Egg Nation- An Eventful Morning

It didn't take long for the stalking Tsukiyomi Ikuto to catch up with the unsuspecting countries after character changing with Yoru. Once he'd adorned himself with the sleek cat ears and tail, Ikuto gained a feral creature's speed and stealth. He bounded and rebounded from the rooftops in pursuit of his targets. Then Ikuto flung his right arm out, calling up a large ghost-like cat paw and sent it at the nations shouting, "Phantom Claw"

The appendage extended, swiftly reaching them and going beyond, but both of the strange characters dodged the attack, turning to see their new enemy. Unfortunately for them Ikuto was traveling within the shadows, and they were unable to identify him, he withdrew his 'Phantom Claw' waiting for another chance to strike. Germany took out his handgun, and Japan unsheathed his katana, still following Germany as he led the way to their destination.

"Here it comes again." Warned Japan, and as he'd predicted the mysterious paw had come back out of the darkness. After avoiding it this time Japan swung his blade, but to his surprise the sword had no effect, like there wasn't anything there. Germany grunted and tried shooting it with his gun, the bullets didn't faze. Germany cursed up his breath and commanded that the foe reveal them. The response was another 'Phantom Claw'.

Ikuto frowned as they evaded another attack. He knew that if he stayed at this distance they'd elude him every time but getting close would risk the chance of being seen, and he was specifically ordered not to let that happen. Ikuto gritted his teeth and draped the hood of the jacket he was wearing over his face. Then he held his hand in a fist powering up the 'Phantom Claw'.

Germany's face shinned with a hopeful grin and called out pointing, "Japan we're almost there. Look!" Germany was right; the boy whose name he didn't know was standing out near the koi pond huddled in a blanket. The German raced fervently toward the boy who'd noticed them and was waving his arms over his head. Then Germany looked behind in horror, after hearing a cry from his comrade. Japan was caught within the grip of the claw that was connected to the hooded figure, now visible in the moonlight. Germany whirled back around, flying towards their adversary. He briefly opened the bullet chamber and checked how many shots he had.

'Two more, I hope that'll be enough.' He thought to himself.

"Look out!" Yoru yelled to his owner who responded to the character's warning too late and was now holding his right hand against his chest, trickling with thin streams of blood.

Ikuto had landed atop a streetlamp after successfully catching Japan, but Germany wasn't far behind when he arrived on top of the light. The country headed for his right hand with the gun held out and fired the two shots, both hitting him. Even though they were small, the bullets wielded an enormous amount of pain. The shock broke his concentration, dissolving the 'Phantom Claw' and releasing Japan.

Ikuto now glared at them as they retreated into a house he was very familiar with, and as if to add insult to injury he noticed that Tadase had witnessed the entire ordeal. He then slunk off into the night having failed his mission.

"Are you alright?" Germany asked panting in between each word. Their entrance wasn't the smoothest; after grabbing Japan when the paw had disappeared, the countries glided up and over the fence and then simply fell in. Tadase ran over as they plummeted; but his catch missed, and they crash landed.

"Hai. If it you hadn't stopped that man, there's no telling what he would've done to me. Thank you" Japan said gratefully and bowed his head. Tadase came up to the two apologizing for failing to catch them, both shook their heads saying it was alright. He knelt down and offered his hands to help bring them inside, and they gladly accepted the ride.

"You're not seriously bringing them in, are you Tadase?" Kiseki asked not fondly remembering the treatment he'd received from Germany. Said German glared at him angrily before switching his attention to the boy saying, "So, you're name is Tadase?"

"Yes. Hotori Tadase and this is my Guardian Character Kiseki." He introduced pleasantly, walking them into the house. The nations gave curious looks at the term 'Guardian Character' but figured that an explanation would come in good time.

"You can call me Ludwig." Germany said while reloading ammunition into his weapon, forcing the fearful Kiseki into hiding behind his owner's head. After sheathing his sword Japan simply stated, "Kiku." Tadase soon arrived to his organized room and placed the strange characters on a small coffee table while he sat on his bed.

"Now I have a question, about the man who was chasing us. Just what does he want?" Germany questioned causing Kiseki to shrink even further back; he'd had his fair share of questions for the day. Tadase ignored his character, and his entire demeanor became dead serious.

"His name is Tsukiyomi Ikuto. He's a part of a company that's been causing a lot of trouble around here, but I don't know what they're planning that would involve you." Tadase informed in a grim tone, resting his elbows on his knees and putting laced fingers up under his nose.

"What kind of trouble?" Japan asked. There'd been a silent pause after Tadase's explanation, and his sudden question slightly startled them all. After recovering from the momentary shock, Tadase answered.

"It's hard to put into words; I guess you can say that they corrupt children's hearts. This company, Easter, does this because they're trying to obtain a magical egg that can grant wishes. And it appears when the eggs of children's hearts become tainted."

Germany and Japan glanced at one another, this boy's story was nonsense and provoked more questions, but they had no choice but to believe it since their entire situation was absurd to begin with. Tadase made a tired sounding yawn and mumbled as he looked at his clock that is was late. He must've seen the disheartened look on the countries' faces because he followed up with, "Don't worry. Tomorrow we'll meet with the rest of my friends; we've dealt with Easter before."

This reassurance kept them mostly calm, but they were still concerned for their fellow nations, especially the weak little Italy.

Kiseki then taught them how to call up their eggs when they started to lay on the tabletop in preparation for bed, and Tadase peeked over his shoulder to get a glimpse of Kiku's egg. He was relieved not to have seen mysterious places on this one's egg. On the front and center of its shell was the familiar Japanese flag, and the illustrations that stood underneath it included Tokyo Tower and Mt. Fuji. There were also shines and temples and a lot of sakura trees.

"First Germany and now Japan" Tadase commented after pulling the covers over himself and drifted off to sleep.

'Dude? What the hell just happened? And what's this… a wall? Ha! Nothing a hero can't deal with. Hiya!'

The jagged cracks spread immediately around the American themed egg' cutting through the images of: the Washington Monument, Statue of Liberty, and other important buildings and landmarks. The halves popped apart and left little America standing with his fist out. The sun's morning light blinded him, and he shaded his eyes with a cupped hand. After adjusting to the bright light, America took in his surroundings.

He was in a cluttered alleyway; there were a couple tin trashcans scattered around and some toppled over with mounds of debris fallen out. At one end of the alley was a tall chain link fence and the other, a street with buzzing cars and people. Then it occurred to America that everything towered over him, and as the American nervously back up due to this revelation, he bumped into something that had a gentle warmth.

For some reason it felt nostalgic, like a memory he hadn't thought about recently or couldn't remember. America turned and discovered an egg just a little taller than he was, he knew of every symbol that was portrayed on its fragile surface but their identities couldn't escape the tip of his tongue. He knew the rectangular shape was a flag; it had two red bars separated by one white one in the middle and in the center of that white space was a red leaf. Beneath it was a still image of a cascading water fall, Niagara Falls, and many maple leaf trees in a vast array of colors. There were also buildings and towers, but they didn't have as much as a profound impact as the natural wonders that decorated the egg.

The egg wiggled slightly which brought a huge grin to America's face as he yelled, "Hey whoever you are hurry up and come out already!"

Whatever was inside mumbled something that he couldn't understand, so he shouted at it again. This clearly had an effect since the egg wobbled furiously in an awkward manner like it wasn't used to being angry or loud. Then America lifted his hand in order to hit it, but this action scared the egg into releasing what was inside. It broke quickly and left a shivering Canada in its place with a lazy Kumajiro hanging from his arms.

"W-what're you doing America? An-and what's happened, everything is so b-b-big." Canada stuttered profusely as he looked up in a mixture of horror and confusion at the setting he was in. America came to his side and slammed is hand against the Canadian's back repeatedly, saying.

"Dude, whoever you are, I don't have any idea why things are all weird and stuff, but now is not the time to concern ourselves with it because there's a more pressing matter at hand man!"

Canada tensed up. What else could be more important than the fact that they just woke up to find out they'd been shrunken? America gave him a severe stare, and his endless sky blue eyes lacked their usual child-like wonder and sense of adventure, instead they took on an intense bluntness. Then Canada heard a low growling, and he looked down cautiously, losing all anxiety at the site of his brother's hands over the rumbling stomach.

"You're hungry?" Canada asked apathetically; getting two hands clenched onto his jacket, and America moaning.

"I'm starving man! Don't act so heartless, I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon. C'mon I need to get a hamburger in me as soon as possible, or I'll die!"

Before Canada could half-heartedly agree to his brother's begging, he was being dragged by the wrist out of the alleyway with America rambling, "Okay! If we're getting some burgers, we'll have to scavenge for money. Oh God! This'll be the biggest burger ever. I'm so stoked!" He eventually tuned out the loud nation's words and put up no resistance in fear of getting a headache if he did.

'I don't think I've ever been this happy about dropping Ami off at Kindergarten.' Amu thought, liberated from the source of the morning's strife.

The day started with a hair rising scream from Feliciano, who'd been taken during the night by Ami. A chase ensued, practically destroying her younger sister's room, but the Italian managed to run away and land into the hands of a curious Amu standing in the doorway. The interests of their parents were immediately intrigued, calling up to see if everything was alright. Amu lied and said she was helping Ami with her hair which received adoring cheers. Amu quickly went to work putting the room back into order, forcing them to take their breakfast as they hurried out the door.

From there she was running on the back of Ami's heels as the little girl pursued the fleeing Feliciano. After choking on her meal during the race they finally made it to the Kindergarten, and Amu had to pry her sister from her leg before leaving. Ami watched, her eyes brimming with tears, as her older sister and the characters left. But this sadness didn't last long after being informed of the outside drawing activity they were having in Art class that day and she marched into the classroom merrily.

All of her friends greeted her happily, and she returned their greetings with ones of her own. Then Ami started telling them of the new character.

"He's a Pasta character with a funny face like this!" She imitated Italy's constantly happy look causing her classmates to giggle and continued. "He runs away a lot and is super fast. Zoom zoom!" Ami threw her hand around representing Feliciano; her audience looked on in awe. "And he's got a foreign accent which sounds really cool!" The other students nodded in agreement, but the tale was interrupted when their teacher walked in.

"Good morning sensei!" They welcomed in unison. Their teacher gave them a 'Good morning' and prepared briefly for the instruction period at her desk.

'Why does onee-chan get to have so many characters? I want one too' Ami's mind wandered off into thought, blocking out her teacher's words.

Reality literately snatched her attention when one of her friends grabbed hold of her shoulder and shook, saying that it was time to go outside for the day's Art class. She lost memory of her envy and gripped onto her sketchbook, running along with her classmates out the classroom.

"Okay everybody. Your assignment is to explore the schoolyard and draw something that interests you. It can be whatever you want, so get creative!" The teacher explained as she led them out of the school. Once the doors were opened and the sun's rays struck their faces all of the children rushed out, including Ami.

'Dear God! Why does is feel like I've been drinking again? Damn. This is the worst hangover ever; I can't even open my eyes.'

Soon the entire class was spread out, and their teacher went about frantically trying to keep track of them all. Ami was preoccupied with scribbling away in front of the row of trees that bordered the fence when she heard a small voice call out.

'Wait a minute… that potion! Where's it sent me? Am I trapped or worse… dead?'

Ami cocked her head and fell to her hands and knees, crawling around the trees and looking for the source of this new voice. She soon found a trembling egg at the base of one of the trees and picked it up, turning it around several time to get a look at the designs across it. Ami didn't know any of them; the flag had lines of red, white and blue that according to her intersected one another randomly. Under the confusing banner the structures baffled her even more; she knew one was a giant clock, Big Ben, and another a bridge, the London Bridge, but the images of palaces and stones left her mouth gaping at their mystery to her.

"Yay~! My very own character egg, I'll make sure onee-chan doesn't take you away." Ami assured the egg gleefully as she held it over her head beaming.

'Is… is that a child? Is it…Alfred? Alfred!'

The egg burst open exposing the thick eye browed country, his emerald eyes teaming with excitement, but when he looked apon Ami those eyes lost that glimmer and became dull with disappointment. While Ami observed this reaction her own cheerful smile changed into a concerned frown.

"What's wrong? Don't you want to be my character?" Ami asked with a hint of sadness in her voice and eyes starting to brim with tears at the thought of losing this new character. England finally took notice of the girl whose quivering hands he was held in.

'Character…does she mean caretaker? They kind of sound the same, so she's alone? How sad…'

England hovered up to her face, taking out his small handkerchief and wiping her large tears away. The tiny clothe became so drenched after the first tear that he resorted to using his sleeves for the rest. As he went about this task the nation lulled softly, "Don't cry now lass, it's very unbecoming of a young lady, and I'm sure you have a beautiful smile. Please, may I see it?"

When he was done Ami put all the effort she could muster into the brightest smile she could possibly give. England laughed softly at the grin, not in a mocking manner but an appreciating one. Ami followed his laughter with her own fit of giggling, and once they'd died down England decided to introduce himself saying, "I suppose a proper introduction is in order then." He cleared his throat and continued.

"Hello; my name is Arthur Kirkland, but please call me Arthur. And I am very pleased to meet your acquaintance." England offered up his hand after he finished talking, and Ami stuck out her index finger, accepting the shake.

"I'm Hinamori Ami! And I'm happy to meet you too." She said wagging her finger which resulted for the character as a hand shake. Then the two noticed Ami's teacher was calling for her students to return inside with her. Ami stood up confidently and ran toward the group forming in front of the teacher with England following close behind.

"Dude, sometimes my own heroics astound me. I can't believe I managed to find all that spare change on the street, carry it into the restaurant and a hamburger more than twice my size out! Even the people there were freaking out at my mad skills." America bragged as he stood in front of the burger with his fists on his hips, having completely forgotten Canada by now.

'What's so heroic about getting a burger? And I helped, but he seems to have forgotten about me.' The ignored country thought as his faded figure stood next to the loud American.

"Well, time to eat!" America announced, tearing at the greasy meat with his teeth while Canada went and sat atop the warm bun nibbling on a sesame seed. America suddenly lifted his head out of the glorious meal and scanned the area.

'My hero senses are telling me something's not right, but what?'

"Look out man!" He shouted, jumping up and pushing Canada off the top of the burger. After rubbing his head and looking up to start lecturing his brother, Canada saw that he was struggling inside a tightened fist. The hand lifted America high up to a face with a sly grin while another reached out for the hamburger. Canada scurried away thinking it was after him as well, taking refuge inside an empty can he continued to watch.

"Hey that's mine, give it back!" America protested after the young man took a bite out of the burger. Then a small cat-person came up onto the human's shoulder and stuck his tongue saying, "Too bad. It's ours now!" This new creature bit into the sandwich much to America's discontent; after swallowing it stood straight up with its ears pricked out.

"Hey Ikuto, I thought I sensed two here, but I've lost the other one's signal. What should we do?" Iktuo's companion asked. He shrugged nonchalantly and walked away still eating with no intention of letting either his breakfast or America go. Once the thieves were out of sight Canada stumbled out of the can and fell, kneeling up he starred out of the alley. His brother sacrificed himself for him, and Canada was sickened at himself for doing nothing. They'd captured America, and it was entirely his fault.

A/N: These chapters are getting longer and longer! But I think I split it up pretty evenly between the characters this time, Amu and her group totally owned the last chapter. It's comforting to know that she's learned to share. Anyway, remember to review because I'm a writer and writers are review whores!

Peace~! -MagnifiedSun