World Wars One and Two passed, the nations only catching glimpses of impossibly blue eyes. The American Empire, the old nations had dubbed it, remained stronger than ever. The personification of America laughed as the other nations would pass him on the streets, in government buildings, and on the battlefield. The collar and the shackles would burn sometimes and kept him from growing. He could no longer practice magic or even try to stay away. The burning was less when Arthur would pass. He still laughed though as Arthur couldn't sense him.
He couldn't help it. He was more than just America. He was El Dorado, Atlantis, and a necropolis before he was anything else. Gaga had awoken him and forced his hand to help the living and he hated her for it so he destroyed her. He would always be a necropolis before anything else, knowing the secrets of the dead and the dreams of the living. The other nations were similar to the ancient ones but tried to look like they didn't lust for blood. It sickened him.
Every meeting that passed without America's appearance set the others on edge. No other country had ever been able to hide for 231 years. Something about today though made them believe that the missing country would be found. The date was 9/11/2001, an ordinary day with clear skies in America. The meeting was being held in England but half of the staff was American. Suddenly, one of the workers who was setting up the projector for the millionth time that day screamed as wounds opened. The television that was on in the background started to talk about a plane crashing into one of the twin towers.
Arthur rushed over to the American worker and helped apply pressure to the worst wound. Impossibly blue eyes clouded with pain met his. England knew immediately who this potentially 15 year old boy was. Without a second thought, being over heard by all the other countries, he revealed the boy's identity.
"Hush, America. You'll be alright. No need to hide anymore. I promise I will never hurt you again. I can never truly express how sorry I am for the way I treated you but I will protect you now." Arthur meant every word that he had stated. Eyes filled with distrust, but resigned to the fate of being taken care of by his parent country, closed in unconsciousness. None of the other countries protested as Arthur and his former colonies moved America out of the meeting and to the home they had grown up in.