AN: Hello everyone! I hope you are having an awesome day. Here we are with another chapter of New World Rises! It's a shame to think about it but we are almost half way through. Almost. It took me a while to write this chapter but, finally it is done. Hope you guys enjoy it and I hope you are all having an awesome day.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia.

Germany slowly opened his eyes. His hair was disheveled and his clothes were dirtied. The first thing he noticed was that his head was pounding. Second were the heavy chains that bound him to a metal chair. Glancing around, he saw that the only light in the room was hanging above him. 'I must be in one of Russia's cells' he observed. Sure enough the metal door in front of him swung open and a pair of purple eyes smiled at him.

"Good morning, Ludwig. Did you have a good sleep?" Russia asked with a smile.

"It would have been better if I was able to sleep in a bed." Ludwig hissed as he glared at his captor.

"Da, I bet it would have," Russia closed the door behind him as he entered the room. "Of course you could have if you weren't plotting against me."

"Plotting? What kind of crazed idea do you have in your head this time?" Ludwig demanded.

Russia's unnatural smile turned into a cold frown. "I see the signs. You've been doing something behind my back. You haven't been talking to your brother lately, or Italy. Instead you've been locked in your room doing some sort of research. You increased the security on your computer to block out everyone even Union officials. You then suddenly left, without any guards, to an abandoned base," Russia put his hands on each arm rest and glared into Ludwig's blue eyes. "You are up to something and I WILL figure out what it is."

Ludwig stared blankly at Russia. "I can assure you, I am not up to anything. So you can let me go."

Russia smiled once more. He then reach over to Ludwig's hand and grabbed his ring finger. Russia then quickly pulled the finger back until he heard a sickening crack. Ludwig screamed in pain but quickly gritted his teeth. Russia smirked and leaned back. "And I can assure you that I know you are lying. It's just a matter of time before you tell me," Russia walked behind him and over to a table. Ludwig could only hear the sound of metal clanking and something moving around. "After all," Russia chuckled. "I have all the time in the world."

-o-

Alfred, Adam, Washington, and South sat at a long table in an empty conference room. After telling them what happened they sat there in silence. Alfred stared down at the table. He didn't know what to do. His feelings were raging: Anger and misery, with nothing to direct it at... except Russia.

"So let me get this straight," Adam spoke finally breaking the silence. "You and Germany had a thing going on, then you went missing, then you started World War three."

Alfred slowly nodded. "Yeah... I guess that's right."

"The history books have always said that it was America who started the war but it never said that the representative went missing. History is written by the victor and many feel that Russia left some stuff out." Washington stated. "But the problem we have right now is that Ludwig is our potential ally and now he is locked up by Russia."

"Well, I say that we just leave him there," South scoffed as he put his feet up on the table. "I told you that you shouldn't have gone. All this will cause is trouble. We have been doing fine."

Alfred glared at South but Adam spoke first. "Germany could help us. By having him as an ally it would also expand our territory. Right now we can only operate from the wilderness. We have been doing well with our attacks but in truth we haven't been getting anywhere."

South groaned. "Alright, fine. But we don't even know where Russia is keeping him."

"He's keeping him on his flagship, obviously." The group turned and looked over to the door. Wolcott stood in the door way. She was a stern as ever and had her black hair up in a tight bun.

"Wolcott," Washington smiled as his peer made her way into the room and sat down. "It's a pleasure to see you."

"Likewise."

"So wait," Adam raised an eyebrow. "How do you know where Germany is being kept?"

"It's personal, not business. Russia would want to keep prisoners like that close to him and surrounded by their enemies. The cells on the flagship are also the only ones that can hold a nation." Wolcott answered.

"Alright, that sounds good to me," Adam leaned back in his chair. "What do we do now?"

Alfred nodded. "We need a way to get onto that ship."

"The Masquerade ball is being held on the ship, but the only people that can get into the ball are nations and some important officials. Not only that, but we will have to get an invitation and sneaking on board is nearly impossible." Wolcott stated.

"We have to find a way onto the ship," Alfred looked around at the group. "Any ideas?"

The group sat there in thought. Everyone, but South, seemed to be thinking of a way to get onto the ship. "We will defiantly need help," Adam spoke. "Japan... Do you think he can help us?"

Alfred sighed. "Last time I talked to him he said that he wont help me unless I prove that I am not the same as I was when I started WWIII."

Washington frowned. "Well we better get on that. Japan probably has an invitation so he could help us sneak in and out."

"Where is Kiku then?" Alfred asked.

After another moment of silence Washington looked towards Wolcott. "Wolcott, you should know. Where is he?"

Wolcott sighed. "He's on England's pirate ship."

Alfred slowly nodded. "...oh."

-o-

"Do you see it?"

"Yeah I see it."

"What's it doing?"

"It looks like it's heading into port."

Off the coast was the Elizabeth, England's favorite ship. It's solar sails pulsed with energy as it calmly sailed through the blue sea. Bronze pipes weaved in and out of the hull of the ship and eventually gathered in the back. A couple miles down the bay shoreline, Adam and Alfred watch the ship threw binoculars. They stayed hidden in they among a bunch of thick bushes.

With an agitated sigh Adam lower his binoculars. "So how are we going to do this?"

"I suppose I'll just sneak in, talk to japan, then get out." Alfred stated in a mater-of-fact tone.

"What?! Washington will kill me if I let you go off on your own." Adam exclaimed.

Alfred raised an eyebrow. "But you guys let me go off on my own all the time!"

"But this is different. This is an enemy's ship and not only that but it's England's ship."

"What's so bad about Arthur? All he does is drink tea all day." Alfred scoffed.

"Alfred," Adam scowled at the nation. "Things are not the same as you remember them. You should have known that by now! England is... unstable. I hear that he has seriously reverted back to his pirate days."

Alfred rolled his eyes. "So he makes a few people walk the blank. All I have to do is sneak on board and find Japan. It will be easy and if I don't come back just call Washington and have Wolcott come after me. She could say that she is doing one of her Union inspections."

Seeing that he wouldn't be able to change Alfred's mind anytime soon, Adam groaned in defeat. "Fine. Fine! But if Washington gets mad at me it's on your head."

"Alright," Alfred smiled and slowly started to head down the coast towards the port. "See you soon."

"But we haven't even figure out how you are going to sneak onto the ship!" Adam called after him.

"Don't worry about it! I got a disguise and everything." Alfred shouted over his shoulder and he patted his bag that held his disguise and took off towards the port.

The town was bustling with merchants selling off the new, exotic merchandise from both Mars and the remains of Earth. A couple of ships were already docked and were unloading their cargo. Grinning, Alfred slipped through the crowds. A large crowd attracted his attention and when he got closer he saw that they were all watching as England's ship docked. Alfred had to admit, it was an impressive ship. A plank stretched out from the ship and attached to the dock bellow.

"Alright, lads," Called a voice from the ships deck. "Be back my sundown or I'm shipping out without you." Alfred could hear the sailors agree then they marched off the ship and into the town. They grinned and leered at the towns folk as they passed. Alfred scanned the crew as it passed but didn't see Japan among them. 'Is he still on the ship?" He wondered. Alfred glanced back up at the ship to see Arthur. He stood on the dock of his ship looking down upon the crowd. England wore a red coat with gold embroidery, a white loose under shirt, brown pants, and shiny black boots. His green eyes scanned the crowd bellow. Alfred quickly turned away when his eyes fell on him. Slowly glancing back up he saw that England turning away and heading back bellow deck.

The crowd started to disperse and Alfred quickly ducking into an ally. "Alright," He grinned as he opened his bag. "Time to change," He pulled out an old brown coat, tan shirt, and worn down boots. He quickly slipped onto his outfit and to top it off he put on a brown wig and a hat. He gave himself a look over. "Well this will help me slip on board, but lets hope I don't come face to face with Arthur." Alfred slipped back out into the street and casually walked to the ship. When he stepped on deck he was surprised to find that there was no one keeping watch.

"Hm... I guess he thinks that no one will try to sneak on board." He muttered. Spying the hatch that led bellow deck him slowly made his way over and opened it just a crack. He peeked through the opening and saw that there was no one by the stairs. Slowly and carefully he slipped down bellow deck. The area bellow deck was dimly lit by small lights near the ceiling and full of crates, barrels, cannons, and some tables and chairs. Alfred looked around and saw no one. He started moving around from one place to another. After finding the kitchen and more storage he eventually found a room full of hammocks. 'This must be where the crew sleeps.' he thought. Alfred slowly walked among the hammocks and dug through the crews belongings. No sign of Japan. Alfred groaned but quickly grew silent.

The sound of boots clicking reached his ears. He quickly ducked behind a pile of dirty clothes. When the sound got closer he glanced over the pile and saw England come into view. When he walked by Alfred let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly the footsteps stopped. Alfred froze again as he heard the footsteps returned. England back tracked and stopped in front of the door. His green eyes scanned the hammocks.

"Hello?" He called gently. Alfred felt his heart stop.

After a moment of tense silence Arthur moved away from the door and headed up stairs. Alfred let out another sigh of relief. "Thank god." he muttered. He slowly got up and peeked out into the hallway. It was clear.

Gently Alfred moved to the last door on that level. Glancing up the stairs near the door he could hear England moving around in his cabin. Slowly he opened the door and saw that it was a small room. He slowly made his way inside and started looking through for clues about where Japan might be. This time luck is was on his side. All he did was look in the corner and he found Japan's katana.

"Bingo," He whispered joyfully. Alfred knelt down and looked the katana over. "Yup, this is Kiku's alright. This must be his room."

"Yes... it is," Alfred felt something cold against his neck. Glancing down he saw a blade pressing against his throat. "Stand up," Alfred slowly got to his feet. "Turn around." Taking a deep breath Alfred slowly turned around to only to come face to face with Japan.

Alfred let out a small laugh. "Oh good, am I glad to see you and not Arthur."

Japan raised an eyebrow and lowered his blade. "Alfred-kun? What are you doing here on Arthur's ship?"

"I'm here looking for you. I need your help." Alfred pleaded.

"If I remember correctly I told you that I wasn't going help you unless you prove to me that you are not going to betray me again." He sheathed his blade then gently closed his bed room door.

"I know. I'm willing to do anything to prove to you that I am me and not... whoever I became. Please, please, I'll get on my hands and knees just tell me what I have to do" He begged.

Japan stared blankly at Alfred with calculating eyes. "Why," He finally asked. "Why do you need my help?"

"Ludwig, Russia took him," Alfred looked at Japan in despair. "I need to get onto his ship and save him... please."

"Russia has Ludwig-san?" Japan's eyes widened. After a moment of silence Japan nodded. "I do have something I need help with. Once you are done I will arrange to help you, and your friends, get into the party."

Alfred smiled and pulled Japan into a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you! I'll do whatever you need!"

"U-Um, y-yes," Japan blushed slightly and wormed his way out of Alfred's arms. "W-Well, what I need help. As you know after the war I became nothing," Japan moved over to his bed and sat down. "Arthur-san took me in and has been nice to be, but he isn't the same. He has been on edge. When I asked him if he could help me build a place of my own, for me and whats left of my people. He denied me and now whenever I try to leave the ship he locks me up. If he leaves the ship the I go with him."

"I see... What do you need me to do? Do you need me to help you sneak off the ship?" Alfred asked.

"No, If I do he might try to go after me. Arthur doesn't like it when people trick him and the land isn't the problem, Mars has plenty of it. Last time I was able to get off the ship I met an elder who is still true to me, to what I was back in the old days. During WWIII I thought that I was about to lose everything. Every tradition or skill that my people have practiced, I was going to lose it all. So in case I forgot my past I wrote it down on scrolls and stored them in a box. I wrote down every craft and tradition. The man I met, he wants to bring me back and he knows I couldn't do it my self."

"Why not?" Alfred asked.

Japan looked at him with cold eyes. "Having your land being taken from you... It's like being torn apart and It's not as simple as just going out and claiming land. People have to believe in you. They have to want to call themselves, Japanese. If not you are weak. As long as someone still claims that they are from that country a nation can still live... but it's like you are slowly fading away. I need those scrolls. The Elder that I met can use them to teach others about me. They can go out and claim land in my name. But I need my traditions so that I can be whole again."

Alfred slowly nodded as he listened to Japan's explanation. "Then... Where are the scrolls?" He asked.

Japan scowled. "It took me a while but I learned that Arthur-san had obtained it."

"If that's the case then why doesn't Arthur just give them to you?"

Japan sighed. "I'm not sure. Arthur-san has been paranoid about nations. He is the second most powerful nation in the world right now and he's not to far behind Russia. He's number one goal recently has been power and riches. That's probably why he has reverted back to his pirate phase."

Alfred and Japan sat there in silence. "So," Alfred spoke breaking the quiet. "Where does he keep his riches?"

"He keeps them on this ship or at least some of them."

Alfred stared at him. "Wait, If they are here then why do you need me?"

"I will get Arthur to leave the ship. When he does I have to go with him. While we are gone I want you to look for them and get them off the ship. After you leave the ship I'll have the Elder contact you and retrieve them." Japan stated.

"Wait, What if the door, or something, is locked?" Alfred realized.

"I have been planning this for a while. I can get the keys off of him. You just have to get the treasure then get it off the ship," Japan gave Alfred a determined stare. "Are you with me?"

Alfred nodded. "I'm with you."

"I'll go distract Arthur-san. Wait here. When you hear us leave the room the sneak to the top of the stairs and wait there, out of site." Japan stood up and opened the door.

"Alright," Alfred nodded. "I'm ready."

Returning his nod Japan slowly closed the door behind him and headed up stairs to England.