance something were to go horribly wrong, I need you to cast a spell to rescue us out of the situation."

The time ticked slowly as Austria put on some gloves and a surgeon's knife. Cuba administered the anesthesia. When Cuba was done, he and Greece held Romano's wrists down. England had his spell book on hand just in case.

With Austria's surgeon knife, he delicately cut out a piece of skin where the bullet was lodged. There wasn't much blood because it was a clean shot with no broken ribs. Only a minute amount of blood splattered the floor. Romano didn't flinch at all for one moment.

Everyone sighed in relief. Austria stitched up the wound.

While Austria and his group took care of Romano's surgery, this allowed the others to think about their goals and objectives.

America had it, he knew that everyone was going to lose. He took off his glasses and put his hand onto his head, bluntly, "So this is great. We just lost Spain and our chances for losing are close to a hundred percent."

The once former Ottoman Empire nation still tried to recover from his kick to the stomach. He coughed a little,"That kind of talking," He still coughed, "is not what we need. What we need to do is retaliate against Prussia once and for all." He tried his best to elevate everyone's morale again, but in vain it didn't work.

Austria, Cuba, and Greece left Romano to let him recuperate.

Austria adjusted his glasses, "I think it is best to let Lovino recover. He should wake up within an hour or two."

It was a major relief to everyone, especially Italy. However Germany thought otherwise. "Unfortunately I will have to change our battle plans slightly. Despite Romano's injury, I think it would be in my best honor that he is not involved physically with the battle. Well, Cuba, do you think you can manage both artillery and weaponry?"

Cuba was more than capable to multitask. "I think so. Last time I had to help out Canada with the injured from the Pictonians, yeah I can handle that."

The thought of their previous encounter with the Pictonians was some of their thoughts. China sighed and had a scorned look on his face. "I'm beginning to think that maybe the Pictonian bastards can help save our asses. Think about it for a second, the reason why Prussia became like this was not due to his emotional standing, but the Pictos accidentally left over their impression on us from what they had at the beginning. They first thought that our planet is always in constant struggle with one another and we never looked beyond those struggles alone."

It was very true that the Pictonians thought that the whole planet was constantly involved in petty fights and trying to trump everyone; however, after Italy changed their minds, they thought about planet Earth in another way.

Nonetheless, it didn't add up right and England had another theory, "But wait a tick, that still doesn't make any sense that the Pictos would do that to us? Italy was able to change their minds about us and the perception of our planet in general."

China stood up, a little more agitated, "I know, but Russia who sent the letter, I guess, was the holder of their negative perception when he turned into one of them."

All of a sudden something sparked in Germany's head. "Hold on! If Russia can get here soon then maybe this whole calamity can stop right there. Austria!"

Austria heard the German's scream, "Yeah what is it?"

"I need you to write a letter to your wife's team and tell them to come over to North America. Now! It's highly important they get here before we lose anybody else."

Germany went to go look for Sealand and he found him playing with Gilbird the Raven. "Sealand, I'm going to need the bird as our courier again."

Austria's second letter:

Elizaveta,

Germany, China, and I have found a possible solution to end the whole cataclysm. Possibly, Russia may be the key and end it all. Unfortunately, once again, we have lost Spain to Prussia. The stress of losing our team members is wearing on us. I think that it is the best time to call for your help so that we can unite our strategies once and for all. I will make sure that Liechtenstein and Sealand remain out of the battle entirely. Once again, the courier will be the Raven.

Be very cautious when coming to North America, Roderich Edelstein

As before: ribbon, wax seal, casing, and tied it on Gilbird's leg.

The calling for the two teams to get together was dire and they needed to move fast. Austria looked onto the nations, "Now I think it is time to make the proper arrangements for the other team. I need you guys to clear the room and make beds for them."

As he talked, he sweated again. Sweat droplets stained his fashionable coat and he felt his heart beating faster. He tried to mask his symptoms, but he passed out onto Turkey's arms. Everyone was alarmed and ran by his side.

Turkey shook him to get some sort of response. "Hey Austria, are you okay?"

Austria's whole body was cold and he didn't emit any sound.

All of the nations ran towards Austria and they yelled simultaneously. Turkey was able to get his voice among the whole clatter. "He's unconscious! Give me some help here guys!"

Talk about a cliffhanger right?

Well the next chapters are going to be very interesting and I hope all of you enjoy them!

Please R&R! I would really appreciate it. ^_^