The Hetalia Global Warming Crisis; Get Out Alive

07—The Circle of Power

France knelt next to Canada and started saying some things in the younger country's ear. The others moved away silently, not wanting to disrupt the small family gathering.

"I'll go and make pasta," North Italy piped up. "Then everything will be alright!"

"I'll come," Germany sighed. "America said the kitchens were in the backrooms."

"I will go, too," Japan added quickly, with Prussia, Romano and Spain following behind.

Russia and China, who had Kumajiro with him, followed with a last concerned glance at Canada.

"I'll go and help make some scones," England said casually, rubbing the back of his head and turning away from Canada, America, and France.

"Shouldn't you stay and help?" Russia said with a withering smile. "After all, Canada is your adopted son, da?"

"Er…" Arthur, not wanting to look like a bad parent, reluctantly headed over to his two sons and France. He grudgingly kneeled in front of Matthew, who had his head pressed to Alfred's chest. Alfred was hugging his brother and fighting back his own tears. Francis glanced at Arthur hopelessly.

"Come, now," Arthur began awkwardly. "The others are making a great worldwide feast just to make you feel better. The sun is going down and I'm getting tired. We should plan on what to do next, while there are no enemies around."

Matthew whipped his head around to glare at Arthur, but he didn't have the strength to fight, and he looked away.

"Yeah," he whispered shakily. "We should go."

The three older nations lifted Canada to his feet. He raised his bow and the arrow he still held in his hand. He never got to fire even one shot. Not even to defend his brothers. He shrugged off Alfred's grip on his shoulders and bitterly trudged to the doors that lead to the back of the building. Alfred lifted a hand and tried to call him back, but Arthur put a hand on Alfred's, shaking his head sadly. The three stood for a moment and watched Canada stumble through the devastated hall with sympathy in their eyes, and then they followed without another word.

-C-

I'm standing on a lake of black water. Why am I standing on it? I tap the surface with a foot. Ripples circle around my toe, but my shoe is not wet. I'm leaning over to get a better look, but all I see is blackness. Not even a reflection.

A low growl causes me to look up sharply.

Now in front of me stands a huge white wolf with frost at its paws. Wherever it steps, the black water around it turns to white ice. There is a trail of whiteness behind it, fading off into the black distance. It is a path of hope in this black abyss.

I take a step towards the white wolf, but a voice sounds in my mind.

Come no further. It says. You will not reach me this way.

This way? I inquire.But you are right here. Surely I can come to you.

No. I am not here. I am in the other life. This is the land of shadows. We shall meet in life. And when we do, I will follow you.

Puzzled, I reach out a hand. One more step and I can touch this wonderful animal. I take a step…

And now I am falling; falling in darkness. My mind is blank. I know nothing. I feel nothing. I see nothing. I am nothing…

-C-

"Mattie! Mattie! Food's ready! Stop dozing and get up!"

Matthew cracked open his eyes and found himself staring right into his brother's big, sky-blue eyeball. He yelped out a word that sounded suspiciously like "Maple" and fell off the couch. Alfred, who had been on the other end of the couch, leaning over him, straightened up and laughed. Kumajiro, who was beside him, just glanced down at Canada. They were in the back room where there was a small kitchen and living space. The countries were all gathered in the living room which consisted of a couch by the wall, surrounded by four chairs around a small coffee table.

The young country whimpered and used the coffee table for support as he climbed to his feet. He looked around, taking in his surroundings. Arthur, Francis, Ivan, and Wang, the Allies, were seated on their chairs, looking at him in sympathy. He smiled at them and whispered something barely audible, then looked past them.

There were three doors leading into the room, each guarded. One led to the main conference room, one led to the storage rooms, and the other was always locked. America had said that it led to the basement, but no one had seen it, or cared. All three doors were guarded. Prussia leaned heavily on the main door. He locked eyes with Canada and grinned. Spain was polishing his axe by the door to the storage room, alert and tense. Italy's brother Romano was sprawled on the floor by the last door, dozing. The Axis team were in the kitchen area, helping Italy clean up.

"Was I… sleeping?" Matthew muttered to himself. He didn't even remember falling asleep, or even reaching the couch for that matter.

"More like sleep walking," Alfred teased, getting up and clapping his brother on the back. "Come on. Now that you're awake, we can all eat."

The dining table was in the kitchen area and seated six people. Plates of pasta, sushi, meat, vegetables, noodles, and all kinds of other foods were placed on the table, with barely room left for plates.

"I apologize for the inconvenience," Kiku bowed slightly. "You are going to have to hold your plates; there is no room for all of us to sit at the table."

"Wait," interrupted Matthew as the others—except for Prussia, Spain, and Romano—gathered around the table of food.

"What is it, Mattie?" Alfred looked up from reaching for a burger. "Is something wrong?"

"Ah… No," he replied, blushing. "It's just… I want all of you to stand in a circle around the table for a moment. I… want to say something."

Alfred directed the other countries around, and took a place beside his brother at the head of the table. When all was silent, Matthew lifted his head proudly and began.

"Today is Thanksgiving Day among my people," Canada said strongly. "I just want to thank my family, for being there for me," his eyes flickered pointedly to America, and the older country seemed ready to burst with pride. "And also thanks to the rest of you. Thank you all for this amazing feast. I've never had a Thanksgiving dinner like this before. I give thanks for my land and people, and I hope you all are thankful too. I thank Australia for…" his voice cracked and he swallowed. "…for giving his life fighting. Most of all I'm grateful that we're all together right now. I know we can all get out of here alive. From this moment, we'll leave no one behind."

The others were silent for a moment, and then America spoke up.

"Well I'm grateful for my brother and…" he locked eyes with Arthur, across from him, and needn't say more.

Matthew smiled and gripped his brother's hand tightly. All around the circle the countries began to add a few personal things, joining hands unconsciously. When it came back to Canada, the circle was complete. Romano and Spain had even joined in beside Italy and the other Axis. Prussia stood by his own door, smiling at the circle of temporary friendship the world's most powerful nations just made. As soon as Canada and Russia, the final country in the circle, joined hands, there was a jolt of power that ran through everyone around the table. Every single nation was connected, every power joined to form one great, endless circle of world power, enough to destroy practically anything. The countries relished the moment. Each of them was equal, and more powerful than they ever had been before.

"Are you guys done?" Prussia interrupted after a while, slightly concerned; he could swear they were all glowing. "I'm waiting for us to eat, so I can end my shift here."

Canada let go of America and Russia and the chain of immense power broke.

"Y-yeah," stammered Matthew. "Let's eat. Sorry about that."

The countries mingled and chatted, commenting on the food and talking about the day's events. Surprisingly, for about two hours since their encounter with the stranger, nothing wrong happened, until there was the ring of someone's phone. The entire crowd fell dead silent and all eyes turned to Canada. Trembling, he put his plate on the coffee table and checked the caller ID.

"I don't know who it is," he said slowly, hugging Kumajiro close to him. "I'm going to put it on the table with the volume loud enough for everyone to hear."

He did so, and pressed talk.

"Hello, countries of the world," the voice of the woman rose from the phone. "Are you ready to play a game?"

Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya

I'll stop here for now and start updating my other account. Just to let some of you know, I started this story out on DeviantART so now it's way farther ahead there than it is here (so no spoilers if you know what's about to happen!). Some of my friends suggested I make an account on Fanfiction and post the story up here. So... here I am. :P I think 15 chapters are up on DA and it's about time I put up the 16th.

Now, if you want this one to catch up, you'd better review! XD