A/N: So this is my chapter and this is where it will start to get a little complicated. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask! And now, the seventh chapter of 'The Nation's Jungle Struggle'.

"Seborga speaking."

"Marcello?"

"Sealand?"

"Hey!"

"Hi!"

"How is it going?"

"I need your help Marcello," Sealand exclaims. "There's big trouble for the nations."

"Big trouble?" Seborga repeats, his accent faint hearing him through the phone. "Sounds intriguing. And I can help how…?"

"If you would come to America, that'd be great!" Sealand sees Theo raising an eyebrow at how loud his voice had gotten and tries to quiet a little.

"America? Is Alfred there too?" Seborga asks. Sealnd shakes his head before remembering…he's on the phone. Seborga can't see him.

"No…uh, that's part of the problem. Could you just come, please?" Sealand waits for his answer. Latvia probably would've been better persuading him to come…

Latvia.

He bites his lip hard, trying not to cry out. He can't really explain it to Seborga partly because talking about it would make it so much more painful. He'd rather leave it to the others to explain when all the micro nations got here. Is 'ugh' an emotion? Is there even a word for the pain of the loss he feels?

"Sure, why not? Quick question though-is there food? Are there girls?" Sealand rolls his eyes at Seborga's priorities but the edges of his mouth curve up a little bit. Seborga is uplifting him without his even knowing about it.

"Yes and yes! I'm at a pizza parlor-"

"Oh perfect!" Seborga breaks in. "I'll be there! I wonder if American girls are as cute as Italian ones. Oh, but don't tell Monaco."

"Actually-" Seland begins but there's a slight click to show Seborga has hung up. Sealand sighs and presses the end call button as he turns to the others.

"Well Seborga is on his way," he says, his voice a little bit more cheerful then it had been before. Now that he knows the others are willing to help, it makes him feel a bit better. He's not alone in this struggle.

"Seborga?" Casey looks puzzled. "And that is where?"

"I'm pretty sure it's Italy," RJ says, leaning forward in his chair. Sealand nods excitedly.

"Yeah, RJ's right! How'd you know that?"

"I am familiar with a lot of knowledge that others would perceive as useless," RJ answers mysteriously. Theo and Casey exchange exasperated glances.

"Well I'm impressed," Dom says. "Personally, I've never heard of it. But let's see how many of the other micro nations you can name."

"I accept that challenge," RJ responds lightly. Sealand manages another smile. He can tell they're trying so hard to cheer him up after losing Latvia and discovering Dai Shi's plan. He appreciates it, he really does. To think that a couple days ago, he never would've thought he'd find such good friends in the worst of times.

Speaking of friends, he realizes Lily hasn't said a thing since telling him she thought calling the other micro nations was a good idea.

He looks around and finds her seated on the steps leading up to the makeshift kitchen. Her arms are around her knees and she's staring at a spot on the ground, her eyes never wavering. Except for the slight rise and fall of her chest, she's as still as a statue.

"Is Lily okay?" he asks, worried about her. Of course he would be the most affected by losing Latvia but Lily seems to be taking it pretty hard. He can see why, though. They had bonded very quickly and for Latvia, one to be so shy even around people he's known for ages, to like her so much obviously showed there was something more to their relationship.

"She's just in shock, I think," Dom answers, following Sealand's gaze to the yellow ranger. "And of course she's sad."

"Should we talk to her?" Sealand watches as the rangers look at each other.

"If you want to, sure. But she's kind of hard to talk to when she's like this," Theo whispers. "It's actually a little scary."

Sealand tilts his head. "Scary?"

"She's usually one to be positive," Casey explains. "To see her like this…completely defeated…well, it's unusual, to say at best."

Sealand nods and doesn't say anything else. But he can't ignore the yellow ranger. Deciding to call the other micro nations later, he walks over to where she's sitting and takes his place beside her.

She looks up, her eyes red and glassy from trying to hold back tears and succeeding for the most part. However, a few tears trail down her face. She wipes one away.

"Hi," she says, her voice raspy as she gives him a watery smile. Sealand tries to grin back at her but he doesn't know if he's successful. It's hard to be strong for others when he can barely hold himself up.

"Hi," he answers. He wracks his brain for something to say to distract her. It's funny, usually he can't stop talking and now when he needs a change of subject, his mind is blank. "Um, Seborga is on his way. I'm going to call some others later."

"Okay." Lily nods. She looks down and suddenly gives a dry laugh. "I'm sorry, Sealand. I shouldn't be the one breaking down now. You've known him so much longer then me…I should be trying to comfort you, not the other way around."

"No, Lily, it's fine," Sealand reassure her. Of course, with every breath he takes it's like a stab to the chest that reminds him Lativa's gone but he tries to hide it. He's not one to hide his feelings but to break down now would just show that he's not as strong as they thought. Even though Lily is breaking down now, it proves that she's strong. Besides, he has some comfort. The rangers can fix this. The rangers can do anything.

And yet…

"He was just like…like a little brother. I know that must sound weird but it is what it is. I'm an only child and just seeing him…it just made me feel like a big sister." She continues to stare at the floor as she says this. Sealand feels his heart go out to the cheetah ranger. After knowing them only for a short time and to think of Latvia that way…it makes some tears well up in his own eyes. But he pushes them back.

He thinks Latvia would like to know that. That he has Lily as a big sister. It's comforting.

"And you too, Sealand. You're my little brother too. And I won't let anything happen to you." She glances up this time, meeting Sealand's wide-eyed gaze.

"I swear it."