The only thing I remember vividly, to the point I can't breathe, is when we first came here.
Even while everyone was trying to think of a way to escape, I did nothing to help…
I had to be protected like my idiot counterpart…
Meanwhile, everyone else was getting hurt.
And I was alone.
One after the other, they lost their lives right before my eyes.
…
Japan was lying on the floor, panting and covered in blood.
"I'm sorry. It looks like I'm going to die," he said, looking up at Italy.
"No, you're not. I'm sure I can make bandages out of something to stop the bleeding," said Italy, looking around the room.
"No… No, it's hopeless. There is no time. Please, just leave me here and go back to the others," said Japan, curiously watching Italy. "Fortunately, they've forgotten…that I ever came here. Just…leave me…"
"But I can't do that. I'll make bandages right now. Just hold on," said Italy, trying to wrap his jacket around Japan.
"Italy."
"What?"
"Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to save me?"
"I…I don't know," said Italy, looking down at the blood on the ground before realizing that he could barely hear Japan anymore. "No wait, I'll do anything. Just hold on a little longer!"
"Italy, you're acting strangely kind. But even though my eyes are dulled, I know that you're lying," said Japan, looking at Italy. "It's so…frustrating… Till the end, I wanted us to get…out…together…"
…
"Sorry. This is where I fall," said China.
"I'm glad that we could make…a new breach, at least," said Russia, pausing due to his wounds.
"Come on Italy, just go. If you stay, that monster is going to show up again," said France.
"But…" said Italy, looking down at the ground so the others couldn't see his face.
"Prussia, will you take care of Italy? He's been acting a little strange lately," said France again, looking past Italy and to Prussia.
"Ah…ja, I'll do it," said Prussia, confused as to why he had to take care of one of the strongest nations in the group.
"France?" Italy asked. But France's eyes had closed, and his breathing was slowly stopping.
"Go on. Don't let our efforts be in vain. You seem to be so slow on the uptake," said Russia, red eyes staring up at Italy.
"If you stay here, you'll only get in the way and die too. Just go away, quickly," said China.
"Come on Italy, let's get out of here," said Prussia, a hint of fear in his voice.
Italy turned away from the three nations and followed Prussia to the door. But he paused for a moment just before going out, looking back at the scene, before exiting the room.
"You really are perfect for the role of villain," said China, looking over at Russia.
"You're quite the actor yourself," said Russia.
"Oh yeah, I have to find…Japan…quickly… I got all sluggish here and forgot again…" said China.
"China?" Russia asked, looking over at his now slumped form. "Heh, even in this place…I'm all alone yet again…"
…
"We'll be fine, so just get out of here and get us reinforcements or something," said America, standing near the bed England and Canada were lying on.
"But in the meantime, even you will get hurt beyond help-" said Italy before being stopped by America.
"It's fine. Besides, I…want to do these two a favor…and…stay by them…" mumbled America, looking over at the two on the bed.
"America…" said Italy, also looking at the bed.
"Heh, no that isn't it… They can't hear me anymore, so I'll tell you in all honesty, since I'm going to die soon anyways… I want to stay with them. Till my last moment. Because they really are both very important to me," said America, looking both sad and awkward.
"And because you're…actually going to protect me…" said Italy, looking confusedly at America.
"Well…yeah…even though I can't move anymore. But I'm not making a mistake. And I regret nothing," said America.
Italy looked at America after he said this, surprised by the usually harsh nation's answer.
"Go on. I…wish you luck," America said a little awkwardly before roughly pushing Italy towards the door.
…
"We got back the key," said Prussia.
"Hey, it's fine. We risked our lives and went through so much trouble to get it back. Shouldn't you be a little happier?" asked Germany, staring over at Italy.
"Why did you lie?" Italy asked, anger in his voice. "You said you were just going to look around…"
"Yeah, well, it's probably for the same reason that you didn't tell us everyone else was dead," said Germany, pointedly looking at Italy.
"Wait, so you knew?" Italy asked incredulously.
"Hey, bruder, why don't we take a little rest? I'm really tired," said Prussia.
"You're always tired bruder. Just go ahead and sleep. I will soon," said Germany.
"Wait, no! I can't do this anymore!" shouted Italy, hands gripping the sides of his head. "I'm staying with you!"
"Italy…you'll be fine. You're…the strongest…out of any of us…" said Germany reassuringly.
"C'mon, Italy…you had better…hurry up…" said Prussia.
Italy stared at the ground for a moment more, almost losing his sanity before saying, "You're right. I-I can do this. I know I'll be fine." Italy took a shaky breath before looking up and saying, "I have to be strong."
Prussia slumped forward a little as his breathing stopped.
"Prussi-"
Germany followed his brother soon after.
"Ger…ma…ny…"
…
Even when I followed different paths, no matter what I did, they still left me.
If only I hadn't heard those rumors…
If only I hadn't told America.
No, this is no good. I just have to try harder.
What was I supposed to say next again? Whose life was going to be in danger next again? What…do I have to do next?
How many more times will I be allowed to make mistakes?
How many more times will I have to tell the same lies?
How many more times will I have to watch everyone die?
I made them so many promises. But when we met next, they had forgotten all about them. We had actually learned to get along, but when we met next, they were all back to normal.
I don't want them to forget though. What can I do? What do I have to do? How can I get them all out of here?
Heh…it's hopeless. It feels like my head is going to burst…
I want to try harder…and harder…but…I'm so very tired…
…
"How is he?" China asked.
"He's in the bath right now. Romano is looking after him," said Japan, looking towards the bathrooms.
"Hey, maybe he has amnesia?" suggested Canada.
"No, it looked like something a little different to me!" said the somehow still-cheery Brit.
"It's sort of similar to what I was like when we had just broken a clock," said Japan, trying to help.
"Hmm? Whaddya mean?" Prussia asked drowsily, slumped over in a chair.
"When we break a clock, he gets a lot of strange memories and they get all mixed up," said France, puffing on one of the few cigarettes he had left.
"That's right. Italy also had so many memories that they pushed him to the limit both physically and mentally," said Japan. "His mind was saturated with them. If he gets any more, he will just reject them."
"Reject what?" asked China, who had only heard the last part of what Japan had said.
"The memories themselves. That's how it usually is. But Italy still tried somehow and…the line turned into dots," said America.
"So you mean all his memories are scattered about? And if he tries thinking about them, they will come back in time?" asked Germany.
"Yes, and the proof of that is that he immediately…if tentatively…called my name," said Japan.
"Tentatively? What do you mean by that?" asked Spain.
"Well, uhh…"
But before Japan could finish his sentence, Italy and Romano walked out of the bathrooms, Italy's hair a little damp.
"Sorry to keep you waiting~" said Romano, somehow keeping up his cheery attitude.
"No, it's fine. You were pretty quick. You feeling a little better now Italy?" asked America, looking worriedly at the dazed-looking Italian.
"Uh, y-yes sir. Sorry about that. My head feels a lot better and I am feeling fine now," said Italy, not even focusing on America.
"'Sir'? Hey Italy, you do know who I am, right?" asked Prussia, waking up from his doze.
"Of course. He is Mr. Japan, you are Mr. Prussia, and he is…" Italy said while dazedly pointing at who he named.
Germany looked at Italy confusedly as he stopped talking.
"Hol-"
"Hm?"
"Oh, n-no…Mr…Germany," said Italy, holding his head as he struggled to remember.
"Italy? What's wrong with you?" Germany worriedly asked.
"Hmm… Doesn't it feel like he's talking sort of like when he was still un niño? What happened?" asked Spain.
"Well, his memories are still kind of jumbled and he's a little confused. He just needs some time, okay~?" Romano said, not taking his eyes off his brother when he was talking.
"Of course. Take your time," said Russia, who also looked a little worriedly at the out of character Italian.
"Y-Yes sir. I'm…sorry," said Italy.
"And you stay with him Romano," said Japan.
"Hey, wait! I've been thinking all this time, and I think I maybe should tell you after all…" said Romano.
"Wait, wait! I appreciate the sentiment, but we really shouldn't have told you to talk without considering Italy's feelings!" said England.
"And besides, it's still all right. You just take care of your frère. If there's really no other way, we'll ask you again," said France.
"That's right. There are many other things we have to solve. Maybe he will remember something while we're having a meeting. We can wait," said Canada.
"I see… All right. Fratello, go to sleep~ You're tired, come here!" said Romano, starting to usher Italy over to the beds.
"B-but…" Italy started to protest.
"It's all right. If there's no other way, we'll ask you. Until then, go to sleep," said Germany.
"Okay…" said Italy, letting Romano help him to bed.
"He's so…worn out," said France, watching Italy's retreating back.
"Yeah, he probably pushed himself too hard already. He must have kept telling himself that he had to try harder and harder to protect us," said Russia.
"Now let's think about what would be the best course of action," said Japan.
"Yeah, good idea. Hey, Germany, I've been wondering…what was that thing you gave to Italy?" asked America.
"You mean right before he got me into that cell? It was a piece of metal I found in the cave. Incidentally, Italy dropped it after he fought that monster and now I have it with me again," said Germany.
"Judging by the way he acted, it must be something necessary to escape. Even though it looks like an ordinary piece of metal…" said Canada.
"Maybe it's some sort of key?" suggested Spain.
"Key? But keys aren't usually shaped like this," said France, pointing to the piece of metal Germany was holding in his hand.
"Yeah, that's the point. In other words, the keyhole is hidden también," said Spain.
"But there couldn't be a keyhole where this metal piece could fit," said Prussia, staring intently at the piece of metal.
"We must have missed it. Weren't there any places that made you feel uneasy?" asked China.
"Yes…and no! I mean, there were so many places that made me feel uneasy that I've forgotten about some of them!" said England.
"In that case, we'll have to search the mansion again," said America, a little annoyed.
"Okay. So let's split into two groups: one to stand by and the other to search around," said Japan.
"I'm fine with either one! But…Italy must be hungry! So maybe I should cook something for him!" said England, already heading towards the kitchen.
"Hey, England, let's search together!" said Japan, knowing that the leftover cupcakes England made were going to be for the rest of them.
"What? But the food-" England started to wail, desperately wanting a fresh cupcake.
"I'll stay! France, you can stay too!" said China quickly, cutting England off.
"Of course. So the kitchen is full now. You can search around with the others!" France said, also wanting to avoid being poisoned.
"I'll stay too. I'm feeling kind of tired…" said Prussia, already stumbling over to one of the beds.
"Does anyone else care?" America asked, looking around the group. "Okay, then Russia, Canada, Japan, and England will search with me. The others will stand by."
"All right. Let's have a thorough search," said Canada.
The five nations that were sent to search then left the safe room and headed downstairs to the basement. After searching around there for a while, they went into the cell room.
"Oh? What happened everyone?" asked Japan.
"Italy said there was hope in this box, remember? What did he mean?" asked Russia, looking down at said box.
"If he was doing that for our sake, he must have deliberately arranged a hope to escape when he locked us in that cell," said Canada.
"He also said the box was empty, though. Maybe it was just a trick to lock us up," argued America.
"Probably. It makes no sound when we shake it," said Japan, shaking it to prove his point.
"Hm? Wait a minute, this is odd!" said England, looking down at the box.
"Odd? What do you mean?" asked Japan.
"Oh, sorry! You wouldn't get it, but this has some of my magic too! What…?" England said as he felt along the sides of the box.
"Your magic? You mean this belongs to you?" Canada asked, confused.
"Nope! Here, give me a minute! I can lift this spell!" said England using some of his magic to lift it.
"Hm, it made a sound. Let's try opening it?" suggested Russia.
"Hmm, I wonder what it is? I hope it'll help us," said America.
… …the… …y
"Hm?" America said while looking around the room.
There was a bright flash of light, and then a transparent England was standing near the doorway.
"What?!" Russia shouted, looking at the other England in surprise.
"E-England?!" asked Canada in surprise.
… …and… …it!
"What's going on? Why am I there?!" England wailed in confusion, looking at his see-through double.
"Shut up! He's saying something!" said Japan.
My…my future self who is watching this! There is no time to explain much! If by any chance Italy dies, find the journal! In return, you'll get his memories as well as my life! Go back without fail! Go back in time! Sa… …Italy… …
After that, the transparent England disappeared, leaving nothing but a lot of confused nations.
"Huh?!" England shouted, still looking at the spot where the other England had been.
"Uhh…England? You looked pretty worn out. What just happened?" asked Russia.
"Journal? Does that mean… Wait a minute, what does that-"
"So that was a message to England in the future?" America interrupted Japan. "And he said something about going back in time or whatever, right?"
"And he also told us to 'find the journal'," said Canada.
"'My future self'? Was he talking about me?" England asked, extremely confused.
"But Italy is alive. And…'the journal'? That's not very specific, is it?" asked Japan, trying to figure things out himself.
"Wait, there's something else inside the box!" said America, reaching down into the box.
"It's the usual, a clock. And also…a letter apparently. But it has no address…" said Russia.
"A letter?" asked Japan. "…Ah, I see. I will give it to him later."
"Well, what are we going to do now?" asked Canada, looking at the clock.
"Well, it's only a suggestion, but why don't we break the clock?" suggested Japan.
"What? Why?" asked America.
"Somehow, I feel that it is hiding the clue the other England just gave us. Besides, whenever we break a clock, I can catch a glimpse of future events," said Japan, thinking back to the other times clocks had been broken.
"Really? Well then, let's break it! We've got to fix time anyways!" said England.
"Oh, but…" America started awkwardly, not so sure now.
"Okay, I'll break it now!" said England before using his magic to break the clock.
…
"What the crap?!" exclaimed Japan when he saw the giant monster in front of him.
"Oh dear! Run, Italy!" shouted England, holding a knife in front of him.
"C'mon, move. Just go!" shouted France, trying to block Italy from the giant monster.
"I…can't… If I do, America will…" said Italy, torn between leaving and saving everyone else.
"That's the enemy Italy fought on his own! But everyone is seriously injured. And why am I standing here watching?" Japan wondered while looking down at his transparent body. "This hasn't happened before."
"This sucks! Even with so many of us fighting it together, we still can't defeat it?" America shouted.
"America?!" Japan asked, looking over at the transparent American.
"Japan?! Huh, you're here too? Wait, you're the Japan who was talking just now, right?" America asked.
"Hai. Anyway, we have to help Italy," said Japan, motioning to the giant monster.
"I don't think that's possible. We're transparent, we can't touch anything. I think we're meant to just stand by and watch," said America.
"Oh crap!" shouted Japan, hitting the wall in frustration only to almost fall when his hand went through it.
"Ugh, my leg…it's broken… Move, please move!" shouted Prussia.
"Italy!" shouted Germany as he tried to fight the monster
Italy let off a burst of power before saying, "Its weakness…is its forehead… Too bad, I win again."
After the monster had disappeared, Italy went around and assessed the damage.
"France, your injuries…you're okay, right? Japan is still breathing too… Good. America, you can still move a little, right?"
What the crap?! Stop, please! Not again! This time it's Italy? America thought as he watched everything unfold.
"Oh!" shouted Japan as Italy fell to the floor.
"I…did it! I saved…everyone! I made no mistakes!" Italy shouted desperately.
"Italy!" shouted Japan.
"Heh, your injuries look serious…but you're alive. Good…thank goodness…my ruse worked…" said Italy.
Ruse? thought America.
"Guys, you may not know this…but this is the second time we came here… The first time, I wasn't useful…at all… I could finally get you back… But I'm sorry…now it's my turn to fall…" said Italy.
"You're joking, right? The second time? That makes no sense!" exclaimed Germany.
"I went back in time, you see… The first time, I managed to get out of here. But…I was the only one…who got out… I didn't want that. I had to get you all out…"
"Idiote! You didn't have to get us out! You should've just gotten out without us!" shouted France.
"Italy…" murmured Germany, looking sadly at the Italian.
"C'mon, let's carry Italy. Anyone? Isn't there anyone who can move?! What about China and the others? Aren't they back yet?" America asked, looking desperately at the door.
"Make… Make a place where we can rest. It can be anywhere. I'll take care of him. A really safe place. Someone!" shouted Prussia, quite wide awake at this moment.
I can hear their voices. I was all alone back then, but now they're alive. I'm actually…happy… But… thought Italy before speaking.
"Ehi, Germany…" said Italy.
"Just hold on Italy. Oh, I know! I will make a place for you. The best place for you to rest…" said Germany, trying to staunch Italy's bleeding.
"Really? Heh, then you could make lots of beds…where everyone else can rest? And then I'll peacefully rest…"
"Ja…" said Germany, listening to Italy's ranting.
"And a table big enough for all of us too. I also want a place…where we can all cook…"
"J-Ja, definitely…"
"…Ger…many…"
"Ja, Italy?"
"I…I don't…want to die here… I wanted to escape with all of you…"
"Italy?" Germany asked worriedly. "Italy? Italy… Italy!"
"No…" said England, for once not hyperactive.
"Crap…" said Prussia as he watched how his brother took Italy's death. "Japan, take the others outside. I'll get mein bruder."
"Italy…why…?" Germany was whispering as he stared into Italy's now lifeless eyes, tears flowing down his face.
"Germany is…" America said as he watched Germany.
"Bruder, calm down," said Prussia as he tried to get Germany up. But Germany's body was limp with grief and almost unmovable. "Hey France, give me a hand here."
"Italy is… No, it can't be…" said France as he helped Prussia get Germany away from Italy's body. "Why…?"
"C'mon bruder, calm down," said Prussia as he half-dragged Germany away from Italy.
"Japan, let's go… Your injuries are the worst," said England as he slowly walked to the door. "Japan?"
"Gomen. It's just…I don't know, I'm just in shock…" said Japan as he watched Germany being dragged away from Italy. "I feel sad, but also angry and hopeless…and empty… I don't know how I should feel…" A lone tear traced its way down Japan's face, but he wiped it away before anyone could see it.
"Japan, let's leave. Ya don't want anyone to see you like that, right?" America asked.
"Ah, hai," said Japan, following the others out the door.
"Hey, you okay? If you aren't, you could lean on my shoulder," said America awkwardly in an attempt to be sort of nice.
"Hai, I'm fine. But what about you? You're clenching your hand so tight it's bleeding," said Japan, watching the blood drip down onto the floor.
"…This is why I didn't want to break the clock. I can't do anything here…" said America, clenching his hand even tighter. "Ugh, someone always…always-"
"You're kidding, right? Italy's… But how could such a thing…?" asked Canada in shock.
"Those voices coming from the room are Germany and Prussia, right? I guess we'd better not go in. They were the…closest to him…" said Russia, looking down at the ground.
"If only we had…gotten here sooner…" said China, looking at the door.
"No, I'm the one who made us split up. If anything, it's my fault," said America. "Hey, what's that book in your hand?"
"Oh this?" asked Canada, holding up said book. "I found it in the library room. And actually, it seems to be a journal."
"America, that book!" exclaimed Japan excitedly. "Do you think that's the journal?"
"That's the book that Italy was using, isn't it? I thought it was a Bible though. Is that it?" asked America, looking at the book his brother was holding up.
"Yeah, and there's something strange about it," said Russia as he looked at the book over Canada's shoulder. "It's on the first page, here! Look at the name here."
"Italy…Veneziano…" read England. "It doesn't mean it's the name of the journal's owner! It kind of looks like this is…a contract sign page… It says…"
"America?!" Japan exclaimed as America disappeared from his side.
I feel like I'm going to be pulled back to reality! No, I have to stay just a little longer, even if it's just for a few seconds! Japan thought desperately, trying to will himself to stay longer. But his effort was in vain as the scene before him disappeared.
…
"Japan! America!" Russia shouted as he saw them come back to reality.
Japan just stared at the ground, in too much shock to even speak.
"We're…back? Crap, if only we could've stayed a little longer!" America shouted in anger, fists still clenched.
"Just sit down. You both look really pale," said Canada, trying to help his brother to the floor.
"It was actually…the second world…" murmured Japan, still in shock.
"Hm? What's the matter?" England asked, waving his hand in front of Japan's face.
"They weren't just fake… Those things I saw were past experiences or…the future…?" mumbled America, also in shock. "Wait then…what number world is this? How many times have we…lost our friends…?"
"What number? What? We?" Canada asked in confusion.
"You mean, how many times have we come here?" asked Russia, trying to decipher what the two countries were talking about.
"…Ugh…" said Japan, grabbing his now-hurting head as he tried to figure everything out.
"Hey, are you two alright?" England asked in concern. "What exactly did you see? Can you go back once more?"
"Could you…do it for me? I'm not feeling so well…" said America, also gripping his head now with his strangely-bloody hands.
"Listen, even though I know Italy's fine, I need to see him now," said Japan, still a little zoned out.
"Hey, you look a little unsteady. Why don't you lean on my shoulder for support?" suggested Russia, moving a little closer to Japan.
I only saw a few pasts, and yet I feel as if I'm going to fall apart… If I don't tell them, I won't be able to stand it… thought Japan as he unconsciously leaned against Russia. I can't keep this bottled up, or else I'll go…iNsAne… It's too painful…
After that, Russia, England and Canada helped lead Japan and America back to the safe room, making sure they didn't fall. By the time they had reached the steps leading up to the safe room, America and Japan were standing almost steadily on their feet, so they went into the safe place without help.
"We're back, Italy," said Japan, almost immediately going over to where Italy was standing.
"Oh, you're back. Ciao, uhh…Japan," said Italy a little haltingly.
"Italy… You seem to be doing a little better, as does your memory," said Japan, silently relieved.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I still don't remember everything, but…things are falling into place," said Italy, looking down at the ground. "I've talked with Romano…so I've started to remember things little by little."
"Oh, you're back," said China, walking over from the kitchen. "The food will be ready in a moment, so just sit down and wait."
"Thanks. Hey, Italy, do you have a moment?" asked Japan, almost completely ignoring China.
"Uhh, yeah, sure," said Italy a little confused.
"You see," said Japan as he and Italy walked away from the others, "I've been holding onto a letter for you. Could you read it out loud?"
"For me?" asked Italy as he took the letter.
"Hai. Do you remember what happened in this mansion?"
"…Yeah, about half of it. But I'm still a little confused."
"All the more reason for you to read it. I haven't read it, but I think it'll be helpful to you."
"…It's my…handwriting…" said Italy as he opened the letter. "…'To the me who lives at some point in time…and who isn't alone-" Italy had to stop as memories started flowing through his mind.
To the me who lives at some point in time and who isn't alone. Once again, I made some mistakes, but also some progress. Meanwhile, I finally, but slowly, began to learn…to rely on everyone else. I was constantly worried that everyone would blame me for dragging them into this, and that they would hate me, or be appalled by me, or get mad at me, and leave me completely… But then I was told that I had the wrong idea. They were really pissed off at me. It hurt a lot. Not that they hit me or anything, but it really did hurt. I finally figured it out, but I can't pass the memory on to my next self. Unfortunately, I'll lose my life yet again. That's why I'm writing a letter. Oh, say thanks to England. And tell them the truth. I'm sure they'll get really mad, but it's not like they hate you or think you're a pain…well, at least not much more anyway. Why didn't you rely on them sooner? What are…friends for? That's what they told me, and that's what they're going to tell you too. I'm sure I might…cry, and then…and then…
"Italy," said Japan, looking up at the Italian.
"What?"
"I've been thinking all this time, wondering what we're going to do now… What do you want to do?"
"Well…investigate some place, or…"
"No, no, I meant once we get out of here. I've talked about this with Russia, about how we should have a party at someone's house or something."
"A party, hm? That could get…interesting…" said Italy, thinking about previous parties they had had.
"And I think it would be better if we held it late at night. We would all be more tired by that time, so it should go a little smoother. Oh, and I have a small garden, so I could pick some vegetables for the party."
"Hmm, sounds like fun," said America, who had apparently been listening in on their conversation. "I might come over early and help you get ready for it."
"Uhh, thanks…I guess," mumbled Japan. "So when we come back from the garden, we can make breakfast."
"And that's my cue. America can wake up those still sleeping," said China, coming over from the kitchen where he had been listening in on the conversation.
"Yeah, and then maybe…uhh…we could…go somewhere?" Japan suggested a little hesitantly.
"Yeah, we could go to an amusement park or something…" said Prussia, coming over to the others and slumping down in another chair.
"And I guess I could refrain from smoking for just that occasion," said France, also joining in on the conversation.
"A day or two probably wouldn't be enough. Oh, and we could go shopping," said Japan.
"Yes! And I could get special ingredients for cupcakes~!" said England, skipping happily over.
"I would like some of those special clothes you have at your place, Japan. What were they called, yukata? Yeah, we could all buy one," said Russia, thinking happily of what the party could be like.
"Well, I can hardly wait. And then when we get back, we could have a banquet or something," said Japan.
"With food from all over the world. Let's see, what could I make…?" wondered Canada.
"Well, let's see…I could make some of my special pasta…" said Italy.
"I could bring some beer und wurst," said Germany.
"Then we could all sleep together in sleeping bags or something," said Spain.
"Yeah, I'll lay out some futons. You can sleep whenever you like," said Japan.
"Ooh, sounds interesting! We could bring a gift fratello~ Hmm, what could we bring…?" wondered Romano.
"Yeah, we could bring ingredients for pasta or something," said Italy.
"I could…bring some beer," said Germany, again mentioning beer.
"Sure. It'll definitely be fun. Lots of fun… That's why, Italy…" said Japan, looking directly at Italy.
"Si?" asked Italy.
"That's why we all have to escape, with everyone who is here, without losing a single person," said Japan.
"…Right," said Italy, trying hard to not doubt that that would happen. "Yeah."
I'm sure I might…cry, and then…and then… Look around yourself.
Ah, that's right, I- thought Italy. I have many…allies… This close to me all this time.
"Oi, Itaria, why are you looking down? Are you still not feeling well?" asked Japan, watching Italy's face.
"No, I'm fine. There's, uhh, something I want…to tell you-" said Italy before being cut off by Spain.
"Agh, what are we going to do Romano?" Spain suddenly burst out.
"Uhh, what are you talking about?" asked Romano, confused.
"I forgot to tell Austria and the others that we found Italy…" said Spain.
Romano just stayed quiet, pondering this.
"Euh, quoi, he's coming too?" asked France. "Et 'the others'? You mean…"
"Almost everyone that came to the world meeting~" said Romano happily.
"Yeah, Romano got really upset back there. He was just desperate to save his hermano, you know? I'd never seen him that upset before," said Spain, looking over at said Italian.
"Yup! I didn't want mio fratello to get hurt~" said Romano, walking over and trying to give Italy a hug. Italy just shoved him away, mumbling something about annoying brothers.
"Yeah, I might've done the same if mein bruder und I had been in the same situation," said Prussia, still slumped over in his chair.
"Ehi, Romano," said Italy after shoving him off again. "…Thanks…"
Romano stopped trying to give Italy a hug for long enough to say, "I just wanted you back fratello~ And I didn't want you to have to go through that again."
"Oh yeah, since we fixed the clocks quite a bit, our phones should work at least a little, right?" asked Russia, staring at the screen of his own phone.
"Duì, you're right Russia. I bet we'll be able to hear their voices even from here," said China.
"Okay, so Spain can call them and we can just listen," said America, motioning to Spain to call everyone.
"Crap…" said Spain after he had dialed the number. "Hey, Romano, couldn't you answer it instead?"
"Oh, you'll be fine~" teased Romano.
"Right…" said Spain before Austria picked up. "Hola, long time no see."
"Tch, yeah, long time," said Austria, a hint of anger in his voice.
"¿Cómo estás?"
"Fine," Austria replied shortly.
"So, uhh, sorry I forgot to call you. I got kind of busy…"
"Ja, ja," said Austria, rolling his eyes. "There are a mountain of things I want to say to you…well, more than a mountain really. But anyway, why didn't Romano call? We thought you had been killed or something."
"¿Qué? Romano?"
"Mm hmm~" said Romano, going over to stand by Spain.
"Hey, Italien, you can hear me, right?" asked Austria, raising his voice a little just in case Italy couldn't. "Come down and look outside the window."
"Okay~" said Romano, answering for his shocked brother.
"Wait, let's go together," said Canada, already following Italy and Romano to the stairway.
"Hey Italy! Don't walk in the front like that! If you're being targeted, how about you stand behind me!" said England.
"Yeah, let's go. He'll probably kill us if we don't hurry up. Then again, he hopefully won't be able to see us very well with the bars on the windows," said Prussia, slowly getting up from his seat and heading to the door.
"Ha, this again…" said France.
"Huh? What is it?" asked Italy, walking closer to the window. "What are you looking at?"
"So Italy, I've heard what you've done…to some extent. Wasn't very praiseworthy, was it?" Austria said from the other side of the phone.
"Scusa. But…I just-"
"You're an idiot, you know," said Austria, interrupting Italy. "Romano was really worried about you, you know."
"You don't need to call him an idiot…" mumbled Germany.
"Hey, Italy, look outside," said Prussia, who was standing and staring intently out the window.
Italy walked slowly over to the window and looked outside.
Ugh, I knew they were pissed off at me, thought Italy. But of course, it is my fault…
"Oh!" said Italy in shock as he looked outside. "Everyone…"
"Italy!" shouted Austria, loud enough for the nations inside to hear him.
"Ah, si?" Italy said.
"I don't think it's smart to try to do everything on your own. But… You really did your best," said Austria, now speaking into the phone again.
Italy looked down at Austria, surprise plain on his face.
"The whole world has come to save you guys, but unfortunately, we couldn't find a way in," said Austria, only a little pity eminent in his voice. "So we'll just have to support you from out here, even if it might get a little frustrating."
"Hey, look, it's the Nordics!" exclaimed England. "And then those over there are-"
"My sestry," finished Russia, looking over at Belarus and Ukraine.
"Everyone…" said Italy again, still looking out the window at the faces he hadn't seen in what felt like an eternity.
"That's quite amazing! Now we really have to get out together!" said England, looking out the window in amazement.
"I…" said Italy while trying to think of what to say.
"Yes?" asked England, wondering what he was going to say.
"I'm not alone anymore…" said Italy in awe, feeling happier than he had ever felt in his life.
"Ja. You should really broaden your horizons. Oh, and hurry up and get out of there. We don't want to stand out here forever," said Austria. "But until we can leave, you have to get out of there first. We'll do everything we can here. It's quite strange, everyone getting along and agreeing on something."
"It's a unity warning," said China.
"Heh, true. We never get anything done during a meeting, but here we are, getting along," said America, gesturing around him to emphasize his point.
"Well, yeah. Even though we fight and try to kill each other a lot, we're still all nations," said Spain.
"You're right," said Canada.
"…Yeah," said Italy.
I still haven't got some of my memories back. But still…I can already answer some of their most important questions, thought Italy.
"Everyone, sorry for making you wait," said Italy, turning around to face the rough semicircle of nations behind him.
"Fratello…" said Romano, already knowing what was coming.
"I'll tell you everything that I remember," said Italy, a hint of insanity in his eyes.
"Italy…" said Germany, who could guess at what was coming.
"I'll tell you everything from the very beginning, so this could take a while. Still, I want you all to listen."
"Tch, about time. Come on, go ahead and tell us already," said China impatiently.
"It'll be a like a quiz…" said America.
"I've been waiting to hear this, Italy," said Prussia, awake enough to listen.
"Now hurry up and tell us. We want to know everything," said Japan, tapping his foot a little.
"Grazie," said Italy, ready to talk. "Let's see…it all began shortly after the World Meeting… I happened to overhear some rumors, and that's when the clock hands began to turn."
A/N: So, finally done! And with a whopping 19 pages! XD And heh, I had the ACT today! *eye twitches* Yeah…fun…*laughs a little insanely* Anyway, I have CHOCOLATE! So now I'm brain-dead and hyper! Ladedadeda~ XD So here's this suuuuper long chapter, hope you liked it! Me gusta reviews! *insanely laughs again*