It was just supposed to be a normal meeting filled with the usual chaos, and for about 15 minutes it was. Keyword: was.

The date was September 11th, 2001, in New York City. The meeting was scheduled to start at 8:30 and as of now it was 8:00, America, though usually late, was there 30 minutes early, setting up the meeting room.

Ever since he got up this morning America had had a bad feeling that something just wasn't right. But he didn't know what, and therefor couldn't do much about it.

At around 8:15 nations started to show up, talking amongst themselves at an indoor level, but everyone here knew it wouldn't last.

About 5 minutes before the meeting starts, England and France got into an argument which sparked other fights to start. Eventually, Germany had enough and shut everyone up, and they all went to their seats, as quickly as they could. And with that the meeting started.

"Ok, Dudes! Welcome to the World Meeting! Today we will be discussing global warming first!" As complaints rose from the crowded of gathered nations, so did the feeling. It had now escalated from bad to terrible, making the smile on his face almost disappear.

"I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALL BUILD A GIANT ROBOT TO FIGHT OF GLOBAL WARMING!" At that "suggestion" the room erupted into chaos.

"America, I don't thi-" Canada tried to say, but got cut off by his brother's laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA, DON'T WORRY GUYS!!! I'M THE HERO!!! HAHAHAHAHAH-"

8:46.

His laughter suddenly cut off. His smile faded and slowly he raised a hand to his left shoulder. When America moved it away, it was painted red. He stared at it, confusion swimming in his gaze and mind, then something clicked, this is what the bad feeling was about, and now that he was getting over the shock, he could feel his citizens panic.

"A PLAIN HIT THE NORTH TOWER!!"

"Do you think it was an accident?!"

"People are in that tower, what about the people on the floors above the crash site?!"

"Look at the smoke coming from the tower, it's making the sky black!"

Those were just few of the different voices he could hear. Stiffly he turned towards the huge window in the meeting room, scared of what he would see. As he got closer, the sky seemed to turn blacker and blacker, until he could see the source, the smoking north World Trade Center. As America stood by the window Canada approached, stopping when he saw his brothers bloody shoulder.

"Why is your shi-"

9:02.

"NO!!!"

9:03.

This time America gasped, the second one had hit harder than the first, and now his mind screamed at him to help, in any way, shape, or form. As he moved to the doors, nations noticed his profusely bleeding arm. Just as America was getting in arms length of the door, someone stepped in front of him, that someone being Germany.

"Let me pass." By now all nations were watching, every once and awhile glancing at the window to see the damage for themselves.

"You're hurt, America, that arm will not help you, only hinder all attempts you make." Germany tried to reason.

"I can still try!"

"America, please listen to Germany, l, we can help," England practically begged.

America grit his teeth, glancing around at the gathered countries. He could see concern, sympathy, and anger in their eyes. He breathed out a shaky breath, and nodded.

"Fin-"

9:37.

His hand shot to his heart, a searing pain grabbing his heart. It felt like he was burning from the inside out. Then America started to cough, he could feel his throat getting scratched by invisible smoke. Soon the coughing brought something else.

Blood, America was starting to cough up blood. At this a lot of the countries panicked, others attempted to help America in any way. They had just gotten America's cough in control when,

9:59.

A blood curling scream echoed through the meeting room, America, while screaming in pain could feel part of his shoulder bone crack. The countries panicked, some fled the room, others cowered, covering their ears in terror, a few had the sense to help America, Germany and Russia carefully moved him so he was laying on the ground.

"What happened?!" Germany demanded.

A shocked France answered him, "The south tower collapsed."

"Of the World Trade Center?!"

10:03.

A groan escaped America, the burns on his shoulder getting worse.

"Scheiße!"

"What happened, now?!" England asked in a terrified voice.

"His shoulder is getting worse, and there doesn't seem to be much we can do." Germany answered.

10:15.

A short scream slipped from America's mouth, and he started to gasp for breath. Sweat was forming from the invisible heat that surrounded him.

"Bloody HELL, I feel so useless!" England practically shouted, frustration clear in his voice.

10:28.

They could all hear it, the tower collapsing and with it, America's shoulder completely snapping in half. His scream seemed to be delayed, just so they could all hear it.

The first person to react was Germany, "SOMEONE CALL AN AMBULANCE NOW!!" He ordered.

"ON IT!" Shouted China, who quickly pulled his cellphone out to call.

"SOMEONE GET SOME FIRST AID! NOW!!" Germany commanded, having taken control the situation. At the command, Italy raced out of the room, saying he'd find one. After a few minutes Italy came back with the kit, shoving it into Germany's hands.

As Germany and a few other countries tried to help America, China approached.

"The ambulance should be here in about a minute," he informed. Germany nodded in response to focused on America to give a better reply.

Soon the paramedics showed up, and carefully placed America on a stretcher

One of them approached the gathered nations, "We can take one of you with us," he told them. The countries glanced at each other, before a crying Canada was push forward by England.

"He's his brother, so he can go," England stated, giving Canda another small push.

"But Eng-"

"Ok," he nodded, and to his co-workers," Let's go."

Canada glanced back a England and France, who had moved to stand next to him, England smiled encouragingly, and France made a motion to go with them. Canada smiled through his tears and turned to leave.

The countries started to split off into groups and leave, but six stayed standing in the room; England, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Russia.

England looked like he was holding back tears, France was trying to comfort him, Italy had started to cry the moment he saw the north tower smoking and still was now, Germany had his arm around him trying to show his was there, Japan was staring at the floor silently wishing that this wasn't happening, and Russia. Russia was angry, America was HIS rival not whoever attacked him. And whoever was the culprit would get a faceful of his magical pipe of pain... this he silently swore to himself.

"We should probably go see how America is doing," Germany spoke to everyone, and they all nodded.

"And Canada," France added.

It only took them a few minutes to get to the hospital, and there they found Canada sitting in the waiting room.

"Wh-"

"He's in surgery for his broken shoulder and collarbone," Canada interrupted Japan. All of them fell into silence, after what felt like years, but was really just a few hours, a nurse came into the room

"Family and friends of Alfred F. Jones?" They all stood up. She nodded and motioned for them to follow her. She led them through the hallways and to America's room before leaving.

The nations looked at each other then entered the room. America was laying on the bed asleep, and the countries sat down in the chairs available, while some continued to stand. They talked quietly amongst themselves until they heard a groan, and all of them moved over to the bedside as fast as possible.

"Where...?" America asked, confusion, drowsiness, and pain swimming in his eyes.

"You're in the hospital, America," Canada told him. America hummed in response, it was plainly obvious that he was exhausted. "Get some more sleep, you need it."

He didn't need to be told twice, so sleep he did.

It took America months to heal completely, but the scars, both physical and mental, will remain for years to come...