Although the majority of them were scared out of their mind, the Baltics (excluding Estonia, who was back at headquarters) agreed to join the Nordics (excluding Denmark, who was missing) in the search for Russia. Of course, Belarus and Ukraine wanted to go with them (especially Belarus). They were assigned a different unit to search a specific region of Russia (the last Finland heard, they were assigned to look around Siberia) however, and so they were not teamed up with the two sisters.
That was fine with Finland. He particularly didn't want to be around Belarus (she was scary) and he was 99.99% sure that his brothers didn't want her around as well. She had glared daggers at them before, and there was no way that he would survive the trip. In fact, he was sure he would be more terrified of Belarus instead of Dark Russia, although it cut close.
Of course, they were assigned to search the part of Russia on the European side. That was fine with Finland as well, because it was closer to home.
On their way to Russia, he took the time to inspect the three Baltic countries. He was glad Latvia was with them. They were friends and it was a great comfort to have more friends around; the more the merrier. "Um, wait..." Finland said, pausing.
The others stopped and glanced at him curiously. "What is it Finland?" asked Norway.
Finland knew that Russia was scary, according to Latvia's stories. However, if they were sent out to find a 'Dark' Russia, then wouldn't that be even worse?
"Er, well, we haven't even walked one block away from Germany's house and already we're terrified..." Lithuania muttered to himself when horror crept onto their faces.
Sweden, however, didn't let any horror creep onto his stony face. He only watched Finland for a moment.
"Let's just keep going." Lithuania piped up, tugging along Latvia. "Maybe we won't encounter him."
The next half hour flew by quickly, but they weren't at Russia yet. The countries they passed by, however, seemed to be preparing for the mass breakout of 'irrational violence'. The streets were empty; all the cities and towns they passed by were like ghost towns, but even though it was empty on the outside, Finland could see fearful eyes peer out at them through house windows.
They reached the countryside in Latvia, and Latvia, who obviously knew his country better than any of them, was leading the way. He was talking quietly with Finland, and Finland couldn't help but notice that Sweden started to walk directly behind them. Well, actually, it was more like Sweden was walking directly behind Finland himself.
They passed by a farmhouse and stopped, searching around in case they happen to find Latvia's doppelganger, if he had one. If Germany's theory was that the danger level corresponded with the land mass, then Dark Latvia wouldn't be so hard to deal with.
"Why don't we stop and rest here?" Latvia asked, sitting down on the porch of the farmhouse. The wooden floorboards croaked as the other five countries rested on the porch.
It was a beautiful day in Latvia. It was mid afternoon at the time, and the day was in its prime. The sun was shy, often hiding behind soft white clouds. The wind was light and carefree, and the smell of the country was wonderful. It was the kind of day that Finland liked. It was one of those days where one would want to lie down in the soft green grass and do nothing all day but stare at the gentle blue sky.
Sweden tensed and then faced west, looking down the country dirt road.
Finland glanced at the tall Swedish man and frowned at his sudden alarm. "What is it Sweden?"
Sweden didn't appear to hear him at first, but then he turned to look at Finland. Something in his green-blue eyes told Finland that something was wrong. Latvia seemed to sense it as well. Latvia stood up uncertainly and scanned the road nervously.
"What's wrong Latvia?" asked Lithuania. He didn't see anything wrong. Everything was very peaceful and placid.
Latvia pursed his lips. Norway and Iceland stood up as well, searching for anything out of the ordinary. "I feel like someone is watching us." Latvia coughed, shooting looks around them.
Sweden got up, towering above the other countries, and then walked to the door. He knocked on the door, waited, and then tried the door handle. It was locked. Finland frowned, wondering what Sweden was up to, but then he cried out in alarm, "No, Sweden, wait!"
Sweden had backed up a little and kicked the door down with brute force. The door broke off its hinges and collapsed to the ground, kicking up dust and dirt. When the cloud of dirt disappeared, Sweden cautiously stepped into the seemingly abandoned house, followed by Norway and then Latvia. The others piled in after them, inspecting the house.
It was an old house; a layer of dust had been undisturbed for years until they arrived. The living room was small and the floral wallpaper was worn and faded. It was frayed at the edges, but nevertheless it was still loyally glued firmly to the decaying wall.
The kitchen was small as well but they all managed to fit in. The round table in the middle was sticky underneath a thin layer of dust and the surface of the counters were rough. Stains adorned the wall and the floorboards were littered with dead bugs and old sawdust.
"It's like a movie set." Lithuania remarked. "I think America would like it here. Or, at least, enjoy to use this as a movie set, maybe."
"There wouldn't be any room for all of those cameras and lights." Iceland said, gently pushing a chair out of his way. "Oh, look. There's a stairwell over here."
He shot a concerned look at Latvia. In any horror movie America produced, there was always something upstairs. Even though it was just Hollywood, going upstairs in a place like that was suicide.
Except, Sweden seemed to be oblivious to American movies. That, or he was amazingly brave. He hiked up the stairs without showing a flash of fear on his face. Lithuania decided that he must accompany him, seeing that the others were lingering around in the kitchen. He hurriedly rushed after Sweden, the floorboards creaking after him.
"Ah, Sweden, where are you?" Lithuania called, looking around the upstairs hallway. It was slightly dim up there, and he had the sensation of slight claustrophobia. Coughing slightly at the airborne dust, he made his way through the hall and carefully opened the doors one by one.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned, brightening. "Ah, Sweden, there you-" He froze. "Denmark?" he asked incredulously.
Though the lighting was horrible, he was able to recognize the Dane. He never felt so glad to see him. "You're alive!" he exclaimed happily. "Oh, I'm very glad. Everyone has been looking for you. Well, actually, we've been looking for the dangerous ones. We think Russia is a pretty dangerous one. We were on our way there to look for him but now that you're here, maybe we can contact Estonia and the others and tell them that you're-"
He gulped as Denmark's axe swung down, stopping abruptly before his entire right arm could be slashed away. There was something peculiar about his axe. It was pitch black compared to his silver bladed one. Everything about this axe was pure black; from the blade to even the shaft. "D-Denmark?"
Denmark lifted his head a little and Lithuania noticed his eyes. His dark red eyes.