Night was coming on quickly; the conference had lasted for most of the day. The building was located far from any large cities for security reasons, and so stars were visible in the darkening sky. Ignoring the other Nations' company in favor of his friend, Poland led Lithuania in a direction that wasn't quite the proper way home, but being as he seemed to know what he was doing, Liet followed without complaint. There was little risk out here, but his boss had made him carry a sword, in case of an attack. The weather was cold but bearable, and a thin layer of frost and snow covered the ground. It wasn't long before the other Nations' voices faded into the distance, and the two were alone in the quiet wilderness. Poland chattered on about books and television and clothes, Lithuania listening obediently. He was glad to be free, glad to listen to his friend talk without fearing that Russia waited in the background. But his silence bothered Poland, causing him to wonder and fear what sort of life could have muted his friend's intelligent and strong words.
But of course, Poland already knew, He had seen, and it hurt him to think of his friend's pain. Saddened him to think of the day they were separated, the day Lithuania had been taken by Russia. He had laughed, laughed at Liet's horror at the predicament. Poland wondered if Lithuania had ever forgiven him for that. But he didn't deserve that, did he? For being such a terrible friend.
"Liet? C'mon, there's gotta be something you, like, want to talk about."
"Hmm? I don't really know. I'm fine just listening..."
"Come on! You're back on the map, and, like, totally safe now! So we can have fun again! Like play games or something."
Lithuania laughed. "Poland, you can't even play chess for five minutes without bending the rules."
"The Great Phoenix doesn't need rules! I can, like, do whatever I want! Anyway, what's the big deal with chess anyway? War doesn't, like, work like that."
He would have continued on this thread of conversation had Lithuania not pointed out a more important matter. A small knot of people stood on the crest of a hill. Humans.
"Civilians? Are they yours?" Lithuania asked, concerned.
"Nope. None of 'em. I wonder what they're, like, doing. Maybe they're doing sex!"
"What?"
"Humans do weird things like that, y'know," Poland giggled, amused by Liet's reaction.
There were many things about the human world that amused the Nations, and some that horrified them. Over the centuries, they had adopted many elements of their civilians' lives. Emotions had been the first: joy, sadness, anger, pride, and others. Art and writing had come later, as had love and hate. Yet some human pastimes still puzzled many Nations, such as drunkenness or sex. Some had embraced these activities, but others did not see the sense.
"... I...I don't think they're doing that. Anyway, we should check on them. It's not safe to be out at this time of night." Stepping through the snow, Liet approached the strangers. What were these people doing out in the wilderness in this weather? This question was quickly answered.
"How dare you steal from us! Whore!" a burly man screamed at a rag-clad woman.
"Eight of you for one blanket? I call that cowardice!" The edge of a cloth protruded from the bag on the woman's shoulders, and the gruff-bearded man made a grab at it. He recoiled with a deep growl of fury as the woman's fist connected with his face.
Poland shot a glance at Lithuania. Both drew their swords and prepared to face the gang.
"You like my soldiers?" a cold voice from behind asked, mockingly. Both Nations swung around, and knew instantly what they faced. Mongolia, Asia's feared conqueror and strong warrior. But that had been long ago. What was he doing now?
The peasant woman screamed as one of the men clasped his hand over her arm and swung her to the ground.
"Feliks! You deal with them!" At Lithuania's command, the other ran to the strange woman's defense.
Leaving Liet to face Mongolia. Confronting the stranger, he spoke.
"What is the meaning of this! Attacking innocents?"
Mongolia drew his own weapon, a vicious looking spear clearly meant for battle, yet ornamental enough to be a museum piece.
"She stole from my men. Besides, she is one of his." Mongolia swung his spear threateningly.
"His? Russia? You had a good relation with him!" Lithuania couldn't believe that the Nation would attack an ally. But Mongolia simply laughed in return.
"Positive, maybe. My people profited. But all these arrangements...all this formality, it is boring, do you not agree?" A dark shadow whirled around the warrior's malevolent form. Had Mongolia somehow won the favor of powerful Winter? "There is much to be gained from Ivan's territory. And for you as well. You have been so wronged by him. Why don't you join me, and become strong?"
Lithuania held his sword ready, prepared for any surprise attacks. What in all hell was Mongolia planning?
"I am assuming your boss doesn't know about this, Batukhan."
"And why should he? Success is only possible without weakling politicians trying to get their way with everything." He spoke the word as an insult, casting a long glare on Lithuania, as footsteps approached from behind.
"Liet! I've got the girl. Those thugs ran like rabbits!" Poland said, gently leading at his side the wide-eyed and staring peasant woman.
"Good work. Is she hurt?" Liet kept his eyes on Mongolia, not trusting him.
"I am fine! But who are you!" the woman snapped.
"Quiet, bitch!" Mongolia said. He turned to Feliks, dark eyes gleaming.
"Ah, Poland. You have been wronged, also. I invite you to join with me. To take victory!"
Mongolia received a confused look. But Poland was interested. "What exactly do you mean by that? This isn't like, a trap, is it?"
Mongolia grinned. "Of course not. Simply a way for us to prosper! I am not greedy; I have no opposition to allowing you to triumph alongside me! Observe!" Using the tip of his spear, Batukhan traced into the snow a rough outline of Russia's territory. With further lines, he cut the image, extending his own lands. He drew further divisions.
"The earnings of victory, for myself and my allies," he declared, swirling the weapon over the lines, "And the rest is to be Winter's domain." The wind howled, and stormy tendrils of icy air swept over the map, destroying much of it. Mongolia's dark braid twisted in the cold air. General Winter was pleased.
"This could be good! Look, Liet! We could, like, be strong again!"
Lithuania wasn't as certain. Mongolia's plan sounded like something one of America's storybook villains might dream up.
"I'm not sure. This doesn't seem like such a good idea..."
But there was no time for debate. A cry of pain rang out from somewhere behind Mongolia. Batukhan turned to the sound, joyous.
"My soldiers are nearing success! Come with me now, and gain the spoils of victory!"