(Nobody POV)

When the Unquenchable is quenched and the Unbreakable breaks, it becomes useless.

However, if they become one, the power bestowed is limitless, creating the conditions for the form known as the Final Permafrost. But how could the two who were born to repel, merge into one?

In the end, both will die by the end of daylight ... or one will live as an unstoppable force, blessed by the other's dying breath.

What a tragic gamble of life and death.

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UN's eyes snapped open as he woke with a start. The message dug into his head, refusing to fade. But why now?

"Those boys better be behaving," he grumbled as he lifted himself out of his covers but the unsettling feeling was still chilling him to the core. Water was waiting on his bedside table and he picked it up and brought it to his lips.

"He will live as an unstoppable force, blessed by the other's dying breath."

He couldn't bring himself to drink and lowered his hand. He watched wearily as it trembled, shaking the glass of water he held.

It slipped and shattered.

He opened the chamber door to meet a surprised attendant.

"Sir, I heard the sound of glass breaking. Is everything alright?"

"Yes I'm fine. It was nothing more than an unfortunate accident that needs to be cleaned up."

"Of course sir. I will tidy it up right away."

UN smiled wryly to himself as he made his way to his office.

"Yes... it was nothing more. Just an accident..."

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NASA was slumped over her desk, staring at the wall with empty eyes. The projectors that displayed a series of maps and diagrams flickered and shut off automatically, leaving her in the dark.

She remained in this state for a while longer until a soft knock on her door alerted her.

"Er- come in," she responded and a country carrying a giant box struggled to push his way into the room. NASA rushed to the door to assist.

"These are the materials you requested," Canada explained as he set the supplies down onto the floor. NASA gave him a small, weak smile.

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

Canada frowned, "Miss? Are you alright? You seem a bit distant."

"Oh it's nothing. I'll be fine."

"Is there anything I can help you with? I have a bit of time to spare."

NASA hesitated as she thought about it and finally nodded, "Yes, if you don't mind..."

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The Central Branch candidates stood in the Coloso grounds, waiting for the instructors to give them their tasks. When they came, they took attendance and frowned when they got to the bottom of the list.

"Sorry about that sir," a chillingly calm voice called from behind them. The Eastern Branch had arrived and their presence did nothing to soothe the mood.

"It's an incredibly large area so we almost got lost."

China gave Germany a sideways glance as he passed by and a lump formed in his throat.

"That guy has some seriously bad vibes," Poland whispered as he backed away from the guest.

Warm up began and the hostility was already showing. The two branches were wary of each other, staying as far away as they could while observing from a distance. Though this was just a friendly sparring session, everyone there was on high alert. They all knew that they would see them in the real arena someday. 

They were settled into the spectator seats when the instructors declared, "We would like to welcome the Eastern Branch. I hope the trip here was no trouble."

They shook their heads and responded with their thanks.

"Then without further ado, we will be running friendly 2 on 2 matches. As some of you may know, this year's tournament will be staged just like that; 2 vs 2. Only when the numbers are down to the 10 last contestants will it return to the classic 1 on 1."

"Pick a partner and come forward to draw numbers. It will decide your order and your opponent."

Poland and Germany shared a knowing look and reached into the box. The paper in their hand revealed the number 1.

"Just our friggin luck," Poland grumbled under his breath.

Germany's gazed shifted to the other side. China and North Korea were at the draw box. He had a small paper in his hand and looked up and opened his eyes.

They were the most alluring color of bronze but within it held something downright sinister.

Germany's heart fell into his stomach when he realized what was happening. In China's hand was the paper marked with a number 1.

"...Shit."

The four of them stepped into the arena and neither side was willing to be the first to surrender. China smiled secretly under his mask.

"Let's have a good time, alright?" his phony sweetness dripped from every word, "I can't wait to see. Will I be right about your reliance on that arrogant airhead or will you surprise me... I wonder..."

Poland grit his teeth. There was something about this guy that reminded him of a certain someone else. He was just as irritating as Russia.

He was about to bite back when Germany held him back and stepped in between them, "I look forward to this great opportunity. I wish you the best of luck," he replied calmly.

North Korea narrowed his eyes. It was just another pompous jackass to destroy.

The tension in the Coloso was tight with their Awakenings raring to go.

The instructors lifted their hands and...

"BEGIN!"

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The last tool was put away and the laboratory was finally cleaned up.

"Thanks," NASA beamed as she wiped a bit of grime off her cheek.

Canada smiled and grabbed two bottles of water and handed one to her.

"It's no problem."

NASA sat down on a comfy chair and sighed. She was feeling much better after tinkering a bit. But Canada was still looking down.

"Do you miss him?" she inquired. Canada smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah. I hate to admit it but... things are really boring without him around. Besides, I haven't Awakened so... I kind of feel left out, y'know?"

"Coming from such an exceptional family isn't easy, is it?"

"Heh. Aussie and Kiwi are already well on their way in the CAS. And then there's my dad, who used to rule the seas. My mom was incredible too. Not to mention Ame and his achievements."

"I see what you're getting at..."

"Everyone is outshining me. I feel like I'm being left in their shadows and it's making me feel like a gold digger or something."

Canada suddenly registered what he was saying and immediately turned red, "OH GOD I'M SO SORRY! YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T STAY HERE TO HEAR ME RANTING-"

"You are certainly the most kind hearted out of your entire family," NASA smiled, "Britain and France used to be giant jerks and Australia and New Zealand often get into trouble. I won't even get started on America and his shenanigans."

NASA leaned over and poked him in the chest, "But it may be this complying nature that is holding you back."

"I... don't think I really understand."

"Then don't worry about it. You'll find your time to shine, I'm sure of it. For now, focus on being who you are."

Canada descended the stairs with his mind elsewhere so it was only a matter of time before he bumped into someone.

"Ouch! Watch it, you idiot!"

"I'm sorry, I was not watching where I was going-" Canada began but the other country held up his hand to stop him.

"Okay okay, I get it," Cuba huffed, " You don't need to break down like that and it's starting to make me feel bad."

Canada grimaced and sealed his lips shut before another 'sorry' got through. Cuba glowered a bit longer before walking away.

"As mushy as sand, nothing like your brother. You're such a weakling, now that USA is gone."

The stunned country stood there awkwardly and pinched himself. He confirmed that he was not mushy like sand but deep down he agreed with him. 

Cuba had always been a rough one with him but he always spoke the hard truth. He learned this the first time they met, back when the Latin American Branch came for a tour.

Cuba had scuffled with him a bit until America arrived to defend his bro.

"That's your brother? I could have sworn he was your servant or something."

Those harsh words popped back into the lanky country's head and he suddenly he understood what NASA had implied.

America had always been by his side wherever they went so no one had ever dared to mess with him. But now there was no connection between them and sooner or later, people were going to use that to their advantage. He would have to stand on his own.

America's brother this, Britain's son that. 

He had no idea where to start but he was determined to break out of their holds. 

He was gonna become 'Canada'.

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America's dream was a bizarre one, to say the least. He was standing in a meadow of golden wheat, shimmering in the midday sun. He strolled through it, brushing apart the curtains of grass as he went. Suddenly, a huge scythe came out of nowhere, aimed for his neck but everything just disappeared right before it made contact.

The world was blank, like a white canvas just waiting to be stained by colors. But he wasn't alone. A soft chuckle drew his attention to a man behind him.

"Soviet," America growled.

The large country smiled, but it wasn't his usual grin filled with malicious intent. This was a genuine and kind smile, which made it a million times scarier.

"You want what I have, don't you," he crooned softly as he stepped closer to the Superpower. America tried to back away but he was suddenly aware of the fact that his feet had been frozen to the nonexistent ground.

"If you are able to take it, you will become unstoppable." he continued. His body started to crack and blinding light radiated from within. Every step he took broke him, his face began to splinter and fall like a shell.

By the time he had reached the other, he was nothing more than a blinding form of light and power. America unconsciously lifted his hand, trying to touch it but before he could, it began to shift into a new solid form. A very familiar one.

"I'll never let you have it..." Russia whispered as he clasped his neck, suffocating him...

"SO GET THE FUCK UP!"

America started the day with a pillow assaulting his face. Oh, and an angry Russian dude staring daggers at him.

"For someone who can't fall asleep at night, you can't seem to wake up in the day either. Get your ass up. We have to go now."

They walked through the now-memorized path but America couldn't seem to shake the image from his head. His silence was starting to bug the other country as well so he stopped and America (who wasn't paying attention) ran into his back.

"Ow!" He complained as he rubbed his head, "Why didja stop?"

"What's wrong with you?" Russia scowled as he closed the space between them, "You've been really off of it ever since the last fight. Besides, I have a few questions for you and Five."

He was shoved and trapped between his angry companion and the wall of the mountain valley. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me. I want to know what you- no, EVERYONE has been keeping from me for all this time."

"It's nothing! You're imagining things!" America immediately shot back which, in retrospect, was a bad move.

"Nothing, huh! Do you think I was blind to your indications, telling people to shut up? Do you think I was deaf to all the rumors and whispers flying behind my back? I don't know what it is that everyone is so afraid to tell me?!"

At this, America flinched a bit and all the color drained out of his face. But his lips stayed stubbornly shut and his eyes blazed with defiance.

Russia's gaze eventually fell and he walked away with an annoyed, 'tch'.

America followed but stayed a few paces behind. He was sure he had done the right thing by keeping his mouth shut, which was something he struggled at. His gaze slowly lifted back to the country in front and a tinge of guilt wrung his heart.

As he looked away, there was something that flashed in his ice blue eyes. It was very brief but it was clear.

It was sorrow.

"The less he knows, the better," he reminded himself, "We don't want something like that to happen ever again."

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"Aren't you gonna go watch the CAS? I heard that they were planning to do 2v2 matches with the Asian Branch today," NASA suggested as Canada scribbled down his homework.

"Naw. I have to finish this since it's due 12 minutes from now." Canada replied halfheartedly."

"Would you like me to help?"

Canada brushed his hand through his wavy red hair as he chuckled, "Nono, that's not necessary. It's not rocket science so it would be child's play for you. Then again... for you, rocket science is simple too."

NASA laughed and whacked him in the back, forcing all the air out of his chest with a 'whoomph'.

"Oh silly. I only got here because you guys. After that accident, I didn't think I would ever pick myself up again," she smiled as she rolled up her sleeve. The arm shifted from a midnight blue that matched her skin to the original silvery white. His name was printed in black letters, running down to her wrist joint, "You were the one who allowed me to continue my dream, when you gave me this."

Canada blushed slightly as he took the compliment and NASA began to guide him through the remaining problems. Many types of reactions were reviewed and time flew by.

"Good work. Now the final problem. Oh! It's about ductile to brittle transition, how nice," she nodded as she began to rework the problem for me to understand it better, "Just remember that these metals will be far easier to shatter when temperatures drop. Those poor humans on that infamous ship learned that the hard way."

She reviewed the work once it was complete and nodded.

"Good. That should do it."

"Thanks NASA. Honestly, you should consider becoming our teacher. The current one would probably do better as a hypnotherapist."

"Aw, you flatter me but teachers don't usually go on space explorations for months at a time."

"Yeah... I guess you got me there-" Canada's attention was caught by something on his page. It was a small, flashing red dot. NASA had seen it too and traced it to a small screen at the back of the room.

"What is going on," she frowned as she began to enter a few codes and commands into the keypad. The screen blitzed to life and revealed a map with two markers. One was the flashing red dot and the other was a weak and wavering one. It was moving slowly but steadily towards the strong red one but suddenly they both vanished.

Canada raised an eyebrow, confused about what he had seen but NASA was nothing less than horrified. She grit her teeth and turned to him with flashing eyes.

"Canada. Get the Powers in here. Tell them it's an emergency."

"What's going on?"

She was back on the computer running commands though it at incredible speeds and the dots began to glimmer back into view.

"It's the boys," she growled, "and it appears that they're being tracked."

Canada leaped down the stairs and zipped through the hallways, ignoring the knocked over shrieks and angry instructors for the first time in his life. His heart pounded in his ears, just like the alarming beeps of the imminent danger approaching.

"He'll be in danger... they'll be in danger," were the only words in his head as he raced to the Headmaster's office. 

He ignored all civilities and threw open the heavy wooden doors, which made a startled UN jump out of his chair. 

"What on Earth do you think you're doing, don't you know what knocking is-"

"AMERICA!" Canada screamed between deep breaths, " and Russia and NATO..."

This got UN's attention, "What? What about them?!"

"They're gonna be in trouble! NASA caught a suspicious source is tracking them!"

UN stormed out into the hall with his aura blazing which made students scramble out of the way. He barked orders to all the agents he could find.

"You! Go alert the signal corps and get us connected with Five or NATO. And you, I want you to get rescue teams ready. Canada, come with me.

The two raced back to the laboratory and Canada laced his hands together. He was never one to believe in higher deities but he prayed with all his heart.

"Be safe, you guys. Please take care."

Author's Notes: I have a big art project for school this week so I rushed to finish this chapter so... ANOTHER EARLY CHAPTER!!!

Also I'm making plans for a new book but I want to wait until this one is almost finished. hehehehehehehehehe