"I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE DID THIS TO US!" America wailed.
"Calm down. I'm sure there's more to this than-"
Alfred rolled around, half-crying. "I don't handle betrayal very well", he sobbed.
"Well, it's not the end of the world… yet. We may still come up with a plan to get out"
"What would Percy Jackson do?" asked Alfred.
"How do those mortals handle it?" pondered Japan. "I'm already pissed off by the way this entire series of events has ruined my schedule, but the mortal heroes, the ones you inspire, America, they handle these challenges with aplomb"
"Maybe we've got to think like mortals again, which isn't really a stretch for me since I just found out about all this days ago. I know! We'll dig our way out with spoons. The Shawshank Redemption!"
Japan pondered this for a while. "Perhaps, it might wo-"
"MAYBE YOU TWO SHOULD HAVE YOUR LITTLE ESCAPE PLANNING WHEN THE GUARD IS OFF DUTY?!" yelled Argentina from behind the bars. "LIKE, HELLO?! IDIOTAS, I'M RIGHT HERE, A FEW FEET AWAY FROM YOU!"
"Rude. Hey Honda, is eavesdropping part of Argentinian culture?"
Argentina answered for him. "No, but pistol-whipping loudmouths WILL BE, if you two don't shut the fuck up!"
Maria took in the lush surroundings and Brazil's unending favors toward her, as gratitude for her betrayal. "When I am given my dues after this fight, I will make sure there is a special place for you among our ranks."
Venezuela crept up on her as soon as Brazil left.
"Let's just get one thing straight here, you vixen. Russia and China run the show, but here, Brazil is the ruler. Then there's me, then Argentina, then any Latin nations that surrender in the following weeks, then the dogs, then-"
"Then the cats," continued Maria, dryly. "Then the dirt, the dirt, the worms living in the dirt, then poor little me. You see, Carlotta, I'm very cooperative when I need to be!"
"You're too mouthy! Just remember your place!" She snappily turned away from Maria, walking back into the hall.
Maria cackled to herself. "Silly Carlotta. I've been playing these soap dramas since you were just Papa's little sugar plantation. Let's see who will twist who…"
The vial bubbled bright pink in her hand.
Maria hugged Paulo seductively from behind.
"I knew you'd try to usurp Carlotta's place sooner or later, but I didn't think it'd be this soon! Of course I'll make you my new partner, I've been crushing on you since the Industrial Revolution!"
Maria winced. "That's too much information, but I accept. I also want to suggest making the turnover of the prisoners one spectacle to remember!"
"Turnover?" Brazil asked
"Why, surely, we're turning these two over to China, right? Then he'll reward us by maybe letting us sit back and relax while they fuck up the rest of the world?"
"Oh, yeah! I almost forgot about that. I guess that's why China's been calling me every five minutes now…"
"Let's throw a feast! I'll do the cooking, the cleaning and bring in sweet bananas for ya eating (pardon the pop culture quote). I'll even offer a song number for all of you, to, you know! Show my devotion to the cause!"
"Wow," said Brazil. "You can do all of that in a few hours?"
It was Maria's turn to be surprised. "Say what?"
"Yeah, China just said he'll drop by at midnight to pick them up. Something about devouring their essence and shit"
Ay, puta, I need to think fast….
"Alright! I'll start cooking, and Paulo? Please set that piano to the key of C minor, put it in C minor. It's important that you do…