Were there any floors beyond the cells? Well, they knew there was deffinitely at least one floor beneath the cells. And they had to check it.
Worst of all, the only nation to ever wander down there was in the UK, trying to remember who he was. And the only information he ever gave on the floors beneath the cells was summarised in two words.
Dead Nations.
That was quite a bomb to drop. And no, when the Brit had said dead nations, he was probably not talking about the ones that disappeared centuries ago, such as the Holy Roman Empire or the Roman Empire* himself.
And sadly, he never got the chance to list which ones were dead, not that it mattered. Seeing your worst nation-enemy dead was just as bad as seeing a good friend gone, since, as a nation, you were bound to have been at war and willing to kill nations you are or were good friends with (since in some cases nations are still sore around each other).
America, Germany and Japan were sitting on the stairs, two doors leading the floor of the dead nations to their left and right. They had finished checking the cells fairly quickly and really didn't want to check the floors left.
The information they had gathered had been quite good.
"How long have we been sitting here?" Germany asked after a while.
"Feels like hours..." America muttered, staring the door down, as if it was the doors fault it split the walls from a hallway to pure nightmare.
"We should really open that door." Japan said neutrally, trying not to portray any feelings.
"... I guess I will. I did suggest to do this after all." Germany announced after a while, none of the three having budged.
Tiredly, he got to his feet. He had to mentally prepare himself before opening the door. Would he immediately face dead nations, or would it just be a long, long hallway?
It was hard to say, he was hoping to run into a long, long hallway. The longer it took until the met the dead nations, the better.
"Ready?" He asked America and Japan, who were now standing behind him. Japan nodded encouragingly, America gave him a nervous thumbs-up.
Nodding, Germany slowly opened the door, peeking inside first. It was dark, but to their instant relief, it seemed to be a long corridor. Germany swung the door fully open and turned the lights on.
Japan noticed that the hall was no different to any of the previous ones. It looked identical, having the same kind of hygienic-cleanness that made you feel sick.** It, like the other halls, smelled stuffy and of disinfectant. Germany and America looked at the doors curiously.
"I'd say these have dead nations behind them then..." Germany stated, frowning deeply. Japan nodded.
"Hai, they probably have."
"... I really don't want to open them..." America said, summarising how all three of them felt.
"Aber we have to Amerika. They may have stored information down here, and now that I think about it... I think it's best we find out who's dead now rather than later..."
Japan gave a forceful nod, not liking the idea at all. Hadn't Taiwan or the Phillipines been one of the nations to go missing during his stay?
America fell silent, as if in thought. On one hand, what was there to be afraid of? Essentially he had all those who were really important to him back, Canada, England and Japan. However, Mexico was still missing, much like other fellow American nations... And he still didn't know what'd happened to Australia...
Also, France, Russia, Cuba and Ukraine were missing, Canada would probably want to know whether or not to expect them back...
He sighed. In the end, Germany was right.
"Should we make a list or somethin'?" He asked after a while. "You know, so we don't forget which ones are deffinitely... Dead..."
Germany and Japan looked at each other, then agreed with America.
"Right, let's... Let's start with this room then..." America muttered, taking out his phone, which would have to serve as a notepad and pen for a while.
It was evening over in London. England still hadn't told China about his interesting reaquaintance with magical beings.
And quite honestly, he wasn't planning on doing so. He still couldn't fathom the idea of fairies and unicorns (and apparently also flying mint bunnies... Or was it just one mint bunny?)
China had left him alone in the bedroom for now, he was off making some calls to Spain, the Italies and America. He probably was also having a drink and trying to figure out a way of breaking the news to the recently rediscovered Prussia, Hungary and Austria, who oddly enough got on well together.
Of course, this was bound to change by the time they remember. Would they remember by themselves though?
England still didn't remember and so far no other nation had recovered their memories by themself. Well, he wasn't sure with Liechtenstein, but, as mentioned before, she'd been forgotten by everyone in the rush of things, much to his annoyance.
England sighed lying on his bed, looking upwards. He and China originally were going to visit his house, but after their run-in with some more... Missing nations (Hungary, Prussia and Austria), they'd totally forgotten.
In fact, rather than going anywhere, they'd spent the rest of the time talking about who the missing nations are and what they're like and how they could help them remember who they are. (China keenly forgot that England didn't have any memories still).
He sighed, fiddling with the rim of his sunglasses. The fairies claimed to have healed him, and that it'd be "soon" until he started "feeling like England" again.
It was sometime in the evening now and he still didn't feel any different. Maybe it had been his imagination playing tricks on him... Maybe, just... Tiredly, he took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes.
All this nation stuff was getting him down... It'd be wonderful if he didn't feel like a stranger any more with people he knew for (presumably) centuries. Especially since they seemed to know more about him, than he did himself.
Sighing, he looked up, staring boredly at the ceiling, looking at the ceiling fan to be specific-
...
... He... looked? England blinked in surprise, straightening up. He wasn't mistaken. It was really difficult to imagine seeing things, especially if you hadn't seen before (er... The years he didn't remember naturally didn't count.)
"They really did heal..." He muttered, but found himself unable to finish. Curiously, he looked around, recognising things almost instantly.
That wasn't normal, he shouldn't know what anything looked like... Well, he should, so it was normal, but that's besides the point. He looked around the room in search of a mirror.
Seriously, the fairies accused him of not having his signature eyebrows, because the sunglasses were covering them, i.e. they were hidden from view.
But what would be so special about his eyebrows, that it'd make them worth calling signature?
Locating a mirror in the bathroom, he walked to it, having to balance himself a bit (he wasn't used to seeing a room suddenly change persepective just by standing up).
And low and behold, there were those... Deffinitely infamous eyebrows. England paled.
Well, t-they're not that bad. England lied to himself, looking at the two black caterpillars on his face. Ignoring them, he swiftly moved on to examining the rest of his face.
His eyes... They had a colour... Oh right, that's it, they're green! His hair is... Yellow? No, no, when talking of hair colour, don't you use a different word?
... Blonde? Mmh... Probably.
He left the mirror and examined the room, recognising colours and objects and naming them. It was one way to kill time, and it was sort of cool...
He sat down, picking up a pile of... Papers? No, a magazine. It felt like a magazine, this is what it looks like.
He opened it curiously. It had... Letters in it... Yeah, a T, a H... and an E... And these letters formed words.
The.
And then the words formed sentences...
The best way to cook the lamb is to leave it roasting in the oven for about half an hour at 200° C.
And then the sentences formed a text, which was some boring receipe (or something) on how to cook a sunday roast.
Reading... He had just read something, without having to use touch. He looked around, still quite curious.
He wondered if this was how blind people felt if they were given eyesight. Probably not. But then again, he once used to be able to see.
... Well, this is boring. His mind felt like it had had a small jolt, everything that had appeared weird and odd becoming normal, plain and boring.
He no longer was confused by everything in the room. It was all normal and he could name anything he saw. Even the small spider in the top left corner of the room.
England took the remote and turned the TV on. OK, let's think. My sight is repaired again, now what? The other guys mentioned "sensing other nations" and also feeling their people in their blood or something like that...
Oh bloody hell, that'll mean I'll feel like that.
The three stood at the entrance, all with their mouths agape and eyes blank and unreadable. Sadness lurked in the corner of their eyes and their hands were curled into fists.
They had opened a door and the first nations they saw, supposedly dead, stared right back at them, their eyes glassy and frozen over.
There were four "occupants", if you could call them that, in the room, all in their own little, round, see-through chambers, water surrounding them.
The water was frozen, you couldn't see who they were, only vaguely that their eyes were looking at the door, as if they were wishing they could run to their only exit and escape.
Otherwise, nothing of the four dead nations was recognisable. You could only tell who they were by the labels at the bottom.
Taiwan. Wales. Pakistan***. Mongolia.
Slowly, America pushed Germany and Japan out of the small room, quickly writing their names. Well, now they knew how they'd been 'killed'.
They'd been injured to such an extent that it became mortal to a human and were then frozen in ice. Japan fell on the floor next to Germany and America silently.
He had been close to Taiwan and Mongolia and had wondered for a long time, why he hadn't bumped into them... Japan frowned suddenly, tucking his emotions away.
He can mourn for them later. Now was not the time or place. Besides, he never betrayed his emotions to his fellow nations anyway, why start now?**** His shock was quickly hidden away too, being burried in the back of his mind.
The other two nations were silent. They hadn't really known the four (dead) nations* very well, but they still were beyond angry, and trying hard to control it.
Germany took a deep breath, although it didn't help his rage very much. He swallowed the raw emotion, along with the desire to just cry for the fallen nations and fear to find his brother on this floor.
After that, it got easier. By that, one means, that it was easier to come eye to eye with someone you once knew without going into states of anger, shock and sadness.
The list that America had seemed to become forever longer. Strangely enough, a lot of African and Middle-Eastern Countries were... dead...**
As they worked their way back, the names disappeared. For a while it was country and human name. Then just human name. Then human name plus prisoner number. And then just prisoner number.
It was impossible to tell which nation was which, the ice being often white, rather than see-through. However, when they got to one of the rooms near the back, it wasn't all that difficult.
"Russia." Was all America said, recognising the tall nation through the thick ice. He was pointing towards a cabinet in the corner of the room as best he could in the small space.
"Prisoner 93." Germany muttered, looking at the label on the (basically) tank. Next to the Russian were two more chambers, but yet again, the nations were unrecognisable.
"I wonder why he was pointing at the cabinet?" America asked, finding it more and more difficult to restrain his already ballistic emotions.
Japan joined Germany, likewise bearing a deep frown. Russia hadn't been that bad. Especially not during the escape. He looked so sad...
America opened the cabinet, discovering several pieces of paper. Curiously he opened one and read it aloud.
It was from Russia. Sure, he hadn't signed it as Russia, but it was from him. America sighed. It was the former-soviet's goodbye letter.
Germany and Japan leaned over to read it too.
"I guess the HCS let Russia write it."
"Either that or he knew how to leave secret messages behind." America mumbled in reply, looking back at the cabinet. He grabbed some of the others, discovering they were more letters left by the dead.
Germany took several, discovering one from Switzerland and France. Japan read Taiwan's and Viet Nam's.
America didn't know whether to laugh or cry. These letters were the proof of other nation's existences. However, the letters were written with the prospect that they were going to die and needed to have something for closure.
Naturally, life has a way of pulling ill-timed pranks on you. Such a moment was now.
"Don't want to be an American Idiot" started playing suddenly, coming from America's pocket, who blushed in embarassment, having just ruined the depressing and sad moment.
"Er... I swear, I did not set it to that ring tone!" He defended himself, quickly taking the phone out.
"How can America get signal all the way down here?" Japan asked Germany.
"Well, technology has advanced a bit since... You disappeared. Admittably, not nearly as much as in the previous centuries, but still quite a bit." Germany explained.
"Most of it came from your country too..." He added on, his gaze lowering. Japan looked away, upset that he had missed so much of his technological developements.
It was like being isolated from the (still weird) nations all over. America picked up, not bothering to see who it was.
"Yo! The hero speaking!" A deep sigh was the response.
"Hello America aru."
"China! Why're you callin'?" He asked, looking to both Germany and Japan, who gave him curious looks in return. Another deep sigh came in response. Why did China sound so depressed?
"I'm checking to see how far you have come with your part of the world aru." He explained slowly. "So far the other two teams have been unsucessful. The nations aren't home at the moment, so they're having to wait until they get back."
"Oh, well... Stay positive!" America replied, trying to cheer the depressed Chinese up.
"Have you made any progress on the Oceanic continent?"
"Er..." America mumbled, not sure what to say. He looked at the letters Germany and Japan still had in their hands.
"I assume you haven't... Well, good luck then."
"Er... Thanks... Is there anything else?" China left a pause, considering on whether or not to reply truthfully. Again he sighed, but this time because he'd made up his mind.
"I found Prussia, Hungary and Austria in London..."
"What? No way dude!" America exlcaimed excitedly, his eyes then falling on Russia's glassy ones. Guilt swallowed him up immediately and sadness welled up.
"There's one problem... They don't remember who they are. How did you get England to accept the nation-thing aru?"
"Er... Iggy? Well, I told him I knew him and basically told him everything about himself."
"What? You just went up to him and bluntly stated who he was aru?"
"Duh, of course not." America replied, frowning. "I usually got pieces of information out, before he exploded in my face or stormed off or fell asleep..."
There was a bashing noise coming from over the phone.
"Er... China, you're not bashing your head against anything, are you?"
"What would give you that idea aru?" China replied irritated. America let out an awkward laugh.
"Don't worry dude, I'm sure you'll get em round some how!" China muttered something darkly in response, though America couldn't really hear what he'd said.
"Listen, I got to hang up, battery's runnin low."
"Fine."
"Bye China!"
"By-"
America stuffed the phone in his pocket and turned to Germany.
"Germany, I know we're all upset about the recent deaths, but I have some good news!" He announced, a small smile on his face.
Germany remained unexpressive, looking up to America.
"Is that so?" He asked after a while.
"China's found Prussia! (And Austria and Hungary). He's in London with them!" Germany's eyes lit up ever so slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching up and down.
"I know, I totally know how you feel right now!" Of course, America naturally didn't, but still, it was the thought that counted.
"We are going to London right now!" Germany announced, getting to his feet in a split second. The enthusiasm wasn't visible on his face or audible in his voice, however, the announcement itself made if pretty clear.
"Ah, wait Germany-san, America-san. I know you are both enthusiastic, but... Some of us are still suffering from losses..." Japan inturrupted, examining the hand-written letter from Taiwan.
His mask kept slipping, it was getting harder to act unemotional. His eyes were already watery.
"Besides, we haven't checked all the rooms on this floor yet... There are still several left." Japan exlpained, looking at the list of the dead on his own phone.
(Each nation agreed to make a list of the dead on their own phone... Where Japan managed to get a new phone so quickly was unknown, since he didn't need on while he was blind. The mysterious appearance of the phone probably had something to do with being the most technologically advanced nation of the 22nd Century.)
America agreed with Japan. "Yeah... Don't worry Germany, it's not like they'll disappear again mysteriously, right?"
"Er... " Japan mumbled, about to inturrupt America, but said American continued, ignoring him.
"Besides, China needs to still have the talk with him.*** He's still calling himself Gilbert you know." America collected the goodbye notes, putting them into Japan's backpack (did I forget to mention he had one on?). Germany sighed deeply, nodding his head slowly.
"You both are right. I really should stop acting on emotions."
"Dude, you never do." America commented. Germany was about to retaliate on that, not sure on whether or not America had insulted him, but America beat him to it.
"OK! Let's go guys, the sooner we're done, the sooner we can get revenge- er... Bring justice to- er... I mean, the sooner we can sort this mess out!" America announced, tugging his fellow nations with him.
Liechtenstein paced around her bedroom. It was already evening (how had time fluttered by so fast?).
Sealand, South Korea and Latvia still thought all of them were nuts, but were either enjoying the luxury of having everything served to them on a golden platter too much or too afraid of the guns and guards to leave and, of course, voice their opinions.
It frustrated her to no end.
"... Bruder, what would you have done in this situation?" She muttered to herself... If only she'd payed more attention to Switzerland's self-defense lessons! He probably mentioned what to do in this kind of situation.
(Seriously, Switzerland even metioned what to do in the situation of a Multi-Dimensional, Zombie- and Ghost-Apocalypse, with America clinging around your neck and screaming like a little girl)
Sighing, Liechtenstein looked at the phone in her room, a small frown on her lips. She couldn't remember for the life of her which nations hadn't been taken away with them.
She remembered Germany, Spain and South Italy, but that was it... Besides, she couldn't reach any of them! Their old phone numbers were either outdated or no one knew where they were! (Usually a combination of both)
(Actually, when she called Italy's government, they asked who Romano was... This is deeply depressing.)
She tried remembering, lying down on her bed in hopes of relaxing. But no other name would come back to her and her shoulders stayed just as tense as before.
She also remembered things, that made it her stiffness even worse. She still needed to call England. She'd tired calling Maria and Jack earlier, but they didn't pick up...(OK, it was night over there when she rang, but still!)
At least she knew England was OK... Sort of...
"This is so embarrassing..." She mumbled, dumping a pillow onto her face. She sat there in silence for a while, until she heard her bedroom door creak open.
"Er... Hey, Lilli?" Sealand asked, his head popping up from behind the door. She glanced over him briefly, but very quickly went back to sulking underneath a pillow.****
"Listen, I know you know that I think my name being Sealand is crazy bonkers, but you know, I guess it kinda explains why Peter doesn't feel like my real name 'n stuff."
She rolled onto her back, but continued sulking silently.
"... Listen, I've noticed that you're pretty upset and I've decided that you and I and my friends need to go out and do something. Like go to a cinema! My mates and I were originally gonna go there earlier today, but then those weird... I mean, then stuff happened, so... Yeah... I think the cinema was called Irish Pathé or something, it's all a mumble jumble in here... But I thought it'd be great if we all went together!" Sealand started.
Liechtenstein sat up, staring at him in complete happiness.
"Ireland! Another nation I haven't tried yet!" She exclaimed happily, running over to Sealand to hug him. "Thanks so much!"
"Er... You're welcome..." Girl... Too close... I've probably caught cooties from her!
"Herr Friedli, Herr Friedli! There're two more calls I need you to make!" She called down the hall, running to where her current guardian slept.
Somewhere, in Ireland, an Irish man woke up in the middle of the night, having been disturbed by his government and then went ballistic at hearing the news of a missing nation's return.
Heya guys, sorry for the late update. TT^TT School, projects, laziness and Writer's block really don't go hand in hand you know. On a side note, I've been polishing this fiction up a bit. The prologue has been changed completely (please tell me if you prefer the new on or the old one), the giant plot hole from chapter 7's been fixed, and small things like Romano calling America a capitalist pig, etc. have been fixed. I'd like to thank anyone and everyone who pointed out the flaws in the fanfiction. Seriously guys, you are all owsom! :D
*I'm referencing one of my darling reviewers here, namely alexdemyx. She/He (sorry, even when it's plain obvious which gender the person has, I can never guess correctly) asked if I was bringing back the Holy Roman Empire, to which I had to quite honestly and unfortunately say no... However, I couldn't resist referencing him at some point. :3
** I have not got a fear of hospitals, but they smell and look just a tad creepy...
*** Did you know Pakistan used to be a British Colony (Well technically, it was part of British India back then, but that's besides the point)?
*** By this I mean strong emotions, such as violent outbursts of anger, deep sadness that goes on and on and on or happiness that is accompanied by strong feelings of relief and safety and makes you compelled to express these feelings by hugging or even kissing.
* A load of tripe? Yeeeeeess- Probably.
** America: Heck, these guys are so racist!
*** Pff~ The talk... No, I don't mean the one parents have with their kids. ;)
**** Er... Seems Liechtenstein has hit puberty. That'll be the reason why she is a little OOC.
YYYEEESSS! We have +50 reviews! Cheers everyone~ :D
Question: Do you think America & England really are the main characters in the story? Cause I'm starting to have doubts...
Oh, and what do you think if I made an OC (Ireland) have a minor appearance? (Plus, it'd be based off different Ireland's I read about...).