Yay, new chapie already! I honestly didn't think I could, but some tea has me ready to go!

America: *COUGHfemaleEnglandCOUGH*

Me: Shut up, tea is delicious! Well, on we go! I only own my OCs~!

"Yes!" Prussia cheered. "I can't believe we can finally escape!" Italy noded enthusiastically, though his smile looked slightly weaker than it shoul'ved been. "Ve, yeah! I can't wait~!" Japan chuckled. "I believe what Italy-san can't wait to do is make pasta, correct?" Germany grunted. "You all are too slow. I'm going on ahead," he said, marching further into the tunnel.

Japan thought everything was fine except one detail… "Where are the others…?" he mumbled, knowing the "people" in front of him couldn't hear him.

Japan sighed and said, "I kind of wish the others had come with us… but they really like to explore." Italy sighed, nodded his head. "Yeah, and they're all split up…" Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a sudden scream. They all looked down into the depths of the tunnel. That scream… "Germany!" Italy screeched, bolting in the direction he'd gone. Prussia and Japan followed just behind Italy.

Japan felt a surge of panic, even knowing it wasn't real, and ran after them. He had a gut feeling that he did not want to see whatever was going to happen, but he couldn't stop himself.

"What happened, West!? Did you fall!?" It was quite a pitiful question, since a scream like that wouldn't have come from a simple fall, but it was also full of brotherly hope and prayer. When they reached the ladder, their hearts sank. Fire surrounded the ladder in small patches, ashes raining down over the quartet of friends like burnt snow. Even as they were squinting their eyes to keep them free of debris, they saw It looming over them with even more teeth and height than the previous ones. "N-no…" Italy barely whispered in despair. "Wh-wh-why…? Why now…?"

"And we'd just secures an exit, too," Japan murmured.

Japan felt a strong tug at him to run, to leave before things got worse somehow. But it was like he was glued in place, unable to move or look away.

"Shiva…" Prussia muttered. He went up to his brother and heaved him up from his startled position on the floor. "C'mon, we need to go tell the others!" Italy gasped, curl curling on itself a bit. "The others!" he cried, running back towards the door. "I-Italy, don't go alone!" Japan yelled, forced to run after him. Hearing something about Italy snapped Germany back to attention, and he, too, ran after him once he spotted how far away from any of them he was.

Japan was about to forcibly follow them when he felt himself being tugged along, almost as if a rope was tied to his waste and pulling him along.

They had just rounded the corner and seen Japan holding Italy back from the door to scold him when Germany tripped.

Japan was brought to a stop then, right in front of the sight of one of his closest friends stuck on the ground. "G-Germany!" he yelled. He knew it wouldn't do any good, but he had to do something to feel like he was trying. He watched in horror as, after passing through him, It stopped and loomed over Germany. Japan felt another light tug as the others, unaware of Germany's fall, kept going after a very frantic Italy. He forced his eyes shut when he saw It raise up a foot. He heard a terrified scream and horrible SQUISH before he was standing in darkness. His ears were still fresh with the sound of Germany's awful death, his mind beginning to fill in the missed scene.

"This… This is how… it's going to happen…?" he whispered. He refused to believe his strongest friend was going to die. "N… No. I can… do something… I can stop it. Maybe if… right then…" Suddenly, the ground shifted and he was looking at the frozen scene of Japan going through the door after Italy, the Thing almost over Germany. "Yes... If I only wasn't through the door…" The scene rewound suddenly, and Prussia was going after Italy before Japan could even notice he was gone. It played out until Prussia was starting through the door, and Japan was checking behind himself to look for Germany. "Yes! I can call out right here and…" the orangish tint returned to the scene and it bellowed to life.

"Prussia-san! Germany tripped!" Japan yelled, wide-eyed at the thought of his friend getting hurt. Prussia bumped his head on the top of the doorway and scurried back out, looking around for his precious baby brother. "West!" he shouted, running up and slashing the Thing. It snarled but hadn't been knocked back far. Germany grunted angrily as he continued to struggle to free himself from whatever had snagged his leg. "Scheiße! Just go, run! I can't get free from this… vine!"

"Don't you dare say that!" Prussia snapped, swinging his sword at It again. Tears were gathering in his eyes."Why? Why does this have to happen now!? We were just about to get out!"

"Brüder…" Germany muttered. "Everyone else is… is dead! I just…" Tears started spilling out from his eyes. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Prussia leaped up and into the Thing, ending Its life from the inside, but also his own.

As the horrible scene faded away, Japan's mind was filled with questions once more. What can I do if not that? How could Prussia do that!? What did he mean "the others all died"? None of us have died… One of them dies either way!? Then what-!? His brain stopped freaking when he got another idea. Maybe they don't have to be the ones to attack… The darkness blurred with orange until he was standing in front of the burnt rope ladder once more. "Yes… If I did something now…"

Japan instantly drew his tachi and leapt up, stabbing Its forehead three times before It knocked him away. Prussia grabbed Germany's sleeve and yelled that he needed to snap out of it and help Japan. Japan stood back up and muttered the chant from earlier before running up and unleashing a barrage of stabs and slashes. He muttered something else before his sword caught fire and he stabbed Its forehead again.

Japan was startled by the fire, but he was happy nonetheless. This is the best scenario so far! he thought in excitement and relief.

The Thing roared and smacked Japan away more forcefully. Japan hit the opposite side of the tunnel, knocking some rubble down onto him. "Japan!" Prussia shouted as Italy gasped in horror.

Japan winced and figured he'd have a few broken bones after that. Still the best scenario, so long as no major bones were broken…

Germany's head snapped around, spotting his injured friend.

"But… It's no use…" he muttered as he watched "Germany" take out his whip and "Prussia" run up to "him" in worry. "No matter what, I… I can't seem to find the answer… And those Things only get stronger every time I see these… Any more of this…"

"I knew it…" Italy whispered suddenly. The Germans turned to look at him in confusion, and It paused, seeming almost interested in what Italy had to say.

Not interested… a voice told Japan. He blinked in confusion. Then what…?

Italy started shaking a little as he hung his head… in shame? "I-I'm so… so sorry, all of you… It seems I failed again… It's a lot stronger than It was the first time… I-I'm so sorry, I… I can't do this anymore…!"

"I… Ita…?" Prussia asked in confusion. It smirked darkly, eyes glowing a sinister red. "Italy, the heck are saying!? Just run!" Italy didn't seem to hear. "I'm sorry, so sorry… I made another mistake… mistake, I failed again… N-no, I'm sorry…" It screeched then, almost sounding like a laugh, before quickly charging up twenty energy balls.

Japan covered his mouth as he watched what happened next, closing his eyes when it was over. "I… I would even lose my friends then…" he whispered in agony. "What on Earth could I do, then? We might as well stay away entirely." He opened his eyes back up, tears edging them. He gave a short, bitter laugh. "But if we do that, I'm sure you'll only show me another future, won't you?" he spat, his mouth wearing a disgusted smile. "I'll only see the worst possible ends where someone dies no matter what, right!? No matter how hard I try, I'll always lose someone!" Japan put his hands to his face.

"Then what? What could I possibly do to give us a happy end?" Maybe Italy was right… I should just try to forget these strange visions… They're only hurting me…

He was then suddenly back in the reading room, on the floor.

"Hey? You two alright?" he heard England ask from far off. He forced his eyes open, squinting at the sudden brightness. Japan groaned and sat up, looking around slowly. "I'm fine…" he heard himself mumble. America was sitting on the floor to his left, holding his head. He quickly shook his head and stood up, giving his confidant smirk. "O-of course I'm fine! Don't be such a worrywart, old man!" His smile fell. "But, um… Which one is real again?" he asked hesitantly.

"Try sorting it out on the way back," England said. "If you're still confused, ask Germany; he doesn't seem to be affected by… this." Japan had stood up by then, and he was trying to do just that at that moment. He paused his wondering when America spoke again.

"Got it." His face suddenly creased with worry. "But, uh… You look unfocused." America held two fingers in front of England. "H-how many fingers am I holding up?" he asked nervously. "What?" England frowned and pushed America's hand out of his face. "Two, you git! We don't have time for this nonsense!" England answered in annoyance. He lead them out of the room, Japan dragging behind and closing the door.

Why must I make such a mess? Thanks to all that, my friends are only more likely to die now. I just had to go and make it worse... I can't tell anyone; it would only risk dragging them into further danger. But…I can't do this alone…

"Japan?" America called out to him, concerned. Japan quickly answered that he was fine, plastering on the most convincing smile he could. America didn't seem completely convinced, but he turned back and sped back up slightly. Japan somehow managed to force his feet to move faster as well.

I am… such a stupid fool…

Nojapandontthinklikethat! T_T Ugh, my eyes are watering from typing all of this… Thanks, Ita-kun! *hugs Hetalia dolls* Welp, s-see you next time! Bye…~!