America was not making much progress (as expected from his tiny flame). But that was all he could muster without harming himself. The process was as frustrating as it was slow and America was not diggin' it at all. Every impulse in his body was screaming at him to simply flick his wrist and let the Fire finish off the wall. There was just one problem in that line of thought.

"You will incinerate yourself along with everything and everyone else here. We are trying to save Russia, not cremate him," UN chided.

"You gotta stop getting in my head like that," America growled through his teeth, "Concentrating is hard shit y'know."

UN sighed sadly, "I know you still resent me for what I did in the past, but you know it was all for the greater good. Please understand that I didn't mean to harm you like so."

He only received steely silence. A few minutes passed and they slowly inched closer until Russia's lifeless body could be seen through the wall, encased in the frost-bound prison.

Suddenly, the Fire faded and America spoke.

"I can't keep going like this, you know holding this takes too much out of me."

"I am aware. Don't worry. We have something prepared and you may eat as much as you need after this." UN assured. They were so close. They couldn't stop now.*

"No," America rolled his eyes, "That's not the problem. I don't have enough energy to get to him, at least not at this rate.

He stared at the finger that had carried the flame. His skin had started to turn a shade of angry red and pain erupted through it at every twitch.

"One strike. That's it." he insisted.

UN shook his head, "Listen to yourself, that plan is insane. I will not allow it. What if you go over and it hurts him? What if it's not enough? Are you even keeping the task in mind?"

The country closed his eyes in thought for a moment before he hollered, "GERMANY!"

Germany was being questioned about the events that night when someone called his name.  He glanced behind him and saw America motioning for him to get over there.

"May I?" he glanced at the agent who was recording him and raced over once he was let go.

The Superpower pointed at where the Russian was trapped, "Tell me, Big Brains. How far do you think we are from him?"

Germany had no idea what was going on and he wasn't exactly fond of the new nickname but he decided to get to the point.

"Approximately 7.4 meters, I'd say."

America gave him a look of apathy, "Uh...excuse me, what?"

"Right," Germany nodded, "You use Imperial. Around 8.1 yards."

"Thank you." America wheeled back around and prepared himself for the next bit of pain.

"UN, follow my command. Boost me, about 3 fingers worth when I say so. We have one shot at this so try not to screw up."

"I should be telling you that," UN replied as he placed three fingers on the Superpower's neck, "Ready on your command."

America turned to Germany, "I think you should get away from here unless you wish to be barbequed."

It all started with a spark, then a flame, then a fire big enough to engulf his entire hand. America gritted his teeth to stop the scream that was ripping at his throat. His Awakening made him untouchable to normal fire but only prevented his flesh from completely crumbling away when it came to Sunfire.

He refused to give in and pushed through. At his beckon, the fire began to spin and twine into the shape of a spear. Once it was relatively stable America wound his arm back into a position to throw.

"NOW," he screamed.

UN complied and a powerful wave of energy surged through his body and into the fire, helping it double in size and glow even brighter. He was holding the sun in his hand.

If the blinding light didn't catch anyone's attention, then the giant explosion did. Shrieks of surprise echoed as chunks of ice rained down on the onlookers. The cloudy sky that had been there a second ago had been ripped apart, revealing the glorious light of day. A steaming crater had opened in front of America and as the last bits of ice gave away, Russia collapsed onto the ground, free at last.

A team of medics and healers immediately rushed in to retrieve him and others tended to America's burnt hand.

"We need cool water for this one!"

"Russia has been secured. Take him away."

"The ambulance is ready. We will depart now."

EU strolled over and gave America a disapproving look, "That was an extremely stupid thing to do. So many things could have gone wrong."

"Oh shut up old man. I don't see you helping at all so how bout you go twiddle your fat little thumbs somewhere else.

"MY THUMBS ARE NOT FAT AND HOW DARE YOU-"

"EU," UN interrupted, a warning clear in his tone, "That's enough. You are not needed here."

EU looked aghast and promptly spun around and left.

UN glanced down at America who was wrapping bandages over his injuries, "Would you like me to help you with that?"

"Tell me," America ignored his offer, "Who exactly is Russia?"

"Straight to the point as usual. Why do you ask?"

"Russia's Awakening, it's identical to his."

"We don't completely know either. We know his siblings were present during his reign but with our current information, Russia had only recently appeared.

"And here I thought that I would never need to see the Eternal Winter at work ever again," America grumbled.

"It is unthinkable but here we are," UN admitted, "I'm sorry to ask you of this, but I'm afraid that only you can keep him in check and vice versa."

(America POV)

It finally dawned on me, "YOU WANT ME TO BABYSIT HIM?!" I shrieked. Russia choked out an objection as well.

UN facepalmed and let out an exasperated sigh, "Heavens, no. I don't think I would trust you two together even if I set all my agents on you. But then again, you two are the only ones who can cancel one another out.

"So what is it then?"

UN slid two pieces of paper up to us, "You do remember why you came back to the Academy right?"

I stood there motionless, "No... nonononononononono-"

"I want Russia to be your partner for the upcoming tournament and NATO will fully devote his time in training you both."

At those words the door burst open. The guards that were surrounding Russia immediately trained their weapons on the new arrival.

"WHAT IS THIS OUTRAGE?! UN, I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION!!!" NATO bellowed.

"I would appreciate it if you knocked instead of kicking open the door"

"America is hard enough to manage and now you are expecting me to take on Russia too?!"

"Sorry but I REFUSE to take him as my partner."

"Who said I wanted to be partners with you?!"

The volume of the argument continued to climb higher and higher until UN finally snapped.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" he bellowed and a giant crash of energy forced me back into the chair.

"It is either this, or I will be detaining you BOTH for the rest of time. Understand that you have no other choice and you are a threat to all of us. You either go with my terms or I will treat you like rabid dogs."

Silence fell over us and none of us dared look at him. UN sunk back into his chair and softened again, "That's better, thank you."

Russia stared at his hands as he collected his thoughts, "Sir," he said, "I'm not following. If I remember correctly, the tournament has always been one on one battles so..."

"This year has been an unfortunate one and some concerns have forced us to make changes to the tournament. This year, each branch will only be allowed to send 2 pairs and one support instead of 10 individuals per usual. Once there are only 2 branches left, only then will the tournament become the usual one on one to decide where they place in the top ten ranking.

"The concerns also forced us to move the tournament up the calendar. So we have even less time to prepare." NATO added.

The room fell silent again and UN finally waved his hand, "I'll let you go for now but remember this is all confidential. What happened in this room stays in here. I wish to hear your decision soon. Time is running out so make sure to be quick."

We all got up to take our leave but then UN called, "NATO, a moment please."

I left with a heavy sense of dread dragging at my feet. As I passed through the halls, people whispered to one another.

"What happened?"

"He looks so serious right now..."

"His smile is gone?"

"No seriously, what happened?"

"I bet it's something about Russia..."

I sat in the cafeteria and ate without tasting the food at all. Instead, I stared at the paper that would chain me with someone I couldn't seem to work with. Should I sign? What choice do I have? But I really don't want to-

"EARTH TO UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," Canada yelled at my face.

"HUh? Wha- oh." I snapped out of my trance.

Canada sat back down and gave me a concerned look, "Seriously brother, I've been repeating your name over and over for the past 5 minutes.

"Sorry, I've just been thinking about something," I quickly changed the topic, "Who you texting over there?"

"It's Mexico, a friend I made a while back. He was just telling me he was just guaranteed a place in the tournament as a representative of his branch."

"Tell him I look forward to meeting him there."

"Hey, what are you doing? You haven't even finished your food-"

I got up with my paper in hand and left the hall.

(Nobody POV) back in the office...

NATO sat in front of the Headmaster with his fingers laced under his chin.

"It's about the recent development right?"

"Yes."

NATO ran his fingers through his hair and growled, "First Iraq and Syria, now El Salvador. What is the son of a bitch planning?"

"Three victims will not be all if we don't find him immediately."

"You think I don't know that? But easier said than done, he's been running circles around us!"

"I know I am asking a lot from you but that is because I believe in your capability. Pressure has been mounting on us to cancel the Rankings altogether but I don't think that would be the way to go. That being said, I'm afraid if there is even one more case, we will have no choice."

"The student's safety is our top priority."

"Indeed-"

A knock on the door cut him off and UN motioned to NATO that the conversation was over.

"Ahem, Enter."

America stepped into the office with the paper extended.

"I've made my decision," he announced.

"I'll accept Russia as my partner."

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

*When America uses his Awakening, it feeds off of the calories he consumes. So in order to keep using his power, he shovels burgers and fries like it's nobody's business.

MMMMMMM! I Enjoyed making this chapter more than I thought. I hope y'all enjoyed it too <3