"Pass these out to the others," Veneziano whispered to Canada as he handed him some bags. "They're going to be important when we get to The Statue." Canada nodded and ran off, circling around the troops to hand the bags to the other nations. "Hopefully the people will be safe under my control," Veneziano mumbled to himself, still concerned.

"We don't doubt you," Spain said to him over his shoulder, "but if you keep doubting yourself you'll question everything you do. You won't be able to make decisions fast enough and you might end up putting your people in danger. You just have to relax."

Spain backed away to let Veneziano mull this over as Germany jogged up to the front of the line. "There's the Statue of Liberty." Germany nodded to the large statue ahead of them. "I'll start getting everyone together." He waited for Veneziano's nod before turning to the soldiers and passed out his orders.

The soldiers gathered around the small group of Nations under The Statue. Italy took a little time to get his thoughts in order before stepping in the center of the group. "I have a plan," Italy mumbled to the nations around him. "It may sound a little silly, but I would appreciate it if you could just go with it. I think it may really work."

Turkey pushed him forward, "Tell them. We'll be here."

"We don't want America to see us coming," he explained. "Our main task right now is to try to sneak in as many of our troops as possible before America gets wind of what's happening around him. From now until I give you the orders I want us to act like tourists. Stand around and relax for a while. Tell jokes and have fun. It'll conceal us and any spies will glance over us." Veneziano waved Canada forward and handed out the bags to the rest of the nations. "There are shirts and cameras in here. I want you to hand them out to the troops that are staying. Turkey, I need you to get two of your units and two of Germany's units to stand aside. I'm going to give them orders first."

As the soldiers broke ranks a messenger that had been sent ahead approached Italy, bowing at the waist. "There's no news from America's side except that he is acting over confident. He's sent many of his soldiers out across his country instead of leaving them close to guard him. The rumor is that no one is fighting for him unless they are forced. Maybe they're too patriotic to fight for another country or he may be threatening some of his soldiers... No one is putting their hearts in it. It's almost as if he wants us to win."

"We can't make those kinds of judgments without real evidence. If he wanted us to win he would have surrendered by now. His determination to meet us is proof that he wants to keep his title," Hungary argued. "We have to fight."

"We'll find out what's real and what isn't soon," Germany nodded. "We can't just sit around like this. We need to settle this war sooner rather than later.

"Make sure my flag flies high!" America ordered. "Everyone keeps telling me that they are coming, but I think we can handle them. If there were as many as I've been told we would've seen them by now. They're hiding which means that they'll probably stay out there until they die off." America shook his head furiously. "If so many soldiers wouldn't have run off we would be able to find them and meet them."

America heard a strange noise in the distance. At first he thought that he was hearing things, but a quick look at the soldier next to him told him otherwise. "Go see what that was. Hurry."

He watched the soldier leave and turned angrily away from the door. "I almost forgot what fear feels like," America said. "There was a time when a ghost story would've made me panic, but now there are real horror stories. They are so familiar to me that I can't bring myself to be frightened any longer.

"America?" the soldier said, coming back in. "Belarus is dead."

The nation nodded to himself. "She would've died later anyway. I would've heard that news eventually with the way things are going around here. Life really is a story told by an idiot." Another soldier ran into the room. His face was full of confusion and panic. "If you have something to tell me you should do it quickly."

"I should tell you what I heard, but I don't exactly know how to say it," the soldier said quickly. "I...I was in New York, passing the Statue of Liberty. I could've sworn that she was laughing."

Anger surged through America. "Liar!" he yelled.

"You can punish me if it isn't true, but just a few miles from here you can hear here!"

"I hope it isn't true," America mumbled, turning away. "I thought the psychics and their ghost were lying, but now Lady Liberty is laughing. I have to be prepared. There's no use in trying to run if this news is true." He looked at the soldiers. "Sound the alarms."

"Alarms!" Veneziano gasped. "Everyone, back in line!" He turned to the nations and shook his head, "We were able to sneak a lot of soldiers into the country by our distraction but we can't wait anymore. It's time for us to get moving. Take your soldiers and go ahead. Don't take any detours. Go straight to America. Hungary and I will do the rest."

"Good luck," Germany told him, bowing in respect.

"Let's go." Hungary pulled Veneziano away.