Short chapter is short. I'm still not going to update this too often, especially now with my schedule and other activities.

Hetalia is not mine. If it was, all my wonderful crack pairings would be canon. Or at least interact. And Holy Rome would be alive.

"England, my feet hurt man! Where the heck are we going?" America groaned for probably the hundredth time. They were all currently trekking through the wet and muddy woods that were near the meeting hall. They were all shivering and miserable from the sudden turn of events that day, and the mood was getting to everyone-except Italy of course.

"I told you we're almost there! Just keep walking!" England shouted to the blonde behind him who only groaned and crossed his arms.

France sighed as he looked next to him where Italy was still happily skipping and humming. "I'm impressed, Italy. While we're all miserable, you somehow stay happy." He smirked and Italy nodded.

"Si! We can't stay sad forever! This is just training like before and we're on another cool mission like when the pictos came!" He resumed his humming and Germany sighed.

"Whatever keeps him happy, I guess," he mumbled.

Japan walked ahead of them and towards England. "England-San, is this something more serious than we know?" He asked quietly and the brit looked away.

"It's going to be hard to explain. This is something out of fiction novels, and we honestly don't stand much of a chance…" he trailed off and his emerald eyes grew misty.

The shorter nation nodded, clearly understanding. "I see. Sorry for bothering you, I just felt it was important to know what we are dealing with."

"I know Japan," he said. "It'll all make sense… kind of." He added at the end with a tinge of hesitance.

The conversation ended there and they all kept walking quietly. It was a bit unnerving to England, but he forced the feeling away in favor of keeping his eyes out for their destination. He already sent a message to Scotland, and he hoped the redheaded nation had gotten it.

He would never admit it, but the soggy ground and his slowing steps were just increasing his anxious frustration. Whatever had appeared, whatever that thing was… it wasn't good. The smell was too familiar, and he would never let if go near his friends if he could help it.

The blonde sighed and scratched the back on his neck, flicking off some water still clinging to his body. The rain had stopped to a small sprinkle, but the storm from before was too strange and sudden to have been natural.

He looked back and forth through the shadowed trees, looking out for any danger. It would be expected by now.

He heard France groan from behind him. "Ugh, this rain made my hair nothing more than a wet and clingy mess! I spent all morning styling it to perfection!"

England snorted, "please, frog. You look like you just got out of bed."

"Ohoho, projecting your issues onto me instead? I didn't know you were the type, angleterre!" He chuckled.

"I didn't know you were the type to make a decent comeback," England scoffed.

"Oh please, will you all just shut up already? I don't want to hear your complaining!" Switzerland groaned and pulled a shivering Lichtenstein closer.

Prussia grinned. "Hah, they're just complaining because they're not flexible to situations like the awesome Prussia!"

Austria's eyes twitched and Hungary glared. "We aren't complaining!" She exclaimed.

His red eyes switched over to them and shrugged. "Well Hungary, you could be awesome as well! Just not as much as me, of course."

"What about Austria?" She asked. The brunette nation shook his head. "I have no desire to compare at all to him, Hungary."

"Of course you don't! You're just too intimidated!" He threw his head back as a laugh burst from his lungs.

Germany just face palmed at his brother's behavior. "Bruder, please, stop picking fights with Austria."

"I'm not picking fights Germany," he said. "I'm just pointing out the truth! That's how awesome I am!"

"Is that really the truth Mr. Austria? Are you intimidated by big brother Prussia?" Italy asked with clasped hands.

Austria sputtered for a moment and a vein visibly popped out. "Italy, don't ask such things! I am not intimidated!"

"It sounds like you are," Russia smiled. Lithuania grimaced next to him as the taller nation pulled him closer with one arm.

"He is not! Prussia is just being an idiot!" Hungary growled.

"Oh? More of an idiota than the tomato bastard here?" Romano huffed out.

Spain smiled at him sadly with fake tears. "Aw, Romano, don't say that! You know we're tomates!" He threw his arms out, ready for a hug, but Romano only hissed out a "fuck you!" and dodged him before running to his brother.

"Oh, hi Romano!"

Romano just stared at him and clenched his fists. "How the hell is your smile more stupid than his?!" He shouted and ran from his brother as well.

"Aw, wait! Fratello, I'm sorry!" Italy cried out and made a move to run towards him, but something caught his eye.

Germany just looked up at the sky. "How did I end up with all of you?" He asked to no one in particular.

England just ignored them all and kept walking, eyes set straight ahead. Their voices were nothing but annoying background noise at this point the moment Prussia started speaking.

"We should be there soon," he spoke over his shoulder.

Everyone once again quieted down, any voices down to hushed whispers or groans of annoyance.

He heard America somewhere behind him complaining to Lithuania (who had managed to escape Russia for just a moment) about how this was so not how he wanted to spend his day.

Too bad.

Then, all of a sudden, he heard someone squeal out, "woah, who are you?!"

The group stopped and the only sounds now was just the small sprinkled of rain and heavy breathing.

"Who was that?" Switzerland asked, voice dripping with caution.

Germany shook his head, "it almost sounded like…" The stern blonde turned to the group and did a mental count before his eyes widened impossibly so.

"Wait! Where is Italy?!"

Then, a scream broke through the forest and they were all sent in a panic.

"Veneziano?!" Romano shouted and scanned the trees around them.

"Dude, where is he? When did he leave?" America asked and ran over to a patch of trees, ready to start looking.

Germany was about to reply when all of a sudden, more screaming was heard. The bushed by them rustled more and more, and then out popped a terrified Italy with his white flag in hand.

"I was wrong, I was wrong! He's not nice!" He screamed and practically pounced onto Germany, who grabbed him into his hold.

"Italy, what happened?" The taller nation asked, but Italy only tugged him through the group.

"Run away from the scary man!" He screeched as tears slid down his face again.

They all froze when deep breathing was heard again, and scraping against the ground. The whole area was dark with the clouds looming above them and the rain blinded them even more.

England had his eyes trained on that one spot of the bush, and his hands wandered back to his pocket where his wand was.

A shadow was seen in the vegetation, where red eyes glowed menacingly. It was dull yet paralyzing as it contrasted against the near midnight sky and forest.

Italy was shaking terribly, hands still tugging on Germany's arm. "He's mean, and scary," he muttered under his breath. If his eyes were open, you would see the fear in his pupils.

Then, the figured emerged. Fast.

It jumped from the bushes and went high into the sky before landing on it's haunches on the ground. Mud splashed up from the ground and onto the thing's grey and bony body.

The being was breathing hard with drool leaking out from jagged and pointed teeth. It's nails were long and sharp and no clothing was visible on the twitching form.

England's eyes narrowed and he shouted out, "run!"

The other nations barely wasted a moment to start running in the opposite direction. Well, except an arguing America who was being dragged by France and Canada.

"Let me go! I have to stop that thing!"

"No you don't! I thought I raised you better than this!" France groaned out. England glared, "you did not raise him! And America, get out of the way!"

"Where do we even go?!" Romano shouted, already farther away than anyone else.

"Just keep running and don't stop!" The brit replied.

Japan looked at him, fear dancing in usually serene gray orbs. "But England-San, what about you?"

"I'll be fine," he shouted and whipped out his wand. "Just go!"

With that one order, they all seemed to understand and immediately took off. France was forced to sling America over his shoulder and run with the nation shouting and struggling.

England of course kept his eyes narrowed and locked on the creature before him. His feet were apart and his arm was ready with the wand that emanated a dull glow in the dark and shadowed forest.

The creature just sat, watching him, more drool dripping out in puddles. The murderous intent surrounding it was clear as day. It readied itself on it's haunches, preparing to strike.

He sighed. "It certainly has been a while since I've faced off with something as grotesque as you." Then the nation smirked.

"What do you want me to make even uglier?"

It launched off towards him, but didn't even manage to make a single slash as England narrowly dodged. He waved his wand, chanted out words akin to latin and maybe just gibberish with his eyes shut. By the time the creature skidded to a halt, mud spraying everywhere, a bright light flashed before it.

England felt himself become colder as his clothes disappeared and were replaced. The magic energy from the incantation flowed through his veins pulsed and sent shudders through his strengthened body. It was as if everything had just stopped and he went to a nice hot spring. His muscles were no longer sore and he felt rejuvenated.

Striking green eyes opened and he was faced with the monster of sorts barreling towards him, claws out and ready to tear through flesh. He grimaced and avoided the spiraling nails. He somersaulted in the air before landing gracefully behind his foe.

"It's rude to interrupt when someone is changing," England scoffed.

Then he felt the familiar pain as he felt the skin in his back tear. He clenched his teeth as the soft feathers sprouted from his shoulder blades and warm blood trickled a bit down his back. He held his ground however and ignored the feeling.

He caught the creature springing towards him again and growled. How rude.

He didn't bother to jump out of the way this time as he dodged each and every slice of the claws. His nose crinkled at the horrible stench fuming from it's open mouth.

"You really need a breath mint!" He criticized and dodged another slice. He ducked down, turned and slammed his hands into the ground and kicked his foot outwards. It slammed right into it's face, sending it flipping and skidding across the wet dirt.

Then, England was on him again as he grabbed his attacker's arm and slowly started to spin in circles. It was dragged across the ground over and over again and eventually, the nation decided to let go and sent the creature head first into a tree.

The tree cracked and crunched and after a moment, if felt down into more trees. Branches broke and wood splintered and was sent everywhere. The odd thing who he was fighting lay still before it slowly was encased in a black and red fiery substance and burnt out of existence.

"Huh," England huffed and crossed his arms. "I thought he'd be stronger."

He turned away from the broken trees and lifted his nose to the air. He sniffed a couple times before looking ahead. His bare feet wasted no time in moving and in a moment he was sprinting past the trees and through the forest. He needed to find everyone and get them to safety.

It didn't take long either, considering how oddly slow and loud they were. He already heard their crunching footsteps and obnoxious voices in yet another banter. Didn't they ever stop?

This time it was Romano and Germany. England slowed down and trailed behind them, wondering how he should rejoin the group.

"You are such a stupid bastard!" Romano screeched. He moved to start clawing at Germany, but was held back by a running Spain.

Germany looked equally enraged. "What?! How?! You know we have no other options!"

"No other options? Of course we do! We could get out of this stupid forest, find a plane or something, and get the fuck out of here!" He shouted.

Oh. So that's what they're arguing about.

"Romano, can't we trust Mr. England? Sure, we used to be afraid of him, but now he seems pretty nice!" Italy asked. Surprisingly enough, he was managing to stay at the front of the group with Germany and his brother.

"Nice my ass!" He snarled. "That guy is a nut case! It's probably because of him all this weird shit is happening anyways!"

"Come on Roma, we don't know that," Spain's smile was troubled.

America glared at the italian. "Come on, I know he's always doing weird stuff and claims to see fairies and junk, but he seems to know what he's doing now!"

France smirked. "Oh, you seem protective, America."

"Of course!" The younger nation grinned. "It is my duty to worry and defend other nations, even if it's a jerky one!"

"You've got that right!" Switzerland laughed.

"Come on, don't bring up the war right now! You don't know how it is!" He pouted.

Canada just nervously laughed and tightened his hold on Kumajirou who just looked up at him. "Who are you again?"

"I told you, I'm Cana-"

"HEY DON'T IGNORE ME!" Romano shouted and everyone was once again shouting at each other.

England sighed before he decided to put an end to everything. He jumped onto a tree branch and leapt again until he landed in front of the group.

Everyone skidded to a halt with wide eyes.

"England? Dude, what happened?" America gaped.

"Woah, you look almost as awesome as me!" Prussia said in awe.

The brit's eye twitched. "This is not some kind of fashion statement. Come on, I'll fill you in when we get to where we need to be."

"Well, lucky you, it looks like you made it."

England gasped before he spun around. His eyes widened the smallest fraction before he sighed in relief.

"Scott, did you really have to choose such a horribly far away place?" He groaned.

"Quit your complaining, we've gotta talk." Scotland looked exhausted. His green eyes had dark rings under them, his hair was disheveled to an amazing degree, and his shoulders were slouched in defeat.

Japan walked up and looked to his friend. "My apologies, but where exactly is this place you wanted to speak with us?"

England looked to Japan and then at the other nations before turned back. He walked forward and waved a hand to Scotland. The tired nation turned back as well and walked over to a large and bulky tree that stretched higher than the others. He placed his palm onto it, muttered something under his breath, and breathed.

A faint white and blue glow emitted from the tree with swirls forming the outline of something. It continued and became for unrecognizable before it vanished completely. Left in it's place was a plain brown door with a sign hanging on it that read "Welcome".

The other nations were just in awe at the magical display, all at a loss of words.

"What the fuck?!" Except Romano, of course.

England faced them and smiled as he stretched his arm to the door. "Well, let's not stay out here all day. Come on in."