Author's Note: I believe I've mentioned before that I've lost interest in this story? Yeah... I've kinda really lost interest in writing this story...

So I've written this longer-ish concluding chapter. Because I don't believe in leaving behind discontinued fics. So yeah...

Needless to say, the formatting and idea of this chapter will be quite different from the ones before.

Enjoy, I guess.

Chapter 10:

Edge of Infinity

"Oh... Oh. I see..."

"Bruder?"

"I finally understand... It all makes sense now..."

"Ludwig, are you alright? Where are you going?"

"Thank you, Gilbert. Or rather... Prussia..."

"Wha- Ludwig! Wait! Come back!"

It was too late.

He was gone.

"So Ludwig's finally gone, huh?"

"Don't say that! We don't have any definitive evidence that he's gone, right, Kiku? He's just... missing."

"Hyun Soo... I'm afraid that's... perhaps... just a false hope..."

"So, aniki? Does that mean it's our turn now?"

"Hai."

"Wait, no, Yong Soo, Kiku-!"

Heedless of his cries, the two joined hands and departed.

"Natalya?"

"Katyusha? What's wrong?"

"Do... do you miss брат?"

"Of course. Why?"

"Is there anything you would want to tell him, at this moment?"

"Well... That I love him, I guess..."

"I see. До побачення, cecтpa."

"Katyusha? Wait, Kat-!"

"What? Katyusha's gone too? Where did you hear this, Raivis?"

"N-Natalya told me, when I went to get Toris..."

"It's true, Eduard. She's gone."

A sigh.

"I guess it's our turn now?"

"Yeah... Come on, Raivis, let's go."

United in determination, they left.

"... and that should take us to the ridge. Any questions?"

The assembled nations glanced at each other.

"Are we sure Russia will be there?" England finally asked. "Because if not..."

"I'm sure, England," Lithuania replied.

"I trust you, Lithuania, but... Wouldn't he leave? It's pretty obvious that we're coming," America pointed out.

"That's not Russia's way. You weren't there, during the war. He won't leave," Canada said firmly.

"And considering his state of mind at the moment, aru, you won't meet any opposition," China's voice interjected, coming out of the speaker attached to Germany's pack.

Their voices fell quiet for a few moments, but then Ukraine spoke up.

"We are not hurting him, right? We all promise this?"

"No, Ukraine-san, we won't hurt him," Japan said.

"That would be, like, totally unawesome. We, like, outnumber him, 22 to 1," Poland pointed out.

The rest of the nations nodded in agreement.

"Alright, then... Any more questions?"

No one said anything.

Italy nodded. "Good. Let's move." Fratello, I'm coming...

Russia stood at the edge of the precipice, pipe loosely clutched in his hand, his eyes closed. A small smile adorned his face as he listened to the sounds of his people getting defeated by the nations, who were drawing ever closer to his position.

The sounds stopped, and Russia knew they were behind him. He waited.

Finally, someone spoke. Germany. "Russia... Are you going to fight?"

Russia said nothing. He didn't even turn around.

"Russia, wake up. This is war, you can't afford to space out!" England frowned.

"Ve, Russia? Do you know where fratello is? I want to see Romano again~!"

Other nations quickly supplied their own queries.

Russia responded to none of them. Then-

"STOP!"

Everyone turned to Ukraine, who was shaking.

"Stop... Oh, Russia! It's OK, come here..." And, to the surprise of everyone gathered, Russia collapsed into his sister's arms, sobbing.

"Shh... Shh... Russia... my little brother..."

"C-cecтpa..."

"I'm here."

"W-Why... Why can't we just be at peace?!"

"I don't know, Russia. I don't know."

"That's all I wanted."

"I know. And you did very well. But maybe it's just not to be."

"Where... where is Belarus?"

"She didn't come yet. You should know this."

Russia pushed himself away from his sister. "Then we must get her back. Let us end this war, and focus on getting our friends and family back."

Slowly at first, hesitantly, then with increasing speed and enthusiasm, the assembled countries voiced their agreement.

Hyun Soo jerked up. "Something's changed."

"Hm?" Lovino glanced over at him. They had taken to living together, now that there were only six of them left. The women occupied one house, and the men took the neighboring one.

Suddenly, Lili came bursting through the door. Prussia jumped up and caught her just as she was about to trip.

"Lili? What happened?" he asked.

"It's... it's Natalya! She's going!"

"What? That's not possible... the war ended already! Right, Hyun Soo?"

"It should have... But I don't know if my information is reliable. Yong Soo... was always the more sensitive about these things..."

"Whatever, bastards! Let's just get going already!" Lovino burst out, rushing out of the room. Lili glanced between Gilbert and Hyun Soo, then all three followed.

"Natalya! Hang on, don't go yet! I've sent Lili for the others, just hang in there!"

"Eliza... I miss my brother..." Natalya said shakily, her hand tightly grasping Elizaveta's.

"I know, Natasha, but I need you to stay for a bit longer!"

"And... my sister... too..."

"I-" Elizaveta started, but was interrupted.

"E-Eliza? Do you think... do you think they're... happy?"

"I'm sure of it," Elizaveta murmured, clutching her friend's hand tighter.

"... I miss them. I... I can almost see them... I... прабачце..."

"Natalya!"

When Lili arrived with the others, she was already gone.

"... Big brother...?"

"... Belarus..."

"Elizaveta, it's not your fault..." Lili said, trying in vain to comfort the crying woman.

There was no response.

"Elizaveta! Snap out of it!"

"Gilbert! Don't be so pushy!"

"Yeah, bastardo."

Suddenly, Elizaveta cried out, her eyes wide. "Li-"

"I'm here," Lili said, grasping her hand. "What's wrong, Elizaveta?"

"Li... Lie..."

Hyun Soo's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, no..."

"Liech... Liechten..."

"Elizaveta? Elizaveta, please stop, you're scaring me!" Lili cried.

"Liechten... stein..."

"Eliza? What are you going on about?" Gilbert said, fear evident in his tone, though he tried to conceal it. "Eliza-"

"Ah..." Lili fell, clutching her stomach.

Just as Elizaveta disappeared.

"H-Hungary?!"

"Oh. Hello, Austria..."

"Lili!"

Gilbert rushed over to the girl, rolling her over. "Lili, what's wrong?"

"It's time..."

"Time for what?"

"Big bruder's calling me..." Lili smiled, directing her gaze toward Lovino. "C-Can you feel it too?"

"... Si..."

"I'll tell bruder you said hi..."

And away she went.

"Big Bruder!"

"Liechtenstein... Oh, I missed you so much..."

"I think... it's time for me to go too." Lovino nodded, as if trying to convince himself. "Si. Fratello needs me."

"And namdongsaeng needs me," Hyun Soo added. "Are you coming, Gilbert?"

"I... I..." Gilbert shook his head. "I don't know... Please, don't leave me alone..."

But the others were too far gone.

"Ve! Fratello!"

"Wah! Veneziano, watch it!"

"HYEONG!"

"Oof. South!"

"But... where's Prussia?" Germany suddenly asked, interrupting the joyous reunions.

"He... he said he didn't know if he was coming..." North Korea noted.

Romano frowned. "Wait... Potato bastard, don't tell me you didn't call him back!"

"I did! I called!" Germany's brow furrowed. "I did exactly what Italy and South Korea did!"

"Ve... Germany... maybe it's because, well, you know..." Italy made a vague motion with his hand. "Prussia hasn't been, well... Prussia... for so long."

"But... It shouldn't matter! We've all been gone for hundreds of years, and we came back fine!"

"But there's no place called 'Prussia' anymore," Japan pointed out. "There is a southern Italy, and a northern Korea, even though the countries are one."

"Ja, but... Prussia is also East Germany! Why isn't he back? He can have the eastern part of my nation!"

"But he did not identify as East Germany," Russia said sadly. "Even when he lived with me, we called him 'Prussia'. East Germany was just a formal title, to him."

"That shouldn't matter!" Germany exclaimed. "It's still... it's still him..."

The strong nation broke down into sobs.

"Hmm?" Gilbert looked up. "I thought I... Must have been my imagination."

He sighed, and went back to tidying up.

"Bruder... Where are you?"

"Bruder... where are you?" Germany muttered, gently smoothing down the sheets in the spare room.

He sighed, glancing at the wall. On it hung every picture and painting the German nation could find of him and his brother, dating back to just after the creation of the German Empire.

"You were so strong then... Why did you have to leave me?"

Germany closed his eyes.

Please come back.

Gilbert dropped his coffee.

"What... what was... that...?"

He shook his head.

"I think the loneliness is getting to me..."

_.-^-._

Years passed. The world changed, grew.

The people were happy. There had not been a major conflict for over a decade.

The nations went through their days, the way they always had. The way they always would.

And yet.

Still, problems reigned throughout the world. Hunger, poverty, environmental degradation. Accidents, pulling people away from their families, natural disasters, killing, destroying. Misery was everywhere, though it was not any worse than it had ever been.

In fact, it was better.

But the nations, who had become used to their little paradise, were growing increasingly uncomfortable. To see their people, their very essence, suffer... After more than a century, it was too much to bear, especially for the younger ones, who had only had half a millennium of life.

They told themselves that it would pass. That it was just an effect of leaving for years and years. That things would go back to normal, and that they would become as jaded as they used to be to the pains and horrors of human life.

(Not that they had ever been able to erase those bloody images from their minds. They merely pushed them away, and tried not to think about it.)

But it wasn't working. Suffering continued. They felt helpless, powerless, unable to save those who gave them an identity, those who held their existences in the palms of their hands.

And thus, they began to plan.

Oh, and one more thing:

Germany was still searching for Prussia.

They worked so hard for it. Days and weeks turned into months and years. Funds were acquired. Deals were made. Secrets were protected.

Tasks were handed out according to strengths. Germany, of course, received engineering. Japan, technology. And so on.

The energy they poured into the project increased as time went on, as they became more desperate.

The harder they worked, the more time they spent thinking about the plan and not the world, well, the easier it was to escape their new reality.

And suddenly, it was over.

It was done.

All that was left was to set it off.

"Nein!"

"But, Germany, we're ready! The longer we wait, the more risky-"

"We need to get Prussia back."

"Germany..." Italy gave his brother a distressed look.

"Potato bastard, you can't keep waiting for him! Look, we all want Prussia back, but you have to think about this objectively!"

"I am! If we don't get Prussia back, our goal won't be reached. 'We'll get all the nations together, together, we'll end this.' That's what we agreed."

The Italy brothers glanced at each other.

"Ve... but then we would have to get Grandpa Rome and your Vati Germania and-"

"They'll come, Italy. I'm sure they can see us from where they are, and they'll know when to join us. But Prussia won't."

"How can you be so sure?" Romano asked.

"I just know!" Germany threw his hands in the air. "Just... stop questioning it!"

"Ve... Germany..."

Italy watched with worried eyes as Germany stormed out of the room.

"Ve... Germany?"

"Ja, Italien?" Germany asked in a tired voice, not bothering to turn around to address his friend.

"I... Um... I... Ve... Do you want to go on a vacation?"

"A vacation?" The German nation turned around, and Italy gulped at his expression.

"Si, a vacation!" he shakily pressed on. "Ve, it's not healthy to stay cooped up like this and Seychelles has agreed and I've already gotten you plane tickets and you should go and I've already packed your bags and your government has agreed -"

By this time, Italy was pushing Germany out of the door to his study.

"- and everyone thinks you need a break and big brother France and big brother Spain and Mr. England and Mr. Austria and Switzerland have agreed to help me watch over your country while you're gone since I don't want you to worry about anything -"

Now Italy shoved Germany's suitcase, passport, and plane tickets into his hand.

"- and it's OK because Romano is going to take care of Italy and I can spend all my energy on watching over Germany and the trip is going to be for two weeks and I want you to just enjoy yourself and don't stress about anything at all -"

Germany was surprised to find himself in his car already. Since when had Italy been that strong...?

"- and you're not allowed to come home early and, ve, I just want you to go have fun! Don't even think about the state of the world! Ciao!"

And the car door slammed closed, leaving Germany open mouthed and staring at the Italian nation outside his window.

Italy smiled sheepishly and waved.

Germany sighed and fired up his car, knowing Italy would never stop until he went on this "vacation". He would humor the Mediterranean nation for now, but as soon as the two weeks were up, he promised himself, he would be coming right back.

Italy breathed a sigh of relief as Germany's car pulled out of sight. He quickly pulled out a cell phone, dialing Spain.

"Ve, he's gone."

"Bueno! I will call Francia and Inglaterra. Get Austria y Suiza, we'll meet up at the appointed place."

"Si, Spagna!"

And that was that.

Two weeks passed quickly for Germany, and when he left Seychelles's place, he felt a strange sense of sadness. But he quickly pushed it away.

After all, he had work to get back to.

And yet... there was something different when he got back. Something familiar, but different.

What is it? he wondered, stepping into the house that was still as immaculately clean as always. He would have thought Italy would have messed up something.

That should have been his first clue.

"Italy? Italy, where are you?"

"Ve, Germany! You're back!" Italy came bouncing out of the kitchen, smile on his face.

"Ja, I'm back."

"I have food for you!" Italy ran off, returning almost instantaneously with a plate of fine German fare. Germany was slightly surprised at this; usually the Italian nation would only cook pasta, but he brushed it off.

That should have been his second clue.

"Danke." He grabbed a fork and started eating. "Italy, why are you smiling like that?"

"I can't tell you yet!"

Third clue.

But Germany just sighed and listened as Italy chattered away while he finished his meal. Suddenly, something crashed.

This time, he didn't miss it.

Both nations jumped.

"Was war das?"

"Ve! A surprise!"

Germany eyed Italy. "A surprise?"

"Si! Go on, take a look!"

And, just as Germany mounted the steps to the upstairs hallway, a blurry, pale figure crashed into him.

"BRUDER!"

"... P-Preußen...?"

Eventually, Germany was able to find out from Austria what had happened: Italy had, in the brief time he had been "in control" of Germany, and with some magical assistance from England, given a certain region of the country an honorary title of Prussia and forcibly extracted the personification from the other world.

Germany couldn't thank him enough.

"So, we're all gathered now."

England looked around the room at the faces of his fellow nations, all alight with smiles. Italy and Romano stood near Germany and Prussia.

France and Spain stuck close to the third member of their trio.

Switzerland and Liechtenstein were off to the side, while Austria tried to engage the former in conversation and Hungary alternated between giving the latter lessons on self defense and demonstrating said lessons on a certain white haired nation who was being his usual, annoying self.

The North American twins were whispering and laughing together.

Russia was with his sisters, both of whom clung to him tightly, though he did not seem to mind too much.

South Korea harassed China and Japan, even with North Korea trying to restrain him.

Poland hung out with Lithuania and the other Baltic states.

The Nordics stuck together, smiles of contentment on their faces.

Everyone was smiling.

As England's words penetrated their minds, they all turned and looked at him expectantly. But the English nation didn't say anything. He didn't need to. Everyone understood his meaning.

"So. Who's going to do the honors?" America finally spoke up.

"I vote Prussia," Poland said.

"Me?"

"Yes, Prussia should do it." This came from France.

"Ja, go on, bruder." Germany pushed his brother forward.

Prussia smirked. "Well, I guess you finally recognize my awesomeness!"

And as the world laughed, he pushed the big red button.

The explosion was beautiful.

Later, no one would be able to argue that.

Light, streaming from the center of the earth with an unbearable heat.

Colors, bleeding into each other and blending together in a hypnotizing swirl.

Sound, drowning out the screams of awe and pain and confusion from everywhere.

All of it swirled together in a great conflagration of destruction, leaving behind only the blessed silence that they had craved.

Death, was the final peace.

"Hey, Germany?"

"Yes, Italy?"

"Let's be friends forever, OK? Forever and ever and ever! And we won't let anything get in our way, OK?"

"..."

"Ve, Germany?"

"... Yes, Italy. Let's be friends... Forever."

Federal Republic of Germany - restored

Republic of Korea - restored

Japan - restored

Ukraine - restored

Republic of Estonia - restored

Republic of Latvia - restored

Republic of Lithuania - restored

Republic of Belarus - restored

Hungary - restored

Principality of Liechtenstein - restored

South Italy (Italy Romano) - returned

North Korea - returned

Kingdom of Prussia - given honorary status

Planet Earth - ?

Author's Note: So... that's the end of it! WOO!

Um, yeah, make your own assumptions about what happened to Earth. :)

Translations:

брат - brother (Ukrainian, pronounced "brat")

До побачення - goodbye (Ukrainian, pronounced "do pobachennya")

cecтpa - sister (Ukrainian and Russian, pronounced "sestra")

прабачце - sorry (Belarusian, pronounced "prabačcie". I think the c with the thingy on top is like an "sh", and the other c is like a "ch")

namdongsaeng - little brother (Korean, in hangul it's "남동생")

Italien - Italy (German)

Francia, Inglaterra, Austria y Suiza - France, England, and Austria and Switzerland, respectively (Spanish, and yes, Austria is Spanish for Austria. Problem? XD)

danke - thanks (German)

Was war das? - What was that? (German)

Preußen - Prussia (German)

Just a quick note: The second to last section, with the description of the explosion? That was inspired (kinda) by a story called "Imagine" by my friend SeraSearaSpin. She would really appreciate it if you went and read it. You'll see the parallels if you do, so, I mean...

While on that subject, she and I (is that correct grammar?) are also collaborating on a story called "Our Turbulent Sea of Peace" on our shared account Seven Thousand. So go read that too. It's a human AU about Alfred and Kiku in WWII, so. Angsty, kinda, like this one, but with a lot more humorous moments. :)

Hope you liked it~!