Completed Part 1 of APH Retrace (in profile).

Special thanks to: Marcy Queen of the Narwhals, Luna Safire and Lalalatias(tumblr)

I: Broken Borders

"They say that when you are fearful, your true self shows. In a daunting situation you become either, nervous or afraid or maybe calm and controlled. In a matter of total terror, things are entirely different..."

"They say that when you are fearful, your true self shows. In a daunting situation you become either, nervous or afraid or maybe calm and controlled. In a matter of total terror, things are entirely different..."

Weeks before the Calamity occurred, there was a world meeting. The Great World Gathering it was called, and it was one of the largest private gatherings ever held among the personified countries. Nation-beings all over the world made sure they showed up to the occasion no matter the reluctance of others.

These kinds of people also called themselves 'countries', or rather 'country representatives', aside from Nation-beings. No doubt these figures hoped to see friends, old allies and old enemies before the cataclysm that they predict would change their lives forever.

The idea of 'The End' grew into a dreadful upcoming event, scheduled to plague the world to bloody catastrophe. Satellites had sizzled, calculations had been re-estimated, and what used to be stable had shaken to the very core. All across the globe people waited and prepared for the destruction that they believe was about to hit them sometime in the coming weeks.

Throughout the Grand Council Hall words resonated with a beat of panic. A melodic pandemonium of loud chatter, shuffling papers, and footsteps against the marble floors engulfed the silence that morning. The building was used to chaotic global council meetings, from the G20 to large assemblies of the hundreds of country representatives. However on that particular morning the room was troubled with a new level of chaos.

Yes. Every single person knew something was going to happen. In the recent months, destruction escalated quickly; dead volcanoes suddenly erupted, ice caps rapidly melted causing heavy flooding in coastal regions, and in the coldest regions like the arctic there were reports of scorched victims from abnormal sun rays. Riots had made headlines as individuals questioned government tactics. Global wars halted and the armed forces returned home to help protect their land. The year was one of the worst years for all economies both rich and poor.

Nations grew fearful for the survival of their legacies. Some were behind with their preparations and were panicking for the upcoming destruction. Some had hidden secrets from each other for the sake of their own people. However there were a few in particular ready to be put to the test.

Rows and rows of tables and chairs were filled with countries arguing, listening, and sighing. Some Nations, like Romania, who was leaning against a column with his arms crossed, simply watched the chatter with indifference.

The Nation wore his classic reddish suit and hat that day, and it so happened that everyone in the room was dressed in their military uniforms without being told to in the invitation. He even found Belarus and Ukraine in their feminine military pant suits. Unlike the usual meetings, this one was either formal or casual. They vaguely decided on wearing their serious suits even thought a party was scheduled after the formal discussion and presentation. Nevertheless everyone was there to discuss serious matters and share paranoia.

Chaotic and noisy - nothing's changed, thought the Romanian. But something felt different...

Glancing around, he nosily listened to the silly conversations filling the air.

"Will you at least start this meeting? It has been an hour!"

"I have no time for this; we should be tending to our people!"

"Where's my seat?"

"We have already sorted everything out!"

"What are you doing sitting on my chair?!"

Romania rolled his eyes. He glanced at the open archway where some other countries stood near waiting for friends to arrive. Adjusting his favourite hat topped on his head, he decided to make his way through the busy row to wait for Bulgaria.

What is taking him so long? He frowned before he slithered behind occupied seats. He passed by Turkey and Greece, who were fighting about which one of them was more prepared for the doomsday. Ignoring them, Romania took his spot a couple of empty seats away from the Mediterraneans and the other southeastern European countries.

On his other side were empty seats for the Germanic Nations, and much to his dismay, Hungary's seat was right next to his. Fortunately, it was currently occupied by Switzerland. The young, blonde, green-eyed Alpine was wearing his evergreen military uniform with a rifle strapped behind him.

Romania could not resist a joke. "Finally, you have taken over that country," he chuckled. He counted the empty seats pass the Swiss man; Austria's seat was next, then Switzerland's actual seat, then Liechtenstein's, then Prussia's, and Germany's. In the row behind them sat the rest of Europe while the rows before them seated more and more countries from near and far.

"It's a long story," sighed the Swiss Nation. "The others are either outside or down there at the front talking to Ivan and Alfred."

The two Nations spotted Austria, Prussia and Germany in deep conversation with Russia and America at the front row table. With them were Japan, Britain and China.

"Don't you need to talk to other Nations?" Romania asked curiously. "Or have you already…?"

"My deals are done and over with," Switzerland said quickly. "Lili and I started to prepare things beforehand a couple of years ago…I have nothing else to talk about to the other Nations."

Romania turned away. Only a few Nations had prepared for an upcoming destruction. He had no clue if other countries had built bunkers for their people but he knew for certain that his own country would survive. One of his people had long predicted the apocalypse and he had listened. He had not believed it at first, but it had all became clear in the past two years. He had indeed, prepared earlier than most. My Transylvania will remain, he smiled at the thought. I feel I'm one of the most prepared out of-

"What are you so happy about?" Switzerland asked, snapping Romania from his reverie.

The Romanian collected himself. "Nothing," he said. "Oh, so...where's the lovely little Liechtenstein?"

Switzerland creased his brow. "She's with Belgium and Hungary. They are waiting on Seychelles to arrive and I bet you're waiting on Bulgaria?"

"Yeah," Romania answered with a comical tone. He looked over his shoulder and caught a glimpse Moldova, his little brother was also wearing a tiny hat on his head, sitting behind him with Russia, Poland and Ukraine. Besides his young sibling, all he needed now was Bulgaria for additional company. "I'm waiting on Bul until I grow a beard and die of old age."

The Alpine was tough, but somehow he managed a faint smirk. "Romania, may I ask you something?"

"Okay…?" The Nation fiddled with his thumbs before turning to the Alpine. This must be one of the longest - and most peculiar - conversations he ever had with a distant Nation like Switzerland. They rarely encountered each other across Europe, and most of the time, the Swiss avoided everyone. Switzerland, also known as Vash Zwingli, liked his seclusion in the Alpine Mountains, while Romania kept to his own Carpathian range. It never occurred to him that they had some common ground after all. Romania regarded the Alpine carefully. "I'm listening..."

Switzerland's face turned grim when he spoke. "Even if the Nations have made preparations for what's coming, how long do you think that will last? And I mean their preparations."

Romania's shoulders sagged from the burden of the notion. He knew what his friend meant and he knew that once the biggest event in history actually occurred, a new world would have to be rebuilt from the ashes of the old. The Romanian did not know how to answer this at all. He did not know what would become of them, so all he could say was a joke to lighten the mood.

"We don't know how hard it is going to be, next week," he shrugged. "I mean, sure - Mother Earth will be poppin' a few volcanoes and sweating buckets, but let's just see how it all goes, hmm?"

The answer was not what Switzerland hoped for.

Seeing this reaction, Romania quickly said, "Once we suffer the first ordeal we can take on the consequences then, Switzerland. We have to last for everyone else's sake..."

We have to...