Disclaimer: Mums nav Hetalia, Hetaoni vai sveiks un vesels.

A/N: Hey, everyone!

We hope you like this story, it's a bit more gruesome. Well . . . there's not much to say. So here's the first chapter.

Enjoy! Please review!


Eight

The forest was dense and the autumn undergrowth crunched as the nine nations trooped through the Chinese forest. Eventually the trees thinned out and the approached a mansion. It looked a bit creepy, Northern Ireland had to admit. The garden bordering the path up to the house was all but dead. The one tree, what must have once been a willow, was nothing more than a skeleton of branches. Why China had bought this place baffled the Celtic nation.

"This is it?" Iceland finally asked, his ear twitching.

Hong Kong bounced on his feet excitedly. "Duì, teacher just bought it seven months ago. He's been refurbishing it," he said.

"I don't like this place," Northern Ireland whispered as his wings ruffled nervously. Subconsciously, his fingers found the black collar around his throat embroidered with the words "Remember the little things, let them lift you up."

Luxemburg rolled his eyes in exasperation. "You don't like anything, praatjesmaker, (pipsqueak,)" he pointed out.

Northern Ireland scowled and fanned his wings, annoyed. "Did you insult me?" he demanded. The Dutch nation had been nothing but annoying their entire trek to the house.

"I don't know," Luxemburg said with a smirk. "Did I?"

"Lux, please be nice," Liechtenstein asked, giving Luxemburg her sweetest and most innocent smile.

Luxemburg hesitated before huffing. "Fine, it's not like I like the pipsqueak anyway."

"Hey! I'm bigger than you." Northern Ireland stomped his foot and the ground shuddered in a small earthquake, causing the other eight nations to stumble.

Cyprus was unlucky enough to fall on his butt. "Ow! Watch it, Northern Ireland!"

"It's not my fault," Northern Ireland whined. "He's pissing me off."

"Then don't take the bait." Hong Kong shrugged. It was as simple as that. He seemed to forget the part about Northern Ireland having grown up with four brothers, three of who enjoyed egging him on.

"This mansion looks kind of creepy," Latvia piped up, trembling at the sight of the old brick building.

Iceland looked between the Baltic nation and the house. "I agree, it's kind of creepy."

"But that's the fun part!" Seychelles jumped up and down excitedly. "Come on, let's go in already." The French nation bolted forward, leaving the eight other nations in the dust.

New Zealand stared after the female nation. "Wow, just . . . wow. Alright, who gave Seychelles an espresso shot?" He glared around the group.

Luxemburg raised his hands and shook his head. "Don't look at me."

"Is she not allowed to drink coffee?" Hong Kong asked with a cock of his head.

New Zealand gaped at the Asian nation before speaking. "Please don't tell me you gave Seychelles coffee."

"Okay, I won't." Hong Kong shrugged and made his way toward the mansion.

"Dammit, Hong Kong!" New Zealand stomped his foot in frustration. "She can't handle caffeine!"

"Why not?" Iceland asked curiously. He knew his younger brother had problems with caffeine, but not Seychelles.

"Because she hardly ever drinks it." New Zealand stared after the giddy female nation. "She doesn't have a very high tolerance for caffeinated drinks. They go right through her."

"I heard Romano learned that the hard way," Northern Ireland commented.

"Are you coming or what?" Hong Kong shouted back to the rest of the group. Northern Ireland sighed and made his way down the beaten path with Liechtenstein and Latvia. Cyprus, Luxemburg, Iceland, and New Zealand hurried after the three European nations.

The nine nations entered the mansion, pausing in the doorway. Two staircases framed the entry way, meeting at a balcony above the group. Iceland could see a doorway behind the balcony. Three doorways on the ground floor led in opposite directions. The walls were a cream barred with dark brown. The floor was a dark brown littered with even darker and leaves.

Everyone jumped as a loud hiss echoed through the entryway. Not a Bastard scratched Cyprus' right leg, leaving fairly deep wounds.

"Notty?" Cyprus jerked away from the red cat. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Greece?" Not a Bastard hissed again and scratched Cyprus harder. He seemed intent on forcing the nation back out of the house.

"What's with the weird cat?" Northern Ireland asked, watching Not a Bastard continue to scratch Cyprus. The normally gentle cat belong to Greece. He had found it days after they had returned from Globe. Not a Bastard, nicknamed Notty, never left Greece's side. He seemed content to protect Greece from anything that could harm him.

"I don't know! Ouch!" Cyprus shouted as Not a Bastard gave him a particularly bad scratch. New Zealand scooped the cat into his arms, stroking its head soothingly.

"Why did you follow us, Notty?" New Zealand asked gently. Not a Bastard growled and scratched the air angrily.

"Hey, I have a question." Luxemburg raised a hand.

"Shénme?" Hong Kong looked up from the hissing and struggling cat.

"Who the hell names their cat 'Not a Bastard'?" Luxemburg asked haughtily.

Cyprus shrugged. "Greece named him that and refused to change it," he explained.

"I think he's sick or something." New Zealand struggled to hold the furious cat. Finally escaping, Not a Bastard threw his head back and yowled loudly.

Iceland's hands flew to cover his sensitive ears. "Shut up!" No one noticed the door on the balcony shutting quietly.

"Uh . . . guys?" Seychelles stared behind the ground.

"Cad a?" Northern Ireland asked, turning around. He gaped at whatever was behind the group.

"Where did the door go?" Seychelles asked. One by one, the other nations turned around.

Luxemburg pointed at the smooth wall, gaping like a fish. "It's . . . It's gone!"

Hong Kong shrugged nonchalantly. "There's other doors, and windows," he said. "Come on." The Asian nation led the group up a staircase. Not a Bastard followed them on the banister, his red eyes flicking around the building suspiciously.

"You said China's coming, right?" New Zealand asked as he stared at the paintings they passed.

"Duì, teacher is coming in a few days. He needs to finish some work with his boss first." Hong Kong paused outside a door. "These are the bedrooms. There are only five, so we're going to have to share."

"The paintings are really creepy," Seychelles commented. She was looking at a particularly frightening pan wearing a feral grin and resembling a wolf stalking a lamb. The group jumped in surprise as a loud chime echoed through the house, followed by several softer chimes.

"Was that a clock?" Latvia asked nervously.

"How man clocks are in here?" Liechtenstein cocked her head curiously.

"I don't know." Hong Kong shrugged. "They're all over the place."

The nations wandered into a bedroom, peeking around. Luxemburg spotted a clock and scowled.

"That clock is wrong!" Luxemburg snapped.

"No it's not." Iceland gave Luxemburg a weird look. "It's correct."

"It's ten hours behind." Hong Kong said, agreeing with Luxemburg. Clearly the clock had been set in Icelandic time for some reason. The Asian nation took the clock off the shelf and attempted to change the time but failed.

"What's wrong?" Northern Ireland asked, peeking over Hong Kong's shoulder.

"It won't change. It's stuck." Hong Kong replaced the clock on the shelf. "You know, the kitchen clock is eleven hours early. The only clock that's right is the grandfather clock in the study on this floor."

"W-Weird." Latvia shuddered.

"I told you this place is creepy." Northern Ireland fluttered his wings nervously then pulled them taught against his back.

"Oh, who cares?" Striding forward, Luxemburg collapsed face first onto the bed. Iceland and Cyprus shook their heads at the nation's actions.

"Don't be so rude, Luxemburg," Iceland scolded. They all heard a muffled 'shut up' and the fox-nation scowled. "I am not sleeping in the same room as him."

Hong Kong grinned widely. "We can share a room, I don't mind."

"Seychelles and Liechtenstein should share a room," Northern Ireland said hurriedly. It only made sense for the only two female nations to share a room instead of each sleeping with a boy.

"Ja, okay." Liechtenstein smiled sweetly.

"We can stay up late and share boy stories," Seychelles said excitedly and grabbed Liechtenstein's hand, dragging from the room and down the hall.

"I am not sharing a room with him." Cyprus pointed at Northern Ireland.

New Zealand looked to the Celtic nation and sighed. "I'll share a room with you."

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Latvia asked nervously. "I hear he has night terrors."

"As long as he doesn't wet the bed," New Zealand said and Luxemburg guffawed from the bed. The Oceanic nation glared at the Dutch nation. "I thought you were asleep."

"I do not have night terrors!" Northern Ireland fanned his wings indignantly. "I-I just moved around a lot when I sleep."

"Are you going to sleep with Luxemburg or should I?" Latvia asked Cyprus.

Cyprus looked at Luxemburg and sighed. Taking Latvia's hand, he dragged the small nation for the room. "Come on, I'm not going to force you to sleep with that dolt." Not a Bastard followed the two nations from the room, his tail swishing slowly.

XXXXX

Iceland was awoken by a thunderstorm at the same time the grandfather clock chimed one o'clock in the morning. Lightning illuminated the room as thunder cracked directly over the roof.

"Hello?" Iceland called tiredly. Another flash of lightning lit up the room and Iceland spotted a strangely familiar figure standing in the doorway. Whimpering, Iceland yanked his head under the covers.

"Just go to sleep," Iceland muttered to himself. "Just go to sleep." He heard soft, nearly silent, footsteps and a reassuring hand patted him on the head. Iceland shivered, reaching for Hong Kong's hand.

"Of course he's sleeping," Iceland groaned softly. "The numbskull could sleep through a house fire." He heard the footsteps retreat from the bed. Upon peeking out from under the covers, the Nordic nation saw the figure once more. It was tall and well-built with messy hair. An axe was propped against the figure's shoulder and it stood in a defensive posture in the doorway. Iceland thought he saw Not a Bastard at the figure's feet, gazing up at it with unblinking red eyes.

Iceland ducked back under the covers and shut his eyes tightly. Somehow, he was able to drift back to sleep and the figure slipped from his mind.

XXXXX

The nations had a rude awakening courtesy to a scream from Luxemburg's room. All too familiar with surprise attacks, doors flew open instantly. Seychelles tore from her own room with Liechtenstein hot on her heels.

"What was that?" Seychelles demanded from Cyprus who shrugged tiredly.

Hong Kong stumbled out of his own room, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?" he mumbled, exhausted. As Iceland left their bedroom, he nearly tripped over a knife in the middle of the doorway. Picking up the small weapon, he turned it over in his hands. It was strangely familiar but he couldn't place it. The knife had sad memories with it, that much he could remember.

"Where have I seen this?" Iceland murmured to himself. Another scream echoed through the house, tearing his attention from the knife.

When Iceland, Hong Kong, Liechtenstein, Seychelles, Latvia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, and Cyprus raced into Luxemburg's room they met a strange sight. The Dutch nation was struggling to tear the teal sheets off himself.

"Hold still, you moron!" Northern Ireland struggled with the sheets as Luxemburg thrashed.

"Oh, come on." Seychelles rolled her eyes and helped to untangle the Dutch nation.

"Really?" Cyprus crossed his arms and glared at Luxemburg. The smaller nation sat up, glaring back at him.

"The sheets just wrapped around me. I couldn't get free," Luxemburg snapped defensively. "I couldn't breathe." Northern Ireland ran a hand through the sheets, drawing on his magic.

"What are you doing?" Latvia asked, terrified.

"He's telling the truth. There's a spell in these sheets, but I don't' recognize it." Northern Ireland dropped the sheets.

"Since we're all up, why don't we make some b-breakfast," New Zealand yawned, stretching. No one noticed the bruise on his arm from being shoved out of bed by a certain dreaming winged nation.

"I'll cook," Seychelles offered."

"Aw, but I wanted to," Northern Ireland pouted.

"NO!" The unanimous shouted answer made Northern Ireland jump.

"What?"

Quietly agreeing to keep Northern Ireland away from the food, the nations trooped back down to the first floor and managed to find the kitchen. Liechtenstein noted the ridiculous amount of knives hanging on a rack by the stove. Seychelles, Iceland, and Latvia poked around the cupboards, looking for food.

"Are you sure you and teacher stocked this place?" Iceland asked, looking up from the fridge.

"Of course. Japan, Taiwan, and I came to drop some food off earlier this week. Why?" Hong Kong asked. He was trying to change the kitchen clock's time, but it was in vain. Like the bedroom clock, it refused to be changed.

"There doesn't seem to be any food." Iceland turned back to the fridge. "There's some bad fruit." Hong Kong paused. How could the apples and oranges have gone bad so quickly? The Asian nation placed the clock back in its spot above the microwave.

"I found some rice!" Seychelles brandished a bag of rice for all to see. Digging around, Iceland finally found some good green beans and chicken.

"I guess you're cooking, Hong Kong," Iceland sighed.

"Okay." Hong Kong shrugged and took the food. Using the rice, beans, and chicken, he made a stir-fry. It wasn't exactly breakfast material, but it was food. The nine nations sat at the kitchen table to eat. New Zealand sat in his chair then yelped and jumped up. He looked down at his seat, rubbing his rear end.

"What is it?" Latvia asked anxiously. This house was only making him feel worse and worse. Not a Bastard looked up from his perch on the window. His red eyes watched New Zealand carefully.

"What the heck is this?" New Zealand picked up a small spiked ball. It looked like it could be used in a children's game . . . if it didn't have such dangerous spikes.

"What was that doing in your chair?" Liechtenstein cocked her head curiously. How had that gotten there?

"How should I know?" New Zealand sat down once more, carefully setting the ball on the table.

Iceland looked to Hong Kong. "Is there any reason that was on his chair?" he asked suspiciously.

"I didn't do it." Hong Kong raised his hands defensively. "I only do that with firecrackers."

"Wow," New Zealand said dryly. "That makes me feel a whole lot safer."

Seychelles rolled her eyes. "Would you boys stop trying to compete constantly?" Latvia smiled and turned to his stir-fry. Northern Ireland had yet to touch his food, content on staring at Not a Bastard.

"Is something wrong, Northern Ireland?" Cyprus asked, looking up from his food.

"Did you ever notice Not a Bastard has a weird making over his eyes," Northern Ireland commented. "It kind of looks like a mask, like Turkey's." Not a Bastard flicked his tail as the nations turned to look at him. It was true. The fur around the cat's eyes was lighter, shaped like a mask to cover them.

"Huh, I never noticed that. Now eat, before I have to make you." Cyprus turned back to his food. He didn't want a repeat of Greece.

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Morocco smiled fondly down at her young husband. America's head in her lap, she gently carded his hair with her fingers. The North American Nation was bouncing a ball off the far wall, catching it every time. The married couple had been able to spend four days together after the mess America had to fix.

Canada was in the room with his brother and sister-in-law talking about his boss's recent complaint. South was busy with Saxony and Brandenburg, the twins not knowing how to walk and learning to talk.

". . . And then he told me I needed to stop being so quiet and just declare war on far Den," Canada said as he shifted Kumajirou in his lap. For once, Smokey and the polar bear weren't fighting. The black bear was lying on the chair, dead to the world. The twin kept him awake at night and it exhausted him. South had been trying to find someone to take him for a short while, but everyone refused. No nation liked to deal with the foul mouthed bear.

"Wait! Hvad?" America paused in the action of throwing the ball. "Why?" he demanded.

Canada shrugged. "You remember how Kalmar attacked me." His fingers traced the long scar running down his face from the fight with the deceased realm. "My boss thinks it was far."

"That's stupid." America relaxed and began to bounce the ball off the wall again. "Have you heard from søster lately?"

"Nej, she's been rather quiet lately." Canada lowered Kumajirou to the floor. The polar bear was seriously considering attacking Smokey just for the heck of it. The three nations jumped as the door to the living room was thrown open. The temperature of the room changed to either a winter day or a cold spring day. A young woman stood in the doorway, wearing jeans tucked into fur-lined boots and a green sweater.

"Søster!" America bolted upright, the ball bouncing off his head. Morocco stifled a laugh with a hand at the sight.

"Hej, Søster!" Canada stood and hugged the female nation.

"Canada! America!" The nation returned Canada's hug enthusiastically.

America rubbed his head before standing and giving the newcomer a hug. "What brings you here, Greenland?" he asked.

"MOM!" a voice shouted before Greenland could respond. "ARIZONA'S PLAYING WITH RATTLERS AGAIN!"

Morocco sighed, shaking her head, and stood to leave the room. "Arizona," she called. "You drop that rattle snake this instant. If I find you touching it, you'll be spending time at Lejeune again!"

"Aw! But mom-" Whatever Arizona was going to say was cut off by the door swinging shut.

"I feel bad for leaving Morocco to deal with the kids alone," America sighed.

"She loves them, America." Greenland winked. "She'll never admit it, but she was so happy when you two had fifty children."

Canada laughed and America scowled at his younger brother. "Shut up, you're going to have thirteen someday."

"True, but at least it's not fifty." America slugged Canada on the arm. "Ow!"

"So, where's my favorite sister?" Greenland's face lit up hopefully. After the Vikings but before England and France, Greenland had raised her younger brothers. When the Confederate States of America had remained after the Civil War, Greenland was ecstatic. She'd always wanted a little sister. South hardly ever remembered the island nation, but she still loved her all the same. And Greenland couldn't count how many times she'd woken up to one of her younger brothers in the kitchen asking what was for breakfast.

"Dealing with the twins while carrying what we think might be triplets." America shrugged. "I thought I age Prussia a good enough talk, I guess not." Canada snickered before turning to Greenland.

"What brings you here?" the youngest brother asked.

Greenland's smile slipped off her face. "I've been sensing something." She didn't continue as the door opened to allow South in, Saxony on one hip and Brandenburg peeking around his mother's legs.

"Hey, kiddo!" America crouched down to be level with his nephew. "What are you up to?" he asked.

Brandenburg removed his thumb from his mouth. "Bogen before ihre awesome meister!" he commanded, mixing his German and English.

"Brandenburg!" South looked down to her son in horror. She'd never heard him speak that way before.

"Nein! I will never bow before you un-awesomeness!" America swept his nephew into his arms and raced from the room making rocket ship noises. The nations heard Hawaii and California squealing at their father as he supposedly raced past.

Canada shook his head in disbelief. "I can believe how good he is with kids," he said as Saxony looked around the room, raising her head higher to see more.

"Where are my awesome children?" Prussia's voice shouted throughout the house.

Saxony twisted in her mother's grip. "Onkel Germany?" she asked hopefully.

"Ja?" Germany called back.

"Onkel Germany! Onkel Germany!" Saxony struggled in her mother's firm grip. The German state had progressed faster at learning to speak than Brandenburg. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Dakota twins could be heard shrieking about their male cousin and their father throwing Legos at them.

"Where is my favorite niece?" Germany called. "If she's not here, then maybe I should leave." The German nation was very fond of his niece, spending as much time with her as he could.

"I'm here, Onkel Germany!" South nearly dropped her daughter when Saxony shrieked in her ear. Privately, she wondered if that's what she sounded like to Prussia.

"Where? I cannot find you. I suppose I should just go." There was the sound of the front door opening and closing.

Saxony howled desperately, writhing in her mother's grip. "ONKEL GERMANY!" This time, South dropped the state onto the couch. Smokey woke up, staring at the creature beside him in horror. Saxony didn't stay long, jumping off the couch and charging for the front door as quickly as she could.

America wandered back into the room without Brandenburg, having left him with his favorite cousins. They all heard Saxony wailing until Germany apparently came out of hiding and comforted his niece.

"Geez, South, my kids weren't nearly as bad," America said, shaking his head.

"Really?" Canada cocked his head curiously.

"Nej, they were worse. So, Greenland, what did you sense?" America shut the door behind himself. America, Canada, Greenland, and the Confederate States of America formed the New World Magicians. All four could perform magic and hunted spirits, though South preferred to stay in America. It was more familiar to her.

"I was seeing this morning when a storm struck overheard." Greenland sat on the sofa, pulling Smokey into her lap.

"Stupid cuddler," Smokey grumbled, shifting and falling back to sleep. Greenland smiled fondly down at the black bear. South lowered herself into the living room's chair. She was definitely showing signs of a triplet pregnancy of three months.

Kumajirou smirked at the sight of Smokey. "Lazy black bears," he commented.

"A storm?" Canada repeated. "I thought I heard something on the north wind this morning." Where Greenland's magic focused in the weather, Canada's focused on pure nature. America had a bit of everything, being the melting pot of the world.

"Damn storm," South muttered tiredly. "I can't sleep with three other bodies in bed." The happily married ex-nations owned a villa in the Blue Ridge Mountains. America and Morocco enjoyed visiting every chance they could. The twins loved the villa not to mention the journey through the forest.

America patted his sister's arm comfortingly, "Is the ghost back in Iceland?" he asked Greenland. "I thought we'd already drove that one out."

"Nej." Greenland shook her head. "It has nothing to do with Iceland."

"Then what?" Canada sat on the arm of the chair as America froze, his eyes staring at the far wall with a distant look. It was one they all knew well. He was having a precognition.

"The storm came from China," Greenland said thoughtfully. "It reeked of death."

"Blood . . ." America said softly, cocking his head as he tried to make sense of his vision.

Greenland lifted her head out of her hand, looking at her brother. "Ja, blood and much more. It wasn't good at all."

"Nej, I see blood." America shut his eyes tightly and his lips moved soundlessly. "Seven . . . eight . . . nine. Lots of blood, nine . . . bodies . . . and . . . and a clock."

"Tick-tock?" South carded her brother's hair, watching him carefully. Since America had been terrified of magic, he was still fairly untrained in the use of magic. Compare to South, though, he was a professional. The ex-nation stood rubbing her stomach. "I'm hungry, and no doubt my two ankle biters are too."

"Tick-tock," America repeated softly. "The clock is done." He shook his head. "It's not clear enough, but I think it's going to happen soon."

"So . . . it's a haunting in China?" Canada looked to Greenland. "A ghost is killing people?"

"It's not a ghost." Greenland waved a hand and a ring of evergreen colored smoke surrounded the four nations. "A poltergeist, one like we've never seen before."

"But it's killed plenty of people." Canada leaned back while America sat down massaging his temples. "What poltergeists do we know about?" Canada asked.

"There's one in Rome, three in Russia, and I think Australia's having issues with one that just won't leave him alone," America counted off his fingers as he spoke.

"You know a lot about ghosts." Greenland turned to South. The Southern half of America balked.

"I'm not sure if I'm up for travelin'." South massaged her back. "These three keep me off my feet most days."

"You don't need to come with," America assured his sister. "But do you know about any poltergeists in China."

South rubbed the back of her head. "I'm not sure," she said. "There are about three dozen in the country."

"Three dozen?" Canada gaped at South. How could there be so many in one country. America, getting an idea, withdrew his phone and began to dial numbers.

"I would say give or take a few," South admitted. "But it's more like . . . give two or three more dozen." Greenland choked on air, dropping Smokey.

"Dammit, you stupid cuddler!" The black bear glared up at Greenland.

"How can there by sixty to ninety six ghosts in one country?" Greenland asked once she got her breath back.

South shrugged. "Simple, the ghosts are mad at life and decided to make other's lives miserable."

"Hey, kiddo!" America leaned back in his chair, a phone pressed to his ear. "Where are you? . . . Are you busy? . . . Yeah, I was wondering if we could talk to you . . . It's your aunt and uncle . . . Sure, I'm going to put you on speakerphone." America set the phone on the coffee table and turned the speakerphone on.

"Hey, ya'll!" A warm, Southern twang of a young girl reverberated through the phone. "What can I do for ya'll?" the state asked.

"Howdy, Georgie!" South said ecstatically. Greenland grinned at her brothers. The ex-nation completely changed whenever she spoke with one of her Southern nieces or nephews.

"Auntie Mama!" Georgia squealed. "You should see the peaches this year, you would amazed," she rambled.

"Um, I hate to break up the family reunion," Canada said softly. "But why did you call Georgia?"

"Savannah is famous for ghosts." South grinned. "If anyone can help us, it's Georgie."

"What kind of ghosts are we talkin' about?" Georgia asked. "I know about friendly spirits, malevolent spirits, lost spirits, grims, and any other spirit under the sun."

"We've got a poltergeist in China," South replied. "By my guess, it's been alive for a few centuries. I've been hearin' about it for the last three decades."

"South!" America banged his head against the couch. It was just like his sister to not tell him this important bit of information.

"A poltergeist, you say? Hm . . . let me think. There's about five dozen spirits in China and about one and half of those dozen are poltergeists. Now, are we talkin' dormant poltergeists or busy-bees?" Georgia asked.

"Oh, this one's been busy for the last century and a half." Greenland and Canada shared a look of exasperation. Why did South hide this kind of information from them?

"Is he just rattlin' a few things or is he actually hurtin' people?"

South frowned. "He's been inhabitin' the house since about 1861," she said. "Each family who's lived there died."

Greenland threw head band and groaned, slowly sliding down the chair. "Why?"

"A poltergeist who's killin' people?" Georgia sounded shocked. "I think you're dealin' with a vengeful spirit. Someone died before they wanted to and now they've come back to make sure no one leaves that house alive."

"That sounds about right." South nodded thoughtfully. "Though, this poltergeist is a little strange. He's still got life in him."

"This is getting us nowhere!" Canada threw his hands into the air.

"Honey, is there any way you could tell us who the spirit is?" America asked.

"Sorry, daddy, I can't be that precise unless Casper's here, and he's gone to visit cousins in Bolivia." America groaned before his daughter continued. "Tell ya'll what, why doesn't daddy go check out China while Auntie Mama helps me do a bit more research here in Savannah?" Georgia suggested.

"That would work," Greenland said thoughtfully. "I'll go with America and Canada can go with South."

"Alright then, I'll be waitin' for Auntie Mama and Uncle Canada tomorrow mornin'." Georgia hung almost immediately.

America stood, pocketing his phone. "Come on, søster, we're going to have to explain to China why we're in his country."

"I heard Indonesia is there," South offered. "She should be able to keep China calm." Everyone knew that was a lie. China spent most of his time trying to keep Indonesia calm. The island nation had a tendency to freak out over every little thing.

America laughed and left the room with Greenland to head for the airport. He shouted a goodbye to Morocco before being mauled by at least seven teenagers.

Canada turned to South. "Do you want me to drive?"

"You probably should." South stretched. "I don't think I'd fit very well. These three like kickin' a lot, too. I'll leave Brandenburg and Saxony with Muffins. Saxony is goin' to be excited, she loves Germy."

"Alright, let's go." Canada left the house with South, nearly getting attacked by the Dakota twins on the way out. They passed Saxony on their way out. The German state was perched on her uncle's shoulders, squealing with laughter.

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Finished with their lunch and bored, the nations wandered around the hallways in search of something to do.

"Why did we come here in the first place?" Northern Ireland asked, ruffling his feathers.

"Because it's something new to do for a change," Iceland sighed as he peeked into a room. "There's got to be something to do."

A loud crash on the floor above them made the nine nations jump in surprise. Latvia took it a bit farther and flat-out screamed.

"Grow up, Latvia." Luxemburg rolled his eyes.

"Y-You live with Mr. Russia," Latvia sobbed.

"Oh, poor Latvia!" Seychelles wrapped a comforting arm around Latvia and Luxemburg groaned.

"What was that?" Cyprus stared at the ceiling in faint shock.

"I think it came from the library." Hong Kong pointed to the ceiling. "Come on." He led the group up a flight of stairs and to a set of French doors. Northern Ireland and New Zealand dragged the doors open on squeaky hinges. One of the two wing back chairs had been knocked over and the other had been moved directly before the fireplace. Iceland stared at the arm chair, blinking in shock. It looked as though a tall man was slumped in the chair, clutching something in his hand. Iceland shook his head, chasing the image away.

"Is something wrong, Iceland?" New Zealand asked worriedly.

"No, I just thought I saw someone sitting in the chair," Iceland said.

"Icy . . . Ic'land . . . my pr'cious lillebror."

Iceland jumped at the strangely familiar voice, looking around. "Did any of you hear that?"

Seychelles and Cyprus sent Iceland strange looks. "I didn't hear anything," Cyprus said.

"C'me in h're, Icy."

"I wonder what happened to the other chair," Hong Kong commented as he led the way into the library.

"I can hear ya out th're."

Iceland was the last nation to enter the room, glancing around. Where was he? Was he just imagining things? Luxemburg was studying the fallen chair.

"It doesn't look like it's in bad shape," Luxemburg said thoughtfully. Peeking over the Dutch nation's shoulder, Iceland spotted and 'D' and a Nordic cross carved into the leg of the fallen chair.

"This place is creeping me out." Northern Ireland fanned his wings nervously.

Cyprus spun as he walked, accidently walking into a bookcase. "Bak!" The nation tried to catch the bookcase but it collapsed to the floor in a mess. Latvia jumped, shrieking again and Hong Kong massaged his ringing ear.

"What's that?" New Zealand leaned forward. "It looks like writing of some sort."

Hong Kong blinked in surprise and moved forward to read the Chinese character. "It's Chinese. It say . . ." He squinted, cocking his head. "Clo- . . . cloak . . . clock! It says 'clock'."

"What does 'clock' mean?" Seychelles asked, confused. Why would someone carve 'clock' into the wall? Liechtenstein shrugged form her spot beside Luxemburg.

"There are a lot of clocks in this house," Northern Ireland commented. A quiet creaking filled the library and the nations froze.

"What is that?" Cyprus glanced around the room curiously. Luxemburg looked around before slowly gazing up.

"Move!" Luxemburg grabbed Liechtenstein and leapt out of the way just in time. A chandelier crashed to the ground, shattering into a million shards. Latvia screamed one last time before bolting from the room.

"Latvia," Iceland groaned. "There is something wrong with that kid."

"Are you alright, Liechtenstein?" Seychelles hovered over his friend.

"J-Ja." Liechtenstein sat up wincing. Her right arm was bleeding light from the shards that had rained down her.

"Sure, nobody cares if I'm hurt." Luxemburg sat up, rubbing his forehead.

"Are you alright, Luxemburg?" New Zealand asked sarcastically and Luxemburg scowled at him.

"Hou je mond. (Shut up.)"

"Hey, Cyprus interrupted the fight. "Let's just find Latvia."

XXXXX

Latvia ducked into a closet, stifling his sobs. 'I knew it was a bad idea to come here. I should have visited Mrs. South instead.' A strange creaking sound seemed to emit from the walls. The Baltic nation could hear his friends calling for him.

"H-Hello?" Latvia called softly. Was it his imagination, or were these walls really shrinking in size? Latvia backed into the door, feeling the claustrophobia coming. Spinning around, he wrenched at the door knob but it refused to turn.

Something sharp pressed into Latvia's back. Latvia screamed loudly as he felt the sharp point of an object brush his spine.

"One by one, let's have some fun."

XXXXX

Latvia's screams led the nations back to the first floor. Northern Ireland froze as the Baltic nation's screams stopped abruptly.

"What was that?" Cyprus asked, horrified.

"Latvia!" Liechtenstein raced ahead of the group, skidding to a halt at the sight of a strip of fabric outside a closet. Hong Kong was the second nation to reach Liechtenstein. The others watched as he opened the closet door, paled, and slammed it shut. The Asian nation backed away, sliding down a wall.

"Hong Kong?" Iceland glanced between the door and his friend. "What's wrong?" Hong Kong leaned over, vomiting on the floor. Luxemburg jumped aside, both disgusted and worried. What was in the closet?

Seychelles walked to the closet, opening the door for everyone to see the bloodied clothes on the floor.

"Mon Dieu," Seychelles breathed. "Latvia. He can't be . . . dead?" She looked to the others, frightened. Hong Kong shuddered, wiping his mouth.

"He's . . . dead?" Liechtenstein paled. Not a Bastard wove his way through the nations' legs, stopping at the edge of the closet. His tail twitched slowly, almost regretfully.

"I knew we should have left the place when we had the chance." Northern Ireland stomped in frustration then froze. There had been no earthquake. He paled considerably. "M-My magic, it's . . . gone."

Seychelles gently wrapped her arms around the sobbing Liechtenstein. Cyprus finally asked the question on everyone's mind.

"What's going on here?"


A/N: Alright, interesting facts.

The Midwest had a high German immigration rate. We're actually German! And Swedish . . . and Welsh . . . and French Canadian. Geez, we're mutts.

Savannah, Georgia is the most haunted place in the county. Or so they say.

That cat . . . he's weird. I know! Isn't it awesome!

MARCO?!