Japan thought that, compared to the wounds his darker counterpart gave him, he was lucky. After finding refuge at Guangzhou University and inspecting Malaysia's wounds, he saw that he was indeed, a very lucky man.
He ignored stares from the students walking around the campus as he and Thailand held Malaysia down so that Korea and Taiwan could tend to the wound. What had happened to Malaysia occurred very quickly, so Japan wasn't exactly sure what was wrong other than the fact Malaysia's nose was a flood of red. Korea claimed he saw Dark China swing a blow to Malaysia's nose, causing it to bleed furiously. Taiwan claimed she heard a sickening crunch and well, the rest was all over their clothes and hands.
"How's the pain now, da-ze?" Korea asked Malaysia.
Malaysia sat up straighter and grimaced. "It's nub." he said thickly, holding a small ice pack to the bridge of his nose. Thailand had searched for ice minutes before and even though it wasn't the best treatment for Malaysia, it was as close as they could come to.
"Is it broken?" Japan asked.
Malaysia frowned and shook his head. "I don dink so. Not really."
Korea grinned. "Well it's okay then, da-ze. Nations heal faster than humans, you know."
Taiwan cleaned up the blood at Malaysia's front and worriedly looked over Malaysia. It was her tendency to worry, and she couldn't help it. "Are you okay now? Can you breathe a little better?"
Malaysia held up a hand and teetered it back and forth.
"Close enough. Now let's go find Aniki, da-ze." Korea said brightly, standing up. Taiwan gave him an astounded look, as if she found it near impossible to just call Malaysia's treatment 'close enough' and continue without another care.
"Wait, we don't know where to go, ana. And what if Dark China is out there waiting for us?" Thailand asked quickly, his smile faltering a little.
Japan surveyed the campus. He wasn't exactly sure why Dark China ceased his pursue. Maybe it was more troublesome to get students involved, but from what he had seen, Dark China could just bring out their hatred and all would be fine for him.
Then again, he was glad that Dark China didn't follow them to turn the students on them. That would be bad, especially when Malaysia was injured.
"I'b telling you, I'b fine." Malaysia said quickly, refusing Japan's hand as he got up. "I'll be okay."
By the time they recovered from the run they had, it was getting dark. "It's so weird, da-ze." Korea commented, staring at the sky. "One moment it's morning at Germany's, then you go to China and it's dinnertime. I'm getting hungry, da-ze."
"We'll eat soon," Taiwan said. "First, we have to get out of here. I feel like we overstayed our welcome, if we were welcomed in the first place that is."
"Vietnam said to go here, so I'll go anywhere sis tells us to go, da-ze." Korea smiled. "Well, almost anywhere." He glanced around at the dark streets illuminated by the streetlights that flickered on. The water that surrounded them (the university was somewhat like an island connected to the other land by roads and bridges) shined the light back to the sky. It was calm, but the quietness unnerved Japan.
"Let's go." he said, leading the group towards the exit.
Korea had told them to stop by some food stands and grab a bite, but they weren't willing to stop and eat when there was a doppelganger on the loose. He finally convinced them that a growling stomach could give away their position anytime and his own stomach growled loudly at them as if on cue.
Their dinner came from Japan's own pocket money, but he was more worried about Dark China popping out of nowhere. Instead of enjoying his dinner, he spent his time quickly eating and thinking up of a plan. Before they left, Malaysia requested more ice because the ice in his ice bag had melted and left water leaking at the bottom. He was rewarded with a brand new bag and ice.
"Ah, Aniki's food is pretty good." Korea sighed in satisfaction when they stepped back out into the streets. "But I have to admit that my kimchi is better, da-ze."
"This is no time to be claiming that you're our origin, ana." Thailand laughed nervously. "We have to find the real China, ana."
"Any ideas, Japan?" Taiwan asked, sticking close to him.
Japan nodded and led them across the streets, careful of the various bikes, motorcycles, and cars speeding by. There were times where someone sped by, startling Japan. He would lead everyone across in a hurry, wondering if the traffic was worse than Dark China.
"So where are we going?" Taiwan asked Japan, hurrying her pace to catch up with him.
"China has many different houses and apartments he likes to stay at." Japan said, looking up and down the street. "If Dark China is here, then maybe the real one is. Checking China's house first is probably better."
There were no arguments from the others, and they obediently followed him around. Over time, they shifted uncomfortably every time they stopped at the corner of a street, waiting for an opening to run across. Japan knew that they were getting anxious, and he knew why. Though he didn't want to admit it, he couldn't remember where China's home in Guangzhou was.
He was about to turn around and sheepishly admit he was lost when Vietnam's voice came on from his earpiece.
"I'm assuming you need help, Japan?"
He hung his head a little. "Yes. I do not remember where China's house is."
He listened to a small silence on the other side, and then Vietnam said promptly, "Keep walking straight. After you get to the next corner, turn right and you'll see a red sign on a narrow building. It should be the fourth building. Enter the building and go to the third floor. That entire floor belongs to China."
Japan didn't remember anything in the description that triggered his memory about China's Guangzhou home. In fact, it had been such a long time that all the streets and buildings would have been different. When he and the others successfully avoided becoming roadkill, they turned right and hastily fast walked down the sidewalk, searching for a red sign.
"Here it is," Malaysia said, pointing out a beige colored building that towered up above them. A dark red sign with neon lights blinked at them as they entered the building. On the outside, it would seem like the building would be visited very often, but the lobby was dark and unused. There was a stray rebellious light in the back, and that was the only light the lobby gave them. Taiwan clung onto Japan's arm, glancing around cautiously.
"Does the elevator still work, ana?" Thailand asked, leaving the group cautiously to the elevator doors. He pushed the up button and stepped back, waiting for any sign of movement. The doors slid to the sides for him and a small tiny ding greeted him warmly.
"I don't trust that elevator, da-ze." Korea said at once. He gave the elevator a look of extreme suspicion. "Could be a trap."
"I think so too. Even if it isn't, it wouldn't be a good idea to get stuck in there." Taiwan agreed. "The stairs maybe?"
Malaysia beckoned for everyone to the side of the lobby and they hiked up the faded steps. It had gotten darker the higher they went up and Malaysia stopped them before going any further. "Can adyone see past this landig?" he asked quietly.
Korea frowned up at him. "Wait, what?"
"Landig." Malaysia insisted. "Landig."
"Landing, ana." Thailand confirmed as Malysia nodded.
Japan squinted in the dimness. "No, I can not."
"Neither can I." Taiwan said softly. They all hesitated before moving on. If no one could see anything in front of them, then they would be at a disadvantage. Anything could happen if they lost their sight, even if their loss of sight was temporarily.
Japan pondered the situation and then he smiled, reaching into his pocket. "I have an idea, everyone." he said, fishing out his cell phone.
Korea grinned. "A cell phone, da-ze. Just what you'd expect from Japan. Did you know cell phones originate in Ko-"
Japan cleared his throat to interrupt him. "Let's keep moving." he said. Malaysia and Thailand stepped to the side, allowing Japan to lead. The light from Japan's phone was dim enough to not attract immediate attention if anyone else was around, but it was bright enough to leave a spotlight on the ground in front of them and anything else that might be waiting ahead.
The door to the third floor was unlocked. Japan had tested out the handle quietly and saw that it turned easily in his hand. He eased the door open and pulled it ajar, peering in.
"Well?" Taiwan breathed to him.
Japan paused and then he swung the door open a little wider. "I think it is-"
They never heard him finish the sentence because the next thing they heard was a metallic clang hitting Japan's head. Japan dropped his phone in surprised and it fell a few steps down, landing by Korea's foot. Japan himself fell to the ground, holding his head, trying to shake off the vertigo and throbbing pain.
"Aiya, Japan!" China's voice suddenly exclaimed. "Why didn't you say that you were Japan in the first place, aru? Aiya...look what you made me done!"
"Aniki!" Korea exclaimed excitedly, jumping over Japan to pounce on China. China was taken aback by Korea's presence when Korea hugged him. "We thought you were tied up and everything, da-ze." Korea said earnestly.
Thailand and Taiwan crouched down by Japan, and Thailand gently prodded Japan's head where it was swollen. Japan laid his head on the ground, the world still spinning in a vertigo. He grimaced when Malaysia gently placed his own ice bag on Japan's head, but then relaxed a little when the pain seemed to ease.
"What happened?" a voice called anxiously from behind China.
Thailand perked and laughed. "Macao! Is Hong Kong with you, ana?"
"I'm, like, right here." Hong Kong said, coming out from the shadows. He looked tired, as if he had not slept for a while. "Like, what happened here, sensei?"
China scolded Japan. "You should have known better! I'll hit anything and anyone I do not know when they come through the door, aru! Silly brother, not knowing what to do, aru."
Macao hurried to usher everyone into a room and Hong Kong helped Thailand carry Japan after everyone else. As they piled in, China explained that a mysterious look alike entered the house and tied them all up.
"I was visiting my dear brothers, that was all, aru." China sighed, speaking as if he was telling a tragic story. "And they got tied up as well..."
Hong Kong crossed his arms and legs, staring at the wall. "We just got free. Sensei heard voices and we, like, thought they were from the look alike and its helpers or something."
Japan gave a small, barely audible moan and sat up, holding his head. Macao stood up in alarm. "Ah, wait. Sitting up isn't the best thing to do, Japan!"
Japan shook his head. "No. I will be fine. I have to contact Vietnam."
China brightened at the mention of his little sister. "Is she here, aru? Why don't we invite her in?"
"Aniki, Vietnam isn't here." Korea said in a matter of fact tone. "She's at Germany's, da-ze."
China's face darkened instantly. "She rather visit him than her big brother, aru?"
Korea and Thailand laughed at China's expression. Taiwan giggled. "It's not that, China. She's the messenger it seems."
China, Hong Kong, and Macao exchanged looks. Japan took the time to explain to them what had happened and that the 'look alike' that tied the three up was most likely China's doppelganger.
"Aiya!" China yelled, standing up at once. "This is not tolerable! And did this dark counterpart hurt you, Malaysia?"
Malaysia waved China away quickly. "It'sh nofin."
"No, it is definitely something, aru. We will find that Dark China and kill him." China scowled.
"Ah, China, before we do anything, let me tell Vietnam first. She will tell Germany and they'll decide what to do." Japan said hastily. He flinched at his sudden outburst, and then reluctantly allowed Macao to help him lay down again.
"Ana, I'll contact them." Thailand offered. After Japan nodded his approval, Thailand located a small button on the side of his earpiece and waited for his sister to answer.
"Thailand? Is everything okay? Have you found China?" Vietnam asked.
"Ana, we found him, Hong Kong, and Macao." Thailand said cheerfully. His smile widened after he heard Vietnam's voice relay the information back to Germany in the background. Germany sounded stunned at first, and then after a slight ruffling sound from the other side, he heard Germany speaking.
"Thailand, is it true that you found China, Hong Kong, and Macao?" he asked in his normal orderly tone.
"They are right in front of us." Thailand confirmed.
"And they are not the doppelgangers?" Germany asked.
"Ana, doppelgangers have red eyes according to Japan, right? They don't have red eyes. They are the real ones."
There was another ruffling sound followed by Germany's voice hollering at England to confirm their whereabouts and then to Estonia to input the data. Vietnam's voice came back shortly. "Thank you Thailand. Germany says to return with those three. Be careful."
"Thank you," Thailand said, and the static from the other side disappeared and things were silent again.
"Well? What did they say?" Taiwan asked with anticipation.
Thailand gave them all a wide smile and chirped, "We're going back to Germany!"
Germany nodded to himself after England erased the 'unknown' from China, Hong Kong, and Macao's status line. In its place, he wrote 'found'. Estonia had went ahead and change their status from 'yellow' to 'green' on the computer and Vietnam told the other countries in China to stop looking for the real China (if they were looking for the real China) and to start focusing on finding his doppelganger.
He had felt a little better, now that they have someone like China back. It felt like a small victory despite the fact that there were several more to go. Like Italy. And Prussia. He tightened his fist and stared at both of their names on the chalkboard.
"Germany."
Germany turned and looked at England. England's green eyes somehow pierced his own, which was a feat not many countries could do, and said, "We'll find them. You should know that."
Germany wasn't sure how to respond. His tough exterior part of him told him to tell England that he wasn't particularly worried, but another side urged him to thank the English man.
Torn between the two sides, he merely nodded at him. It was fine with England however. England himself did not expect anything from the stoic German. He left the board and hovered behind Estonia, watching red dots blink around the world. Vietnam was talking quietly a few feet away, pausing every other second to listen before talking again.
Here, at Germany's house, it was rather peaceful despite what might have been going on in the world. Germany had switched on a TV Estonia had brought in (he was like a second Japan with all of the technology and whatnot) and everyone else took a break to watch.
In Japan, there were news about the people becoming violent, as if they had no sanity left. They were like wild animals, controlled over by anger and hatred.
In another country, people were starting to do the same. Germany paled when the country was revealed to be the northern half of Italy. He had been to Italy plenty of times and they were peaceful people, kind and generous. It was a major shock to see them act so irrationally.
Their faces grave, Estonia, England, and Vietnam returned to their work and left Germany standing there, watching the news.
He watched as a death toll started to rise.
He watched as many other countries started to show the same behavior.
He watched as the world gradually brought out their anger and hate.