Disclaimer: Let me check….Nope. Not my characters.
"Canada!"
Pushing past Prussia, America was the first into the room. What he saw only confirmed his worst fears.
Canada lay collapsed on the floor, unconscious or dead. Russia stood in the doorway, smiling cruelly and holding his pipe. And one of the monsters stood directly behind Russia, mocking America with its cold indifference.
"You bastard!" America screamed, torn between tending to his fallen brother or going after Russia.
His momentary distraction decided the matter for him. With one last cryptic smile, Russia disappeared, along with the creature behind him.
America's legs gave out and he collapsed weakly to his knees.
"Damn him!" he screamed. "Damn him!"
"America?"
He felt England's comforting hand on his shoulder, but he quickly shook it off. He didn't want England's comfort. Not now. Russia had betrayed them and Canada had suffered for it. And once again, America had failed to be the hero. First England, now this. He wasn't sure how much more he could take. If there was one thing he hated more than anything in the world, it was feeling helpless, feeling like he needed to rely on other people. And ever since they'd come here, he'd felt nothing but helpless. He wished he'd never suggested it.
"Is he dead?"
"He's fine, actually. Just unconscious. He'll be okay once he wakes up."
France and Prussia's conversation seemed to reach him through a haze. So Canada was alive. That was good. Incredible, actually. But still…
"I knew something was wrong," America said quietly. "I knew and I didn't do anything. I should have made him tell me. A true hero would have known what to say to make him tell me. I could have stopped this."
"There was nothing you could have done, hero or not," England told him curtly. "He wouldn't tell you anything if he didn't want to."
His hand was back on America's shoulder. Defeated, America let it stay there, allowing England to comfort him. Just this once.
"You three should bring Canada back to the hideout and look after him," Prussia suggested.
"What about you?" France asked.
"Someone needs to warn West and the others about Russia," Prussia replied. "I know you three won't want to leave Canada, and I'm not sure I trust China right now, so I'll go."
"Come on, America," England said, holding out a hand to help him to his feet.
After a moment of hesitation, America accepted the assistance.
"Thanks," he whispered.
Turning back towards the closet, he saw that France had gently picked up Canada and was carrying him back up to the hideout. America and England quickly followed.
As France laid Canada out on one of the beds, America began pacing.
"We all saw this coming!" he snapped. "Why didn't anyone stop it!"
"We didn't see this coming," England told him calmly. "None of us honestly thought Russia would go so far as to betray us."
"I did!" America retorted. "I knew this would happen! I should have stopped him!"
"Who says Russia betrayed us?"
America turned on China, who had finally come out from the corner.
"You're in league with him, aren't you?" he screamed.
Furious, he drew his gun.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't shoot you right now!"
China didn't reply. He only stood there, gazing steadily at America, as if daring him to shoot.
"America!" England cried out. "Calm down!"
Gently, he took the gun from America's shaking hands.
"…merica…"
Canada's soft voice drew America's attention and he ran to his brother's side.
"Canada?"
"Where's Russia?" Canada asked.
"That traitor left with one of those grey things," America told him bitterly. "I'm sorry I didn't protect you."
"I have to go after him," Canada murmured, trying to sit up. "I have to stop him."
"Canada-" France began.
America pushed his brother back down onto the bed.
"You stay here," he ordered. "I'll take care of stopping Russia."
"America! Stop!" Canada yelled, getting to his feet.
"Why?" America asked. "Why should I stop? Is there something else you're not telling me?"
"America, I-"
"Are you going to tell me the truth?" America asked, screaming now. "Because if you're not, I don't want to hear it!"
He turned away, unwilling to look Canada in the eye. He knew his words had hurt his brother, but he couldn't bring himself to regret them. They were brothers. Why couldn't Canada trust him?
"I'm sorry, America," Canada murmured. "I wish I could tell you. But I made a promise. And I won't break it."
"Damn you and your damn sense of honor!" America screamed.
Unable to take it anymore, he retreated to the bathroom and quickly locked the door behind him. It was only then that he allowed himself to cry.
Italy looked up as Germany suddenly stopped and pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Germany?"
"I'm fine, Italy," Germany assured him. "Just a bit of a headache."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Italy asked.
Germany smiled.
"I'm fine," he promised.
The effect of these words was ruined, however, as he winced and clutched his head more tightly.
"Germany!" Italy shrieked.
Hearing the noise, Spain, Romano, and Japan rushed back towards them.
"I'm really fine," Germany insisted.
"You're not fine!" Italy told him. "You should go back to the hideout! Come on! I'll take you back!"
"Hey! Veneziano!" Romano interrupted. "We came to look for England's magic, right? You're the only one who knows where it is."
"But, Germany-" Italy began.
"I'll bring him back to the hideout!" Romano insisted. "So don't you worry! Go find England's magic so we can get out of here!"
Italy stared at his brother in shock. Romano had never liked Germany. And here he was offering to help him. Italy grinned and hugged Romano.
"Thank you, fratello!"
"Shove off."
"I'll go with him," Spain offered. "It'll be safer with two of us."
"Damn bastard," Romano muttered.
But Italy noticed that he didn't actually reject Spain's offer.
"I'm really fine," Germany insisted. "I don't need to be treated like some weakling."
"I know," Italy replied. "But it's okay to accept help when you need it."
"I should be here to protect you," Germany told him.
"Don't be such an idiot!" Romano shouted. "You can't help anyone if you're hurt! You'll just get yourself killed and everything we've worked for will be pointless!"
"You should take a break, Germany-san," Japan suggested quietly. "I think you need it."
Germany's shoulders slumped and he seemed to deflate slightly.
"Very well," he agreed.
He turned to Japan.
"Look after Italy, okay?" he requested.
"Hai," Japan agreed.
"And take care of yourself, Italy," Germany said.
"I will!" Italy promised, giving Germany a quick hug.
"Well then, let's go," Spain declared. "See you two back at the hideout!"
Author's Note: This is so late! And after a cliffhanger too! I'm such a terrible person. I'm so sorry. Please don't eat me!