Come here Australia. What's wrong?

T-The other kids say I'm too scawy.

Is it because of these?

Mhm.

Well they're just jealous is all. They can only get the fake ones. Yours are the real deal. You, and the rest of your brothers, are special.

R-really?

Yes, really. And don't let anyone make you think otherwise.

~a few minutes before~

Canada looked at the doors of the building, knowing Aussie was in there somewhere.

"Canada. It's alright. It's not the first time it's happened, and we're always fine afterwards." His older brother said, the younger of the three not far behind. The most northern country looked back, trying hard to not lash out.

"But how long until our luck runs out? Have you thought of that Zealand?" He replied with a shaky breath, a small trace of venom in his words.

"Don't be daft Canada. Of course I have!" "Then why does this keep happening! Why, why is our family so broken compared to everyone else?" Canada sniffed near the end, yet a fire flaring in his eyes.

It was true though. Yes, South Africa had some parental issues, but her family managed to find a stable house. Russia's has lots of siblings, but they also had a father with them still. Japan and China had each other, and overall didn't seem to have any problems. If anyone came close to their situation is was Germany, but even he doesn't have to deal with what the four brothers did.

"Canada. It's because. ." Zealand trailed off.

"At a loss for words are we now?! Huh!? If you say some bullcrap like 'we're special', then you can cut it. Not everything that's special is good, and we all know it! If we were special then that wouldn't have happened!" The raccoon-wearer snapped, bearing his fangs as his fingernails became sharper.

"Well look who's talking! Who do you think has the most to worry about? Not only do I have my ability to breathe at stake, but I also have to worry about housing, food, water, clothing, education, along everyone else's safety!" Zealand hissed as he listed off the many things that on their own can take a toll on someone, his gills flaring underneath his kerchief.

"Our safety? Are you joking! The moment we split up I broke my leg, America had one of his fits, and you ripped one of your gills! And even when we were with each other you manage-"

"Hey!" America shoved apart his older brothers, (who now were in each other's face) Canada not doing much to let him do so considering he planted his feet into the ground. "You two can go after each other's throats and open old wounds later. Right now we need to find Australia."

A snap somewhere managed to help convince the two of America's plan (Admittingly it may have been America stomping on a stick). Looking down, Nada could see some form of desperation behind America's black shades. He. Besides a few things, Ame still looked like himself when he was little. Canada and Zealand parted for a few minutes too cool off.

With a heavy sigh, Canada grabbed at the bridge of his nose.

". . . Sorry Zee. I'm just. Just really stressed right now." A moment of silence passed between the trio. "It's alright Nada. I, admittedly, am having a harder time with it all. Just had too much steam build up too fast."

"Alright you two." America started, breaking the prolonged silence. "Let's bench this until we can find Aussie and get out of here." He cast a glance around, "I got a bad feeling."

Canada took up the rear, but being just as awestruck at the outer room of the courtroom. "Say Zee? Where does that hallway go?"

Zealand cast a glance down it before closing his eyes. After about a minute, "Doesn't look like much of interest. There may be a kitchen given how the counters are placed, but besides that I couldn't tell. There's an elevator down the hall however. I don't know for sure."

"I'm still jealous I didn't get that." America pouted, making Zealand sport a semi-rare smirk. Nada simply chuckled at the two, looking at the walls. "Can't see many climbing this, but given our range of skills we should be able to. My only concern is that window." He commented, running his hand along the mostly smooth surface.

"We really need to stop talking like this." "Oh really? How about you start?" Canada grinned as he responded to Stripes.

"Fiiiiiiiiine." America groaned as he walked towards one of the closed doors. Adjusting his sunglasses as he was near the wooden block of wood, "Yeup. People are in here."

"Countries." "Yeah yeah. I'm still getting used to that." Zealand corrected. Canada meanwhile pressed his ear against the door.

"I can't tell what they're talking about, but whatever it is it doesn't sound good." He strained to make out more of it. "Wel-"

"Hang on, hang on. Something about a boat?" ". . . That doesn't make much sense Canada."

"Well how about you try and listen?" Canada shot back under his breath, which prompted America to mimic.

"We're good." "Ame what are yo-"

With a quick jiggle of the locked door, the proud patriot waltzed through. Aussie wasn't far off, essentially tackle-hugging his older brothers on sight.

A shout that Canada didn't register soon silenced the room, but he sure could feel the weight of all the gazes beginning to press down on him. By some form of witchcraft America didn't care.

"Sorry we're late. What'd we miss?"

~•~

Brazil was one of the countries that was much more concerned about the wild beasts that were now confirmed to be in Pangaea, considering how often he ran at weird hours in the morning. Chile and Jamaica were the most concerned, the two apparently having found him passed out in a ditch with his running gear on the other day.

"Are those the Anglospheres?" Jamaica asked, the rest of the conversation fading away.

If that happened again, would I end up like Spain or his cows? What if they just attack right out of the blue? Either way, definitely no more going into the forest without a group of us.

One of his cousins shook him back into reality. "Brazil, estás ahí?" "Si. Si. I am Chile."

Down below, UN was busy launching question after question at the four newcomers.

"Say Chile? They lock the courtroom from the outside, right?" "Yeah. So?"

"Then how'd they get in?" "I heard a rumor going around that one of them could pick locks." The red country said back, looking down at the rest of the drama.

Brazil didn't care too much about it, leaning back in his custom swivel seat. Eventually, just like every meeting, either it'd die down or one of the unions would be forced to make it die down after a country pulls a weapon. The green country himself didn't have much for a weapon, his uncles Kawahiva, Awá, Guarini, and Yanomami teaching him a few of the older tools regardless. His grandfather (or was it gruncle?) Norte Chico helped a bunch as well.

If anything he carried a stone knife tied around his shin and hidden under his sock. That said, he knew where he could find a macuahuitl and a machete (thanks to Yanomami being paranoid about more humans threatening to wipe out Brazil like many of the green country's uncles are in danger of doing so)if the situation got drastic enough.

(and author here. Yes. I looked this up and it needs to be brought to more attention that we are effectively killing these tribes with silent snuffs. I wanted more info about the Kawahiva tribe, but the twisted government and corrupt loggers keep wiping them out to the point where an entire tribe is afraid and flees from any other man (let alone machine) not of the tribe. None the less it was an interesting and sad internet dive to learn more about these cultures.)

Down below, countless accusations were thrown. Looking around, Imperial Japan had gotten as far as she could from the chaos. A few other countries were wary as well, Soviet on the other hand being as intimidating as he normally was.

Looking down, he noticed the brother with the most stripes being held onto by one of the blue and hidden behind the taller red and white.

"Looks like the striped one's reputation precedes him." "Oh, you mean America? I suppose so. But face it, out of the news his territory is the one we all hear of. Plus we don't know if he did any ripples or not." Jamaica commented towards Brazil's statement.

He took another look, mainly focusing on the blue with red stars.

"Who's the one with red stars? Zealand?" "Yeah." "He's nursing his shoulder."

Just as soon as he said that, Brazil could see one of the Korea brothers coming down. The white brother wasn't far behind.

"Oh boy. NK is coming. This won't end well." "Brazil!" Jamaica yelled as the green country went to join the chaos.

Tumbling slightly down the stairs, he ran quick to get near the four countries. He wasn't the only one that joined the defense, but a considerate number of them had gone on the offense.

UN just about had enough, fighting his way towards the middle. A gun was in the light blue union's hand, firing off a warning shot towards the ceiling. If one bothered to look up, there was now a foam pad that covered most of the ceiling- a magnet hidden behind a metal plate keeping the bullets from raining back down.

By now most of the chaos had calmed, most of the colorful countries backing away and retreating towards their spots. A few still held steady, some to Brazil's surprise. While it made sense that Germany, South Africa, and Japan would be on the four countries defense, it was amazing that most of the Cis clan would stand against their father. Russia being the prime example. And China didn't care much for conflict, so seeing him down on the floor was a surprise as well.

Even before UN had a chance to say a single thing after silence fell, the star hoarder blasted out "WHAT WAS THAT ALL FOR?! WE JUST BARELY GOT HERE! WE HAVEN'T EVEN DONE ANYTHING!"

To which North shouted back. "IT'S NOT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, IT'S WHAT YOUR RIPPLES CAN DO! I bet you already wiped out Navajo, Sami, and the rest of Native America's kids without you knowing it!" More arguments and futile points attempted to raise the volume of the entire room again.

"SHUT. UP." UN managed to get out in the midst of the battle field. When silence was granted, "If this keeps going on any more we all may as well ripple the entire Second World War."

To this Third snapped back,
"Vell how can ve have the full var vithout France? Speaking of, how's the search for her been going. It's been a vhile since ve got an update on the search. Besides. The Britain country hasn't been seen so far."

UN sighed. "We haven't been able to find any trace of France. And speaking of countries, I think a few of us owe an apology to America, Canada, New Zealand, and Austrai-"

North was having none of it, being a little too trigger happy. The gun was aimed at the American's head. Brazil thought he saw something flash in America's eyes when the shades were shifted just so, the country moving to dodge.

The bullet wedged itself into the wall, clean of blood.

"What. The. Actual."

The now aggressive American was cut short when he was tugged back by Canada, but North was the more prime target of a few. Phil was somehow able to snatch the gun away, passing it over to the much more trusted brother.

After getting things back into order (with North restrained for the rest of the meeting), the unions got back to the task at hand. UN waited a minute to ensure he wasn't going to be cut off before beginning.

"It is apparent that the creatures that have breached Pangaea's border pose a threat. Whether or not they actively attack countries; I would rather not wait and find out. In order to help combat this, I advise getting into large groups and each their own devise a hunting strategy. As in terms of catching these things, I would prefer to have them caught alive as so we will be able to study them. Doing such will help examine how they got into Pangaea in the first place and can offer clues on how to better it's border. If they are simply an animal looking for food, then the potential for rehoming far away is an option. If they pose a dire threat to both countries and humans, then they will be terminated. Understood? As for group sizes I would prefer no less than 15. I would suggest more but it's hard for any group size above 20 to stay focused on a single task." He muttered the rest under his breath after boldly explaining it to the rest of the room.

Brazil was with UN on waiting to hear if anyone else had anything to say about this. UN gave a nod, and dismissed everyone after giving permission and access to certain equipment, walkie-talkies being the biggest thing of importance along with other gear.

"Chile, Jamaica, ya ready to take on these things?" "Heck yes! But there's a slight problem. There's only three of us. Somehow we need to find at least 12 more countries." Jamaica explained, many other countries already making and forming their groups. Brazil nodded, now casting a glance around. "Maybe we can get the Anglospheres in our group. That'll at least get us up to 7." "I'll go around and see who I can get." "Same. Where should we meet up?" "Maybe at the 2nd Pacific lake dock? I'll see if I can get Ireland and Scottland in our group as they may have fought against it." Chile suggested, the other two nodding in agreement.

"K. I'll see if I can't get some muscle like Russia." "Sounds like a plan." The trio high-fived, now splitting up to go after their chosen contenders.

Brazil looked around the room, trying to find at least one of them.

It was hard to exactly pinpoint Zealand and Australia, given the many other territories that shared their coloration. As for Canada, it was a little easier. But stripes were the easiest by far to pick out.

If he waited just a minute later, the green country would have lost the four. They were busy trying to get away from the chaos of everything, already heading for the doors. Brazil was quick to run down, the quick sprint not even bringing up a sweat or a greater desire for air.

"America!" He called out, bursting out into the outer room. The four were in the middle of the room, all seeming to be sharing a conversation he couldn't hear.

Stripes turned around, slowing his pace considerably. "Yes?" Canada looked back as well, the raccoon tail on his hat swishing around on the relative giant.

"Hello! You must be, . . ." Maple leaf trailed off, trying to pinpoint Brazil's flag.

"Ha. Brazil." "Ah right. Sorry. We're still getting to know our flags. Your's seemed familiar at least- just couldn't place the name. I'm Canada, but I suppose you and everyone else already know that." He replied somewhat seemingly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah. It's not everyday North shoots at someone new on sight, so that itself it very noteworthy. Anyways. I was just coming by to ask you four if you would like to join our group."

Zealand stepped up, "Who's all currently in it?"

"Right now just me, Chile, and Jamaica, but we were hoping to get a few more. We were thinking on getting Russia, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and maybe even potentially the Korea brothers."

"Wasn't one of them the midget that almost splattered my brains?" America asked, his shades failing to hide some disgruntlement.

"Wellllllll. Yes. But North and South are actually very good when it comes to things like this. When they work together that is. North is good with tactical strategy while South is good with technology in general."

"Planning on getting the brothers in with this Brazil?" Brazil jumped upon realizing China was directly behind him. He turned to look at the much older country. "Ah yeah. Were you thinking of joining our group?"

The red country hummed in thought. "If you manage to convince Russia, then you can consider me and Japan as well. South Africa will be a good choice as well."

Brazil mentally did a victory cheer, it simply coming out as a smile. "Alright, well-" he turned back to get a final statement from the four, only to find them long gone. "Where- China, did you see where they went?"

The sudden disappearance startled the red country as well. "Ma_ de." "Que?"