I wanted to put this up sooner but my Internet is down, so I have to post this at school. That's also why I did not have as much historical stuff going on... The few things I researched had to come from a dictionary. Oh joy.

As always, please correct me if I get anything wrong. I hope you have as much fun reading this as I did writing it.

Enjoy!

While Germany and Italy went off to use some nearby bushes as a bathroom, America made an unnecessary point to go take care of business behind a tree very far away from the tent. It was always strange how America was not offended in the least by guns and gore, but avoided simple things like urinating in public. Some countries, particularly Russia, often assumed that it was because of America's size, but a more plausible reason was that America was still a young country and not quite mature enough to do otherwise.

China wanted to stay away from Russia and remain outside, but he did not have to relieve himself, so the Chinese man occupied time by quickly changing back into his old uniform. When he was done, he noticed the large, green-painted bag that America had left behind.

After a quick glance around, China crept toward the bag and peeked inside.

"Whoa, whoa, hey!" America wobbled back while zipping up his pants. "Yo, that's mine!" He snatched the bag away. "Get your own super secret item of kickass ownage!"

China crossed his arms. "H-How dare you talk to your creditor that way! Do you even know how much money you owe me, aru? I have every right to see what you are making, aru!"

"Ha, are you kidding? I don't take orders from you. You didn't even fight in World War Two!"

"Wǒpēi!" China flashed madly and took out his frying pan, which apparently he always kept clipped to his pants somewhere. He smacked America several times with it.

"Ah! Ow! Sto-Ah, hey, that was hard!"

"Recognize my involvement and I will stop, aru!"

"Just use the leaves, Italy!" Germany growled as he marched out of the bushes. "I do not have any paper."

"Ve~, leaves hurt! Germany, if we don't have any toilet paper, can I have some money?"

"We do not use money for this sort of business!"

"But what about all those Marks I used after the first war-!"

"Use the leaves!" Germany stumbled a little, but not a lot. He could hold his beer very well, after countless hours of practicing with his brother, so he wasn't fully wasted. "Idiot..."

"Okay~!" Italy finished up and skipped out of the plants. "Hi, America~! What's in the bag?"

America grinned, and flashed a thumbs-up. "Something super special awesome and secret- ow!" He recoiled.

"I'm not done here, aru!" China waved his pan around. "I'll hit you as many times as it takes until you recognize my war with Japan, aru!"

"Dude, stop hitting me! Or are you trying to take over the world? Yeah! I knew it! Check it!" America shouted at the two Axis powers while pointing madly at China. "I knew it! China is trying to take over the world! That''s why he's devaluing his currency, or whatever shit he's doing!"

"Really?" Italy pouted. "Now I have to learn Chinese, ve~"

Germany frowned. "That is absurd. China is not taking over the world. And Italy, there is no language called Chinese. You should be more, more observant."

"Observant? Bene~! That is easy!"

Germany snorted in something like disgust. "Schwachkopf..."

"Observant, observant..." Italy got on his toes and looked around. "Oh! How about that funny looking cloud over the water?"

"What!" China nearly pushed over Italy to get a good look. Billows of grey smoke were clearly rising over the ocean, from the west. Besides for the Italian, all of the nations understand the implications immediately.

"A... ship!" Germany cried out in relief. "Mein Gott, a ship!" He broke out into a sprint and ran mechanically for the coastline. Italy, interested but not excited, waddled casually behind him.

China went to the tent to tell everyone else that their salvation had come, in boat form.

"Huh?" America, confused, put down his bag. His ship had come already? Was everyone leaving him now? With a bewildered and sad expression, the hero watched the others hurry out of the pub to see the miracle for themselves. "Is it time already...?"

Of all the other countries, France was the only one reluctant to go. "But please, mon cher, I have a wonderful plan!"

"Forget about it, git! We have a way out of this island now! There's a bloody ship here for us!" England dragged France with him, keeping up with Russia, who was trying to keep up with China. "And even if it's not for us, I'll take it!"

Japan came out last, since he did not really believe that someone had really come to their rescue. In his skepticism, he found that solution too convenient.

"Japan! Japan!" America brightened immediately. "Japan! Yo, come here!" He picked up his bag and dropped it in front of Japan. "Dude! You have to see what I made for you."

Japan hesitantly looked away. "O-Oh, America-kun... There is a ship here..."

"Ha, don't worry about those losers! We can have fun all by ourselves!" America crept uncomfortably close to Japan. "Right? You'll stay with me, won't you?"

Japan bowed his head and pursed his lips. "Eto, eto, eto..."

America's eyes gleamed behind his glasses. "Yeah?"

Japan concentrated very had to think of an appropriate excuse. But America was so close, and looking straight at him. Why did America care so much about Japan's presence, anyway? It was impressively sad to Japan how lonely America was. "B-But if you return home, America-kun, you can spend time with your brother. You, eto, you would not be lonely. You do not need to settle for someone that you do not even-"

"My bro, seriously? Ha! I don't even remember his name. No way! Let's stay here."

"I-I mean, eto, that you could find someone else's company very easily-"

"Why? I don't need to hang out with any other people. We're good, right?"

"I mean, you do not need me, America-kun-"

"Here, I have something to show you!" America reached into the painted bag and pulled out a huge metallic gun, as large as himself. He rested it on his shoulder and looked into the sight. "Cool, huh? I have been building it for you!"

Japan cringed a little at the sight of a firearm. Didn't America say that weapons weren't allowed here? "Eto, America-kun, I do not think that-"

"Check it out! Watch this!" America raised the enormous gun to the sky. "Ha ha! Stand back, Japan!"

"America-k-kun, do not-!"

The brash nation pulled the trigger and fired. A large rocket shot into the air, swerving erratically and shooting spurts of different colors of gasses in the sky. The colors formed shapes as a picture began to take form.

Japan stood speechless, as America grinned wildly.

The rocket formed a scene, drawn crudely in manga style, of the two playing the Japanese racing game from before. The American was beaming while the Japanese smiled calmly, and the two each had an arm over the other's shoulders. There was even an unrealistic picture of a rising sun behind them.

Japan envied the serenity on the face of his likeness. Sure, it was not exactly the most romantic picture, but it certainly made Japan blush. "W-What is the purpose of-?"

"Come on, you like it, right? And wait, there's more!"

"More...?"

The rocket fell back down to the earth, spiraling down near the coastline, right on top of eleven other unsuspecting countries.

It wasn't a ship. It was a fort.

Germany stood amazed before the enormous sea fort that had managed to park so very near the coastline. England had built forts exactly like these during World War Two to defend himself from the Luftwaffe, and Germany recognized this particular structure to be the Roughs Tower, or as it was once known, His Majesty's Fort Roughs.

Nowadays the fort was just called the Principality of Sealand. It made Germany bitter just thinking about it. After all, there had been a hostage situation on this fort several years ago. First, a citizen of Sealand had been taken hostage here by some crazy German and his mercenaries, but then the tables turned and the Germans were taken captive. So, Germany had to send a diplomat to work everything out.

Sealand claimed that this was proof that Germany considered Sealand to be an official state. The whole situation made the German man groan.

Well, maybe that so-called recognition was why Sealand had come now to save them? Maybe everything would work out after all.

Italy whistled nonchalantly after Germany. China, Russia, England, and France were not far behind and began to gather as well, waiting optimistically for the childish nation they knew was aboard to throw them a rope so they could climb the fort and get the heck out of this place.

Instead, they heard a bombastic shout from above. "Kesesese~! Your awesome savior has arrived!"

Germany's hopeful face melted pitifully. Of all people to come to their rescue... "Hölle keine..."

Prussia threw his silver-haired head over the top of the deck and grinned down at them. "Hey, West!" He jumped over the edge, slid down the side of the fort, and landed on the sandy beach. "Your big brother is here to save you!"

Germany narrowed his eyes, and noticed the redness in those of his brother's. "Have you slept well-?"

"Man, I was so cool today, West! When I realized you were gone, the awesome me was all over it." Prussia beamed madly and slapped Germany on the shoulder. "Spain figured out where you guys went, so it was up to me to find a way to get here. I got Sealand to give us a ride, since he's the fastest thing in the water. I just reminded him how you and I are the only country that recognizes him, and-"

"Fine, fine!" Germany looked behind him to see if America had followed. "Quickly, let us leave now."

"Yeah, that's a good plan." Prussia looked back to the fort. "Spain! Throw it down!"

The Spaniard waved merrily from the deck, and threw a rope ladder down. "¡Adelante! All aboard!"

"Awesome!" Prussia reached for the rope ladder.

But his hand went right through it, as if it did not exist.

Everyone gasped and froze in silence.

That is, except for the calm Russia, who noted without complaint, "Seems like one of England's spells. It appears that he does not want us to leave~"

"A-Absolutely not!" England replied fearfully, and his eyes went white. He was the most petrified of all.

Prussia's red eyes twitched, and his proud smile fell. "W-What?" He tried again. "What is going on?" He dug at the rope several more times, and every time his fingers passed through. "What the hell? Spain, throw me a real one!"

"It, it is real up here, though?" Spain yelled back helplessly with a shrug.

"G-Give me th-that!" England pushed past the other countries and grasped for the rope, but it did not work for him either. "B-Bloody hell!"

France tried as well, but, as in most of his endeavors, he failed to grasp anything. "Quelle honte..."

"This is ridiculous!" China also reached for it, but he failed as well, which made him swear several times under his breath.

Russia went up to it and passed his hand through it in innocent amusement.

"Ve~?" Italy poked at the deceptive thin air as well.

Germany growled in frustration. Damn! They were so close to getting off of this island. Why wasn't this working? "Verdammt!" He thrust at the rope.

His fingers connected with the stark material. Several pairs of resentful eyes fell on the German.

"Whoa! Yeah, that's how we do it!" Prussia laughed. "Nice going, West!"

"How...?" Germany stared at the rope. It felt perfectly real in his palm. Why could only he touch it? "H-Here, try it again, East."

Prussia did just that. Not only did his fingers go through the rope, but they also went through Germany.

The Germans were very startled. They could not touch each other.

"Wow!" Italy cheerfully waved his arm around in Germany's ethereal stomach. "Ve~! This is fun! Look Germany, I'm inside of you!"

"S-Stop that at once!" Germany let go of the rope, and Italy's arm was forced out by the return of pressure. "This is absurd..."

"B-Blast all..." England started shaking miserably. "S-Since when can you control m-magic, Germany!"

"I am doing no such thing!"

"Wait, everyone! ¡No hay que preocuparse! I will carry you all up!" Spain sat on the edge of the port. "I was able to touch Prussia a moment ago, so maybe if I do not let go of the rope, I can bring him back up?"

"Y-Yes! A-A-Absol-lutely." England agreed needlessly. He had not the faintest idea what was happening, but he wanted to seem like an expert.

Russia replied casually. "That will not work."

England shot daggers with his furious green eyes at the Russian. "Wanker!"

"Bueno, hold the rope, Romano! I am going down." Spain jumped over the side and easily crawled down the ladder. It was working well, until his feet touched the ground.

This time, the rope fell through the entire port, as if the Principality of Sealand was nothing but a hologram. Plus, the surprised country who had been holding the rope from the deck came plummeting down.

Spain jumped to the nation's rescue, and caught Romano in his arms. "Ah! Are you all right?"

"L-Let go of me!" Romano struggled and kicked until Spain put him gently down on the sand. Romano stood up immediately and pouted with crossed arms, looking away from everyone. "Fucking ship!"

At this point, France abandoned the hope of rescue, and went back to formulating a plan. His gaze shifted from his targets, Germany and Italy, to his partners in crime, Prussia and Spain, who were now stuck here with him.

"Ha ha..." Spain rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose that did not work. Pues, we will have to try something else. Sealand! Sealand, are you up there?"

The young country smirked down at them hysterically. "You guys need my help?" Sealand was ecstatic. This was wonderful! Finally, it was Sealand's turn to shine. Now everyone would recognize him as a country!

"No! No!" England waved frantically in the negative. "Don't come down here!"

Sealand laughed. "Obviously, you wouldn't let me help! Sod off!"

"No, that's not it! Listen..." England put a finger to his temple. "There's a spell on this island! If you come down here, you won't be able to get out! That is why we can't grab the rope, or, perchance, why the rope fell through the deck."

"But what about Germany?" Italy poked his former commander, expecting the German to become a hologram again. "He could touch the rope before!"

"Stop that, Italy. We need to think of a way out of this." Germany did not understand anything about magic, but it did not escape him that he was somehow immune to the spell. He approached one of the supports of the sea fort, and indeed, he was able to feel it.

"So, only Germany can escape?" Prussia scratched the back of his head. "Ha, I wonder if he would go with Sealand and just leave us all here?"

"Nein. Nein, of course not." Germany answered immediately. But then he took a second to consider it. Could he really get off of this island? Everyone else was trapped anyway, and it wouldn't hurt anyone if he left...

"Very funny, Prussia~! Germany would never leave us!" Italy hugged his best friend around an arm. "Right, Germany, ve~?"

"... Right." Germany nodded. It was foolish for him to think otherwise, he told himself.

England shook his head. He was so thoroughly puzzled, and guilty, because he knew this magic could only be his fault. "Or, or maybe America cast a spell? Yes, perhaps-"

"Niet. It was you." Russia smiled.

England glared fiercely and grew very dark. "Th-that's impossible! When d-did I cast a spell?"

Suddenly, the sound of exhaust fumes in the sky caught everyone's attention. Everyone looked up and saw America's rocket spurting out colorful gasses, forming an awkward picture of America and Japan.

Prussia burst out laughing. "What is that all about!"

The rocket pumped out its last bit of color, then turned sharply down on to them.

China shrieked, "Run!"

But the rocket came before they could act. It crashed right into the Principality of Sealand and exploded in a magnificent burst of fire and fireworks. Half of the port broke away and fell into the water, while the half that Sealand was standing on remained intact.

"Holy fuck!" Romano screamed. "What the hell is going on in this crazy island!"

"My house!" Sealand cried out, and held his head in worry. "Oh no! My boss will kill me when he finds out! I have to go back and get it repaired, if it can still move!"

Spain cupped his mouth and called out. "Sealand! I think you should get off of that fort before it breaks down and sinks!"

"No way! I'm not getting down! I don't want to be stuck on that island with you people! This is just awful!" Sealand shook his head fretfully. "I come to help you countries and this is what I get! I'm just going to stay here and repair my house, then, and then I am leaving. You all need to find another way off yourselves!" And with that, Sealand left them to search his broken house for any surviving equipment.

Spain sighed. "I guess this did not work out so well..."

"Are you kidding? The awesome me has found West!" Prussia puffed out his chest. "Mission successful!"

"Dummkopf..." Germany already started walking back to the pub, groaning. Well, this was all a bust. Now a few more countries were stranded with them. Germany supposed that he could climb the port and help Sealand fix his house, perhaps, but that would just speed up the time that Sealand needs to leave the island and Germany did not want Sealand to leave until the curse on the island had been lifted and everyone could go home. So, what could he do?

England, convinced that America must have cursed the island, crossed his arms indignantly and followed Germany to confront the boastful patriot.

Italy floated along behind Germany and England. "Ve~"

"W-Wait, Italy." France beckoned quietly to the boyish nation. "Could you come here for a moment? And, chut, be quiet, don't tell Germany, come quietly..."

Italy stopped, and skipped over. "Hi, big brother France!"

"Chut! Little Italy! Be quiet or Germany will hear..." France crept over to Russia and China. "E-Excuse me, Russia, about that, eh, uh, thing, oui, about that thing I wanted you to do?"

China's eyes widened. "Are you asking for a favor from Rus...?" The sentiment frightened China. "G-Goodb-bye!" He ran off and followed Germany.

Russia beamed. "China is very cute, da?"

"Oh, yes, he is." France nodded, then shook his head vigorously. "Oh, b-but I am not i-interested in him! I mean, I think he is cute, but I would never, I mean-"

"You stop now, da?"

"M-Merci..." France cleared his throat loudly. "P-Please wait here a moment with Italy." The Frenchman quickly slipped over to the remaining countries.

Russia walked over to Italy. "Hello, comrade. You are cute as well, da?"

"Hi, Russia~!"

"Hello." Russia found the Italian to be very comforting. It was nice that there was a country around who did not shy away from him. "You are a very nice country." The Russian gave Italy a pat on the head. "You do not run from me, like others. Do I not scare you, comrade?"

"Ne?" Italy blinked. Everyone he knew was at least a little bit scary, so he didn't understand Russia's question.

"Ah, mes amis!" France nearly tackled Prussia and Spain in a group hug. "It is so wonderful to have you two here!"

Prussia snickered. "Where else would we be?"

"Yes, I must admit, I am somewhat relieved to find you captured by America, France." Spain chuckled. "I thought that you had forgotten about our engagement and left me on purpose. Isn't that right, Romano?"

"This sucks!" Romano kicked the sand. "I can't believe I am fucking stuck here with these fucking bastards!"

"Right!" Spain cheerfully translated for him.

"So, what's America pulling here, anyway?" Prussia noticed his younger brother leaving. "West seems even less happy than normal. And why is everyone wearing a military costume? Ha, except for you! You look like a maid, and not the cleaning kind of maid!"

"Oh, that... Well, first of all, Germany's just upset about the reenactment." France lied. He knew Germany was upset about Italy, but there was no reason to tell Prussia that. "After all, America is making us reenact World War Two. And this outfit, well, it has kind of a long story. I will tell you all about it, but in return, I want you three to help me with a certain plan."

Spain looked at France in surprise, and Prussia's red eyes flickered in excitement.

"Not on your life! I am going to find that hamburger-sucking bastard and beat the shit out of him!" Romano straightened out his jacket and marched away, following the trajectory of the rocket to find America. There was no way he would follow Germany's lead.

"Oh, yes, and your clothes..." France glanced disapprovingly down at their modern attire of jeans and t-shirts. "I will give you some military uniforms from my tent when we get back to the maid cafe. Oh, no!" France cut off Prussia before he could say anything. "Do not get your hopes up about that!"

The explosion on the coast of the small island made Japan worry greatly for the well-being of the other nations. But America did not seem to care. "Ha ha! Now that's what I am talking about!"

"America-kun! What was the purpose of that?"

"Oh, come on, there doesn't have to be a point to it! It was for you!" America spun his enormous firearm on his finger like a mere basketball. "Well? It was pure ownage, wasn't it?"

"Eto, h-hai..." Japan avoided America's gaze by looking at the remains of the rocket. The picture made by the colorful gasses had been dispersed by the ceremony of fireworks, and it now formed a different shape. Or, rather, it formed several different shapes which constituted words in English.

Confused, Japan read them aloud. "S-Sorry about World War Two?"

America grinned immaturely. "Yeah!"

"... Ano..." Japan wanted very much to sink into the earth and disappear. America had clearly forgotten that, in fact, Japan had instigated the Pacific War, not America, although the Westerner's imperialism was certainly a contributing factor. And did America not remember the other parts, like the Japanese internment camps or the American prisoners of war? The conflict was not pretty for either side. Why was he apologizing, and now of all times?

America's colorful display was quite the feat of engineering, though. It certainly required compensation on the part of the recipient, lest the Japanese burden of rudeness and guilt rack the poor Oriental man.

Japan shyly searched through his pockets to find something, anything, that he could give America. Unfortunately there was nothing more in them than the cell phone he had brought to the island and, oh, the menu that France had drawn up for the maid cafe. But a menu would be a ridiculous gift!

Still, Japan had nothing else to give. He hesitated, then spurt out, "Eto, one, one moment!" Japan turned away from America and folded the piece of paper in his hands.

America blanked. "Hm? What's going on?"

"H-Here!" Japan turned back and presented the paper menu, folded into the shape of a delicate crane. "Please take in return for the fireworks. It, it is a crane, a symbol of mine for peace. Now we are, eto, we are both free of debts."

"Oh! Origami! Sweetness!" America beamed intensely and snatched the crumpled piece of paper. The happiness in his laughing eyes was absolutely grand, and he decided that he would compliment Japan using some Japanese that he had picked up. The strong nation exclaimed, "Aishiteru!"

"Ai-Aishiteru?" Those five simple syllables paralyzed Japan like a poison.

Aishiteru does not translate easily into English. America had intended to say, "I love it!"

But Japan had heard, "I love you!" Both meanings were accurate.

The misunderstanding was made worse by the fact that the Japanese tend to be reserved about love. Most couples tend to say "like," and might go their whole lives without saying "love" to each other. Although it is not inappropriate to hear "love," it is always bold and surprising.

America laughed and played around with the paper crane. "Dude, this is so cool! Thanks, Japan!"

Japan only shivered nervously. He could not bring himself to say anything.

"Hey, come on, buddy!" America slapped Japan on the back, making Japan shudder even harder. "Huh? Are you cold? Here, take my jacket." In a second, the brown bomber jacket came off and America slipped it through Japan's arms. "All better now, right?"

A strange knot formed in Japan's stomach, and he thought he was going to puke. "Eto, eto, eto, eto, eto, eto..."

"Good! Ah, that was fun." America combed back his hair with his fingers. "Eh, I'm bored now. Let's go find something fun to do!"

Japan gulped loudly and took many breaths, as though exhausted. Why did he feel so strange? Was he sick? America couldn't be serious, right?

"Maybe we can mess around with the other guys, if they're still here. If not, I have plenty of battery for my games! Oh, never mind, here come some of them now." America put his hands to his hips. "Ha ha! Back for more?"

Gasping for air and hunched forward slightly, Japan hardly noticed that Germany, England and China had returned. "Eto, eto, eto-"

"Japan!" China shrieked. "You are wearing America's jacket, aru! It is making you sick!"

Germany was less concerned. "It is better than the dress..."

"Maybe it is part of the curse on this island!" England muttered sinisterly. "And Japan is the first to go..."

"Don't you see what this means, aru?" China defensively pushed himself between America and Japan. "Japan is losing his culture to the Western devils, aru! How dare you so readily embrace internationalism and sell yourself out to leave your brothers behind, aru!"

Japan tried to raise his voice. "Eto, eto, Ch-China-kun..."

"Who is internationalism?" America asked.

"Bèndàn!" China hissed. "Japan, take off that article of clothing, aru!"

"Don't be mean, yo! Japan's cold." America easily elbowed China out of the way to hold Japan captive by the shoulder. "Right, Japan?"

Japan went dumb and nearly fainted.

"Bastardo americano! Andare all'inferno, stronzo!" An angry Italian stepped over some branches and rubbed some dirt off of his pants before striding right up to America and poking him in the chest. "You fucking American bastard!"

"What's up? Who are you?"

"I'm Italy! You recognized me on the phone!" Romano replied bitterly. "You are a bigger idiot than my brother! And he's a big enough idiot to come here! Now we are all fucking stranded on this island because of you! Just because you're rich enough to change the thermostat and leave lights on in your house doesn't mean that you can fucking hoard us here!"

America chuckled, and shrugged. "Why not? We're having fun, and this is awesome!"

"I'll tell you why, you overconfident fuck! How dare you take my brother without a second thought! I ought to send the mafia right to your house and teach you a lesson!"

"Oh." America smiled. "I bet you're just jealous. You missed the real Italy and were all lonely and pathetic, ha ha! You're so lame!"

Japan almost said something, but he still couldn't regained his nerves. Maybe this was his chance to flee, while America was distracted?

"Fuckface!" Romano punched America in the nose, or he moved to, but America merely slapped it away. "Cazzo, stand still!"

"Why?"

"Because you took Veneziano from me, bastard!" Romano tried to slam another fist into America.

Germany came forward, though, and pulled Romano away. "This is not accomplishing anything."

"Fucking German potato bastard! Let me go! You're not in charge of me anymore!" Romano squirmed. "Don't act all superior to me, just because your brother knew right away what happened and it took a day for me to realize my brother was gone!"

"What was that?" Germany lifted Romano up and questioned him by staring him in the eyes.

Romano shook fearfully for a second, but quickly overcame it with another fit of anger. "You s-stupid macho potato bastard! You don't even know that your bastard of an albino brother has been obsessed with finding you ever since you left! He couldn't even fucking shut up about it on the way over here!"

"Is that so?" Germany was surprised. He did not think that Prussia would worry about him like that. It made Germany feel a little responsible, since he had, after all, left Prussia without a word of explanation. And just now, he had left his brother on the beach so quickly. Germany knew that he should be grateful for having someone he can count on, unlike other countries he could not trust.

Cough, France, cough.

However, unlike Prussia, Romano had been left with the impression that his brother had only gone to the airport, and so Romano did not look into it until Spain called. Romano couldn't even remember why Veneziano had left their home in the first place. What a lousy older brother he turned out to be!

"Where're you going, Japan?" America called abruptly.

Japan froze in his tracks, less than a meter away from America. So much for an escape plan.

America smiled. "Oh, I get it! We should keep reenacting the war! That's what you're doing, right?"

The Japanese man held his hands anxiously. "E-Eto..."

"Exactly! Right! So! Who knows what comes next!" America asked, right in China's face.

"W-What is your problem, aru?" China took a step back. "Besides, we are missing several people."

"Ha! I don't need those guys, man!" As if to spite all of these nations, America grabbed Japan and hugged him possessively. "See? I've got all I need right here!"

Oh no! His personal space again! Japan couldn't take much more of this. "Am-mericak-kun-!"

"America!" China protested at the sight. "Release Japan!"

"Ja." Germany said. "Look at him. He is clearly uncomfortable."

"Let go of him already, wanker... We need as many people as possible to fight the evil magic here..."

"Oh? What are you guys talking about?" America pulled Japan out to arm's length and asked him. "Are you okay, Japan?"

Confused and startled, Japan realized that he had to steel himself and tell America something, anything, that would end this disaster, or it would only continue to drag on. But when Japan searched for an answer behind America's glasses, he saw those lonely, gleaming eyes, trying so very had to find an answer in Japan's black gaze.

"H-Ha, Hai." Japan answered as calmly as possible. "P-Please c-contin-nue with th-the reena-actem-ment."

"Hah, yeah! See, Japan is cool. You guys are retards." America let Japan go and asked China again. "So, what comes next?"

Japan stood quietly off to the side, hyperventilating.

"Fine, aru." China rolled his eyes up in thought. "I believe we are still in autumn of 1944. The Allies take Belgium, and Russia declares war on Bulgaria, aru."

"What?" Romano cried out in fear. "It is 1944? Fuck! I've gone back in time!"

"Don't be absurd..." England said with a low voice, still searching for the source of the curse with the imaginary power of his mind. "This is just a farby reenactment..."

"What? Then, if it's 1944, this is when the Allies start invading your ass, potato bastard!" Romano pointed an accusing finger at his former drill sergeant. "H-Ha ha! I remember that! England and America come in from one side, then later, Russia from the other! You finally got what was coming to you!"

Germany frowned. "I hardly think-"

"I would not be taking the high ground if I were you, aru." China shrugged. "We already invaded you, Romano."

"W-What! What! You i-invaded me w-without me? That's not fair! Humph! Bastards, all of you!" Romano threw a tantrum by digging his feet into the ground and crossing his arms, refusing to move or say anything else.

America pushed up his glasses in concentration. "Hold on. Hold on. You mean, we actually invade the Nazi already, in 1944? No way! Even I know the war ended in 1945! You can't trick me."

"1944 w-was the beginning of th-that invasion, America, that is true." Germany answered stoically. "But Berlin and most of my land remained until 1945-"

"Okay! Invasion of Germany, 1944! Yeah. We'll just do the part without the Commies." America took a few steps toward the maid cafe. "Since it's Germany, why not another drinking game? I hardly got a drink last time, and Japan really liked the game, right, Japan?"

Japan looked nervously at the other countries. "S-Someone please help me..."

"No more beer, aru!" China barked. "Why can't we play a more wholesome game?"

Germany was a little offended by that remark. Beer is perfectly wholesome!

"B-Before we get to that," England interrupted. "There is still the matter of the spell on this island."

"Huh? Spell?" America repeated pointlessly.

"Yes, git! A spell!" England replied bitterly. "You mean, you do not know about it?"

"Know about what?"

"The bloody spell!"

"Uh, no, I guess I don't." America pretended to contemplate the idea by holding his chin. "Aren't spells your thing, anyway?"

"B-But this magic isn't mine! It, it can't be!" England pulled his hair back. "That's impossible. It is certainly impossible!"

America chuckled. "I think you've finally gone of the deep end, Iggy! Ha ha- oh! Oh, I got it!" A spark passed his face, and he snapped his fingers. "I know what we'll play! Yeah! We'll go back to the clearing in the middle of the island and use the paintball guns again! It'll be me and England on one side, and Germany on the other!"

China scoffed indignantly. "That is very unoriginal, aru-"

But America was already speeding away, pushing his emotional wreck of a Japanese friend along with him, leaving the enormous firearm in the green bag behind.

After recounting the happenings of the island (or, at least, the ones that France was at liberty to discuss) to the newcomers, France gathered Prussia, Spain, Italy, and Russia in a small circle. "Listen, everyone. How would you all, oh, like to play a game with me?"

"Oh, I know what that means! What are you planning this time, France?" Spain asked with a laugh.

"Ja, we want in!" Prussia answered confidently, even though he was still twitching erratically as a result of his hours lost to worry and insomnia.

"Well, it is very important that no one be able to trace this scheme back to me." France scanned all the faces in front of him, though he skipped over Russia's. "You all need to keep this game a secret, understand?"

Spain nodded. "Vale."

Prussia leaned in closer. "Gut."

"Yay, a game!" Italy shouted with excitement, then hushed his voice to a whisper. "Oh, sì, ve~"

"Of course, comrade." Russia answered simply. "I keep many secrets, da?"

"Eh, b-bien." France impulsively rubbed the back of his neck and his shoulder. "L-Let me start with the objective of the game. You see, there is a certain country on this island who is, oh, a little too stiff-"

"Ha ha!" Prussia burst out boldly. "Natürlich! We're getting West some action, huh? 'Bout time!"

Spain's eyes opened wider, and looked at the clueless Italy. "Caray..."

"Oui, Prussia, though I would not put it that way." France gave Italy a pat on the back. "And, if this plan works, then I will make Germany confess to Italy all by himself! Ah, it is a genius plan!"

"Confess? Ve~ I knew it!" Italy declared cheerfully. "Germany does like my pasta!"

Spain sighed with a resigned smile. "... I think France means a different kind of confession, Italy."

Prussia snickered. "Why don't you just throw Italy on top of West and call it a day? That would be a lot easier than making a whole plan, and a lot funnier too."

"Believe it or not, mon cher, I already tried that. Non, non, it did not work... I need the most wonderful, sinister plan that a Frenchman can think of! And with you two here, I have it!" France winked. "There is absolutely no way that this scheme will fail. You see, I am going to win Germany over through nothing more than peer pressure."

"Peer pressure?" Prussia laughed derisively. "Really, that's the best you can come up with?"

"Absolutely! I believe that Germany is difficult because he is prideful, among some, uh, some other reasons. It is too embarrassing for him, I think. I know this because when America ran in on them, he..." France spoke faster to skip over that part. "Well, I can use this to my advantage. If I can get everyone else on the island to play along and pair up, then Germany will follow the crowd and confess to Italy, non?"

"Wait, France." Spain smiled worriedly. "I think that we may be taking advantage of Veneziano here. We should make sure that Italy here has the passion for love, or this will never work!"

"Oh, leave that to me." France scooted closer to Italy, but he didn't touch the small nation, for fear that if Germany ever found out, there would be dire consequences. "Ah, little Italy, you like Germany, oui?"

"Ve~" Italy swayed his head.

"And you would like to see him happy?"

Italy stopped, then nodded. "Ve!"

"And!" Spain added dreamily. "Do you hold him close to your heart? Do you see him when you close your eyes, do you hear him when you listen to the gentle music of guitar strings-"

"In other words!" Prussia cut in bluntly. "Do you want to make out with him?"

"Prussia! You cannot ask him so directly!" France threw back his hair. "You must be subtle, mon cher, which is why this is a game. The rules? Just confess your love to someone, and make sure the stubborn German sees it..."

Russia hummed. "How does one win game, comrade?"

"Oh, eh, it's a team game. We will all win if Germany gets with Italy. And we absolutely must win. We will win!" France chuckled darkly and muttered lowly. "Take that, Rheinbund..."

"Ha ha ha! I like it." Prussia leapt up onto his feet. "Come on! It's time for the awesome us to save West!"

Armed with the paintball guns, America and England stood on the Allied side of the clearing while Germany took his place on the Axis side. Japan, China, and Romano, however, did not bother separating, and instead stayed together off to the side.

"What the hell are they doing?" Romano roughly nudged China. "What the fuck is going on?"

China resisted sticking his tongue out at the vulgar nation. "Be more polite and I will tell you, aru."

"Humph. Forget it! I don't fucking care."

Japan sat quietly, with his eyes as dark as ever but his cheeks flushed pink, hoping that America would explain his strange behavior at some point and that someone else would save him from this strangeness.

"Okay!" America raised his gun. "Here we go! Invasion of Germany on the Western front, 1944! But, this game will be different than the one before. The goal here is to try and shoot the target on the other side. I'll mark this line here." America dragged his foot across the ground. "Stay behind this and shoot!"

England groaned. "All right. But as soon as this is done, I have to find the source of the curse! So, let's win this quickly and be done with it."

It seemed to Germany that England's most efficient way out would be to lose more quickly, not win. Nonetheless, Germany pointed out impatiently, "There are no targets, America."

"Oh. Yeah. Right. Hey, Romano! China!" America shouted at the three temporarily-neutral nations. "Go stand over there, at the end of this wide space!"

"Why the fuck should I do that, hamburger bastard!"

"Yes, what are you up to, aru?"

"Nothing!" America replied innocently while he found a satisfactory position behind the line. "Stand at the way rear, you two! Oh, no, that's too far. A little to the left. Good, perfect, stay right there! Oh, wait, Japan..."

Japan stopped and shook. "H-Hai?"

"You, uh, shouldn't stand there with those two. Come on! You can come here and stay by us!" America pointed to the ground beside him.

"... What?" England glanced curiously at his Ally. "America, don't you remember that Japan is an enemy? Honestly, you are terribly fickle!"

"What's the problem? Japan can't be with us? He can stand in the middle, then." America grinned. "You got an issue with that?"

England grimaced. "You are treating Japan very strangely... is all."

"Oh, that's just 'cause he's so awesome. Right?" America welcomed the coming Axis power with a hand wave. "Right, Japan?"

"Hai..." Japan quietly stepped in between the two Allies and the single Axis power, tentatively avoiding America's reach. He also ignored Germany's curious gaze.

"Ha ha! Japan's a little shy, I think." America whispered carelessly to England. "Isn't he cute?"

The British gentleman's ears perked up. "Hm? Cute! What do you-?"

"Let's do this! The hero goes first!" America quickly pointed his gun at Romano from across the field and fired.

"Wha-!" A red slush struck a very surprised Romano's left hand. "Ah-Ow!" Infuriated, he screamed, "Chigi!"

England, with only the most minimal amount of hesitation, followed suit and opened fire on China.

"Huh-!" A green coat of paint violently colored China's shoes, making the man recoil at the blow. "A-Aru! T-Traitors, aru!"

"Ha ha! We got them! Right on target!" America stylishly blew off the aperture of the paintball gun, as if it were smoking, and scoffed Germany. "Beat that, Axis!"

"... Ja..." Germany raised his own paintball gun and aimed at Romano.

Romano's eyes opened wide and he waved his hands. "W-What the hell are you d-doing, potato bastard! D-Don't shoot me! I-I am an Axis, I, I started as an Axis, anyway! Shoot the opium bastard!"

China shook his hands with fury. "Don't shoot me, either, aru!"

"Hm." Germany, recognizing that there was no reason for him to win, angled his gun away from Romano, and fired his gun into the empty space between Romano and China.

The purple splatter of paint wrapped around thin air and floated. Romano and China stared at the floating paint in confusion. China muttered, "The paint must be affected by England's curse, aru..."

"Ha! Whoa! You suck! Total miss! Yeah, Allies win!" America cheered and tossed his gun to the side. "Come on, Japan! Let's celebrate!"

"No, no, no!" England wagged his finger at America. "I have had enough of you obsessing over Japan!"

"What are you talking about, dude? Hah, you are so weird sometimes, Iggy. Are you just jealous 'cause Japan is so much more awesome than you?"

"Twit!" England nearly pulled his hair out. "W-What the bloody hell is wrong with you! Your behavior is unacceptable. I did not raise you like some nancy boy! I insist that you leave Japan alone this instant!"

America shrugged. "Why should I listen to you?"

England flinched back. That comment hurt him more than he would have expected. England steadied himself by planting his feet and sharpening his tongue. "Well, d-don't you want to have an accurate reenactment? U-Unless, you want to be just some farby amateur..."

"Hmm..." America tapped his chin with his finger. "Yeah, I guess. Hey, Japan! Go to the Axis side. We can hang out later, right?"

Japan stopped himself from breathing a large sigh of relief. "H-Hai!" He returned to Germany's side as modestly as possible.

"Hah, what am I saying..." America slapped his forehead and laughed. "You're not leaving, right, Japan? We're just on different sides for now, is all. Okay. That's fine. That's fine! Yeah! Come on, you guys, let's hurry this up. China, other Italy person, get over here!"

England grimaced and shook his head, while China and Romano came over, preparing their venomous chastising speeches for the American dictator.

Meanwhile, Japan delicately avoided conversation with his leader. "D-Do not mind me, Germany-kun. I will stand here and not bother you."

"Ja..." Germany looked his miserable friend over. "Sowieso, are you well, Japan?"

"H-Hai."

"You do not seem well."

"I, et, eto, I am well." Japan answered quietly.

Germany frowned. "Are you sick? If so, then a respite in the work is acceptable, if you are sick enough-"

"Please d-do not worry about me, Germany-kun." Japan nodded heavily to make his point. "I, eto, I am sure that America will come to his senses soon."

"Oh, is that all? Calm down, Japan. We are nearing the end of the war; this will all be over soon. Do not worry about it."

"... Hai." Japan was a little frustrated that Germany did not see the problem, but then again, Germany wouldn't be able to help Japan anyway; they suffered from very nearly the same dilemma.

"All right, everyone!" America shouted rapturously. "It's time to-!"

"Kesesese!"

America, England, Japan, Germany, Romano, and China, in that order, turned to see Prussia proudly leading his entourage of Russia, France, Spain, and Italy to the fray. "The awesomeness has arrived!"

Without missing a beat, America marched out to the middle of the field to meet them. "Where did you guys come from?"

The five nations with America gathered behind him, all of them impatient for the next round to continue and for the game to end. Even the floating slush of purple paint drifted over toward the group.

Spain chuckled lightheartedly. "Oh, we just came to stop by."

"And dragged me along, tomato bastard..." Romano grumbled, though that was not true at all. He was secretly glad to see his brother, smiling obliviously behind Russia.

"Ha ha ha!" Prussia struck a valiant pose. "You cannot hide my little brother from me! I'm here to rescue West because I'm the awesome-"

"Wait, wait, wait." America scratched his head. "So, now we have the other Italy, Romano, and Spain, yeah. But," America pushed his glasses up. "Who are you, the one with the red eyes?"

"The awesome me, of course!"

"But who are you? You're not a nation, as far as I know." America shrugged with an ironically apologetic smile. "This reenactment is for countries, only. Sorry."

Prussia's smirk twitched. "You think I'm..."

"No, no, America!" Spain said quickly. "Prussia is Germany's older brother, like Romano is Veneziano's-"

"Don't bother with that, Spain!" Prussia turned back to his friend and grinned crazily. "We have a game to play, ja! And check this out. I am going to win it for us!" Prussia pushed past America, flashed a superior smirk to his confused brother, and stood in front of the floating slush of purple paint.

"Already?" France whispered. "I hope this is not too soon..."

Prussia took the hands of the floating paint. "Hey!"

Canada widened his eyes in amazement. "Y-You can see me, sir?"

Everyone else gaped as the sudden appearance of Canada, who, in fact, had been there the entire time. Having been another passenger on the plane for America and England, poor Canada was just as invisible as he had been during the war. Germany swore at his bad luck for having unintentionally hit Canada with the paintball gun, but at least they would be able to find him now.

"You bet!" Prussia knelt down. "So, ja. Hören! I love you, Kumpel! Be my boyfriend, ja!"

Canada stared in shocked confusion.

The silence that ensued was broken only by a poorly-suppressed French laugh of victory. France was grinning from ear to ear, taking in the German's wonderfully devastated expression.

"W-Was! Du trottel! Schwachsinnige!" Germany screamed at Prussia. "What is wrong with you!"

"Me? Ha! What's wrong with you, West?" Prussia took the startled Canada by the arm. "You don't like my boyfriend? I think that he's cute. And, despite what Herr Not-Awesome thinks," he shot a superior look at America, "Canada and I both exist. Ha ha ha!"

"Ex-xcuse me, M-Mister Prussia... " Canada stuttered.

"You're with me now, ja?" Prussia pulled Canada closer, making sure that the pissed-off Germany got a good look. "So... Do you want to make out?"

Canada gasped. "I, I, no! Goodness, w-what is going on here...?"

Not wanting to be the slow one of the group, Spain quickly picked up where Prussia left off. "Oh, Romano..." Spain glided over to his former charge. "¡Hola, Romano!"

Romano flinched back in annoyance. "What are you about?"

Spain knelt down on the ground, as Prussia had done, and gave Romano a knowing smile.

"Are you... Doing what... He just.. No! No! Fuck no!" Romano shrieked madly, and kicked Spain's face. "S-Stay away from me, tomato bastard!"

Spain fell backwards, and laughed lightheartedly while rubbing his nose. "Pero, R-Romano-"

"You people are fucking crazy!" Romano backpedalled nervously. "This island is fucking crazy!"

England agreed. "Right! That is because there is a curse-"

"Shut up, tea-drinking bastard! I did not ask you!"

"Romano, please." Spain smiled charmingly. "Let me explain."

Instead, being the true Italian that he is, Romano pushed past a couple of countries and fled screaming, towards the camp of the Allies. "Get the hell away from me~!"

Italy waved. "Ciao, Romano!"

The cheerful Spaniard sighed. Well, that did not work very well. "Ay, Romano... Wait for me, I can explain!" Spain got back on his feet and dashed after him.

"Hey, don't go without us, Spain!" Prussia hugged the shellshocked Canada around the neck and pushed him along, laughing maniacally. "Come on, Canada, let's go get a beer."

"W-Where do you think you are going! Get back here!" Germany shouted and stormed after them.

France turned away to hide his devilish smirk from the others. Everything was going perfectly. As long as Spain, and maybe Italy, could get Romano to capitulate, then they would win the game in no time. And with that thought, he sidestepped over to Italy and whispered some casual advice. "Oh, Italy, I think you should follow them... And tell your brother to play along, oui? Or else, we cannot win."

"Huh? Oh, molto bene~!" Italy skipped away.

France pursed his lips. That was too easy!

"Ha, see you people later." America laughed. "Crap, all these new countries are making things confusing. Yo, let's get back to the reenactment!" America turned to the nearest Asian, who happened to be China because Japan was keeping his distance. "What happens next?"

France suddenly broke out into laughter at his genius. Evidently, he had been holding it in until the German was out of earshot. England gave him a wry look, but no one else cared.

"... I'll just skip the liberation and civil war of Greece, aru..." China remarked with a biting tone. "At the beginning of 1945, you begin to retake the Philippines from Japan, and then you start firebombing, aru."

"Wait." America looked up in thought. "... Japan, you said?"

China nodded, suspicion sparkling in his eye.

Japan jumped in shock, but he couldn't run away. The brown bomber jacket on his shoulders felt like a suspiciously warm straightjacket.

"Cool! Ha ha!" America immediately ran and jumped onto the shaking Japan. "Now it totally counts, England! I can hang out with Japan again!"

"Western devil!" China growled. "If you're going to do that, would you at least remove your jacket from his person, aru!"

Japan muttered quietly, "P-Please let go, A-America-kun-"

"What is wrong with you, America! Your behavior is completely inappropriate!" England slapped the young patriot upside the head. "The curse will have to wait for me to teach you a few basics about proper etiquette!"

"Ow, dude! Lay off!" America shrugged off the blow. "It's not like I have to listen to you."

Once again, that retort hurt the British Gentleman a little too much. But England wasn't caught off guard this time. "Oh, is that so!" He hollered back with all his dignity. "What has Japan done for you that I haven't done!"

America finally let Japan go, so he could shout back at England. "Well, he recognizes how awesome I am, for starters! At least he treats me like his equal, and not some subordinate!"

"What! That is utterly absurd." England put his hands to his hips. "I treat you as an equal. Granted, an equal that I raised from the ground up! An equal that can't even distinguish me from Ireland or Scotland on a bloody map!" England ran a hand through his hair. "And now I see you becoming some sort of bender, a barmy faggot, for a man you hardly even know!"

Japan, grateful to be able to breathe again, quietly stepped aside but stayed near enough so as not to arouse suspicion from America. "Eto, I think that it might be best if you two calmed down-"

"Man, are you talking about Japan? You retard, check this out." America showed England the crane that Japan had sculpted in a haste, cradling it carefully on his palms. "Origami! And it's a crane, which represents peace, I think. See? I do know stuff about Japan."

"Really!" England eyed the scrap of paper with contempt. "So Japan here says a few kind words and gives you some piece of rubbish, and suddenly-"

"It's not trash! It's a crane!"

"Well, then, let's see if it flies!" England snatched the crane from America's hands, his tight grip violently distorting the paper wings, and threw it off to the side with such a vigor that the crane plummeted harshly and immediately to the ground.

America, startled and angry, stared quietly at the ruined gift.

The tension in the air finally ripped France from his scheming, and he wondered if maybe England hadn't gone too far. Japan and China were both silent, and Russia only smiled darkly.

"O-Oh." England's eyes widened at his error. "America... I, I did not intend to-"

"Dude." America muttered lowly. "That wasn't cool."

There was a stark moment of silence.

That is, until Russia joyfully and swiftly broke it, like an empty bottle of vodka. "I think this would be perfect time to hold Yalta Conference, da?"

I am sure that you all remember where England's curse is from.

By the way, military forts are typically stationary and rarely travel halfway around the world to nondescript islands. Sealand, however, is different, as shown in the Hetalia movie, ha ha.

Thanks for reading!