Disclaimer: Do not own hetalia

Note: So I realized that my last chapter wasn't really me best work so I felt obliged to put more thought into this chapter. This chapter has mild violence so be warned! That's all I have to say so I hope you like it!

Rack torture. The use of such a wretched device to stretch the victim's limbs slowly and induce agonizing pain. Maria became nauseated just thinking about, even though she had never witnessed it before. The image of Yao being torn apart limb by limb gave her goose bumps, and she thought of nothing else as Dark Lithuania led her directly to Yao's cell beneath the palace. It was a dark, miserable place with rats scurrying across the dirt coated ground while water dripped down along the jagged rock walls. The air around them was stale and the only sounds that could be heard were their own footsteps echoing. Torches lined the walls, providing minimal light. The first few cells contained common criminals and perhaps political opponents, who said nothing and stared blankly as Maria and her guide walked past.

Finally they reached Yao's prison cell, and when Dark Lithuania unhooked a torch and held it close to the metal bars, Maria peered inside. Yao's limp body hung from his chained wrists, making a Y shape on the stone wall, much like how Dark Poland was kept. For a horrible second, Maria thought he was already dead, but then he raised his head at the sound of Dark Lithuania unlocking the cell. She could not read his eyes, which caught the torch light. Indignant maybe? Not authorized to unchain him, Dark Lithuania held the bowl of soup in one hand and the spoon in the other, but Maria quickly offered to feed him herself.

"It's me, Maria," she whispered as she held the spoon to his mouth. He hesitated spitefully, but then accepted the stew. Now the look in his eyes was apparent—they seem to say traitor.

"Don't give me that look," she murmured as he swallowed. "It's not my fault you're in this situation."

"I can't believe you're on their side, aru," he mumbled, talking for the first time since he was captured.

"Well, it's not where I want to be, but I have no other choice. I'm sticking with my counterpart like you stuck with yours." She continued to spoon feed him and in between bites they spoke.

"This is dishonorable. Maybe Kiku should have let him kill me."

"Don't you dare say that!" Maria withheld the spoon to make her point. "We are all going to make it out alive. Forget this stupid war; all I care about is getting everyone home safely. And that includes you!"

"Then why are you fighting with the Genesis?"

"Because," she said, giving him the stew once more, "I don't want to seem suspicious. You and Kiku are the ones who taught me to be discrete, remember?"

"That's really all you care about?" He asked dubiously. Dark Lithuania stood dutifully at the entrance of the cell, holding the torch.

"Why should anything else matter? The reasons for this war are stupid. But our counterparts are dangerous. That's why it's so important for me to make sure everyone gets out okay." Her voice was soft, yet firm with certainty.

"That's a lot of responsibility to put on yourself," Yao commented as if speculating. He was not angry anymore, just cynical.

"It is," Maria agreed, "That's why I need all of you guys to help me out. Kiku, Ludwig, Gilbert and I have all promised to do whatever it takes to stay alive."

"They're in on it too? That's hard to believe, aru." The last spoonful of stew was eaten.

"They are. And now I need you to promise me the same—" Maria stopped abruptly when she heard Dark Lithuania gasped and cover his mouth with his free hand. The German man stepped into the torch light, and Dark Lithuania stared up at him in terror, but he was not looking at the Lithuanian. Maria dropped the bowl in shock, and recoiled instinctively. Dark Germany heard me! She thought frantically, He knows that I'm not really on their side!

"Maria, is that you? Vhat's vrong?" The German raised an eyebrow and Maria exhaled in relief. It was just Ludwig. From Dark Lithuania's reaction, she had assumed that it was Dark Germany. The poor boy probably thought it really was his version of Germany.

"Oh, uh, nothing. I just thought you were the other Germany," Maria replied regaining her posture.

Ludwig sighed. "He really is fearful, isn't he? Even Feliciano's probably scared of me now." Maria could tell he was flashing back to when his counterpart had threatened Feli's counterpart.

"What are you doing here? What about going to the bar to celebrate?" asked Maria, sincerely curious, but also trying to take his mind off of that event.

"The others decided to go to a brothel, so I came back here. It's not my thing…" He trailed off. Frankly, Maria appreciated the fact that he chose not to go. Those places were so demeaning for women. Then a sickening thought popped into her head.

"Wait…did Kiku go, too?" Maria shuddered. She seriously hoped the answer was a definite no.

"Don't worry, he didn't. He had too much to drink, so he headed back here before I did, but he walked. He's probably still on his way here." Good. Maria was about to ask if Ludwig had driven back, which he most likely did, but then decided that he was probably capable of driving okay drunk. Yao just frowned at them, and she had almost forgotten he was there.

"Anyways," Maria said, turning back to the captive, "You need to make me that promise." She gestured to her pinky, but he shook his head. "Why not?"

"I can't make that promise. You wouldn't understand why." He refused to meet her eyes.

"But why? Don't you want everyone to live?" Maria demanded. Why was he being so difficult?

"Because, I know what's going to happen tomorrow." Yao lowered his head despondently. Ludwig looked at Maria questioningly, but she just fell to her knees to see Yao's face.

"Look, they won't kill you if you just give them the information they want!" Maria urged, desperate. Yao did not know the details of his torture, but maybe if he just cooperated, he would not have to find out.

"I can't do that! I am not so weak, so cowardly. It would be even more dishonorable. So that is why I cannot make that promise, aru."

This was not how she expected this would go. She glanced up at Ludwig for support, but he too, looked away. Ludwig understood Yao's tenacity as a loyal soldier, but Maria thought it was much more important that they should all live. Her heart ached as Yao tried to ease her concern with a spurious smile. How could she bear watching his "interrogation" tomorrow? She would much rather have Yao to hug, not his "honorable" memory. Her mind seemed on the verge of discord, and she began to tremble. Yao watched her sadly, and then told Ludwig, "I think you two should leave now." Ludwig nodded, and put his hand on Maria's shoulder. Mechanically, she rose to her feet and let Dark Lithuania take her hand and lead her out of the cell. After turning the key to lock the cell door, the three of them left the dungeon.

The next morning, just as she finished dressing into her leather uniform, there was a knock on Maria's guest room door. "Miss," Dark Lithuania called from the other side, "The interrogation is about to take place." When she came out into the hall, Dark Lithuania wore a sympathetic look on his face. "Are you sure you'd like to attend?" She simply nodded unemotionally. Plagued with nightmares all night, Maria felt as if she was totally brain dead. With nothing else to say, Dark Lithuania escorted her to the dungeon once more.

Instead of going to Yao's cell, her guide took her to separate stone room deeper within in the labyrinth under the Russian palace. Dark Prussia, Germany, Japan, Philippines, Russia and Britain were already inside, along with Gilbert, Ludwig, Kiku, Ivan and Arthur. The room was much bigger than the prison cells and the walls were much thicker, probably so the screams of the victims could not be heard. In the center of the room, Yao lay on wicked device: a rectangular wooden framed surface sloped off the ground with rollers at both ends which when turned stretched its victim causing excruciating pain. His wrists were fastened at one end above his head and his legs fastened at the other. Maria's palms grew sweaty and her stomach became queasy.

"Kesesese, Yao is it?" asked Dark Prussia. "You know what we want. We want to know Vertex Union military tactics, secret weapons, and plans for future strikes. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Though, I must say, I like the hard way."

"I'm not saying a word," repudiated Yao obstinately. Maria grew dizzy with anticipation, but Kiku spoke up.

"Do we really have to do it this way?" It was evident from his body language and tone of voice that he was strongly against the torture.

"Mercy makes you weak," Dark Russia stated as a reply, like it justified his actions. "Now, prisoner, this is your last chance to give us the information." Yao remained recalcitrant, and Maria gulped.

Dark Prussia laughed. "That's good. Now I get to have some fun," he said as he gripped the handle to the top roller of the rack. When he began to turn the handle and rotate the roller, Maria turned away and shut her eyes. She felt Dark Lithuania slip his hand into hers to comfort her. As she heard the rattling of the chains as they began to pull on Yao's wrists, she bit down on her lip to keep herself from screaming. Luckily, she stood in the back so no one but Dark Lithuania paid her any attention. Suddenly, Yao cried out in pain.

"Stop this!" She heard Kiku shout, but was held back by someone, probably Ludwig. Keeping her eyes closed, she heard Dark Prussia's crazy laugh of amusement, and wanted nothing more than to rip his head off and save her old friend.

"Let's not do this, he doesn't deserve this," Gilbert told his counterpart dismayed, but was brushed off lightly.

"Any enemy of Prussia deserves what's coming to them," replied Dark Prussia, who was still chuckling as he turned the handle. Yao continued to make strangled noises of pain that knotted Maria's stomach.

POP!

Yao let out an ear-splitting scream and Maria opened her eyes without meaning to. His left arm was still attached, thank God, so she guessed it had been dislocated. But the scream had roused all of her friends' objections. Kiku broke away from Ludwig and instantaneously shoved Dark Prussia away from the handle and shielded it with his own body as Dark Russia yelled, "Hey!"

"What's your problem?" growled Dark Prussia, getting in Kiku's face. The chains relaxed on Yao's wrists, and he took deep breaths, relieved. His left arm was definitely disjointed, and his right seemed about at that point.

"My problem? This debauchery is unacceptable!" Kiku exclaimed ardently. "Opponents should only be killed on the battlefield with a chance of survival. Treating them like this proves not how great we are, but how despicable." It was moments like these that made Maria fall head over heels for him. But now was not the time to be smitten.

"We weren't going to kill him," reassured Dark Japan, "Just performing an interrogation."

"Back on my Earth there are these great things called human rights," Arthur muttered sourly. Maria had not expected him to support Kiku's cause, but was glad he did. However, Arthur seemed torn by internal conflict when she glanced at him.

"How else are we going to get the information we need?" asked Dark Russia in exasperation.

"We could rip his arm off to show him how serious we are," responded Dark Prussia, "I would do the honors."

"No. If he hasn't given us information yet, then he won't ever," Maria finally spoke, "I think he's prepared to endure anything." Keeping poised, she let go of Dark Lithuania's hand to erase any notion of weakness.

"We'll see about that," murmured Dark Prussia. Kiku still stood stubbornly by the handle.

"Perhaps there is another vay to get your information?" asked Ludwig.

"If you mean more torturous vays, I'm sure I can think of something," his counterpart said, but Ludwig shook his head.

"Not vhat I meant…"

Then, out of nowhere, Dark Prussia's phone rang, and he answered while everyone else just stood and waited for him to finish. When he ended the conversation, he said to Yao, "Looks like you got lucky, prisoner. Hungary just reported the latest Vertex Union plans." Kiku exhaled and Maria relaxed her tense shoulders.

Dark Prussia continued, "She said that the Vertex Union plans on doing two simultaneous strikes—half of them will attack Britain while the other half will attack Japan in the next two days."

"Those bastards," Dark Japan clenched his fists, "They were going to attack while we were off guard, since we thought it would be a while before they would recover."

"It's actually a good plan," Dark Britain speculated, "Good thing we have our spy. Now they don't stand a chance."

"Kesesese, yes, we should depart immediately," Dark Prussia chuckled, "My brother, our counterparts and I will go with you, Britain, to defend your island." Dark Britain nodded.

"Then the Philippines, Russia and I will go to my islands, along with our counterparts," stated Dark Japan.

"It's settled then. We shall leave right away," Dark Russia said, "Lithuania, take the prisoner back to his cell." Dark Lithuania nodded and began to unchain Yao from the rack. As the others filed out, Maria hung back, unnoticed. She helped Dark Lithuania by undoing the constraints on Yao's ankles.

"Are you okay?" asked Maria with concern. Yao's arm fell limply at his side when he sat up.

"My arm is definitely dislocated. But, I'm not in too much pain anymore." However, the drained, worn eyes told a different story. When she pursed her lips, he said, "It's fine, Maria, I've been through worse, trust me."

"I can bandage that," Dark Lithuania reassured, helping him off the rack.

"Lithuania…" Maria trailed off, not sure how to ask her request, but he understood.

"Don't worry, miss," he said confidently, "I'll make sure mister Yao will be alright. I'll take care of him while you're away." Maria smiled and thanked him amiably. She really owed him a lot. When she turned to join the others, Yao called her name, and she looked back.

"Maria, be careful out there," he said with sincerity as he leaned on Dark Lithuania for support, and Maria went back to him, holding up her pinky. Using his good hand, Yao locked pinkies with hers. "I promise," they both said at the same time. She gave the two of them one more toothy grin and left the dungeon.

By twilight of that day, Maria, Kiku, Ivan, Dark Philippines, Japan, and Russia arrived in the Japanese country, whose cities were still bustling with life. The last time they had been here, the war had not yet escalated to the division of Genesis and Vertex Union nations. The guests of Dark Japan stayed in the same hotel that they had stayed in last time, the one near the conference building. At once, Maria, who was emotionally strung out, went directly to her room and fell into a deep slumber.

The next morning was uneventful, and she even got to sleep in for once. After eating lunch at a sushi bar with Kiku, the two of them decided to practice in the midday sun in a nearby park. Kiku sparred using his katana and Maria used her twin knives. People passing by stopped to watch for a few moments then continued on their way. After an hour or so, the Dark Philippines came over, and the two paused their training.

"Do you mind if I watch?" she asked, "Japan is consulting his generals so he doesn't need my help today." Maria shrugged and Kiku nodded so she sat criss-cross on the grass and the other two resumed sparring. Occasionally, she would give Maria useful tips. A while later, Maria called for a break, so Kiku asked the Dark Philippines if she would like a turn to practice. She was a little surprised at his offer, but accepted, so Maria sat under the shade of a beautiful cherry blossom tree, one of her favorite things about the country. The blossoms never failed to amaze her with their beauty and tranquility, and their scent always soothed her. Then she noticed Ivan sitting on a bench on the other end of the park. Almost subconsciously, she ambled to his serene bench.

Normally, the Russian scared the crap out of her, Maria had to admit to herself, but now he just seemed so lonely all by himself on the bench, that she felt she could approach him for once. When she sat down next to him, he gave her a startled look, but did not object.

"Hello," Maria greeted politely, "What are you doing here by yourself?"

"Oh, nothing, really," Ivan answered back just as civilly, "Just thinking about the war."

"Oh, are you worried?" A light breeze rustled the branches of the surrounding trees, and the wind carried the sounds of laughing children and chirping birds.

Ivan chuckled. "Not at all. I am Russia, after all, the greatest in the whole world." He gave her that knowing smile that sent shivers down her spine as usual.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Da, go ahead." He watched as a butterfly fluttered by, its gorgeous blue wings carrying its tiny body with such grace.

"Why did you join this war?" she ventured cautiously.

"To help the other me," he said matter-of-factly, as if that was all there was to it.

"Not because of any old grudges…?" Maria risked the question, but she could have easily stirred bitter reactions from him. The Cold War was frightening, she remembered, and wondered if that was a reason he was so eager to fight. Those years could have resulted in a nuclear war, and Maria recalled the day she signed the SEATO with Alfred. Ivan's expression darkened.

"You could say Alfred and I have never really gotten along," he replied vaguely, but implying a more serious issue.

"But, I mean, haven't you two patched things up by now? Aren't old scores already settled?" If those two could not forget their differences, getting home would be ten times more complicated for Maria. Now the wind felt a few degrees colder.

"I suppose, but as nations, we don't just forget our pasts." Ivan huffed, and Maria became annoyed. Couldn't everyone just pull it together for their sake?

"Maybe it's time to put the past aside." She crossed her arms.

"If you really feel that way, why are you even fighting?" Ivan shook his head at the hypocrisy. Perhaps he would rather be alone at this point.

"Because…" Maria was reluctant to tell the truth to Ivan; she was not completely sure yet whether he was trustworthy enough. But she thought about her oath to return everyone home safely, and everyone did in fact include Ivan as well. "Because I just want to go home. I want everyone to come back with me. You, too."

Now Ivan was bewildered. Never before had anyone told him that he mattered at all, except for maybe Belarus, but that did not count. Alone, that's what he had always been, hasn't he? Was this time really different? "Why?"

"Because if even one nation disappeared when we return home, our Earth would be incomplete. And I wouldn't forgive myself if that happened," Maria claimed earnestly. While the Russian never failed to creep her out, she truly did want him to stay alive as well.

"You don't mean that." Ivan was almost sure she was lying, she had to be. The tricky girl was trying to manipulate him, as the others always did. He did not forget the humiliation he felt when the German nation tricked him in the last great war, and that was not going to happen again.

"I'm totally serious. I mean every word," she said with an even voice, "So, Ivan, would you promise me something? Promise you'll stay alive?" This time, Ivan was beyond shocked, he was utterly perplexed. The wording of the question was so confusing because it was so simple. There was no hidden meaning, no room for deception. Maria held out her pinky. "Pinky promise?"

"By making this promise, am I supposed to save all of the nations from our world?" Ivan narrowed his eyes.

"Nope. Just stay alive, like I said. While I would be ever grateful if you would help me by helping them, I'm not going to hold you responsible for protecting them. That'll be my job." The sweet scent of the cherry blossoms comforted her and Maria knew she was doing the right thing.

"And Kiku's job, too?"

"Huh?"

"He saved Yao from losing his arms and legs. That was good of him…" Ivan's voice grew distant, and so Maria brought him back to reality.

"So pinky promise then?"

"Da," Ivan said finally. He held out his own pinky and the two completed their promise. Maybe, for once, he would not have to feel the loneliness that had always lingered over him.

Maria stood up to go back to training with Kiku, but before she left, she said, "Thanks, Ivan, that really means a lot to me. Every one of my friends means a lot to me, so don't break your promise." When she was gone, Ivan stared down at his pinky thoughtfully. A drifting cherry blossom flower floated down and landed gently on his lap. Did he really have a new friend? The word made him feel almost…happy.

Maria awoke to Kiku shaking her shoulders. "Maria! Wake up! The Vertex Union is on our shores!" She jumped out of bed immediately and grabbed her bulletproof vest and leather suit. Kiku was already dressed in signature white military uniform with his katana at hand.

"I'll meet you in the lobby," she told him and as soon he was gone she quickly changed and armed herself with her twin knives. The clock read 4:33 am. When she dashed to the lobby, she heard civilians screaming outside.

"The others are already down at the beach," Kiku told her, grabbing her hand, and the two raced off with Kiku leading the way. As they ran through the city, the citizens of Japan were in chaos in the streets, and Maria heard the gunfire and explosions in the distance and saw smoke pillowing in large columns in the sky. "American forces landed on the beaches just moments ago, and invaded the cities."

"How did they get so close unnoticed?" Maria exclaimed.

"They came in submarines, but I don't know why the radar systems didn't detect them sooner!" Then Kiku saw an abandoned taxi and told Maria to hop in. He drove like a crazy person (even though he often complained Feliciano's driving, Maria thought that this was a reasonable exception), and in no time they had arrived at the east coast of Japan. When they got out of the car, the two of them joined their armed allies facing their opponents of the Vertex Union: Dark America, China, Hong Kong, and Alfred, along with Dark Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. As Kiku and Maria took their place next to the Genesis powers—Dark Japan, Russia, Philippines and Ivan —Dark America was in the middle of boasting.

"Hey Japan! Like my new stealth mode submarines? Bet you didn't see us coming," he bragged, resting his nail-covered baseball bat on his shoulder.

"You'll regret ever setting foot on my land!" shouted Dark Japan furiously. He raised his katana, but Dark Russia stopped him.

"Leave America to me," he said flashing his iron pipe, "He's mine." Dark America scowled at him, and the two rivals charged each other, swinging their unique weapons. As they clashed, Dark China swiftly attacked Dark Japan, slicing upward, and the Japanese man jumped backward, the blade only inches from his face. Ivan, remembering his conversation with Maria, hesitated to attack Alfred, but then the Dark Philippines unleashed a flurry of jabs on the American, who dodged and tried to shoot his pistol, but at such a close ranged with such a fast opponent, the gun was practically obsolete. Instead, Ivan fought Dark Vietnam, who wielded a metal spear and was light on her feet. She was indeed a match for Ivan, who was used to overpowering his opponent with brute force, but Dark Vietnam pranced around Ivan's strikes with fluent movements.

Dark Taiwan and Hong Kong came at Kiku from both sides, but Kiku was skilled enough to take on two opponents at once. He was able to check Dark Hong Kong's curved dagger with his katana while still keeping Dark Taiwan and her tonfas at bay. Meanwhile, Maria, whose luck seemed to have run out, found herself in the same situation. Dark Thailand with his dual swords was on her left and Dark Korea with his tsukurigama, or chain scythe consisting of two hand-held scythes connected to each other by a long chain, was on her right. Kiku could stand two opponents, but Maria was not sure how long she would last. As Dark Thailand lashed out with one of his swords, Maria crouched to the ground fast, and swept her leg around in a circular motion, tripping both Dark Thailand and Korea. However, Dark Korea landed a back hand spring and immediately flung one of his scythes at Maria. She sidestepped and grabbed a hold of the chain as it flew by her, and yanked it towards her. Dark Korea, who had been holding the other scythe connected by the chain, lost his balance and got a face full of sand. Before he could do anything, she pulled the chain scythe out of his hands and threw it into the water. That went smoothly enough. When she turned away from the ocean, she realized her mistake of taking her eyes off of Dark Thailand. He was lunging towards her, and Maria ducked at the last possible moment, using his momentum against him. Dark Thailand tripped over her bent down form and splashed into the salt water.

When he emerged from the surface of the water, Dark Korea called to him, "Give me a sword!" and Dark Thailand tossed one of his dual blades to his comrade. This time, they synchronized their attacks on Maria, whose brain went on overdrive trying to anticipate their moves so she could dodge them.

Further down the beach, Dark Japan fighting an even match with Dark China. "You traitor!" Dark China cried as he sliced his broad sword, "How could you? You should be fighting alongside your brothers!" Both of them were breathing heavily, crossing blades, not being able to overcome the other. Losing was not an option for Dark Japan, for his homeland and his honor were at stake.

Dark America swung his bat at Dark Russia, whose block was just seconds too slow. The protruding nails cut his skin and lips as the bat smashed into his exposed right cheek. Blood poured out of his mouth and streamed down the side of his face. "That's for all those things you said at the meeting!" Dark America spat, patting his bloodstained bat. Enraged, Dark Russia gripped his iron pipe and assailed the American with even more ferocity. They carried out their fight mindlessly, as if there was nothing human about them, each trying to crush the other to a pulp like savage beasts.

Ivan was not having a fun time. Dark Vietnam tactfully made calculated strikes, jabbing at openings in Ivan's guard, and then withdrawing right out of his reach. She had already inflicted several cuts, but none deep enough to be too much of a hindrance to Ivan. At first, he rashly tried to counterattack by swinging his iron pipe erratically, but then realized the pattern in her attacks. By retaining a keen eye, he waited for the right opportunity, reading her movements. When he foresaw her next move, he waited for Dark Vietnam to thrust her spear, and then he parried and wrapped his fingers around it. Pulling the spear inward, he brought her into his range and smacked her with the pipe on the side of her head. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious. A smirk played on the edge of his lips. Russia is still the best in the world.

Beads of sweat clung to Maria's forehead as she deflected the endless income of strikes from Dark Korea and Thailand's swords with her knives, but with every blow, their blades grew closer and closer to breaking her guard. Her arms grew exhausted, and she was no longer thinking as sharply, and her opponents knew it. While Maria averted Dark Korea's stab at her throat, Dark Thailand circled around her slyly, coming up from behind her. Then, what Maria considered the dirtiest trick she had ever seen, Dark Thailand slashed his sword while her back was to him, cutting a deep gash into her left calf. The back of her leg ignited with a searing pain that surged through her body. She felt the blood gush down her ankle as she fell to her knees, burying her hands in the grainy sand. Biting her lip, she suppressed a scream and tried to ignore the wound, knowing that to give up now was to forfeit her life. Maria made an effort to get to her feet, but the slightest movement of her leg caused the emanating pain to intensify, becoming insufferable. Even crawling was impossible for her. When she raised her head, Dark Thailand and Dark Korea were standing over her, contemplating her triumphantly. Then the most disturbing smile crept onto Dark Korea's lips. His grip tightened on his sword, and his eyes told Maria exactly what he was planning to do next. The face of one of her closest friends, the face of a man she knew so well, was the face of the man who was going to kill her? It was unfathomable, but she knew that in her defenseless state, he would do it, and he was going to do it. Fear overwhelmed her, and her hysterical cry for help was automatic.

"KIKU!"

From the Author: Yay! Chapter 7 is finished! These next chapters will have a lot of twists and turns, so stay tuned folks :) The rising action is coming together quite smoothly, I'd say. If this chapter really caught your attention, please leave a review while you're here! I'd be ever grateful just like Maria, pinky promise )