"We've got the key!" Italy cried out, snatching the key up from under the carpet.
"Everyone run!" England yelled, grabbing onto America's shoulder.
The twelve nations expected what came next, so they began to run as fast as their exhausted bodies could carry them. The hallway suddenly chilled, the lights dimming, they all tried to run faster, Japan and China fell back, letting the younger nations run in front of them. Glancing back Japan saw a Steve running after them, its heavy footsteps thumping against the hardwood floors.
"Minna! It's right behind us!" Japan warned, grabbing for his katana
They had planned this out, Japan and Russia were to stay back to fight Steve while China ran with the Italians in the front, in case they needed any protection. Russia fell back and let China catch up with Romano and Feliciano. The group was rounding a corner, when Italy stopped with a loud and surprised yelp, China and Romano repeating the cry when they also rounded the corner.
When everyone had rounded the corner, they all stopped, two more Steve's were leering at them, making the lights dim even more, which also made the temperature plunge even lower. With a howl, Japan and Russia disposed of the Steve following them, but they were both breathing heavily, scratches and bruises showing signs of slight struggle. The two Steve's blocking the path to the safe room suddenly screamed and began to advance.
"CRAP!" Prussia yelled, grabbing for his awesome sword. "Run for the fireplace room!"
All twelve nations spun around, sprinting down the hallway and stopping in front of the door.
"The key for the door!? Who has it!?" France yelled, looking around at everyone.
"No time!" Germany ordered, pointing at where the end of the hallway. "RUN!"
The nations began running again, hearing the heavy footsteps coming slowly closer. China spun around, pulling out his twin knives just to slam them into one Steve's forehead and then kick Steve hard enough to make it stumble into the second Steve behind him. He made enough of an entrance that all the nations could make a break for the staircase, running down to the first floor.
They all stopped for a few seconds, making sure they hadn't lost anyone. Then Russia panted between breathes "we need…. To go to…the annex," before he began to run again. China ran after him, knowing where Russia wanted everyone go.
Italy looked forlornly at the door, wishing the others outside could find the key, before running after the other fleeing nations; Italy unlocked their side of the door, just in case they got holed up in a room somewhere.
He then ran after his friends, quickly catching up and heading to the front where America was running. Alfred had passed up Russia and China and was leading the still blind-England.
"SPLIT!" America suddenly screamed, knowing everyone was rounding the corner right behind him. He dove to the side, pulling England with him and a large fist came hurtling down where he was once stood.
A mega-Steve was blocking their path, growling low in its throat, and advancing slowly. France, Prussia and Spain moved to the front of the group, brandishing their weapons, scowls on their faces. They dove forward and it took all three of the nations to push it to the side to give the others a chance to run by. The fought furiously as the others ran by, and with a final sweep of Spain's axe, the Steve faded, giving out a long screech.
The Bad Touch Trio began to run again, panting from the strain of fighting such a strong enemy. They caught up with the other nations quickly and together they ran into the dojo room. The group paused in front of the door and they all thought 'who has the key?' Then Romano gave a harsh kick to the door, knocking off the lock. They ran down the strangely foggy halls
"RING!"
"RING!"
Japans phone was going off, flipping it open, he saw he had low signal and it was Korea calling answered with a loud "WHAT!?"
"Bro_JAPAN! Found- Key! …..Com_ing...Stay—DON"T DIE!!- The phone went dead, and he could suddenly feel the hall grow colder. China yelled "Go right!" and they ran into a darker corridor that led to a stark white door. China pulled out a silver key and unlocked the door, ushering everyone inside. Russia slammed the door then barred it with the boards lying beside it.
They were in the stark white room, large enough to hold a world conference in. Russia, China, and Japan stayed near the door, while America, Canada and England went to the back wall and all three of them slid down the wall with France nearby. Spain, Romano, Italy, Germany, and Prussia stood in the middle of the room, not joining any of the other groups.
"Who was it that called?" Italy walked over to Japan and China. They looked up at the anxious Italian.
"It was Korea, they said they found the key and are on their way. "
"How long will we wait here?" Canada murmured, petting Kumajiro.
"I hope it's not too long," France muttered, rubbing his arm where Steve had struck him.
"I agree, they need to hurry. It won't be to long until the Steve's find u-"
A loud thump on the door stopped him. The room chilled as the lights grew brighter. More thumps were heard against the door and Italy began to back away, whimpering. All the nations jumped up, staring at the door that was slowly buckling under a heavy weight.
"I-I-it's too s-soon!" Canada whispered, gripping Kumajiro while he reached for the white and red bow strapped to his back.
Italy whimpered, holding the journal close to his chest and backing up until his back hit the wall. Romano followed, putting a protective arm around his brothers' shoulders. Germany and Spain stood protectively in front of the two of the brothers, preparing their weapons.
The three nearest to the door took a defensive stance in front, Japan pulling out his Katana, China retrieving his hidden twin swords, and Russia readying his pipe. Prussia and France stood nearby Germany and Italy, Prussia bringing up his awesomely rusty sword, while France brought up his saber. They turned toward the door, ready for the fight of their lives.
America pulled England to the far right corner, setting him down and standing protectively in front of his former guardian. Canada stood beside his brother, bringing up his bow and aiming an arrow at the door. America looked over at his brother, seeing him ready to fight. America leveled his pistol and made sure he had extra bullets nearby. England drew a magic circle on the ground, and began summoning as much magic as possible and put thin protective barriers on the nations.
Only seconds after he put the barriers on his friends, the door burst open. With a scream, a horde of Steve's plowed into the room and attacked the humans. Immediately, everyone was surrounded by the horde of Oni's. Russia, Japan, and China were forced back to back and face the enemies of all shapes and forms that were trying to find an opening to attack. A cold aura began to surround Russia and Japan closed his eyes to concentrate, mumbling a chant that could strengthen his sword. China crossed his swords and began to think of all the techniques he could use against these horrifying monsters.
Germany, Spain, France and Prussia formed a wall around the Italy's to protect them from the creatures after then journal. They made good use of their weapons, making sure the Steve's didn't get close to anyone in their group. France was separated from the group when he dodged a mega-Steve's fist; another Steve slashed its grotesque claws across his saber arm. Francis cried out in surprise and pain. Bright red blood splattered onto the wall behind him as the Steve slammed him into it. Francis fell to the ground unmoving.
Spain and Prussia blanched at the sound of their friend in pain, but they couldn't do anything as of now, they had to protect their younger siblings. England flinched when he heard his old friend cry out, but he could only try gathering energy from all the movement happening around him. America and Canada were fighting furiously trying to protect Arthur, when Canada heard Francis yell. He looked over to the man him once considered a father figure and gasped when he saw him lying on the ground, too still for comfort.
"FRANCIS!" Matthew screamed in horror, he quickly shot three arrows directly at the creature hovering over his still body. It fell over with a groan and slowly dissipated.
"Damn it!" Alfred said as he fired more rounds at the Steve coming closer to their little group. "Mattie! Be careful-"Alfred warned, only to be swept to the side as a Steve came forward and screamed "DIE" to Matthew, and three orbs of electricity were sent into his body. Matthew screamed in pain, his body spasming from the electrocution.
Matthew fell to the ground unconscious.
"MATTIE!" Alfred screamed in terror, he fired bullets into the thing that might've killed his brother. The thing ran to where Alfred was, along with two others. One of the smaller ones knocked the gun out of his hands and before Alfred could react, the mega Steve slammed its arm into his chest. Alfred's chest and shirt tore open and he flew across the room from the blow, landing with a sickening crunch against the floor.
"Matthew! Alfred!" Arthur yelled, terror creeping into his voice when no one answered. England put up a small magical field around his body; any Steve that touched it would get shocked.
"Oh no! Alfred-san!Matthew-san!Francis-san?!" Japan cried out after hearing their cries. Unable to see them as he was facing the opposite direction by the now closed and locked white door. Japan could feel his elder flinch at each of their deaths and he had to shut his eyes tight so tears wouldn't leak out.
"DAMNIT!" Japan shouted in pain, angered by the loss of his friends. China kicked away an Oni, and then sliced at another with his twin swords. It only made the Oni's back off for a few seconds. Russia's cold aura expanded, slowing down their enemies in fear of the angered human.
"You will pay very dearly for their lives!" Ivan growled his voice low enough that it was almost past the point of hearing. He dove forward, whipping his iron pie in an almost impossible position and took out three of his enemies then he used his aura to freeze two of them in place and three others to the wall.
China nodded grimly and twisted into the battle as well, maneuvering his body into a combination of fighting teqniques that quickly disabled his enemies. He was quick to duck under arms and slash out legs.
Japan followed close behind, using his talismans and katana to finish off the things that Yao didn't, and he helped paralyze the Oni's ahead of Chinas path. After a few minutes of rampaging, Kiku, Yao, and Ivan ended up back to back again, all of them panting from pain and anger. They had killed quite a few of the enemy, but the horde hadn't gotten any smaller. Suddenly, a yelp was heard from across the room, and the sound of a body hitting the floor was heard.
"SPAIN!" Romano's voice called over the sounds of battle. A metal clatter was heard next and Kiku turned around to see what was going on across the room.
A Steve had knocked Ludwig and Gilbert away from the group, isolating the two of them from the rest group. Spain had apparently stood his ground, but his axe got yanked out of his hands and a Steve bashed his head against the wall.
Feliciano was still up against the wall, but Romano had taken Spain's axe from Steve and he was expertly swinging it into a Steve in front of him and his brother. However, a Steve started attacking Feliciano from the side…
"ITALY-KUN!" Kiku yelled as he dove forward, disabling a few Steve's before he moved in between the attacking Steve and Feliciano.
"Wait Kiku!" Yao howled, scared of what might happen to his younger sibling, but before he could run to his aid, five Steve's intercepted him and one of slashed at his shoulder. Yao backed up, but the claws grazed him and blood began to flow quickly.
Kiku blocked the blow to Feliciano with his body, the claws scratching all the way across his abdomen, cutting through the skin all too easily. Kiku fell limp to the ground before slowly getting up again. His blood stained the white floorboards a red color.
"K-KIKU!?" Italy said and then looked at his brother, who dodged a blow that could've taken off his head.
"Feliciano, the journal!" His brother panted, as a Steve slashed down his defenseless arm.
"Romano!" Feliciano cried out, before pulling out the journal from inside his jacket. There were a few bloodstains on its black cover. As Feliciano flipped open to a page and began chanting, a Steve came forward and knocked it out of his hand. The journal flew halfway across the room to where France was laying.
"NO!" the brothers cried in horror as they moved in unison trying to get to the journal in time.
"WAIT FELICI-" Kiku began to run after them but a Steve came out of nowhere and slashed across his unprotected back, cutting deeply into his skin. Kiku screamed in pain and fell limp to the ground unmoving.
China saw this through a gap in the creature's sickly gray bodies, and with a pain filled wail he quickly cut down anything in his path. He dove into the fray of Steve's and landed next to his younger brother, slipping in the pool of blood that was fanning out from his body and staining the floor.
"Kiku? KIKU!?" Yao yelled at the boy lying still at his feet. Tears began to run down his face as he knelt by the still body. Kiku's normally bright eyes were slowly growing dull; he agonizingly moved his head to the side, seeing his elder brother crying over him through blurred vision.
"Ya-o...I'm...sorry" he forced out of his numb lips, he closed his eyes as he heard Yao's breath hitch, then a pained wail as he slowly fell into the darkness of death.
"DAMN YOU!" echoed through the room, as China rose up and began attacking the Steve's that were surrounding his brother. He slashed at any pale gray skin available, he could only think of one thing: kill.
He lost one of his swords after stabbing it into an eye and then lost his other sword when a Steve knocked it out of his bloody hands. He kept on fighting, using his fists and feet. However, death was inevitable, after tearing skin off his bloody knuckles, a Steve grabbed his ankle and slammed him against the wall with enough force to leave a dent and plaster fell from the ceiling.
Yao's skull and spine audibly cracked. He fell to the ground near his brother.
Prussia and Germany were shocked at the pained wail from the eldest of the person here and Russia's breath hitched.
Ivan let the cold aura seep into his body and let loose a blizzard, freeing all of the sadness inside him to kill the horrid creatures that were hurting his friends. It froze a large amount of the enemy, forming a wall around him to protect himself from other attacks. Feliciano yelped as a Steve came between him and the journal lying nearby France. Steve swung out its arms and sent Romano flying against the wall and the other sent Feliciano against the wall near the journal. Reaching out, Feliciano could just barely touch it, but then a large foot came down and crushed his skull. Another Steve did the exact thing to Romano and with that the Italians lives were ended, the sound of blood splattering against the bleeding walls.
"ITALYYY!" Ludwig yelled, only hearing the blood splatter. He screamed at the devils standing in front of them, giving them a torture they would remember. When he finally was able to break free of the wall of Steve's, another one came forward and slashed at his arm.
"LUDWIG!" Gilbert yelled, jumping into the fight. He parried a blow from one Oni, but more came over, ganging up on the two humans. Ludwig and Gilbert were forced to the wall and the fought fiercely, ending up killing many of them; however they were soon disposed of. Ivan heard all of their deaths and he turned to the enemies surrounding him, letting the tears run down his face. "Even here…I'm all alone!" he sobbed, then buried all thoughts and dove into the fight.