Finally, done! It took me longer than I thought to get ideas.

Alfred: When are gonna find the guy who took Toris?

Me: Soon, Al, I promise. And how did you manage to break the fourth wall?

Alfred: Cause I'm the hero, duh! Oh, and Arthur already broke it in chapter 5.

Me: *Sigh* Oh, right. Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter 9

"Pierre! You came back!"

Now that Pierre was back, Francis had one less thing to stress over.

"I'm sorry I was so rude before, and..OW! What are you doing?"

"Chiipp!" For some unknown reason, Pierre was now furiously pecking at Francis, annoying the nation.

"Stop it already! And what's that you're carrying in your beak?"

Right on cue, Pierre dropped it into his hands.

Francis gazed at the object, thinking it looked familiar. It was some sort of woven jewelery, like a friendship bracelet of some sort. He also saw that the bracelet had a pattern of red, yellow, and green, although right now it was streaked with dark red.

"Where have I seen this before...?" He was completely puzzled. Then he happened to shift his eyes to his wrist.

His eyes widened in realization as he looked at the weave bracelet he was wearing.

"No way. Does this...belong to Toris?" The bird flew around head, chirping madly.

Not wasting any time, Francis took out his phone and dialed Alfred's number on it. After telling him everything that was going on, he rushed back to the car with Pierre and drove back to where he came from.

"What does that drunkard want right now? This better be good. I have to go home and make tea."

"Guys!" The french nation burst in, Pierre flying beside him.

"Okay, make it quick. What is it that you have to show us?"

"When I got home, Pierre came to me and brought me this." He pulled the band out of his pocket.

Alfred grabbed it to get a closer look. "Hey, I gave this to him for his birthday last year."

Arthur gave Francis a hard look. "Where did you find this?"

"I didn't find it, Pierre did. Where he picked it up...I have no idea."

Meanwhile, Pierre had been restless all this time. He zoomed around the room trying to get everyone's attention. When that failed, he took desperate measures.

He glided right into France's face.

"OWWW!" Francis cried out. "What is it? Can't you see we're busy here?"

"Oh, speaking of which, I'll be right back." Alfred hurried into his room.

"Stop trying to drag me! Why do you keep acting like this?" France demanded as he started to walk away from the door, despite Pierre's clear protests. Pierre answered with a sharp "Chiiippp!" and tried to pull his owner toward the door again.

Arthur sighed. "If you were functioning correctly, you would know he's trying to take you somewhere..."

"Guys! Alfred told me that you found Toris." Eduard, Raivis, and Feliks were at the door, which Francis had conveniently forgot to close.

"But we didn't..." Francis was confused.

"Sure we did!" Alfred exclaimed, running out of the room. "If Pierre remembers where he found the bracelet, then he could lead us to our destination!"

"Was that what you were trying to do?" Pierre chirped loudly, and everyone took that as a yes.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

Arthur looked out the window. "But we gotta hurry. It'll be dark within two hours, and I think I see thunderclouds outside."

Sure enough, tall, dark clouds were starting to roll in, a scenario all too familiar for Arthur.

"Okay, let's head out. And Vash, bring whatever guns you have. You three, stay here. It's too dangerous for you guys to go search with us. We'll bring Toris back soon, I promise."

"O-okay..." Raivis moved closer to Feliks. Eduard, meanwhile, was slowly standing up from his chair...

-25 minutes later-

"Is this it, Pierre?"

"Chhiippp!" Pierre flew and perched on top of a gray building.

"That probably means yes."

"From the looks of this place, we should take extra caution while entering." Arthur was now more wary and suspicious than before. Pierre, meanwhile, started making his way back to Alfred's house.

Alfred went over to the doorknob and tried to turn it. It didn't work.

Vash took out a shotgun. "Looks like we'll have to break this thing down."

The four of them leaned against the door. "When I count to 3, punch the door as hard as you can! 1..."

"2...get ready!"

As he said that, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.

"...3!"

Thanks to their effort, the door flew out of its hinges and landed inside the door way.

"Anyone here? I demand you show yourself!" Vash pointed his gun into the darkness.

"Not yet, Vash...we might be dealing with a psychotic fiend."

"Huh." Alfred said as he flipped through a book. "Whoever this guy is, his handwriting looks familiar."

"It does, doesn't it?"

Startled, everyone turned to where the voice was coming from. A tall, muscular man with dark hair looked back at them.

"Alfred F. Jones. I've been expecting you." His voice was deep and spine-chilling, along with a nasty grin across his face.

"Harold Norm? Is that you?"

The other three were speechless as the Union and Confederacy locked eyes with each other.

That's all I have to offer for Chapter 9.

Alfred, I'm guessing you're happy right now.

Al: Yes! Now I'll...

Um, keep your eyes open for Chapter 10! It'll be up soon, I promise!

Signed,

Blue Cotinga Girl