It was early afternoon when arrangements were planned out by Korea and his military. Korea was pleased that his military was still optimistic about things and that his people were coming together to support those who were out there and help those who were infected by hate, as Japan had said. Korea was proud that his people were helping each other out, but of course, everyone else was doing that as well. But that was a good thing and it was definitely nothing to complain about; the more help the better. People were still dying and thousands of cities, big and small, had already fallen or left to crumble.

Korea felt depressed when he stopped by to watch the news a bit. It only took a couple of minutes to deplete his high energy level. The tears, the cries, the angry faces, and now revolts were occurring everywhere. "Why are they rebelling, da-ze?" Korea asked Germany, who was watching with him.

Germany looked grim. "They feel that we, as countries, aren't doing a good job with keeping order and they want our bosses to take over instead of us."

"What? But we're older than any of them, da-ze." Korea exclaimed. "We have experience and stuff, da-ze!"

Germany lowered his eyes. "And it's because of us the doppelgangers appeared."

"But they only exist because our bosses pressure us into violence, da-ze!" Korea argued.

"Do they? Or is it also part of our want for whatever we want as well?"

Korea felt like he lost that debate; he had to agree that he had taken interest in what his bosses tell him and blood was spilled partly because of his want. All the countries were like that; there never seemed to be a war or fight without a strong sense of want and greed.

Before long, some countries left the conference room to search for phones so that they could call their government and try to calm their people down. Korea tore his eyes away from the computers that broadcasted news from around the world and went to the foyer of Germany's house to wait for his team. Switzerland was already there, ready to go. Korea eyed him curiously and asked why he was bring so many guns if they won't do a single thing to the doppelgangers who could simply heal.

"They'll heal," Switzerland said. "But physical effects still apply, like flinching or stopping when hit."

"Oh, so like they're diversions, da-ze?"

"You can say that."

Belarus arrived with Denmark and Japan after her tail. Denmark was cheerfully chatting away as Japan listened politely. When Denmark asked Belarus a question, she scowled at him and threatened to slit his throat if he bothered her again. Denmark laughed. "Well it's good to see that you're acting normal."

Korea scanned their faces. "Where's Hong Kong, da-ze?" he asked.

"I'm, like, right here." Hong Kong said, entering the foyer from the living room. "Is everyone ready?"

Belarus headed towards the door. "Let's go find Big Brother Russia first." she declared.

"Hey, we have to wait until the third day for America." Denmark said.

"He's right." Switzerland said, crossing his arms. "We can't just go in a day early."

Belarus turned to glare at them. But she gritted her teeth and agreed. "Fine, but when it's time I'm going to go find Russia whether any of you are coming with me or not."

America stared at the ceiling dully. It was a long half hour, and even though a half hour was pretty short, it felt like a century. Before, Dark America had made him feel inferior to a fragment of him very self, but Dark Vietnam wasn't a part of him. She was a part of Vietnam, and she made him feel like trash.

"No..." America said thickly. "'Trash' is an understatement..."

He surprised himself as a tear ran down his bloodstained face. Narrowing his eyes, he blinked the other tears welling up in his eyes away and tightened his fists. Then he forced himself to relax and to not build up any more anger or hate. Hate. What effect does that word have now? Just weeks ago people use that term so lightly that it was laughable by now. America realized that he had forgotten the true meaning of hate, and even if he was confronted by the physical forms of hatred itself, he felt like he hasn't confronted it truly; he felt like that doppelgangers held much of it back, else he would be ripped to shreds.

He had to wonder though; if they were physical forms of hatred, why didn't they turn on each other? Why didn't they turn on the country's hatred that they used to (or still do) hate? Have they realized that working together is the only way to go, even though they have to hold back their full power in order to cooperate or are they secretly devising plans behind everyone's backs?

So much to think about and yet America had a huge migraine. His migraine originated from the three times Dark Vietnam had slammed his head around; once when she pinned him down, another when he dared to say that he genuinely wanted to help end the war, and the last time just for good measure.

And still it seemed like she held back some of her hatred in, just like Dark America.

Those two were a pain, literally. He hoped that there weren't any other doppelgangers out there to try to torment him.

America groaned. Thinking wasn't doing his throbbing head any good. Instead of staring at the wall, he reached for his glasses and examined them. One of the lenses were cracked, but it wasn't shattered. He folded them up, placed it beside him, turned onto his side as gently and slowly as he could, and closed his eyes.

Germany and England watched as Korea, Japan, Switzerland, Denmark, Belarus, and Hong Kong leave the house from the windows of the conference room. England had healed as well ("I still have magic in me after all," he claimed when Germany asked how he recovered so quickly. England also claimed that he was the reason why Vietnam also healed quickly. When Germany asked him about Canada, England had frozen and muttered something about going back to the hospital.) and he had spent the morning and early afternoon rearranging the chalkboard, even though Germany said it wasn't necessary.

"So much has happened, huh?" England murmured, redrawing Japan's ear. "How are the people?"

"Whose?" Germany asked.

"Everyone's."

Germany hesitated. "Not good. Some are helping each other, some are rebelling, and some are dying still. There are so many fights between everyone. It's madness."

England stopped drawing Australia's smile to glance at Germany. Then he asked, "Why don't we have some of us go and watch over the people?"

"We're already short on people as it is." Germany replied. "Some are still evacuating, many are out scouting and searching. About a few dozens are still missing."

There was a silence, save for the keys being tapped in a rapid succession from Vietnam. She was busy looking after Korea and his group, scanning their trail ahead to see if there was any advantage they could take to get to Guangzhou faster and searched up escape routes in case something happened along the way.

Germany glanced back to the chalkboard and studied it. His eyes landed on England's name, which England had written 'Present' next to his name. And next to that was 'Dark England', whose status remained 'Unknown'. "No one knows where yours is, right?" Germany asked.

England ceased his drawing and slowly lowered his stick of chalk. He turned his body to the side and gave Germany an indifferent look. "No one, and I don't bloody care if he's found or not."

Germany stared at England; he even heard Vietnam behind him stop typing and he imagined that she too glanced up at him. "How can you say something like that with the history you have?" Germany asked in a low voice.

England stiffly turned back around and said, "If he isn't to be found then so be it. As long as he's not troublesome we'll be okay."

"In the state we're in we won't be okay, whether Dark England is around or not." Vietnam interrupted. "The longer this goes on, the more impatient the people become and then what will happen? More violence. All of this is happening even if he isn't-"

"But if he were then it would be bloody worse, wouldn't it?" England snapped.

Vietnam looked somewhat taken aback but then said coldly, "Then please excuse me for my opinion."

Germany looked between them and gritted his teeth for the umpteenth time that week. It seemed as if the hatred had passed on to them. What am I thinking? Hate has always been with us. Perhaps everyone is getting more anxious because of the revolts. Germany thought hastily.

"Vietnam, I'll take over." Germany said. Vietnam looked up at him, confused. "Don't worry. Just rest. You'll feel much better if you rest. You too, England. Take a break from this."

As expected, they started to retort back and protest but Germany put on his angry face and silenced them. "Enough!" he snapped. "And I thought you two were some of the more level headed ones! Have you already lost your minds? Keep it together, mein Gott!"

Germany folded his arms impatiently, watching Vietnam get out of the chair so that Germany could sit in it. She glanced at England and then back at Germany before she left the conference room. England set the chalk down with an irritated sigh and left as well, but through the side doors.

Unfortunately, they weren't the only ones getting frustrated. Germany had gotten angry calls from some of the other nations about how they seem to be getting no where. Many were starting to think that they should give up working together and try to do what they want to do and focus on helping their people and their people only.

"No," Germany said as calmly as he could. "Working together is the only way! I know it's frustrating and-"

"I know, I know." Greenland was saying. Greenland sighed and said calmly, "But there are others who need some convincing, Germany. Unless we have some victories to make us strive ahead, we'll only be chasing our tails in an endless loop. Our people will suffer if that happens, and if our people suffer, then humanity will fall and we will too."

"I know..." Germany said. "I know."