Disclaimer: reidloS niT enO ro AilateH nwo t'nod eW!
A/N: Oh. My. Gosh! This is our first time ever to reach 100 reviews WHILE writing the story! Thanks so much to every one of you for making it possible! As LYS was the person to reach the one hundredth review, she got a request. And she requested more of Iceland or Oklahoma. So here you go, LYS. This one's for you!
And good luck with your surgery, Dala. We hope it goes well. (Tonsillitis, so no one freaks out too much).
Gracias, danke, merci, and thank you! So. So much!
Enjoy! Please review! (Sorry about our really long break. We didn't mean to do that.)
The American Revolutionary War
1775 – 1783
U.S./France/Spain/Netherlands/Others vs. England/Germans
Portugal sat in her seat, her arms crossed and her lips pursed. Ever since their fight, she had refused to speak with Slovakia. Greenland had taken over driving so Slovakia could relax in the back and maybe talk to his wife. Morocco didn't trust vehicles enough to drive and Slovakia and Portugal refused to allow Indonesia to learn how to drive. That would only help her and Bauhinia to get around more easily to set random things on fire.
Czech sat beside Spain in the backseat, still listening to her music. Occasionally, the other nations would catch a lyric as she sang under her breath. Between Slovakia stewing at his wife and talking with Indonesia, he seemed in shock over Czech's recent activities.
"Slovakia." Morocco leaned forward and placed her hand on the back of his headrest. "I believe you should speak with your wife." She glanced pointedly at Portugal. Slovakia looked between Portugal and Morocco before he sighed and slumped down in his seat, resembling a pouting child.
"Fine," Slovakia grumbled. "What's wrong with children?" he asked Portugal.
"Your children hellions!" Portugal snapped at him. "I no want them."
"Why only my children?" Slovakia demanded. "What about Morocco's? They're all little demons!" Said mother made no comment at the words. It was a well-known fact America wanted nothing more than to lock his children away and throw away the key some days.
"They yours?" Portugal asked her husband.
"Nie." Slovakia shook his head. In the backseat, Spain snorted in his sleep and his arm twitched. Czech fiddled with her iPod before settling down to listen to a song.
"I have no say." Portugal shrugged. "They no mine, they no yours. We say nothing."
"Seriously?" Slovakia demanded in exasperation. "You'll call our children demons but not anyone else's?"
"Your children scream!" Portugal said, just as exasperated as her husband. "Indonesia do nothing quiet. We sober, no babies. We dunk, next day babies!"
"That's what you're getting out of this?" Slovakia checked over his shoulder to make sure Czech wasn't listening before continuing. "We only have babies when we get drunk?"
"It true." Portugal shrugged again. "We no have babies sober."
"Next time, then," Slovakia sighed. Portugal stared at him for a moment before turning to look out the window. No one spoke for several minutes. Finally, Indonesia turned around to speak to her father and blinked in surprise.
"Ibu, why are you crying?" she asked her mother worriedly. Slovakia's head jerked up as he looked to his wife.
"Miláčik, (Love,) what's wrong?" Czech removed a headphone to listen to her brother and sister-in-law's conversation.
"Nada," Portugal sniffed and wiped a tear away.
"Portugalsko." Slovakia wrapped an around Portugal's shoulders and pulled her close. "Čo sa deje, môj baránok? (What's wrong, my lamb?)"
"Dieťa malé a slabý, (Baby small and weak,)" Portugal managed to say in broken Slovakian.
"You think it's going to be small?" Slovakia asked in confusion. "Most of them are."
"It small." Portugal placed a hand on her belly. "It no show. Look!" Slovakia's eyes flicked down to his wife's stomach and he sniffed, unsure of what the problem might be.
"How far along are you?" he finally asked. "Do you know?"
"Two month. Three month." Portugal shrugged. "I no know."
"Morocco?" Slovakia asked slowly, twisting in his seat. The African nation could see the desperation in his eyes.
"You're scared aren't you?" Morocco asked Portugal gently. The younger nation nodded slowly. "After you had Indonesia, you realized just how small babies are. You panicked every time she hurt herself. Now you are having a state."
"You're scared the baby is going to hurt itself?" Slovakia shook his head in disbelief. "Denmark and the rest of those idiots left the babies in the cold all the time and they're not dead yet."
"It's the eve of battle, Slovakia," Morocco reprimanded the scarred nation. "Women can lost their children due to injury."
Slovakia watched Portugal try to stop her tears for several moments before he turned to Czech, slapping his younger sister's knee. Czech looked up at him with faint interest.
"Hey, watch Staršia Sestra, (Older Sister,) okay?" Slovakia said Czech nodded happily before returning to her music. Slovakia turned back in his seat. "Czech will watch after you, don't worry."
"Bastardo!" Portugal smacked her fist into Slovakia's shoulder. "I no talk to you!" Slovakia opened his mouth to respond but froze when Czech sang under her breath.
"Now the Valley cried with anger 'mount your horses, draw your swords'," Czech sang softly. "And they killed the Mountain People, so they won their just reward."
"Czech!"
Every other nation turned to stare at the small singing nation. After a moment, Portugal spoke up.
"She so yours."
o)O(o
Netherlands crouched beneath a window, flattening himself against the wall when a shadow passed by. Holding his breath, he prayed whoever it was didn't look out the window. Beside him, Switzerland and Seychelles crouched in tense positions. Belgium, Liechtenstein, and Latvia were positioned at another window on the other side of the building. The nations hoped to sneak into the warehouse and release the trapped nations before the Wars found out.
Korea and Norway were still nowhere to be found.
Switzerland's eyes followed the shadow as it finally left the window.
"Seychelles," he whispered. "Keep close. We don't want any mistakes." Seychelles scowled and tapped him on the head with her walking cane.
"This isn't just a piece of plastic, you know?" she snapped.
"I do know," Switzerland growled back. "I'll act as a distraction, then you two can sneak in."
"Too late," Netherlands grunted. Switzerland nearly shouted when his cousin lifted him up and dumped him bodily through the window, having already opened it.
"Verdammt, Netherlands! Do you ever listen?" Switzerland picked himself up from the floor and dusted his pants off before checking on his weapons. Seychelles nearly squealed when she was lifted through the window next.
"Careful." Switzerland steadied the island nation. "Do you remember everything New York taught you?"
"Like how to smack your neighbor with your cane?" Seychelles asked innocently. She jumped in surprise when she heard Netherlands grunted as he clambered through the window. Switzerland scowled but didn't say anything. Swinging his rifle forward, he surveyed the area around them.
"There's no one here, Switzerland." Netherlands opened a window and peeked in, finding the room empty. "It looks abandoned for the most part."
"If no one's here." Switzerland slammed the safety of his rifle off menacingly. "I'm going to shoot someone."
"Un instant. (One moment.)" Seychelles raised a hand to stop Switzerland from doing anything rash. Both male nations watched her intently.
"Do you hear something?" Switzerland asked in a hushed voice.
"I did." Seychelles turned her head to 'look' at Switzerland. "But then it stopped."
"It stopped?" Netherlands repeated, glancing at Switzerland in confusion.
"Was it footsteps?" Switzerland asked Seychelles. He glanced over his shoulder, his trigger finger itching to move.
"Oui, they were very soft." Seychelles cocked her head in thought. "But they disappeared."
"Verdammt, these Wars are going to be more trouble than they're worth," Switzerland growled. "We need to stay together, or they'll pick us off one by one."
"But where did the footsteps go?" Seychelles turned her head in confusion, trying to solve the puzzle. "I can hear you two, but there is something else. As if it's being silenced."
"How should I know?" Switzerland snapped at the blind nation. "We need to move." Grabbing her arm, he forced her to move down the hallway. "We can't stay in one place for long."
"Switzerland!" Seychelles jerked on her wrist, forcing Switzerland to turn and face her. "I'm worried! What if someone's going to attack us?"
Switzerland sighed and stared at the ceiling. Focusing, he blocked everything else out as he did when he was sniping. He was on the verge of locating the sound when there was a loud thump behind him and Netherlands gave a shout of surprise.
Whirling around, Switzerland opened fire on the newcomer. The War ducked and suddenly appeared before Switzerland.
"Alo!" Shqipëri grinned and drew his fist back, slamming it into Switzerland's face.
"Gah!" Switzerland stumbled back, holding his nose.
"So fun," Shqipëri laughed. Netherlands roared and charged the War. Shqipëri's grin only widened as he ducked under a punch before flipping the nation.
"Netherlands?" Belgium appeared in the hallway. "Switzerland?" She shrieked in fear and surprise when Shqipëri turned to face her.
"Alo, beautiful maiden." Shqipëri slowly began to make his way toward Belgium.
"Nein!" Switzerland struggled to his knees and fired several rounds at Shqipëri's back. "Leave her alone!" The War barely jerked with the bullets. Whirling around, Shqipëri grabbed the rifle and hurled it across the hallway as he glared at Switzerland.
"As I was saying," Shqipëri said before turning back to Belgium.
Netherlands rolled over and supported himself on his elbows. "I may hate you," he said, scowling at Switzerland.
"Ja?" Switzerland's hands were trembling with rage. "The feeling is mutual."
"But I hate him more." Netherlands surged to his feet, shoving a pistol into Switzerland's chest. "Don't waste the bullets. There's only one cartridge."
Switzerland rose from the floor and clicked the safety off, closing one eye to perfect his aim.
Netherlands charged Shqipëri again. When the War ducked under a blow, Netherlands grabbed him and lifted him over his head.
"Hey!" Shqipëri's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you doing?"
"Don't you ever go near my Bel!" Switzerland pulled the trigger, hoping his aim stayed true. Shqipëri cried out when a bullet struck his leg. Twisting, the War managed to escape Netherlands' grasp and fell to the floor. He barely had time to react when Belgium pulled out her own gun and began firing on him.
"What is going on in here?" A door flew open and Norway and Korea stood in the doorway. Norway scowled while Korea looked around the group with wide eyes.
Shqipëri scrambled to his feet, crying out when one of Belgium's bullets hit him in the back. Netherlands whirled around to slam his fist into the back of Shqipëri's head. The War fell to the ground with a grunt.
Switzerland approached Shqipëri, keeping his pistol aimed at the War's head. "Don't. Move."
"Or what?" Shqipëri snarled.
"Or I'll kill you now," Switzerland snapped back. "What nations are here?" Korea opened his mouth to say something but Norway hushed him quickly.
Shqipëri was silent before he broke out into a large grin. Moving too quickly for Switzerland to see, he grabbed the pistol from the nation and punched him in the face again. Belgium screamed and began to fire blindly at the War. Switzerland stumbled back and fell to the ground, clutching his now bleeding nose.
"Switzerland?" Seychelles knelt beside the Germanic nation. "Are you alright?"
"Nein," Switzerland said in a nasally voice.
Netherlands stepped up beside the War and kicked him lightly.
"Dead," he spat. "One of the bullets must have managed to kill him."
Liechtenstein and Latvia peeked around the corner. Latvia looked relieved the fight was over while Liechtenstein hurried to her brother's side. Switzerland sat up, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I guess that solves that problem, da-ze," Korea said for everyone to hear. The rest of the nations looked up at the sound of a choking gasp to watch Norway fall against the wall, clutching her side.
"Mrs. Norway!" Latvia made a move to rush to Norway's side but was stopped by Korea. "What are you doing?"
"That isn't Segishan." Korea knelt beside Norway. "Are you, da-ze?"
Norway pressed against her wound, a black stain beginning to spread out on her clothing. "However did you guess?" she choked out.
"Because BDSM stands for 'Bind the Dummy and Strand him in Mysterious places'," Korea said sadly as he brushed a strand of Norge's hair out of her face. "Segishan couldn't be pregnant, da-ze."
"What?" Netherlands stared at Korea in shock. "You're telling me you two have been married for years have never actually consummated your marriage?"
"Ne! (Yep!)" Korea said happily to Netherlands before turning back to the dying War. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, da-ze." Liechtenstein stood beside Switzerland who looked surprised at Korea's attitude.
"After all this time," Norge coughed painfully, black staining her teeth. "I finally meet my end in this pathetic way?"
"This isn't pathetic," Korea argued. "You died in battle. That is an honorable way to go, da-ze."
"I will tell Norway," Norge's eyes closed slowly. "I will tell Norway goodbye." She drifted off as she slumped sideways. Korea stared at the body of the War sadly before standing.
"You knew?" Switzerland asked incredulously as he tried to stem his nosebleed.
"Ye," Korea said in a hushed voice. "I was trying to think of a way to tell you, da-ze." Liechtenstein took his hand and smiled up at him. Korea tried to smile but couldn't stop the tears from running down his cheek.
"I am sorry to interrupt," Seychelles spoke up. "But I hear footsteps running toward us."
o)O(o
Norway turned slowly, taking in the village around her. She had been wandering around Vietnam for nearly a day and had found nothing yet. This was the third village she had been to, and not one person had been able to tell her anything. Oddly, though, she had caught several children singing nursery rhymes as they skipped around. She had only been able to understand a few lines of the song.
"And there the dead shall lie,
And never rise again."
"I need to drop Korea here sometimes," Norway muttered to herself, ignoring the strange looks the Vietnamese villagers gave her. Turning around a corner, Norway found herself standing in the village square.
Norway paused at the sight of a dry fountain in the very center of the square. The fountain's centerpiece was the statue of a familiar nation. Vietnam stood with one hand stretched out before her as she smiled at the sky. Moving forward, Norway trailed a hand along the top of the rim as she studied it.
"Fountains have water," Norway mused. "But this one seems to have been off for decades." Glancing around, her eyes fell on the statue of Vietnam.
"Search for Vietnam." Albania's words ran through Norway's head. "When you find her, look under her feet."
"Look under her feet." Norway stepped over the rim of the fountain. She stared up at the smiling statue of Vietnam. "Where did this come from?" she wondered to herself. "No one knows we exist."
Norway reached out to tap the statute's hand lightly. "Solid stone." She frowned. "Who put this here?" The female nation turned to look around the village. "It's obviously been here for years." She glanced down at the sound of a click under her foot.
"Hva?" Norway blinked in confusion. It quickly turned into screaming when the ground disappeared out from underneath her.
The air whistled around Norway as she fell. Her arms struck stone walls while she fell, no doubt leaving bruises for the morning after. What seemed like several minutes later, Norway finally hit solid ground.
"Pokker." Norway stumbled to her feet and nearly screamed when she looked up. A stone statue of a scowling man stood before her. The nation stumbled back in surprise and let out another yelp, whirling around. A kind-looking old woman stood behind Norway. Glancing over her shoulder, Norway screamed again when she saw the man in a different position, as if reaching for her.
Whirling around. Norway managed to collide with yet another statue. Blind in the near darkness and screaming, she stumbled wildly through the reaching arms of her attacks. She had barely made it five feet when she collapsed to the ground and curled up tightly.
"Korea," Norway sobbed, wrapping her arms around her head. "Help."
o)O(o
Iceland's ear twitched as he heard Russian flying over his head between Russia, who was in the driver's seat, and North Russia in the backseat. Belarus sat in the passenger seat and threw a comment in every once in a while. From Russia's exasperated expression and Ukraine's pleading, they were apparently unwanted.
Hong Kong relaxed beside Iceland, taking a break from being a mother as Bauhinia napped beside Northern Ireland. Israel was having Romania hold pieces of her gun as she cleaned each one carefully, even though Russia had told her it probably wasn't a good idea to do it while he was driving.
"Is anyone else worried about Israel cleaning her gun?" Iceland finally spoke, causing Russia to pause in mid-sentence. "What is something goes off?"
"Da, but Little Israel will not listen," Russia said before returning to his conversation with North Russia.
"Relax, Iceland," Hong Kong muttered. "They won't listen to you."
"Jana prosta sprabuje dakazać, što jana boĺš, čym astatnija z vas mužčyn, (She's just trying to prove she's bigger than you men,)" Belarus grumbled under her breath, but still loud enough for Russia to hear her.
"Sestra!" Russia almost whined. Israel just smirked and resumed cleaning her gun.
Hong Kong sighed and wove her left hand with Iceland's right. She rubbed circled with her thumb on the back of his hand. Iceland jerk at his hand involuntarily. The Nordics and Hong Kong had discovered his wrists were ticklish for reasons unknown to them.
"Maybe she does have bigger guns than you." Belarus smirked at her brother. "That would make her more of a man than you."
"Bela," Russia moaned. "Please do not say stuff like that."
Hong Kong rolled her eyes and looked to Iceland with a look of exasperation. Iceland sighed and laid his head on her shoulder.
"That just proves it," Belarus said triumphantly. "Israel has bigger guns that you do!"
"Belarus, do not say stuff like that about your big brother!" Russia turned around in his seat, causing Israel and Hong Kong both to scream in fear and surprise.
"Turn around!" Israel shrieked, throwing gun parts everywhere. "Eyes on the road!"
Russia spun back around just as the sound of metal screaming filled the air and the van came to a sudden halt. The back of the vehicle lifted into the air and teetered on two wheels precariously before something knocked it sideways. Screaming filled the van as it rolled over several times. Iceland, howling with the rest of the nations, felt his head collide hard with something equally as solid. Finally, the van settled on the ground, upside down.
The van was quiet for several minutes before. Iceland could hear the blood rushing to his veins, feel the heat building in his face. He was aware of Hong Kong hanging upside down beside him. But she was still. Looking out of the corner of his eye, he saw her eyes were closed and a trickle of blood ran down her temple.
"Is everyone alright?" Russia asked through gritted teeth.
Iceland opened his mouth to respond but gagged when he felt his seatbelt cutting into his throat. He reached helplessly for Hong Kong. The burning in his face was building behind his tears, as though he were about to cry.
"Māmā?" Bauhinia asked weakly. Israel hushed her before ordering Romania to help free the small nation. Romania undid his own seatbelt and fell to the ground, wincing when he felt glass stab him in the arms. Reaching up, Romania wrapped an arm around Bauhinia's waist and pushed the button to release her.
"Ukraine?" Russia asked. "Belarus? Are you alright?"
"I am fine," Ukraine moaned. "Northern Ireland is fine as well." The winged nation was pale in the face, clutching at his seat.
"I am alright," North Russia grumbled. "But this is uncomfortable."
Iceland rubbed at his eyes madly, trying to ignore the burning spreading through them. This couldn't be happening. Not now.
"Iceland?" Russia tried to twist in his seat. "Chert! Little Hong Kong is bleeding!" Israel easily freed herself from her seat and scrambled across the floor.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Northern Ireland piped up.
The sound of footsteps outside the can caused the nations to freeze. Romania held the trembling Bauhinia close. Ukraine slowly glanced out her window before paling.
"Wars," she said softly. "They flipped the van."
"Northern Ireland?" Russia said in a hushed voice. "Romania? Please, do something."
"I-I'll try to." Northern Ireland reached down and placed his palms against the glass ridden ceiling. Closing his eyes, he tried to concentrate on the solid earth beneath him.
Iceland squeezed his eyes shut at the sensation of the burning moving forward. The tears were breaching his eyelids and he could nothing stop it. He feebly pressed against the belt constricting his windpipe. The pain in his eyes rose too far and he could no longer hold it back. Opening his eyes, Iceland nearly screamed when he felt something close to fire pour from them.
A hand clapped over Iceland's mouth. Israel was watching him with wide eyes while trying to stay calm at the same time. North Russia squeaked and scrambled back when something hit the roof of the van. The metal sizzled and smoked, melting under the intense heat.
"Fire," Belarus squealed. "Iceland's crying fire!"
"Chto?" Russia ripped his seatbelt off and scrambled across the roof to check on Iceland. "That is lava, Belarus." Reaching forward, he broke the seatbelt holding Iceland in. Iceland collapsed to the ground, sobbing as the lava continued to flow from his eyes and spread out onto the roof of the van.
"We need to get out," Romania panicked, pressing against a window. "He's going to start the whole van on fire!"
"Northern Ireland?" Russia snapped. The Celtic nation yelped and pressed harder against ground. The nations could feel the earth roll beneath them in one great movement. "Everyone out!" Russia shouted.
Israel broke Hong Kong free and dragged the female nation from the van with Bauhinia and Romania hot on her heels. North Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine scrambled out with Northern Ireland. Russia was the last one out of the van, dragging Iceland with him. He straightened up to survey their situation. Northern Ireland remained low the ground, focusing on his magic as his silver wings trembled behind him.
Iceland pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes, keening loudly. He ignored the scent of burning flesh as the lava scorched his skin.
"Privet," Russia said to the Wars surrounding them.
"'Ello, poppet." Britain leaned against a speed limit sign. "Did you miss us?"
"Kesesese," Preußen cackled. "I bet they did. Who wouldn't?"
"Why can't they just leave us alone?" Israel grumbled. She was starting to wish she hadn't been cleaning her gun in the van.
"It appears you've got an issue." Britain waved his hand at Iceland. "Magic gone wrong, perhaps? He is one of Norway's brats, after all."
Russia's eyes flicked down to Iceland before back up to Britain. "Perhaps," he agreed, not knowing much about magic.
A spike of stone suddenly erupted from the earth, heading straight for Britain's head. The War leaned sideways, dodging the stone easily.
"Was that supposed to do something, poppet?" Britain asked in a sing-song voice. "It appears to have missed." Northern Ireland swallowed hard, his eyes darting to Russia who stiffened.
Hong Kong stirred with a small groan. Her eyes flickered open and she frowned at her friend.
"Iceland?" she asked weakly. North Russia knelt beside the island nation who was curled up tightly. Both she and Ukraine were panicking as they tried to figure out what to do.
"This is why you never play with magic." Cymru shook his head. "It just doesn't end well for the bloke."
"Like you would know," Romania grumbled. "I doubt you know anything about magic." His eyes widened in surprise when the air was suddenly dragged from his lungs.
"You were saying?" Cymru asked with a devious grin. Romania lifted a hand and Cymru suddenly found his shadow spreading out around him. "Child's play," Cymru sighed as he crossed his legs in midair. A small funnel could just barely be seen from where he sat. "You nations have such weak magic."
Hong Kong dragged herself to Iceland's side and gently grabbed a wrist.
"Iceland," she said softly, desperately hoping she was right. "Think north. The mountains, snow, glaciers. Do you remember the glaciers we saw? The ice was so cold to my touch, I thought I was going to get frostbite." Iceland whined and jerked his head away. The head behind his hands seemed to be cooling down slightly, though.
"Child's play?" Romania gasped. "Here is child's play." He clenched his hands into fists and the shadows leapt up, molding to seal around Cymru and trap him. Cymru screeched in surprise and clawed at the shadows.
"Britain!" Cymru's voice was muffled by the shadows. "Britain, get it off!"
"Git," Britain grumbled. He turned to face Romania, raising his hands. "Why do I have to do everything?" He was surprised to find a pipe swinging out of nowhere at his head.
"Come on, Icy," Hong Kong said desperately as Russia and Britain began a strange dance. "Your hands are always cold. You're the land of fire and ice. Think ice. Ice!" Iceland's breath hitched before he exhaled ice crystals. The icy cold breath struck Hong Kong in the face, causing the female nation to wrinkle her nose and pull back.
"I'm calling you Jack Frost from now on."
"I can't stop," Iceland whined. He pulled his hands away from his face to reveal the burn marks on his face and hands, his eyes showing heavy damage. "I can't stop it." Ice began to flow out and away, covering the road around them.
Preußen stopped his advance on Belarus and Israel, staring down at the ice in confusion.
"Was?"
"Iceland." Hong Kong pulled her friend close. "You can do this. Focus your magic on Wars. Make them burn. Make them freeze."
"I can't." Iceland shook his head and hid his face in Hong Kong's shoulder. Preußen turned to scowl at the pair while Romania managed to keep Cymru trapped in his shadowy prison. Russia and Britain were still swinging and dodging each other.
"Māmā," Bauhinia whimpered, scrambling to her mother's side. "Faðir." The young nation had never been in such a situation before and it terrified her.
"Do you hear that?" Hong Kong whispered in Iceland's ear. "Your little girl is scared. And it's not of monsters under the bed this time." Iceland pulled his face away and slowly looked up. He whimpered as his irises began to glow a dark red.
Britain grabbed Russia's pipe in mid-swing and froze. His black eyes stared in shock as he watched his veins and bones began to pulse a deep red.
"What's happening?" Britain stepped back, staring at his hands as they began to darken. Russia reached his pipe free and backed away from the War, casting Iceland and Hong Kong a wary glance.
Preußen looked even more shocked than Britain when he found himself unable to move. His skin had paled more than usual as he reached forward.
"Nein!" he gasped. "Nein!"
Hong Kong grinned and looked down at Iceland. "Keep it up, Icy." She held him close. "You can do this." Iceland whimpered when Britain collapsed to the ground writhing in pain. Preußen made no sound as his body froze solid. Northern Ireland poked Preußen's form, jumping back in surprise when it shattered.
Iceland looked up at Hong Kong, his irises eventually fading from one blue and one red to both violet.
Britain fell silent from where he lay and Romania cautiously undid his spell. Cymru was still, having suffocated underneath the shadow.
"You and I need to talk," Hong Kong said firmly to Iceland. "And it's not about Bauhinia's behavior this time." Iceland curled up and covered his eyes, only making noises of complaint. "Iceland," Hong Kong whined, tickling her friend's ears.
"I wouldn't do that," Romania called over his shoulder. "He might start you on fire or freeze you."
"Don't be stupid." Hong Kong stuck her tongue out at the Romantic nation. "He wouldn't do that to me."
"Why do you say that?" Romania asked with a quirked eyebrow. "He's just had one of the strongest reactions to magic I've ever seen."
"Because he loves me," Hong Kong said firmly. "And the Laws clearly state one cannot harm their lover with magic. They'll be devoured by sheep."
Romania had nothing to stay to that.
o)O(o
Denmark leaned against his cousin and spat out every curse he could think of. He was in no condition to fight, let alone a War, leaving Germany to do the fighting. Seeing as a War was far stronger than one nation, it seemed as though they were already beaten.
The door slammed open and Suomi kicked Poland in. Lithuania and Estonia were dragged in next by their arms, having been caught by the Finnish War.
"Moi." Suomi grinned. "Look what I found creeping around."
"Good," Sverige said without taking his eyes off Germany and Denmark. "Now, who is Ott'man? Should I be w'rried about him?"
"I don't know." Denmark shrugged. "It depends on whether or not ya pissed him off."
Sverige looked to Germany for a clearer answer.
"There was a parallel world," Germany explained with a sigh. "Ottoman was Turkey's doppelganger."
Sverige frowned. "Suomi, s'nd w'rd to the W'rs in Ch'na," he said. "T'll th'm to ch'ck on T'rkiye." Suomi shrugged and shoved Estonia and Lithuania to the ground before turning and leaving to do as he was told.
Poland shoved herself into a corner and whimpered, curling up tightly. Lithuania moved to push himself up but was stopped when Sverige planted a foot on his back. Estonia glared at the War from the floor.
"Wh't is th's Ott'man l'ke?" Sverige asked curiously.
"None of us would really know." Germany shrugged. "Only Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, and Romania ever spent time with him on Globe."
"I can tell ya right now," Denmark growled. "Based on the stories, he's worse than ya."
"W'rse th'n me?" Sverige chuckled. "I'd l'ke to see him beat me. You w're t'rrified the wh'le t'me you w're in th't c'll."
"Why do ya think?" Denmark spat at him. "Ya were going ta vivisect me!" Sverige shrugged but didn't say anything.
"Ottoman is worse than you can imagine," Estonia said, catching the War's attention. "I heard Cyprus telling Latvia when they were visiting. He . . . plays."
"Plays?" Sverige repeated the word slowly, as though tasting it.
"Cat and Mouse." Denmark shrugged. "He chases his prey until he's tired of playing."
"And then he tortures them," Estonia added.
"He shot Romano in both legs and the stomach because he could," Germany said, remembering the injured Italian nation.
"Did he ang'r Ott'man?" Sverige asked logically.
"Nein." Germany shook his head. His eyes darted between Estonia and Poland as he tried to formulate a plan. "Romano was locked up in a cell. He couldn't do anything."
Sverige licked his lips nervously. "If he's only as str'ng as you n'taions-," he started, but Estonia cut him off.
"But he's not," Estonia said. "Ottoman was powerful, even more so than America. He got it from ruthlessly killing his siblings and friends for power."
"Nervous?" Lithuania asked Sverige. "You've just left how many Wars with an uncontrolled realm who could easily take them out?"
Sverige's hand flew to his hip but Germany reacted first, whipping his own gun out and firing a shot at the War. Sverige ducked and charge the Germanic nation, ramming his shoulder into Germany's stomach.
"Gah!" Germany stumbled in surprise more so than pain.
"You are all lying," Sverige said firmly. "Only your Rom'no is as str'ng as us W'rs. And no br'ther could be so r'thless to his s'blings."
"I can show ya that." Demark brought his hands together and slammed them down in a fist on the back of Sverige's head. Sverige grunted and shoved the nation away from him. He nearly yelped when Estonia and Lithuania leapt on his back. Lithuania wrapped his arms around the War's throat, trying to jerk him back. Poland yelped and scrambled out of the way when the two nations and War stumbled past.
"Suomi!" Sverige shouted weakly. "D'nmark!"
"Not this time," Germany growled. Leveling his gun, he turned the safety off. "No one can help you now." He pulled the trigger several times. Sverige jerked back as the bullets struck him. He looked up at Denmark with an expression of shock.
"Y-You haven't seen the l'st of me," Sverige said weakly as he fell to his knees. "We w'll meet again on the L'st Field." Lithuania yelped as the War fell forward onto the ground. Estonia ended up rolling off the War with the force of the momentum.
"Niemcy?" Poland peeked out from underneath the table.
"Poland." Germany held out his arm. "It's alright. He's dead." Poland hurried to his side and cuddled up close, burying her face in his chest.
"The Last Field," Lithuania said as he stood. "Lietuva told me the same thing. I wonder what it could mean."
"I, like, don't want to fight anymore," Poland's voice was muffled by Germany's jacket.
"I know," Germany sighed. "None of us do. But right now we have to find Danmark and Suomi if they are in here." Lithuania and Estonia dusted themselves off as they prepared for another battle.
A/N: What did you think?
Time to talk about the history we Americans know best!
The American Revolutionary War – (1775 – 1783) U.S./France/Spain/Dutch Republic vs. England/Germans
Casualties: 60,294
Results: the Paris Treaty and the beginning of the fall of the British Empire (if you think about it)
We don't give enough credit, but a lot of countries wanted to, or did, aid America in our struggle for freedom. Why, you ask. Because it was America versus the British Empire. And everyone hated the British Empire.
France and Prussia both sent soldiers over to help us. Lafayette is one of the best known French soldiers who was a good friend of General Washington's.
Russia remained neutral in the war, but they did turn Britain when they asked for help. And in the civil war, the Russians sent a fleet to America in case the union needed any help.
Spain didn't offer too much help. But they did aid us in moving ammunition and soldiers from Europe to America with France. They were an important part too!
If it weren't for all of you awesome people, we wouldn't have been able to do it. So thanks!
Here's the song Czech was singing.
One Tin Soldier
Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley folk below
On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath a stone
And the valley people swore
They'd have it for their very own
Go ahead and hate your neighbor
Go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of Heaven
You can justify it in the end
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after who...
One tin soldier rides away
So, the people of the valley
Sent a message up the hill
Asking for the buried treasure,
Tons of gold for which they'd kill
Came an answer from the kingdom,
"With our brothers, we will share
All the secrets of our mountain,
All the riches buried there"
Now, the valley cried with anger,
"Mount your horses, draw your sword!"
And they killed the mountain people
So, they won their just reward
Now, they stood beside the treasure
On the mountain dark and red
Turn the stone and looks beneath it...
"Peace on Earth" was all it said
Go ahead and hate your neighbor
Go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of Heaven
You can justify it in the end
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after who...
One tin soldier rides away
Go ahead and hate your neighbor
Go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of Heaven
You can justify it in the end
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after who...
One tin soldier rides away