Titled "And then there were X" because they don't know how many are missing, and, therefore, how many are left. In math, the most common thing used to stand in for an unknown value is x, such as in the problem x+5=15. It's algebra, hopefully you already know this.

From here on out, I'm using a combination of human and country names.

Check the other chapters for the disclaimer.

New Characters:
Ludwig - (West) Germany
Gilbert - Prussia/East Germany

"When I came home from work he was just... gone. No note or anything," Ludwig explained. "I started calling around, looking for him, but no one has seen him at all. I'm getting really worried... this isn't like him..."

"That makes three missing..." Alfred groaned. "This is turning into a real-life horror movie!"

"Ve~ H-horror movie? I'm scared, Doitsu!"

"Don't worry, Italy-kun. I'm sure Germany-san will protect you."

"And I'll... nevermind. I'm no hero. Mathew was taken from right under my nose, and I couldn't protect him..." Alfred said, sounding dejected.

"Wait. Three missing. So it's bruder, Mathew, and who else?"

"Romano. Gilbert, Mathew, and Lovino," Alfred responded, sounding more and more depressed with each name he listed off.

"America-san," Kiku murmured, noticing the change in Alfred's tone, "this isn't your fault."

"Yes, it is! The villian was probably after ME! Poor Mattie was probably captured because he looks like me!"

"Or it was a crime of opportunity. They seem to be traveling west. Don't forget they attacked me as well, Alfred-san."

Everyone fell silent, for different reasons. Alfred was struggling to come up with a response, Feliciano was still freaking out, Kiku was waiting for Alfred's response, and Ludwig was just trying to listen and figure everythng out.

"Attacked?" Ludwig finally asked. "What do you mean, 'attacked'?"

"Three kids tried to shove me into a giant bag. I only got away because I jumped back and closed the door before they could. All the doors and windows are locked now, in case they come back," Kiku replied, a calm voice hiding his true emotions.

"Ve~ I have an idea! Let's all meet up at Kiku's house!"

"Okay."

"Hai."

"Sounds good. I'll stop by and take you there, Feli. Don't leave without me, okay?"

"Okay, Doitsu! I'll wait! Ve~"

One by one, the countries hung up. At last, Japan was left listening to a dial tone and thinking negative thoughts.

'What if someone gets attacked? What if we all get captured? What if one of us turns traitor? What if one of them was already captured, and the three kids used him to set a trap? What if...'

His thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking at the door. Grabbing an old kunai off of a nearby shelf, Japan cautiously approached the door.

Sliding it open about half a foot, he looked out into the night to see...

America, Germany, and Italy. Sighing in relief, Japan slid the door open the rest of the way. "J-just you, thank goodness..."

"Heya, Japan! Whoa, what's up with the knife?"

"America, you cannot be too cautious at a time like this. We should all be carrying weapons," Germany said simply. "What if we had been those three kids you mentioned? Japan might have had to fend them off!"

"Okay, okay! I get it already!" Alfred chuckled, clamping a hand over Germany's mouth before he could say anything more as they walked in.

Japan closed and locked the door behind them. "So, what are we going to do to help the others?"

"Just drop the bags off here. We don't have enough to please Mr. Oogie Boogie yet."

Canada squirmed within the sack he was held in. What did they want from him?

"Who did you capture?"

Canada gasped. He knew that voice, vaguely. He couldn't place it, but he recognized it.

"What, we were supposed to ask for names?"

The familiar voice grumbled something about incompetence. Something nudged the bag.

"Maple!" Canada whimpered.

Soon afterwards, there came an indignant shout. "HEY! WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR? WHAT DO YOU WANT, DAMMIT!"

"So you have captured South Italy and Canada. Anything else?"

"We tried to capture an island nation, off the coast of Asia. They got away."

"Japan? I'm not surprised. He probably still practices the ninja arts."

The voices faded away, but Canada distinctly heard one say, "We're going back to catch more people, and to try to get Japan."

They'd been talking in Japan's house for a while now. All the windows were locked, and, of course, Japan had locked the door behind America, Italy, and Germany.

Looks like he was going to have to knock, as un-awesome as that was going to be...

Hey, look! It's Prussia!

By the by, I kinda need a Beta. I don't have one at the moment. Someone who's up late would be nice, cuz it's like 1:00 AM as I write this (caffine. love it! ^.^ ).