Thanks to Angeldonut, madders10 and Lovesbugsalot for reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia.

Chapter 109: Nightmare's End

Everything is almost over.

After all that planning, and we lose.

But it's not over.

Not yet.

…

The nightmare is coming to an end.

And we can start anew.

…

Miguel had returned back to his own world, carrying all the supplies that Rebecca and Manuella had bought. The other Nations were searching through all of the supplies.

"I have to hand it to them," Tino said, holding a pack of diapers, "it was smart thinking."

"It was my idea," Alida said.

Tino flinched, before he turned to smile sheepishly at the glaring South African on the other side of the room.

"Sorry," Tino said. "I didn't know."

Miguel turned to Alida as well.

"You were the one that told them to go buy this stuff?" he asked.

"Of course," she said, rolling her eyes. "How do you think they even knew of the baby in the first place, or why they knew to buy so much of the stuff?"

"I just thought of something," Jana said, turning to Alida. "They're your sisters, just like we're Anika's sisters. How do they feel about this whole situation?"

"Tell me how you feel."

Jana and Theresa shared a glance, before they looked down.

"I don't know how I feel, exactly," Theresa said. "I mean; we've known her for hundreds of years. To think that something like this would happen to her, and that she agreed…"

"It's going to take some getting used to," Jana said. "Like Ludwig and Gilbert that became women. Suddenly, I had two extra sisters."

"But will Anika even be the same person she was before?"

"Only time will tell," a new voice said.

They turned to see Ricardo, holding a sleeping baby in his arms. Immediately, Jana and Theresa moved closer, and soon the rest of Anika's neighbours did so as well.

"She's so tiny," Nkau said.

"Hard to believe it's her," Farai said. "She's a lot paler than she used to be."

"That can't be right," Alida said, moving closer. "Our eye colours switched, not our skin tones."

"What do you mean?" Sammy asked.

"During the process, we notice that one of our features seems to switch to the colour of our counterparts," Ricardo explained. "My reflection's hair is Roberto's colour, while Roberto's is mine."

"That would explain why his hair seems a little darker," Miguel said, stroking his fingers over the sparse hair of the baby.

"So, who's going to take care of her?" Theresa asked.

Ricardo smirked, before he left the group, walking over towards Lars, who was standing to the side from everyone.

"She chose you as her guardian," Ricardo said, holding out the baby to Lars.

Lars didn't particularly look like he wanted to take the child, but he did so anyway. At that moment she yawned and opened her eyes, and Lars felt a pang when he realised that her eyes would be forever different. He would never see the unique eyes of Anika again.

Unless Alida inherited them in the next life.

The baby stared up at him, and he stared down at the baby. He was surprised that she didn't immediately start to cry. She was just… staring.

And then she snuggled closer, closing her eyes again.

Lars felt another pang. He didn't scare her. She trusted him. She wanted him to be her guardian.

It was at that point that he gave a small smile, a fond look in his eyes.

"Not many people get a second chance with their children," Lars said. "Especially Nations and the ones we raised. I promise, things will be different this time."

Alida was watching, her expression unreadable. Ricardo sidled closer.

"Must be nice to have a guardian that actually cares about you," he remarked.

"Ja," she said. "By the way, what took you so long?"

"Delayed."

"Deathplayer?"

"Sim."

"Hopefully, this would be over soon. And you were right."

"Please be specific."

"There's an emptiness. I want it filled, as soon as possible."

"I'm afraid that you can't fill it. You need to start over."

"I know. Come, we still have a few more birds to deliver."

…

Khemet sighed, looking towards her two sons. She knew that she wouldn't be around for much longer, perhaps a few days, and she wanted to spend that time with Omar and Gupta.

She considered telling them about her fate, but she didn't want to alarm them. So she would just spend as much time with them as possible.

…

"Could you please shut him up?" Alistair asked exasperatedly.

"I'm trying," Alfred said, rocking the baby.

The moment they had entered London, the bird started to glow. Alfred had taken it from the top of Rosa's head and held it as it turned from a bird to a baby. When the transformation was complete and the baby looked up at him, he smiled his 'superhero smile'.

And that was when it started.

"You don't seem to be very good with children, gringo," Rosa said, smiling in amusement.

"Oh yeah? Well, why don't you take him then?" Alfred challenged.

Rosa was surprised when Alfred gave the baby to her, but she recovered quickly and started to gently sway him.

Alfred looked insanely annoyed when the baby settled down, looking up at the Mexican with wide eyes. Alistair laughed in amusement.

"I guess he just doesn't like you," Alistair said.

"Come on," Alfred whined. "I'm the hero. Everybody loves a hero."

"Gringo, you shouldn't show more teeth than necessary when smiling at a baby," Rosa said. "They might think that you want to eat them."

"Artie wouldn't think that, would he?" Alfred asked.

"Don't take it too personal," Alistair said. "Arthur was intimidated by us for the first few years as well. We kind of enjoyed it. But when he stopped being intimidated, we started to miss it, so…"

"Is that when you started to pick on him?"

"Hey, Artie wasn't exactly innocent. He could throw his own punches as well. And sometimes he would throw the first punch. So let's just say we were like brothers to each other and leave it at that."

They were on their way back to the mansion, their job complete. Hopefully, they wouldn't have to deal with a Deathplayer seeking retribution.

…

Michael looked up when the door was opened, Goran glancing there as well. Their eyes widened when they saw who were there.

"Hey," Finn greeted.

Michael ran over to his brothers, embracing them in pure joy. Goran did the same with the Yugoslav Nations. And Michael was surprised to see Oliver there as well, carrying the bird.

"Could you do me a favour?" Oliver asked. "Could you please take this little guy to London?"

Michael looked down at the bird, before looking back at his brother.

"Are you sure about that?" Michael asked. "I heard about this. Are you sure you really want to do this?"

Oliver was leaning on Duncan, and he smiled.

"I can't even walk on my own," Oliver said. "And I know that Arthur isn't a Red anymore, so it's not that that's keeping me weak. I don't want to live the rest of my existence this way. Please."

Michael stared at his brother for a moment before he sighed, nodding his head. He took the bird and cradled it in his arms.

"Thank you," Oliver said, smiling brightly.

…

Lovino had returned to where everyone else was, looking around until he could see his brother-turned-sister. He needed to speak to Feliciano.

When he saw her, he immediately marched over and dragged her out of the room, ignoring her protests.

"Fratello, what's going on?" she asked. "Where are we going?"

"I need to talk to you and I would prefer if none of the other bastards were around to listen to us. We can't even afford to speak Italian because of the gun bastard."

Feliciano was quiet, at least until Lovino dragged her into a bedroom. Then, she turned a concerned look towards Lovino.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Listen, you know how I'm supposed to take one of those Beasts inside my body?" he asked.

"Ve, of course."

"I can't do it."

"Don't worry. It's not that bad…"

"No, Feli. I can't do it. I… Remember when Moldova was taken as a Red?"

She nodded her head.

"Well, afterwards, I found out that the Micro Nations were under the Deathplayers' control," Lovino admitted. "They were their puppets."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because immediately after I found out, one of the Deathplayers threatened Cello. Said they'd make him kill himself, or make his friends kill him. Micro Nations aren't like us. They can die like that."

"So, you wanted to protect Cello? That makes you a good big brother."

"There's more. I noticed that the Micros were acting funny, so I followed them, and… The Deathplayers are planning a new game. They know that they're going to lose this one, so they've decided to play a new one. And they were going to make Marcello one of their Pieces."

Feliciano widened her eyes, and Lovino looked away.

"I… I couldn't let that happen. So I… I made a deal with the bastard. I… I volunteered to be Marcello's replacement, but… I can't do it with the Beast inside me. The deal is that as long as I don't reabsorb the Beast, I'll be Marcello's replacement in the game. I couldn't let our fratellino become their plaything. I just couldn't."

Feliciano looked towards him with a sad expression.

"You did it for Cello," Feliciano said. "That's all that matters."

"But because of me, one of those Beasts will still be free. What is everyone going to say when they find that out? That means I'll have to tell them everything, and I doubt that anyone else will be as understanding as you. They're not going to take any of this well."

Feliciano frowned thoughtfully.

"We're both Italy," she muttered.

"So?" he asked.

"So, maybe, since we're both Italy, I could take the Beast instead? Ve, then you won't have to break the deal."

Lovino stared at her for a moment, the gears in his mind turning. Finally, he swallowed nervously.

"Are you sure about that?" Lovino asked.

"Si! I would do anything to help my fratelli," Feliciano said. "And when the next game begins, I'll help you there as well."

Lovino smiled at his sister.

"Grazie," he said.

"No problem, fratellone. Now, where did they attack you again?"

"I wasn't really attacked, at least not by them. I think it was Luciano that did it. That time he attacked me when I was asleep?"

"Ve, I know which room it is."

…

Ludwig approached Will, a determined look on her face. Kiku was right next to her.

The Welshman was speaking to Gupta and Omar, with Omar trying to teach Gupta her way of communicating nonverbally. Will looked up when he noticed the other two, and the two Egyptians looked up as well.

"Wales," Ludwig said, "I think Kiku and I have had enough. We would like to return to our original forms."

"I'm surprised that it hasn't worn off yet," Will said. He turned to the Egyptians. "Would you like to go back as well?"

The two of them nodded, and Will turned back to Ludwig.

"I think we'll need to ask Italy as well," Will said.

…

Luciano was glaring at the mirror. She had heard the conversation between Feliciano and Lovino, and wasn't happy at all. She would need to have a little chat with Lovino about what the Deathplayers had done to Francesco. She needed to know if he was a puppet as well.

She turned her attention away when Lutz and Kyo rushed in. She had never seen the two of them so excited before.

"What's up with you?" Luciano asked.

"Ludwig asked their Wales to turn them back into men," Ludwig said. "He's going to check with Feliciano as well."

"And since they transformed us into women by transforming them…" Kyo started.

"Then by transforming them into men, we'll get transformed as well," Luciano finished, looking excited as well. "Finally!"

…

Marius and Sigurd looked up when the door opened, and their eyes widened when they saw Oliver being helped in by his brothers.

"Ollie?" Sigurd asked. "How…?"

"They got us out of the Deathplayers' grip," Oliver explained. "But even if our counterparts are reborn, we stay weak like this. And then there's a new emptiness as well."

"I can feel it too," Marius said. "But why are you here?"

"Because I wanted to spend my last moments with the people that mean the most to me. My brothers and my best friends."

The other two smiled, and when Oliver was helped onto the bed, the magic trio embraced each other in a hug as they waited for the inevitable.

…

Rebecca was driving back, with Manuella in the passenger seat and the Irish brothers on the backseat.

The Namibian found it funny. They were complaining about her driving on the way there, but now they were fast asleep. And after the amount of magic they had seen them use, she supposed it was understandable.

"Have you told Alida yet?" Rebecca asked.

"Sim," Manuella said. "It is done."

…

Alida stared at the text, not quite believing it to be true. Could they really have done it so easily?

"You're the only one left of your world," Bruce said.

Alida turned her attention to the two Australians nearby.

"I know," Jett said. "But what if something goes wrong?"

"It won't," Alida said. "The Deathplayers are gone."

"Really?" Jett asked. "But… Where's the boom? Where's the final battle?"

"I doubt they left peacefully," Alida said. "I think they have another plan."

"I guess it doesn't matter now," Bruce said. "I'll take your bird, alright?"

Jett nodded, and Bruce moved towards the bird, cradling it. He disappeared in the next moment.

There was a tense silence as they waited, and they didn't have to wait too long. Jett soon started to glow, and everyone stared at him.

"Guess it's my turn now," Jett said, before he dissolved into ash.

Everyone was silent for a few moments, staring at the spot where the Australian had disappeared, before Bruce reappeared, carrying a baby in his arms.

"Here we go," Bruce said, taking the baby to the nearest Nation. "Now what?"

"I think we should go back to our world," Ricardo said.

"Ja," Alida said, standing up. "I'm just going to find Omar first."

…

Feliciano stared at the other Nations, before she shook her head.

"No," she said. "I don't want to be the old me. I like the new me."

Everyone reacted with surprise.

"But, Feliciano, surely you can't think this is better?" Ludwig asked.

"It is. I'm stronger and I'm braver now. I like being a woman."

"You do realise that you won't be able to flirt anymore, right?"

"Says who?"

Kiku giggled, and Ludwig just stared at Feliciano in shock.

"NO!"

They jumped when Luciano suddenly appeared behind Feliciano, grabbing her counterpart around the neck. Feliciano immediately started to struggle.

"I've been threatening anyone with magic to change me back since this first started," Luciano said. "I am not going to let you take my last chance away from me."

Feliciano managed to get Luciano to release her, but Luciano grabbed her again, sending them both to the ground. The other Nations looked on as the two Italians wrestled on the ground.

"Why don't we think of a compromise?!" Will shouted, causing the two Italians to pause. "I'll see if I can find a way for only one of you to be changed back, alright?"

The two glanced towards each other before nodding, and Will sighed in relief.

"Great," he said. "I'll get to work as soon as possible."

…

Ivan smiled, going towards the Baltics. Eduard was the one that would take care of Toris, and he wanted to see the baby Lithuanian.

"O-oh, Mister Russia," Eduard said in surprise.

Ivan smiled down at the baby, and Toris looked up at him with wide eyes before he started to wail. Ivan's smile fell, and he pouted at the baby.

"He doesn't like me?" Ivan asked.

"W-well…" Eduard started.

"Oh, Ivan," Katyusha said, walking closer. "You should know that babies scare easily, especially when they see someone so big. Just give him time. I'm sure he'll start to like you eventually."

Ivan smiled while Eduard and Raivis shared sceptical glances.

…

Everyone (or almost everyone) that came from the other world went back, along with the birds. And when Alida had seen Luciano, she didn't even react to the other's appearance and instead told her to take Francois's bird to Paris, since Francois wanted Luciano's brother to take care of his incarnation.

"Alright," Alida said. "There are only these guys left."

"There's something I don't get," Basch said. "We have several Northern Nations helpless. Why not just, you know…"

"Because that would mean sinking to the North's level," Alida said. "And besides, there's a truce at the moment. I'm not going to risk breaking the truce while I'm a helpless baby."

"Agreed," Bruce and Ricardo said.

"Oh," Basch said. "So, there's actually a strategy behind it?"

"Ja. By harming any of the Northern Nations in this state, we risk breaking the truce."

"Got it."

"Let's get this over with," Ricardo sighed.

…

At dinner, the Nations couldn't help but discuss everything that had happened that day. Well, almost everything.

Feliciano and Lovino were keeping quiet about what they knew about the Deathplayers, including the part where Feliciano now had the Beast instead of Lovino.

Everyone else had shared their experiences that day. About how Alfred and Rosa took a dive into the river, or about how the others had arrived just in time to see Anika fade away.

And there were a lot of babies around now.

"It feels a little underwhelming, to be honest," Kiku said. "I find it hard to believe that the Deathplayers would just let things go."

"Dude," Alfred said. "You don't see the big picture, do you? We won!"

And after this, it's just the epilogue. And I know that I kind of set things up for a sequel, but I don't think I'll do it. I technically have three sequels to work on, but… I've got nothing. Niks, rien, nada, nichts…