Chapter 3-Starlit Dreams
"Yes I understand sir…I do admit it is my fault and I'm doing my best to…pardon? He is? When? I see…I'll try to get him back before then…I mean it's only several months away and it shouldn't take me that long to have him home safely! Of course sir. You have a good night now."
England hung up his phone and sagged into his easy chair in defeat as Kumajiro slept in the chair on the other side of the table. He just finished talking with Canada's boss, per the request of France, and found out that the next world meeting was going to be held by the Canadian a few months from now. Usually he would spend some of the night with his embroidery, but tonight he felt too drained to do even that as he got up for his bedroom.
"Going to bed early Master Arthur?" a maid asked as he passed her in the hall.
"Yes…it has been a very tiring day," he replied as she nodded in acknowledgement.
"Very well, sir. I left your window open by your request. Have a good night."
He nodded to show his gratitude as he went into his room and changed into his pyjamas. He was fast asleep as soon as he hit the pillow, not knowing of the cat spirit that would send him to a special place as Spottedleaf leapt inside and touched his forehead with her nose before disappearing.
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On the other side of the English Channel, France was doing his best to enjoy a glass of wine during a full moon on this clear night as he would usually do, but sadly the worries of Canada wasn't helping his usual mood. Switzerland saw it when he was over for a chat and to do his best to comfort the Frenchman as he went through this "minor crisis" as France put it.
"I'm sure England will find a way to bring him back soon Francis," the Swiss man said as he took a sip of tea.
"I know…it is just I worry about mon petit Canadienne so much. 'E could be 'urt somewhere or worse!"
"As much as I hate to disagree but he did a lot since he was your colony and England took him away from you. I mean look at the War of 1812, both the World Wars and now the war in the Middle East as well as some of the problems on his own soil, past and present, and the help he sent whenever a disaster, be it natural or not, had struck any of us! He's come a long way and I'm sure he can take care of himself. Heck Germany still flinches every time someone refers to Canada as 'Shock Trooper' since it was his men that gave him the nickname way back when."
At this France gave a light chuckle since he was guilty of that little trick a few times. "Oh Vash, mon ami, you are right. I guess my worries were getting zhe better of me since I am 'is father figure."
"That I can't disagree with you there. From what England told me you were a great father to him and it made that British moron slightly guilty for taking him away. Well it's late and I have to get back home now before Liechtenstein wonders where I am."
"Of course, mon ami. You take care and tell 'er I said 'ello!"
Switzerland said he would as he left and France finished his small bit of wine in his glass before heading in and putting the bottle away in his cabinet. He gave a small yawn as he was going upstairs to his room where he got ready for bed and settled down to sleep, not knowing that Spottedleaf soon arrived and gave him the same magic touch as she did England before leaving for America's home.
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America was sulking while laying front first on his couch filled with worry about his brother. It was obvious that he was more worried than anything because he had an unopened bag of McDonald's on his coffee table that had the food going cold and the coke going warm, a horror movie was ending but he wasn't paying attention enough to freak out the whole time as he always did, and Tony, his alien roommate from another planet, beat more of his games without the American asking for the X-Box 360 all afternoon and evening.
The alien was worried (though it didn't really show on his face) so he texted Prussia to come and see if he could cheer up his "bestie" as Alfred usually called him, and of course the Prussian couldn't say no to that.
"Well this is something, ja?" the albino said after he came in, without knocking as usual and having his chick, Gilbird, on his head, and stood in front of America after turning the movie off. "Cold and untouched McDonald's, horror movie playing with no un-awesome screaming coming from you, and Tony texting the awesome me to come on over and see what's up. It's about Birdie being sent away by England's spell, isn't it?"
America lifted his head at the nickname that Prussia always called Canada. "How'd the heck did you know that, Gil?"
The ex-Nation shrugged casually. "Francis told me about it while I was on the plane."
Alfred rolled his eyes at this with a groan. Of course France would mention something to Prussia (and possibly Spain) since they were friends in a group the other nations call the Bad Touch Trio and the Bad Friend Trio for some reasons more obvious than others.
"I'm just worried that nothing real bad happened to Mattie," he admitted with a sigh. "I mean sure he can probably take care of himself but he is possibly in a whole different world and maybe lost on what to do to get back home."
"I wouldn't worry about Birdie too much!" Prussia replied with his signature grin. "I mean he awesomely beaten my bruder and I on more than one occasion during the World Wars that Germany's men still call him 'Shock Trooper' to this day and ask for some of his military training!"
At this point he gave a bit of his laugh in mirth. "Kesesese! I still make bruder flinch for fun by just mentioning the awesome nickname! If he can handle us, I'm sure he can handle whatever un-awesome thing is being thrown his way right now!"
America gave a laugh of his own, mainly for being stupid as usual. Matthew may be invisible to everyone but he sure was no weakling! He even had a strong heart to match his military strength just by being kind and friendly!
"Aww you're right Gil! Mattie can handle himself! I'm sure he'll be back before we know it!" America said before giving a large yawn. "Oh man it's getting late…you'd like to take the couch tonight?"
"That would be awesome since I just got here and didn't get to a hotel yet," Gilbert replied as he helped getting out the bed in the couch and soon was out like a light when his head hit the pillow and the chick nestled himself on the arm of the couch.
America smiled at the sight before another yawn left his mouth and he turned to Tony. "Thanks for looking out for me."
The alien nodded and went to his own room to play a few games as America went up the stairs. Since it was a somewhat warm night he opened a window for a bit of a breeze ever since his brother told him it was better to do that then to waste money on turning on the Air Conditioning. Then he stripped 'til he was wearing nothing but his boxers and a t-shirt and settled down to sleep himself after putting his glasses on the nightstand.
The window was open wide enough for Spottedleaf to enter, use her magic touch on the peacefully sleeping Nation, then disappear to prepare for the dream that would help the maple's kin with their worries.
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England was the first to stir in his dream and shot up when he saw he was in some sort of starlit grove that was as warm as a calm summer day.
*Great Scot! Where am I?*
"Oh my!" a certain French voice said nearby and he saw a lean golden tom with slightly wavy fur and sky blue eyes similar to a particular Frenchman he loathed. "Zis is beautiful!"
"What the bloody hell are you doing in my dream frog!" England shouted and that caught France's attention as he gave a slight chuckle after seeing him. "I was about to ask you zhe same ting, Angleterre. Of course you actually look quite cute like zhat!"
The Brit was confused until he looked down and saw his hands were actually yellow and white cat's paws. He soon noticed a pool of water nearby so he went to look and saw not a human, but a white and yellow patched cat with folded ears, his green eyes, and unfortunately, his bushy eyebrows.
"Oh for the love of-how on Earth did I become, of all breeds, a Scottish Fold!?" he soon shouted and saw another tom come up behind him and it scared him into the pool with a scream and a splash.
This golden tom was of a more wheat colour to his fur and had a particular cowlick similar to his former colony as well as those bright blue eyes that reflected the laughter he was giving out.
"Oh man you should've seen your face Iggy!" the tom said that confirmed him to be America.
"How many times have I told you to don't bloody well call me that!?" the Brit fumed as he got out and shook his fur of the water. "And don't scare me like that again you oversized git!"
Another laugh was suddenly heard but this was from a tortoiseshell she-cat with a beautiful dappled coat that was covered in star-shine and friendly amber eyes that shined like moonlight.
"Is it always like this with you three?" the newcomer asked with a giggle and the three of them stared.
France was the first to speak as he decided to use a little charm. "And 'oo might you be, mon cher?"
She gave another giggle at this before saying, "My name is Spottedleaf and I'm afraid I'm really a cat spirit though you are flattering."
France soon understood so he wasn't all that disappointed before she went on. "I am also here to help you all relieve yourselves of your worries for your kin."
At first they didn't get it until England thought about Canada. "You know where Canada is?!"
She gave a purr and a nod before signalling them to follow her with her tail as she went down a starlit path. The three toms wasted no time in following her, both curious and relieved to finally know something about Canada.
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It didn't take them long to reach another starlit, summer-warm grove that seemed to be alongside a lake and they noticed a golden tom with brown streaks sitting in the middle of it, with an older, yet handsome, ginger tom and a younger black she-cat, both covered in star-shine like Spottedleaf, sitting on either side of him. It was only when they noticed the long gravity-defying curl, the red maple leaf pendant, and the friendly indigo eyes that they could see it was-
"MATTIE!" America shouted as he pounced on his brother in joy seeing his brother was alright. "Oh for the love of McDonald's I'm so happy you're O.K!"
"I'm happy to see you too!" Matthew said with a laugh before pushing his brother off and facing the other two. "And I mean all of you!"
All this time, though, they didn't see Jayfeather looking on in the bushes, wondering what was going on as France went over to Canada.
"Oh mon petite!" France soon said as he nuzzled his "son" with a purr and tears streaming down his face. "I was so worried about you! You're not 'urt or anyting, are you?"
"Non papa," he replied as he returned the gesture. "I'm alright. I was accepted into ThunderClan, one of four clans of wildcats out here that seem to be needing some help."
"Help in what way?" England asked as he came closer.
"They just won a war with some evil cat spirits, called the Dark Forest Cats, and they need me to help them heal from some tragic losses, among other things," he replied before gesturing with his tail at the other two cats that were with him. "Firestar and Hollyleaf here are such casualties as well as a few others. They are also my guides and protectors in case those dark spirits try anything with me. I'm afraid it will be a long time before I can go home and continue my work as a Nation."
Jayfeather's eyes widened at this! *He's a Nation? What's that?! Some kind of twoleg?*
The other three seemed slightly disappointed but also they understood that he was probably asked to do it by some sort of higher power as Firestar walked over to them. "We do ask you for a favour," he asked them sternly.
"Anything to help," England replied as an answer from all three of them.
"It seems that even the spirits that were lost from the Dark Forest War seemed to be restored. Spottedleaf here is one of them as is, sadly, my old enemy Tigerstar along with his son Hawkfrost."
They were surprised at this as she nodded and soon Hollyleaf stepped forward. "If you can see what caused them to come back then it might help Maplestreak on his mission."
"Wait a second," America soon said. "Who's Maplestreak?"
"Oh t-that's my warrior name that I picked," Canada replied sheepishly as he pawed the ground a bit in a way to show he was fidgeting out of a nervous habit. "I decided to give myself one to earn the trust of the Clan as well…I k-kinda t-told a small white lie."
"You?" France said incredulously at his former colony. "A Nation zhat cannot bring 'imself to lie actually told one? May I ask what it was, mon cher?"
"I told them that I was a traveller and I needed to learn their ways in order to survive."
"And they bought it," England finished with a nod before his gaze went towards the grass. "Well that does sound very convincing…Wait a second…Who's that?"
They all saw he was pointing to Jayfeather's hiding spot with his paw and the medicine cat slightly cursed before revealing himself.
"J-JAYFEATHER!?" Matthew shouted in surprise and worry as he tried to think quickly on which are the right words to save himself. "Oh Maple! Listen, I-I can explain!"
"I heard everything," the tom replied with a look of disappointment on his face.
"It's not what you think! I came here by accident but StarClan kinda did see it ahead of time and asked me to help! Please you have to believe me! I did tell you one truth and that was my name being Matthew!"
Jayfeather still didn't look convinced until England stepped forward, "I'm afraid he's telling the truth. You see I am the one that accidentally sent him here because I can use magic and I messed up on a spell."
"And bro here did help some cats already, right?" America soon vouched out loud as he went in front of the tom with slight anger and annoyance showing in his eyes. "So give him a break!"
"I most certainly agree wit' Amérique on zhat point," France soon added in calmly. "It is not like Mathieu was sent to spy for zeese Dark Forest Cats at all. Mais non, 'e was sent to 'elp and 'elp 'e 'as, just like we are going to find zhe cause of some of zhem returning back in our own world."
Jayfeather soon saw he was wrong to begin to judge. Matthew did help Sandstorm and Greystripe recently so his kin were right in defending him. But something was still bothering him.
"I can understand now and I do apologise if you can tell me what a Nation is."
The four nations now hesitated until Canada asked. "Will you keep it a secret if we tell you?"
Jayfeather was surprised at this but then nodded since he had his own fair share of secrets as Canada began.
"In our world, there are many countries where many animals and twolegs, or humans as we call them, live and every country is different with its own cultures, languages, and history. We Nations serve as a voice to help the country in a personified form, or a twoleg form in simpler terms. Sometimes we have meetings to see what we can do to help each other but that often ends with more fights then getting things done."
At that note he gave a glance at the rest of his family who are mostly guilty for some of the fights since France and England don't get along at all and America usually causes something for kicks or fights with Russia, mainly because he hates the larger Nation's "Commie" guts as the American tends to put it quite a lot. This caused the three spirit cats and Jayfeather to smirk at their sheepish and guilty faces, knowing that they are partially to blame.
"We don't age much but that doesn't make us immortal either since we are bound to the country we serve," he continued more seriously, "and if anything happens to eliminate that country and the main spirit of our people fades, we die and if we die, we fade from existence completely unless something happens to bring back our country, thus bringing us back, which happened to Poland once I think."
He soon paused as the two oldest nations nodded with this point and America looked at them in surprise before his brother finished. "The only one who has yet to fade like that is Prussia since he had come from different backgrounds to begin with and his strong sense of military, along with the spirits of his former people, kept him around for about 70 years now and he's been around for a few centuries already. I have yet to celebrate my 200th birthday myself."
Jayfeather was surprised to hear this as he stared at Canada with wide eyes! He had yet to become 200 years of age and yet he looked no older than 2 years in cat terms! His head was spinning slightly, but stopped when he saw in Canada's eyes that he was begging for the grey tom to keep this secret from the rest of the Clan.
"I will keep it a secret," he soon replied after a few moments.
"Oh thank you!" Matthew said in relief, but soon it was his turn to be confused. "But how did you come into my dream?"
"I am one of Three with the Powers of the Stars in my Paws. I have a special ability granted to me by StarClan which enables me to walk in others' dreams which is the only time I can see since I am blind in the waking world. I used it to learn more about you and I apologize for coming in on such sensitive business."
"I forgive you and I'll also keep this secret to you and the other two with these powers," the golden tom said and it seemed to be of some relief to the medicine cat as they saw Spottedleaf rise to her paws.
"It's almost dawn," she said and England suddenly remembered something.
"Before we go, I have to remind you that you are hosting the next meeting in a few months and your boss is hoping that you might return before then, Canada."
"Oh Maple I almost forgot about that!" the younger one replied. "I'm sure it won't take me that long to do what I have to do here so I shouldn't worry too much. I'll start preparing when I get back, I promise."
The Brit nodded in satisfaction before they all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways so Maplestreak can prepare for training and the other three can help shed some light on how the spirits came back.
Little did they know, a tabby tom with icy blue eyes, a beige colour to his muzzle and belly, and a darker aura in his pelt saw and heard everything and sneered before going fading into the shadows.
"Father would love to hear this!"
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Author's Notes:
O.K last submission for today!
First I'd like to give special thanks to Doom the Sandwich, HolyRomanGermany, aggrocks09, hurricaneclaw, and nicolift for the follows as well as nicolift (again) and spiritualnekohime4 for the reviews I replied to and nicolift (once again) for the fave! You guys rock!
Here we have a family reunion and secrets shared before things get underway!
Poor England can't seem to catch a break as he learned from the Canadian Prime Minister (aka Canada's boss) that Canada was hosting the next world meeting. (O.K not that I know of but it's called artistic licence!) So he went to sleep and Spottedleaf decided to work her magic.
Meanwhile, Switzerland and Prussia were visiting France and America, respectively, and managed to reassure them that Canada can take care of himself. So they thanked them before Switzerland left and Prussia settled for sleep in America's couch-bed and they went to bed with a lightened heart each before Spottedleaf sent them both to a good dream.
There, the FACE crew learned of Canada's mission and Jayfeather learns of what Nations are so he keeps the secret and sadly someone else finds out as well.
Oh and here's a couple more Nation Names:
Switzerland-Vash Zwingli (Or Basch Zwingli)
Prussia-Gilbert Beilschmidt
And I made more cat forms and yes I'm keeping with their hair colour for their fur colour(s) as well as certain breeds related to the country. (As such America and Canada are American Shorthairs and France is closely related to a Chausie. England sure isn't happy being a cat from his big brother's country, that's for sure!)
Oh and the "Shock Trooper" thing is kinda real since the Germans called the Canadians Shock Troopers for how strong and surprising they were back during the World Wars. My sister and I kinda made up a running joke about Germany flinching to that nickname!
And a slight history lesson as well as what I think Nations are.
Enjoy!
Hetalia and concepts are © Hidekaz Himaruya
Warriors and concepts are © Erin Hunter
Everything else is © me so DON'T STEAL OR ELSE!