Egg Nation- Another Joins the Fight

'Just what we need, Tsukiyomi Ikuto' Rima thought, her inner words presented themselves in a sickened sarcasm and soon voiced by a deliberate eye roll. Her irritation could be well understood by all; with the exception of the hormonally-crazed fangirl Utau was attempting to control, that endeavor was getting mixed results. Ikuto wasn't a positive variable to the already challenging equation, they'd made practically no progress despite all their efforts. The start of the second attack began with Rima whipping her ladle as she intensely stirred the spinning tea leaves inside the wok. Once the gust of flora could no longer be contained by the metal rim, the guidance of the ladle led the delicate colors out to commence their havoc.

"Tea Leaf Cyclone, aru!" The petite girl shouted; at the sound of her voice the winds' speed dramatically increased, trashing the leaves against the X Eggs. The unusual sharp quality of the leaves barely chipped the surface of the eggs, and all the strong wind could manage was to scatter some of the eggs around. Most of the X Eggs were able to repel the tea leaves by simply emitting a burst of energy. The failed leaves lightly wafted down, settling silently on the ground to be crunched up under the feet planted above as Yaya took position to unleash her devastating attack. She theatrically brought her hands down to the side; gathering a bright ball of power and threw her arms overhead only to lazily announce, "Merry Merry"

Under the lulling tune the giant mobile chimed; some, though not many, X Eggs were effectively swayed to sleep along with the one responsible for their overpowering slumber. Others felt the heavy lid of drowsiness droop in on them but remained alert enough to generate a bolt of energy with the many unaffected eggs which they hurtled down, smiting the napping Yaya and undoing her Character Transformation. She and Pepe laid unconscious with scorched patches on their clothes and light burns speckled haphazardly across their skin. Then as the two innocently slept the storm continued to violently rage on. Upon seeing her limp body sprawled out on the ground Kukai started racing over and shouted to no avail, "Yaya!"

"Angel Cradle!" Bam! The loud booming pound of the X Egg whip hammering against the rooftop wasn't an attuned percussion addition to Utau's calm song. The lashing eggs deafened Kukai to the gentle song drifting through the air and separated him from his fallen friend, but as the warm glowing feathers swung down to him he looked up and found the sleeping eggs purified. Utau shot him a motherly stern glance, not a hard or cold stare but a look that wanted to instill some order as gently as possible. With this expression spread evenly across her radiant face she said, "Don't worry about her, she's okay. It seems they only care about live 'prey'."

"Utau's right. As much as I want to help Yaya; there are other more pressing matters to attend to, aru." Rima added, her guilt stressed in her slight melancholic tone but was put somewhat to rest by logic. Kukai flinched at the use of the word 'prey' to refer to themselves and was reluctant to abandon the girl even though the X Eggs seemed to go out of their way to avoid her, but all of his anxieties were calmed when a large Kumajiro moseyed over and was left to guard her by the constantly fading in and out Nagihiko. Once he scampered back to the group all the while mumbling 'Maple maple' and fearfully clutching the hockey stick against his chest, which was heaving feverishly with quick breaths, Nagihiko stood by them once again. He tried to at least appear somewhat competent by shakily standing up tall, but that venture only proved useless because the truth was.

'I'm not really what you would say 'good' at stuff like this; my brother on the other hand has a real talent for this sort of thing, oh maple.' Canada weakly admitted, his voice practically vanishing within despair at the mention of America. This misery transferred itself to Nagihiko like a contagious virus, both wading in a pool of desolation. Kukai was the one to literary yank the depressed nation out of his sad thoughts as he hooked his arm around Nagihiko's neck and jokingly thrashed him about, boasting a hearty laugh. At the first gap in Kukai's boisterous chuckling Utau stepped in; managing to inform them of the phenomena she'd just made sense of and stated, "These X Eggs are too powerful to be cleansed immediately by my Angel Cradle but after Yaya put them to sleep, I was able to purify them. So here's the plan you all weaken them, and I'll go in and finish the job!"

That was the plan, technically more of an order but that was beside the point. The four remaining turned their sight toward the rumble of the storm and the chain of eggs slithering, weaving through the dark clouds. It watched them, waiting patiently for the right moment to strike, and they knew that the chain had to be their first target. Kukai blinked thoughtfully at the creation, and then glanced sideways through the corner of his eye at Rima. Their wordless request for assistance yet confident air relayed the news of a zany idea, and she was more than willing to go along with it. Already preparing her attack by the time he'd summon his golden, fidgety ball of energy that pulsed eagerly. Once it was uniformed into the shape of a soccer ball he hiked up his leg and shouted, "Golden Victory Shoot!"

"Tea Leaf Cyclone, again, aru." The ball went flying after Kukai's kick and with the wind Rima conjured, it blurred in its own speed, but they knew where the ball landed from the enormous explosion set off from its impact with the chain. The burst of the ball's golden energy was beautifully frightening, after breaking from the carefully orchestrated sphere structure the bits of freed light twirled around sketching squiggles in the sky that slowly dimmed away. Though their destructive ability was not forgotten with this seemingly innocent artistic display, they blew up the X Egg chain in half mainly leaving two major sections with numerous stragglers who weren't apart of either side. Those left out helplessly fell, and the ends of the once intimidating formation sagged sluggishly. It was impressive but not efficient, and the other eggs were more than angry at the defeat of their peers. With revenge boiling inside them along the other negative emotions; the bolts of energy became more frequent and dangerous, inching closer and closer to the group while chipping noticeable dents into the roof. They needed a miracle.

"M-maple Syrup Slapshot" No one anticipated on hearing the now socially awkward Nagihiko stutter the strange title in a voice that was barely over a whisper, but they were more than thankful that he mustered up enough courage to do so. After the phrase was murmured a small hockey puck that dimly gleamed a gentle, warm yellow-orange plopped onto the ground directly in front of the boy (seemingly from nowhere), and with a hockey enthusiast such as Canada mainly in control, he couldn't help but smack the admittedly delicious smelling puck with all of his might. The stout piece of equipment spun rapidly as it hurtled itself towards one of the half chains, and once the smallest curve of the puck lightly touched an egg in the whip the entire formation was consumed by the suddenly expanded mass of syrup. From there the formless blob of the sweet substance caught the remaining half with its sticky extensions and went on to capture some free-floating X Eggs. And when the furious storm clouds threw their dark lightening in retaliation, the thick syrup merely absorbed the shock. With a majority of the X Eggs subdued, Utau knew it was finally time for another.

"Angel Cradle!" Then the predictable white feathers fluttered down, lovingly caressing the sky; that heavenly snow conducted the peaceful melody with their smooth but quick movements. Those small ballerinas gracefully swayed, performing their last dance before taking a final bow as they rested along the battlefield. Afterwards the feathers were commissioned with the task of cleaning the syrup and its prisoners, which they did faithfully by expelling a shining light. When that bright curtain was drawn back all that remained were pure heart eggs joyfully bouncing to the tune. This sight would have calmed the wildest beats, and even a smile coiled onto the sleeping Yaya's face along with the rest of her friends'. The thunder's boom was quieted, and the lightening had lost its brilliance. The black, foreboding clouds eased into the wish-washy grey kind one would typically witness after a rain shower instead of their earlier apocalyptic darkness. But that moment of relaxing perfection ended much too soon in the children's opinion; when the cleansed heart eggs were sullied once more, and to make matters significantly worse another batch of fresh, strong X Eggs was just arriving.

"You've got to be joking." Kukai bitterly mumbled with an exhausted breath sucked in at the end as the stressful reality set in on him. They were all, especially Utau, running out of endurance. It was as if the X Eggs were parasites draining the life out of their unfortunate host, and now more of those leeches gathered to browse through the meager remains of the energy buffet. But none of them would give into the agonizing craving of surrender, and that's when Ikuto slinked onto the rooftop. After reinforcing their willpower with simple yet powerful grins and nods; he stood holding Ami up triumphantly as if she were a prized jewel he'd gone through excruciating perils to obtain, which brought Rima to think her sarcastic thought. But there was something unsettling about Ami. She was still, and quiet for that matter. Those two traits were barely ever displayed by the young girl, especially both at the same time, but all inquiring about Ami's acting out of character ceased as she lifted her head, exposing the laughably thick eyebrows that hung over a set of mature golden-yellow eyes and prompting Amu to shout, "She's still in the character change?"

Ping! Or she was up until that sound.

"Onee-chan! Wha- huh? Ah! Onee-chan, help! Where is… Arthur! Arthur help! Onee-chan… Arthur… Somebody!" The little girl's yelling sprung from one subject to another as her eyes flashed from the steady, mature manner they had when housed under those thick eyebrows to their usual manic with emotions look, and right now those golden-orbed portals to her easy to read soul were leaping between Amu and England brimming with confusion and fear. Ami uselessly flailed about in Ikuto's firm grasp, but the waving simply swung her back and forth like a slow pendulum with no possibility of unbalancing her captor and opening an opportunity for escape. Then they all felt a low rumble reverberate through the air that tried to restrain itself but failed, and what followed the echoing was an intense flare of enraged heat pouring out of England that scarred France into hiding behind the silent and unfazed America. The once again provoked country demanded through a set of clenched and grinding teeth that wanted to maintain some demeanor but by the end were unlatched and yelling, "If you don't set her down this instant… I'll put you through every torture the world has every known, cast every spell and curse ever to has existed and force you to sit in Busby's chair for good measure!"

The threats, no… those promises England swore to sent shivers that meticulously crawled up the spine of anyone who listened, his words took small but purposeful steps as a spider does on its web that tediously explored every nerve along their path. Ikuto released his hold on Ami's dress but caught her before she landed; quickly constructing an indifferent face, to combat the nation's fighting words, that'd spawn some fear within him. But England was already prepared to react with a confident smirk that challenged the fabricated coolness the young man strutted, pressuring him to break his nonchalant look and admit to the fear he had hidden under that cocky blankness. Ikuto never thought he'd have to battle a mere glance from one of these foreign characters, which for a matter of fact he was losing against. He was on the brink of submitting to defeat when the director roared out in a shout throbbing with pain and frustration, "Ikuto don't you dare let her go! Remember if all goes according to plan, then you get your wish granted."

"Ikuto…" Amu mumbled: begging, pleading, praying for the return of her sister. At the call of his name, Ikuto shifted his gaze over to his caller. She was in a new Character Transformation. (How many does this one make?) A single, curled strand of hair delicately wobbled in tune with her bonds of fearful shaking. Her eyes were closed, at least they appeared to be, yet strangely Ikuto could still feel their sight burrowing into him which released a wave of guilt inside him. Even in this frightened state a subtle carefree air floated around the girl, and when the quivering calmed down her face truly radiated this energetic happiness. Though the attire Amu was dressed in didn't seem like its wearer should exhibit such an attitude. She was clothed in a blue military uniform with a black shirt and boots. Not the typical wardrobe for one of her transformations; instead of the usual cosplay-like look, this Character Transformation made it seem as if she'd just been drafted into a war.

And as much as Amu's transformation appeared miss-matched, Tadase's fitted like a glove. With his hair slicked back he was almost an exact replica of the German himself, but Tadase's soft, gentle red-violet eyes contrasted drastically with the stern and serious atmosphere hanging in the air. This difference was only a minor distraction when looking at the big picture. The green uniform not only suited the situation he was in but the grim and rather pessimistic tone the boy uncharacteristically produced, though this negativity was one that could be forgiven because its intent to take the world seriously in order to protect others was clearly shown through Tadase's honest eyes. But as Ikuto observed the boy that had once adored him a spasm of pain pulsed from his right hand, and the memory of his last encounter with the German surged back, smothering any of the previous guilt Amu had created. Then Ikuto harshly tossed Ami, who was limp as a ragdoll with fear, into the surprised arms of the director and stated coolly with a tinge of anger, "You're more of the negotiating type, Mister Director. Besides I've got unfinished business."

With a twitch of the tail and a flicker of his cat ears Ikuto was sprinting off towards Tadase, his injured hand drawn back in position and ready to thrust the metal claws attached. He darted and agilely maneuvered through the controlled nations and Amu on his way to his target, who stubbornly rooted himself as he starred down at the approaching Ikuto. But when he threw is armed hand out and was about to disclose the attack's name, Tadase caught the appendage effortlessly and squeezed more throbbing agony into it with a crushing grip. Ikuto was beyond shocked, even if he tried to hide it beneath a trembling scowl, not only at Tadase's strength but the ruthlessness at which he executed it. His attacker was completely immobilized by the simple action, and the grim yet annoyed glare that startlingly was shot from those just until recently sympathetic eyes unnerved Ikuto. And while the boy applied more pressure to his hold the cold steel of a sword was laid flat against the skin of Ikuto's neck. The irritated Prussian then pushed his lips up to his captive's ear and muttered, "Who do you think you are, interrupting a duel of the awesome Prussia?"

Then the flat edge of the blade was slowly drawn down his shivering skin, savoring the possibility of a long cut following the sword's path, and Prussia satisfyingly grinned as the gamble frightened Ikuto enough into tensing up the muscles under his thin skin. Once the weapon was no longer in contact with his neck, Ikuto suddenly let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding and scolded himself at how quickly he let it fly out of himself because of the immediate pleasure it gave Gilbert. Ikuto's gaze shifted from the sword wielding man to Tadase and back again until all of his attention focused itself on the boy, pushing the other as a second priority. But he relieved himself of the thought of the Prussian all too soon, only capturing a glimpse of the glint reflected off the albino's sword as he raised it with the intention to strike his unsuspecting target. In a blur he found himself behind Tadase and out of harm's way. Ikuto regretted it yet was thankful to have been saved by the boy, who had flung him out of the weapon's range and then ordered in a condescending roar no one would want to disobey, "I have no time to deal with the likes of you, this isn't the time for your petty revenge. This is war, nations are at stake so you're going to have to sit in the corner and wait your turn."

He stupidly stood still, dumfounded at the command, as Prussia resumed his fight with Tadase by throwing powerful swings that swooshed though the empty air they sliced through. Then the sharp sound of a fired bullet colliding with the sword rang, bringing Ikuto out of his dazed state in time to see the silky smoke dance up into nothingness from the barrel of the gun Tadase expertly brandished. Each advancement Prussia tried to make was blocked by the shells his opponent shot, pushing away the thrusts of the sword with a musical ding. The two were deeply involved in their back and forth attack-block battle; giving Ikuto a chance to come in from behind and shout 'Slash Claw' as he brought down his bladed claws, hoping to gash Tadase's undefended back but only became caught in the wooden pole of a large white flag held by Amu. An irked grunt was huffed out of his lips as Ikuto dragged the flag out of her hands and hurled it off to the side, snapping into various pieces and leaving Amu to nervously fret about for a replacement which she found in the form of a handkerchief and a severed part of the original handle that the girl tied together. With this new flag in hand Amu waved it in surrender to the curious onlooker, Ikuto, while screaming streams of terrified rants that unsurely gave him a vague idea of her forfeit.

'What are you making me do Feliciano? We can't give up without even trying!' Amu irritably scolded internally at the Italian, but before her lecture could continue she was struck by a blunt object from behind and fell onto the hard cement for the second time that day. Her sudden lost of balance was punctuated by the dribble of a red ball against the ground, its jumping slowly losing energy with each hop until the sphere only shock as it rolled to a halt where all movements ceased. Then a foot mounted the still object and rocketed it up into the air where it was caught by a vexed Lovino. His fiery burnt-yellow eyes burned a cold, impassionate fury for Ikuto. But whenever those orbs, which pulsed with anger, fell upon the transformed Amu a flash of heat ignited within their stare. Then his eyes lost that intense flame as their sight landed on Ikuto again, and an ounce of disgusted green leaked into the pure amber. Lovino put the tomato to his side, holding it there and menacingly strolled over to the fallen girl. The entire time not daring to lift his gaze off of Ikuto, lest he might give him the chance to take the fight he so desperately desired. When the nation arrived in front of Amu his eyes remained attached to their subject and out of nowhere warned in a sinister tone, "Don't you fucking mess with him… her… whatever the hell they are now! All I know is that bastard's hiding, and I intend to be the one to beat him out. Capisce?"

Ikuto wanted to retaliate, to defy the Italian, but there was a sense of power to him and his words similar to the British character from earlier. It was a sensation that lifted those who possessed it up, putting them on a level greater than your own, to where they would be rightly regarded yet at the same time feared. And if one wished to act against such a being, then they would require thicker wills than Ikuto had. This baffling phenomenon annoyed the young man though and caused him to cast an infuriated glare over at Arthur, but he immediately retracted it and assumed a look of awe that was slightly frightened. England floated alone in front of the wounded director, his head held down but its hidden expression understood by the foreboding vibes discharged from his tiny body. A terrifying sight such as this would have normally sent Ami spiraling into a fearful state, but instead she was inspired by this parental rage, which she was quite familiar with since it'd come from her father countless times, and struggled against the director's hold profusely. The panicking director whipped his glance around; he still held the upper hand, but his plan wasn't running as smoothly as the man had hoped for. But when his eyes returned to England, the nation had already begun his charge toward the unprepared director.

'This isn't going to be as easy as you think, Mister Director.' Ikuto mentally accessed as he silently slipped back into the shadows to wait for another opportunity to arise, unnoticed by anyone.

A/N: We're almost at an end. From what I have planned there should only be two or so chapters left. That's kind of depressing; I hope I've gotten better since starting this story, but I wonder what I'll do next. I do have a couple epilogue one-shots in mind but no major projects. What do you all think I should do? Since I'm indecisive and lazy I'll get your opinion on the matter. So if there's anything you'd like me to write, then just post it along with your review. (Haha! Another way to force you to review, I'm so evil)

Peace~! -MagnifiedSun