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Part 2 – Italy

"Hey Italy...?" The Italian turned, cocking his head to one side. The frown on America's face clued him into the fact that the conversation was going to be a serious one. For all that people believed the two of them to be oblivious, and unable to read the atmosphere, they could in fact be very, very serious when the situation called for it.

"Ve~ Yes, America...?"

"Was there ever anyone who never made it through a time loop?" Italy almost jumped at the question.

'What on Earth could have brought this on...? Maybe a memory from that last clock...' He thought, looking sadly at the American. He had noticed him pulling Canada aside earlier, and talking with him in quiet, worried tones. He sighed. Normally, he wouldn't have a clue who the Canadian was, but being trapped in the recurring time loops had provided him with plenty of reasons to remember. Not very many happy reasons, of course.

"...Yes..." He whispered. America looked at him, eyes intense with worry, and fear.

"Who?"

Oh, God. The bitter irony of that single, stupid word.

"...Your fratello..." Italy looked at his feet, noting that he should probably re-tie his shoelaces, "Canada." He shuddered, "He's always so...reckless. He never wants anyone to get hurt, to the point that he'll take a hit for anyone. I guess it makes sense, I mean, he is a peace-keeper..." He trailed off weakly...

"Keep running!" China screamed, pushing Italy and Canada ahead of him, as they raced down the stairs, France a few steps ahead. The thing was only a few feet behind China, roaring viciously as it followed them. Canada gripped his little polar bear close to his chest, panting in exhaustion as he tried not to trip over his own feet. He felt China's hand against his back again, pushing him forward as quickly as the elder Nation dared.

They had the key. The front door key. The others were waiting downstairs, hopefully.

Italy couldn't help but hope that it would be the last time. That they were all going to escape, together. They only had to reach the door-

China screamed in pain, as the creature dug it's claws into his back, before throwing him forward down the stairs. Canada and Italy yelped, as they were knocked forward into France, sending all four of them sprawling. Italy looked around as he scrambled to his feet. Second floor. So close-

"Agh!" France shouted, grabbing his leg, "Merde! My leg!" Italy could see blood and bone through France's pant-leg, and paled instantly. China moaned, struggling to his knees, blood streaming from his wounds.

Not again, not again, not again-

"Italy!" Canada shouted, breaking the Mediterranean man's panicked daze. He looked to see the younger Nation aiming his bow at the creature, a dark light in his eyes. "Get China and France downstairs! I'll deal with this bastard!" He fired a shot at the creature's forehead, and Italy covered his ears as the creature roared. Italy nodded, grabbing China by his arm, and hauling both him and France to their feet.

"Canada!" France screamed, even as Italy pulled him towards the stairs, "Non, NON! CANADA!" The Canadian turned for an instant to send his Papa a calm smile.

"Just tell Prussia to come help me! I'll be fine!" He shot again, and Kumajirou leapt forward to claw and bite the creature fiercely before retreating. Italy nodded, before racing down the stairs, dragging the older Nations, even as France struggled desperately to return to his son's side. Italy only made it halfway down before a scream of agony sounded behind him.

His heart stopped.

He was vaguely aware that Prussia and America ran up the stairs, and he knew that he heard screaming and gunfire. Then, they were all gathered before the door, Prussia holding Canada's slowly cooling body in his arms, as if he was cradling a porcelain doll. The creatures had stopped coming, but Italy knew it was only a matter of time.

So, he told them everything. And he gave them a choice.

He was willing to go back, to live it all again, just for Canada. Because Canada had been willing to die to save them all.

And they all agreed. Each and every one of them.

So, they held back the monsters as he ran for the clock, and he sentenced himself to continue the cycle. Because, Canada would have done it for him.

Nothing was so certain.

"Italy...?" America tapped his shoulder, snapping him out of his daze.

"Ve? Oh, lo siento, America. I was just...remembering..." He shook his head. "I'm afraid that it's going to happen again..."

They both looked over at Canada, who was feeding some fish to Kumajirou while talking to Prussia. They were smiling, Prussia ruffling the Canadian's hair as he giggled softly. Italy looked over to see America frowning.

"...Am I missing something here...?" He mumbled. Italy laughed softly.

"It took a few time loops for me to figure it out." He gave America a reassuring smile, "Don't worry. Prussia really does care about him."

"He'd better. I'll kick his sorry, ex-Nation ass if he so much as makes my brother cry."

They both laughed, and Italy felt a tiny shred of normalcy, and hope, coming back to him.

But, he could not shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.