Disclaimer: Fk306 does not own Hetaoni and did not make the translations.


Quest

'What should I do?' Belarus wondered holding the parcel to her breast as she glanced between Russia and where the sounds of battle had come from. 'Where should I go...'

"..." Russia blinked staring at his indecisive sister. "Go, Belarus. Go help your friend. I'll be fine, really."

"But, Russia, I want to be with you—" Belarus protested.

"I'm sorry I told you to go home. I take it back, Belarus. I want you to be careful and wait for my return." Russia told her as more gunshots were heard.

"Belarus, we have to go now—" Ukraine said grabbing her sisters arm lightly.

"But..." Belarus closed her eyes tightly unsure of what to do.

"It's arr right, Berarus. Your brother wirr definitery get out with us. We are arr in this together." Japan reassured her.

"Well... yeah." China sighed as though it were obvious.

"..." Halia closed her mouth tightly worried that Belarus would appreciate the evil whore protecting her brother.

"..." Belarus stared at the three nations not seeing Halia hidden in the shadows. "...Russia..."

"Hm?" Russia inquired.

"I'm sorry... There is something I need to take care of now, so I can't stay with you. So please... take this instead." Belarus dropped the parcel she had been holding.

"Huh?" Russia said catching the item. "A parcel?" he muttered before ripping it open. "It's a new scarf! Did you buy it, Belarus?"

"Ukraine helped me choose it. Think of it as though it were me." Belarus told him before turning around. "Let's go, Ukraine."

"Right. Well, then, we'll be waiting for you at the exit. Take care." Ukraine gave them a nod before turning to follow after her sister.

"Uh, okay. Thank you for the scarf! You, too, take care, Ukraine, Belarus!" Russia said loudly as the two girls disappeared.

"I like your sisters." Halia admitted with a smile.

"You have such a nice famiry." Japan nodded.

"What? Oh... Yeah. I do." Russia said smiling at the scarf before removing his old one to replace.

"Sharr we go now?" Japan offered.

"Yeah, I'm hungry." China admitted turning around and walking away. Russia stood for a moment feeling the texture of his new scarf.

"Huhu, it's so warm..." he muttered with a smile.

"Come on, Russia." Halia smiled grabbing his hand and squeezing it lightly as she began to lead him after China and Japan. Russia stared at her in surprise before he gave her a smile and squeezed back as he allowed himself to be dragged.


"I hope Belarus is all right..." Lithuania sighed scratching the back of his head as he wandered around by a lake.

"Liet! Liet! We're screwed! Like, totally!" Poland shouted with tears in his eyes as he approached Lithuania.

"What? What's wrong, Poland? Did you find any clocks?" Lithuania asked calmly as he turned toward his energetic friend.

"Yeah, we did, but the enemy was there, too, and it's, like, going to eat Latvia!" Poland declared.

"WHAAAAT?!" Lithuania asked wide eyed. "That's really serious! What about Estonia?!"

"He's kinda in danger." Poland gnawed at his lower lip.

"Aaaargh! W-we've got to hurry! Let's go, Poland!" Lithuania was about to run in the direction Poland had come from when his phone rang. "Hm, who could it be?...Yes?"

"... You told my brother, didn't you? Even though it was none of your business. I couldn't get in, and my heart was broken."

"Bela—Oh, um..." Lithuania rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm sorry."

"But thanks to that, I can help a friend."

"A gunshot?" Lithuania questioned the sounds in the background. "What's going on, Belarus?!"

"I'm hanging up."

"Er, wait!" Lithuania said as the phone call was dropped. "... Good luck to you, too."

"Liet, we gotta go, or else we'll be really screwed!" Poland reminded him anxiously shifting from foot to foot.

"Oh, sorry. Let's go, then! We have to help our friends, too!" Lithuania gave a startled jump before running off.

"Oh, Liet, I kinda have a feeling that we should paint the enemy pink. Don't you think it'd look, like, totally cool?" Poland grinned as he followed after Lithuania.


"Oh, you're back. Looks like everything worked out for you." Prussia said with a grin.

"Yeah. Sorry for running off all of a sudden~" Russia said with a smile when the phone began to ring.

"The phone again? The reception has been pretty good lately." Prussia said as Russia's phone began to ring.

"...Yeah, looks like it. Could it be Belarus? Excuse me while I answer it." Russia muttered with a dark look in his face as he wandered over to the restroom.

"What too you so long? What have you been doing?...What? Harassed? Just tell me already. Do you want to cooperate with me or not?... What the heck? I don't care. Where are you now? We are making progress, aren't we? And why can I hear a voice?...Why would you do that? I can't believe it. I did find it weird. Playing tricks like this..." Russia said failing to notice that a door behind him to the right opened.

"Um..." Canada said trying to get his attention.

"!" Russia turned wide eyed quickly hanging up. "C-Canada... you—uh—how long have you been there?"

"Uh, well... I've been here all along." Canada told him.

"R-right..." Russia said nervously.

"..." Canada eyed him for a moment. "I'll go check up on America." he said before turning to leave.

'He heard everything, didn't he? I thought he was going to start asking questions, though..." Russia thought relieved staring at the door partially expecting Canada to come back in. "I guess not..."


"By the way, Romano and Spain are nowhere to be seen. Where are they?" Japan said glancing around the room and noticing as Russia exited the restroom and headed toward China who was leafing through the papers. Across from him was Italy and beside him were Aleron and England.

"Since we got the weapons fixed, they've gone to the past to try them out against the monsters." Prussia explained. "If they run into our past selves, they can just lie their asses off... Something wrong Halia?"

"Um... hmm... I just got a bad feeling..." Halia muttered sitting between England and France with the mochi in her lap. 'Something that had to do with England... what was it?'

"I see. I couldn't even say goodbye... Engrand, shourdn't you be with America?" Japan asked wondering why England was at the table with everyone else.

"Every time I approach him, that git puts the futon over his head and won't come out, even when I try to thank him." England said sending an annoyed glance toward the beds. "What's he so mad about, anyway?"

"Did you know that America had a spell on him?" Italy asked.

"At first, I did wonder why you were carrying my magic, but then I realized that my past self must have done it." England said. "Since you had a shield, I thought I might as well leave it at that."

"So, Germany and I really have it, too?" Italy asked sitting beside Germany.

"Yes, you've still got it. If you are ever in danger, it should be able to protect you. Magic itself will be guarding you." England said with a kind smile.

"Well, that's good news~" Dysis said with a smile sitting between Germany and Prussia.

"..." Italy frowned as he appeared to be thinking.

"Hm. That's reassuring." Germany nodded in thanks.

"So, in other words, your magic is protecting us, right? And can't you take it away from us?" Italy asked gaining a surprised look from everybody.

"What? What are you talking about?" Germany asked confused.

"Yeah, Italy, if it's protecting you, why would you want to have it taken away from you?" Prussia asked in disbelief.

"... England's power is pretty amazing, but it hasn't been completely restored, has it?" Italy asked. "Besides, you just used some of it. I think you should be saving it. That's why I was wondering if I could give the magic in me back to you."

"But... Italy... You'll be safe!" Dysis protested.

"But the enemy will go after you first of all. It would be for the best if you had some kind of protection.

'On one hand, Italy will be safe... On the other hand, England needs all the magic he can get otherwise... Shoot. When does he fight alone?' Halia bit her lip as she watched silently.

"Veh, I'm fine hiding behind you, Captain!" Italy grinned at Germany. "I'll be safe as long as I stay behind you, right, Germany?"

"Well... that's because there's a fairly strong power protecting you. It is connected with your healing." England said hesitant in undoing his past selves work.

"If you want me to take it back, I gladly will, but... is that all right with you, Germany?" England asked.

"Well, I'll protect him either way... Just don't go wandering around those parts." Germany sighed.

"Yes sir! I'll be fine~ Japan and Dysis will be there for me, too." Italy grinned.

"Uh, Italy, what about me?" Prussia asked scratching his cheek.

"You Axis Powers get along so well... I'm jealous." France sighed.

"Dysis isn't in the Axis Powers..." Aleron pointed out.

"Well, I wouldn't call this 'getting along'..." Germany sighed.

"Axis Powers? What's Axis Powers?" Italy asked looking around confused.

"Uh...?" Japan blinked staring at Italy in wonder.

"?" Italy blinked wondering why everyone was staring at him. "...? Is it... food?"

"N-no... never mind..." France waved away the question.

"..." Germany stared at Italy taking in his appearance. "Hm? Italy, your boot is untied."

"Veh? Oh, that's true~" Italy said glancing down at his feet.

"Not again..." Germany sighed. "Oh, well. I'll tie it for you. Bend your knee..."

"It's okay. I can do it myself." Italy said cheerfully bending down and grabbing a hold of the shoelace.

"You..." Germany stared at him in mild disbelief.

"Ooh, so you've finally learned how to tie your shoelaces, huh? You're grown up." France praised.

"Yeah, there was no one to do it for me most of the time, so I guess I had to learn. Halia taught me how a long time ago~" Italy explained cheerfully as he finished the knot. "Look, Germany~ I did it right!"

"..." Japan gave Germany a sympathetic look.

"What? Oh... R-right..." Germany said snapping out of his daze.

"Yeah! Now even if you're not around, I can do it myself~ I did my best, sir!" Italy declared cheerfully.

"Halia taught you?" Aleron asked looking down at Halia's bare feet.

"How long have you been barefooted?" England asked.

"Since the first time I took a shower~" Halia admitted. "I hate wearing shoes."

"..." England gave her a blank stare before turning toward Italy. "Oh... So! Can I have my magic back?"

"Yeah, go ahead~ That will put America's mind at ease. At least regarding you." Italy said cheerfully.

"All right. I'll take it back, then." England sighed lifting a hand as a red light enveloped Italy before it faded away into a white light. "There, I've got it back. Thank you. As for him... he's young, so it can't be helped, but... with this... what did you mean by 'at least regarding' me?"

"He's probably feeling the same toward Halia even if he hasn't had an opportunity to show it." Italy explained.

"What do I got to do with it?" Halia asked with a confused frown.

"You and England died together to protect us." Germany explained. "You're an American, America will always feel your death as well as Aleron and Dysis. Especially at this point where he has gotten to know you three and has formed a bond. It's a dull pain that is easy to ignore when we don't know the citizen that died but when we get the chance to know them, it's painful. In other words, while we didn't actually see you die, I'm sure he felt phantom pains up until he confirmed you weren't dead in this timeline."

"R-really? That's horrib—" Halia said going pale.

"Don't even think about that!" America shouted from his bed interrupting their conversation.

"Uh-oh, this can't be good..." Italy muttered biting his lower lip before running off toward America. "America, wait! Calm down!"

"..." England stared in silence.

"This... this is familiar... what happens...?" Halia muttered under her breath.

"Phew..." Germany sighed being the only one to not focus on America.

"Is everything arr right, Germany?" Japan asked concerned.

"Hm? Oh, yes. Just a little shaken." Germany admitted with a sigh.

"I'd compretery forgotten... Itary has so many memories from here that he has been rosing his past memories." Japan sighed running a hand through his hair.

"I wonder what memories he still has left, rather. Whoa, there, are you all right? Was it that much of a shock?" France asked concerned for Germany.

"They'll probably be gone if we can get out of here, too. Don't be like that, West..." Prussia sighed still keeping an eye toward the beds.

"R-right..." Germany said with a shudder.

"Dysis... How did you and I first meet?" Aleron asked suddenly.

"...Halia saw you with a sketchbook and started talking to you because she really liked your art. The next day she introduced us and the three of us have been inseparable ever since. The mirror doesn't give me memories, it shows me different timelines based on what I need at the time." Dysis explained sounding mildly annoyed at the question.

'I wonder how America and the others are doing?' Japan wondered gazing toward the beds.

"Canada, calm down! And you, America, what were you talking about?!" Italy trying to calm the situation as Japan approached.

"... Why didn't you tell me?! Don't you trust me? Do you think I'm useless?!" Canada demanded placing a hand on his chest angrily.

"No!" America shouted shaking his head angrily. "That's not what I'm saying!"

"I wear glasses, too, remember? I'm quite aware that it's something you have to take seriously!" Canada told him with a glare.

"I'm sorry. I forgot to retrieve them..." Japan apologized wondering if the argument was his fault for failing to do so.

"I'm the one who dropped them, so I'm the one who has to go and pick them up! The enemy isn't blind." America insisted. "It'll be able to tell that they're mine, and if by some chance it uses them as a pretext to come after me—"

"That's why I said I should go instead of you! Just look at me! We're identical, aren't we?" Canada reasoned. "Even the enemy would be fooled! And you're hurt! If I act as a decoy—"

"I said, don't even think about that! How many times do I have to lose you?!" America immediately protested.

"Well, same here! You're just horrible! I told you, the enemy can't even see me, so it'll leave me alone!" Canada retaliated before turning away to hide his tears. "But no, you had to go off line an idiot and cover for him!"

"Stop fighting!" Italy shouted gaining shocked looks from both nations.

"Canada, America got killed in the past you visited, didn't he? That's why you're so worried, isn't it?" Italy asked making Canada look at the ground ashamed as he clenched his fist.

"You, too, America, this time... and also when you broke a clock, you saw many people die, didn't you?" Italy said turning to America.

"..." America frowned staring at his hands before sighing. "Yes."

"A crock... You mean the one you, Haria-chan and I broke with Engrand in the basement?" Japan asked remembering how shaken America had been after that clock memory.

"Yeah. Back then, I had no idea that it was something that had actually taken place in the past. So, when I watched you, Halia, Canada and... England die, I was able to endure it, because I'd been told it was all a lie." America admitted with a sigh. "But we were wrong. The things I saw were all true... Many of my friends had actually lost their lives...!" he growled frustrated as he clenched his fist and punched the sides of his bed. Noticing his name, England made his way toward the beds before pausing by the stairs. "England's magic is a real problem... He'd exceed his own limit, take Halia's magic, exceed her limit and lose his and her life because of it. So, before it came to that, I would ask you for advice about it." he sighed turning to face Italy.

"What?" Italy blinked in surprise as America began trembling with tears streaming down his cheeks.

"I'd ask you, how can I stop those magic idiots? And the, to save England and Halia, you would lose your lives instead." America admitted bringing the blanket to his face to wipe away the tears. "Sure, we stopped him from using magic! But that's not what I wanted!" he sobbed.

"You asked... for advice..." Italy muttered trying to remember.

"Whenever we ran into the enemy, like this time, someone would always die!" America shouted in frustration. "And England, with his strange powers, was the one who died the most! And he always took Halia with him!"

"What?" Aleron whispered in surprise from the table where everyone was staring at the scene unfold. Halia stared in disbelief before making her way over to stand a little behind England.

"If I asked you for advice, it'd be you..." America continued to sob. "If I didn't, it'd be England and Halia... With only those two choices, I didn't really have a choice! But... since I couldn't choose between you... I figured all I could do was fight alone!"

"So, did you ever ask me anything?!" England asked in anger.

"Oh..." Japan said as they all turned to face England.

"Did you ever tell me not to overuse my magic? Did you ever once talk to me about it? Did you ever talk to Halia about it? Tell her not to let me take her magic? I can't take it without her consent afterall." England continued crossing his arms angrily. Biting her lip Halia hesitated for a moment before placing the mochi on the table and walking closer to England.

"..." America stared at the two in disbelief. "No, but..." he tried to think of an explanation.

"Then why don't you try it?" England asked still not noticing how close Halia was behind him.

"..." America stared down at his blanket.

"..." England sighed uncrossing his arms. "I see. I know what you were thinking." he said turning around and almost bumping into Halia before moving around her and continuing to get away from America "Listen, when that burger maniac feigning sleep wakes up, tell him that no one said there should be only one hero." he ordered as his hair began to move as though he were facing against the wind.

"England, what are you going to do?!" Italy demanded in worry.

"See if I care about you, you bloody wanker!" England shouted in anger as he lifted his hands.

"England, wait! Don—" Halia exclaimed finally finding her voice as she grabbed onto the back of England's sleeve. In a green light the two disappeared.

"ENGLAND! Halia!" America shouted jumping out of his bed and running down the stairs.

"HALIA!" Aleron shouted in horror falling to the ground when she stood up too quickly and scrambling to get back on his feet before chasing after America with the mochi following after him frantically. "England! I'll fucking kill you if she's dead!"

"Aleron! Wait, we have to be rational!" Dysis shouted stopping at the stairs.

"What?! Whoa, there, what's going on?!" France said in a panic not having been paying attention.

"I-I don't know... He disappeared all of a sudden... It looks like Halia was trying to stop him but got dragged along... I-I'll go look for them!" Italy proclaimed.

"Oh, no. This is bad, this is really bad!" Dysis shouted desperately as she began to pace immediately taking out her mirror. "Halia and England together... this is bad. Those two are a disaster! Always, always, always! They ALWAYS die when they fight beside each other! We have to find them, Italy! We can't let all our hard work be wasted!" she sobbed as Italy approached her.

"Whoa, hold on right there! Calm down! You can't go on your own! Let's split up into groups to look for them!" France ordered.

"Eesh, why now of all times... Let's go, West!" Prussia said taking a deep breath to calm down.

"Prease, ret me come with you! Hurry!" Japan said.

"I'll go after America! I'm going right now!" Italy said.

"I'll go after Aleron! With his state of mind, if he finds them first England is as good as dead!" Dysis decided.


"Seriously, England! This is a bad idea! Please! Be reasonable!" Halia tried to reason as they made their way deeper into the annex. "Don't do this alone!"

"Stand back, Halia. I need to prove something to an idiot. And for me to prove myself effectively, I can't have you helping." He told her emotionless as he turned toward her.

"Erm, what are you doing?" Halia asked hesitantly as he raised a hand toward her.

"Incarcerous." he said waving his hand causing golder ropes to wrap themselves around Halia's ankles, knees and bound her arms close to her body.

"Mmmm!" Halia protested as she was gagged. England sighed picking her up and placing her at the bottom of the steps in the entrance to the annex.

"I debated asking you what you know... but you only know the version of this place where you and your friends aren't involved... meaning, the end result of what I'm going to do may be different from what you could tell me." England spoke as he made sure to place her in a comfortable position. "Hmm... Protego. Just to be on the safe side."

"Mmm!" Halia struggled against the bindings as she glared at him. He gave her one last look before turning to walk away disappearing around the corner. "IMGMAN! MONM MO MIM!"


"Hey, there you are." England said grinning at the creature. "Sorry, but if I don't kill you and go back alive, I won't set the hero a good example." his grin dropped as he noticed a glint in the creatures hands. "While we're at it, you'll have to give back that thing you've got in your hand!"


"I think I know where they went, but we should stock up in supplies first. We might need them." Italy told Dysis as she passed him.

"Right." Dysis nodded as she followed him down the stairs and into the restroom where he quickly purchased several rice balls, chili peppers and beer.

"Alright, let's go." Italy said putting away the items.

"I hope they're okay." Dysis muttered.

"I'm sure they are..." Italy said not really believing himself. "They probably went to the annex so we should start there."

Dysis sighed before she followed him down the hallway that would lead them to the annex.

"I'll go first." Italy told her before making his way down.

"MMM!" He heard a whimper turn into a groan as he stepped on something squishy.

"..." jumping to the side he squinted his eyes in the darkness noticing a yellow glow of rope under the steps. Taking a weary step closer he used the glow to attempt to distinguish what he had stepped on.

"Mmmy! Mm!"

"...Halia?!" Italy exclaimed helping her to sit up and placing her against the wall away from the stairs.

"Italy?" Dysis said as she reached the bottom.

"Oh, good, Dysis. Can you try to get Halia untied while I go on ahead? This just confirms that England is here." Italy told her before going off before she could answer.

"MMM!" Halia protested.

"Careful!" Dysis shouted before turning to Halia and quickly trying to see how she could go about freeing her friend. Hearing some thuds they looked up to see America and Aleron coming downstairs.

"Halia?!" Aleron shouted as they stopped.

"Does that mean England is up ahead?!" America asked staring at the gagged girl. She stared at him a second before nodding toward the direction Italy and England had gone. "Thanks!" America nodded before running forward as Aleron included his efforts into releasing Halia just as the mochi stumbled down the stairs.


"Sectusempra!"England shouted bringing purple bolts from the ceiling and causing multiple gashes scattered throughout the creatures body. 'Even though Japan weakened it and Italy transferred some magic to me... How can it be so strong?! Maybe I shouldn't have disabled Halia...' England panted.

"England!" America shouted with Italy hot on his heels.

"Tsk, you're already here? Just shut up and watch just how great my powers are!" England boasted refusing to take his eyes off of the creature.

'If England can kill it, maybe America would have one less thing to worry about. But... I have a bad feeling...' Italy thought biting his lip as the creature clawed at England.

"Ow... How about this, then?!" England yelled.

"Please... stop..." America said quietly in mild disbelief.

"This will be the end of you!" England shouted snapping America out of his daze.

"STOP, ENGLAND! DON'T... DON'T DO IT!" America shouted desperately as England cast his spell causing smoke to fill the room. When it faded, the creature was gone.

"It's gone..." Italy muttered in shock as America wordlessly gapped.

"It..." America whispered. "It can't be true..."

"A-am-amazing!" Italy exclaimed jumping excitedly. "You won, England! Look, America, he's alive! And Halia is safe too!"

"...Y-yeah..." America muttered beginning to relax. "I was so scared..."

"Thank God!" Italy grinned before looking around. "Since we're here, we might as well look for your glasses. Let's see..." he muttered before walking away.

"I thought I was going to have a heart attack." America sighed. "Anyway, I can see now that you really are strong. You can lecture me later, though I don't look forward to it..."

"Y-yeah..." England muttered facing away.

"Your glasses aren't anywhere around here." Italy spoke loudly from the other side of the room. "Maybe in the other room? I'll go take a look."


"Maybe under the table?" Italy wondered aloud as he knelt down after searching the closet and bookcases. 'Ah, I'm so relieved! Now they can make up. The enemy was killed and England and Halia are all right! Yay~! Only good things are happening!' he thought cheerfully before frowning as the lights flickered.

"Hm? Did the light just flicker?" he wondered getting back on his feet and staring at the ceiling as the lights flickered some more. "Veh, what the heck? This never—" he paused as the lights went out.

"Oh, now it's off. Where's the door...?" Italy muttered turning around with his hands outstretched before him as he began to walk carefully.

"...?" he paused bumping into something. "What? This kinda feels like..." He squinted his eyes as he adjusted the darkness before jumping back in horror. 'I! I thought there was only one?!" he began to search frantically for the door feeling goosebumps fill him.

"Amer—run—!" Italy began before he hit the ground having been attacked. "Ack...!"


"Hey, England, don't just stand there! Help me look for them!" America complained as he searched for his glasses.

"Engrand!" Japan exclaimed being followed by Germany, Aleron, Dysis, the mochi and Prussia holding a still bound Halia bridal style.

"Oh, there you are. Problem solved, then? Can you unbind Halia now?" Prussia asked.

"Mmm..." Halia groaned staring at England sadly.

"...The spell should wear off in another hour or two... I didn't put a lot of magic into it." England admitted keeping his eyes on the floor.

"Did you actuarry kirr the enemy?! Arr on your own?!" Japan asked in shock.

"Can't you just cancel it?" Aleron asked mildly upset.

"That was really rash. But at least we can finally explore the room without worry!" America said relieved everything had worked out.

"Oh? Why is that?" Japan asked.

"Because the enemy that was loitering around here is gone..." America explained with a grin.

"The enemy...? How do you know it was the onry one?" Japan asked.

"Mmm!" Halia exclaimed wide eyed as she began to struggle in Prussia's hold.

"Uh..." America paused at the question.

"Woah, Halia, what?!" Prussia protested releasing her so that she remained upright. Ignoring him she began hopping in the direction of the side room gaining a confused look from her friends, Germany and Prussia.

"Wait, where's Italy? He should have come after you..." Germany paused as he watched his brother and the two humans slowly follow Halia.

"He went to look for my glasses in that room..." America informed him as he eyed England who wasn't really reacting just as the room began to shake causing Halia to lose her balance and hit the floor roughly.

"?!" Germany looked around frantically as Dysis and Aleron helped Halia back to her feet.

"That noise! It came from that room—" Prussia said nervously.

"MMM!" Halia immediately began hopping again with a more frantic pace.

"Italy!" Germany exclaimed wide eyed as he and Japan ran forward. Prussia quickly picked up Halia placing her on his shoulder as he, Dysis and Aleron quickly followed after Germany and Japan leaving America alone with England.

"England, we have to—England?" America paused looking at England's feet.

"Y-yeah..." England answered hesitantly.

"...? Oh! My Texas! It was right next to you! Why didn't you pick it up for me?!" America laughed.

"What? Oh... yeah... is that so?" England asked nervously earning a concerned look from America.

"England?" America asked hesitant before his eyes widened in horror. "..! Don't tell me you..."

"Wh-what?!" England demanded backing away from America. "Wait a moment, we have to go after Italy first—"

"E-England..." America said walking up to England slowly.

"Wh-wh-what?!" England demanded defensively.

'I remember that a long, long time ago... many loops ago, I asked you the following question.' America thought nervously holding up three fingers in front of England and swallowed. "How many fingers... am I holding up?"

"...!" England blinked.

"You can answer, can't you? If you... can see." America asked as his lips trembled. 'Please... please, don't say you're sorry! I don't want to go through that again—'

"W-well..." England hesitated.

"... It can't... be..." America closed his eyes holding back tears.

"..." England gave a sigh. "I'm sorry, America. I can... no longer see..."


"ITALY!" Germany shouted running into the room followed by everybody else. Pausing for a moment they surrounded Italy's limp body.

"!" Germany froze staring wideyed.

"...! Get out of my way!" Prussia declared tossing Halia against Germany who mechanically caught her as Prussia went to his knees beside Italy's head.

"Oh, no..." Japan said softly in shock.

"Damn..." Aleron sighed as Dysis began crying.

"No..." Dysis trembled.

"P-Prussia... Italy—Is Italy—s" Germany asked tightening his grip around Halia who was hiding her face against his neck and trembling. He could feel his clothes becoming damp.

'He barely has any wounds... but... this complexion...' Prussia thought placing a hand against Italy's neck as his eyes widened. "I-Italy..."

"!" Germany quickly went to his knees adjusting Halia so he was holding her with one hand as he imitated his brother placing his free hand against Italy's neck.

"Germany... Is Itary—" Japan began nervously.

"It—" Germany muttered closing his eyes and clenching his fist. "Italy's heart... isn't... beating."

"Itary!" Japan gasped. "ITARY!"

"ITALY!" Dysis sobbed.


"Ah-hah! Just perfect! Are you ready to fight, Romano?" Spain asked cheerfully as they were cornered be two creatures in the third floor library. Romano blinked before falling to his knees grabbing at his chest as he found himself having a difficult time breathing.

"Romano?" Spain asked concerned when he received no answer.

"Ack... ugh... ngh..." Romano struggled.

"Roma?! Romano, what's wrong? Is it your heart?! Does your chest hurt?!" Spain asked dropping his sword and going down to his knees to be beside Romano despite the approaching creatures.

'It can't be...! Not again, not again! I... No... Please stop!' Romano thought frantically thinking of his brother. "It... hurts..." he bit out clenching his teeth.

"ROMANO! Romano! Hold on! Don't stand up! You're going to get killed!" Spain told him as he saw him trying to get to his feet.

"Ve—nezianoooo!" Romano sobbed ignoring the two creatures at they approached.


'It's so dark...' Italy thought glancing around despite being unable to see. "What was I doing, again? Why am I here? Which way should I go?" he turned to his left seeing the creature materialize before him. "This way?" he asked the creature unafraid.

"Are you going to... help me? Can I really go that way?" Italy asked skeptically at the beckoning creature. The creature blinked slowly as blue and purple smoke starting replacing the darkness.

"Yeah, that's right." Italy grinned at the creature trustingly. "If I do that... I'm sure I'll meet my friends, right?" he said cheerfully as he began walking to the left.

No.

"?" Italy glanced around hearing a child's voice.

You're going the wrong way.

"What?" Italy asked confused looking around for the source of the voice.

This way, Italy.

"This way...? Hey, where are you?" Italy asked turning in every direction of the darkness noticing the clouds of colorful smoke had disappeared.

Italy, can you make me a wish? I'm small and at disadvantage. If I grow up a little and am at eye-level with you...

"What...?" Italy asked turning around with the creature behind him.

Then I'll be able to come to you.

"I-I don't understand, but... can you help me? If you can, I'll make that wish! I'll wish for you to grow up!" Italy bargained as he began to walk away from the creature. "And if I do that, I'll be able to go back to my friends, won't I?"

Yes, I'm sure you will...

"Listen, are you—" Italy began to ask.

Sorry, but first I have to defeat that thing. You can go ahead.

"What?! Wait! Um, who are—" Italy tried to ask again silently noting the deeper voice of a man instead of child. Before he could finish his question, a bright light blinded him. When the light began to diminish to a bearable level he opened his eyes slowly to find himself outside of the mansion in a beautiful garden of purple heliotropes(1). The gentle aroma of vanilla filled his sinuses as he closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the smell of nature.

"?!" Italy opened his eyes again as his mind finally processed what he had just seen.

"Huh? This isn't the mansion... is it?" Italy asked feeling very confused before beginning to panic. "What am I doing here? I have to go back quickly. Everyone must be worried—"

"Italy!" he heard to his right.

"?! …..." Italy watched mouth agape as a figure in a black cloak approached him.

"You...are..." Italy hesitated not sure whether he should believe what his eyes were telling him.

"..." the man who had approached stared at him in concern before his blue eyes softened. "I was looking for you, Italy."

"Hol—" Italy stared wide eyed.

Holy Roman Empire...


Fk306: Oh... my... god... I'm so sorry for that freaking ending! Oh, god, I had forgotten how that episode had ended! Gah, so much happened in this chapter I felt like I was going through a roller coaster just writing it! I got teary eyed writing Italy's death and Romano's reaction! Guys I start school on Tuesday June 11 so I'm not sure when I'll update again. Sorry! I feel like I'm being forced to be evil.


SmileRen: I guess but at least I'll know what happens :D

Looking forward to more :)

Fk306: Here is some more!


Naruhina Fili-chan: This story is awesome like Prussia! Thank you for the update and I am waiting with bated breath for the next one!

Fk306: I'm glad you like it!

Prussia: Of course, it's awesome like me! It has me in it of course! That makes it awesome by default!


Skysword:

Me: *glomps you* dude that was an awesome chapter! I'm really glad you up dated right when I was bored! So thanks for making my day! That and, I just love how Russia is (kinda) nice is this for being a commie

America: oh dear lord run for your lives! It's another me!

Me: ... I'm not that, American am I?

America: yes.

Fk306: Thanks! … I don't really know how to respond to the rest… Sorry!


Arrival of Tears: Thank you for updating! I laughed when Austria called Halia ''the Female Spain''. XD

Fk306: Teehee, he doesn't really know what else to call her since her introduction consisted of 'Hello, I'm Spain! England turned me into a girl! Help!' or something like that. She never got around to giving him her name.


Kudo Shinichi Tanteisan: Oh! That DOES make sense now.

Hey Halia! Could I borrow Sweetie Pie for a cuddle too? (*_*)

Hehe... More snowflakes and cookies to you! ;)

Fk306: Yeah, I don't think most if any people realized that I had every intention to adding that to the story because the answers made it difficult to choose which item to add in but in the end I ended up using most of them.

Halia: Of course you can borrow him! Just so long as you give him back!

Fk306: Line up ya'll for some yummy cookies!

Halia: What do you do with all the snowflakes?

Fk306: Erm… -looks into glass cabinet that's less than half full of snowflakes- I'm saving up to make a snowman…

Aleron: But that's for all of us!

Fk306: I know… it's just… I've never seen snow before…


(1)Prized for its sweet vanilla-tinged fragrance, heliotrope develops dense purple flower heads of in summer. White and pale blue selections are also available. Though typically grown as an annual, heliotrope is a shrub n the tropics