America stuck his pistol in the holster at his hip and he fell to his knees in the hallway, his head in his hands, "I. . .I shot England. . .I'm terrible. . .I can't believe myself. . ."

America shook his head and began to rock back and forth in his fetal position. He began to cry and sniffled, "I wish I. . .well, its too late to apologize now. Iggy's probably bled to death by now. . ."

America was bawling now, "England. . ."

"Why don't you apologize now?"

America stopped crying and lifted his head from his hands.

In front of him, there was a hand extended outward.

"E-England. . .!"

America grasped it firmly and his elder brother pulled him to his feet.

"America. . .I can see again!"

America began crying again, but this time he was crying tears of joy for his elder brother. Britain smiled and hugged America, "E-England! I'm so, so sorry. . ."

By this time, the other nations had arrived and stood quietly in a line. Italy stepped back to join their ranks.

Germany patted him on the head, "Good job Ita-chan, good job."

Italy smiled up at his Axis friend.

The sheathing of a katana brought the two from the little moment that they were having, "Japan!" Italy leapt to hug the Asian country and he easily sidestepped out of the way.

"No hugs, Italy-kun." Japan reminded the taller nation.

Italy pouted and turned back to Germany, "Doitsu! Veh~! Japan said he won't hug meeeee~!"

"Sh, something's about to happen," Germany whispered, putting his arm around Italy and pulling the loud country into a hug to silence him.

"E-Everyone. . .!" America said, seeming to now notice the other nations.

He closed his eyes and hung his head in shame, "I-I'm sorry for bein' such an ass back there. . ."

Canada tapped his brother's shoulder, "Eh, its okay."

America blinked and half-smiled, "Thanks bro."

The twelve countries headed back towards the safe room, where Prussia presented them with the wurst he'd made. Spain turned around with a Churro hanging out of his mouth and offered the half-empty tray to the assembled nations. Romano gladly placed his bowl of pasta in the center, and was grateful that his brother was so happy to see it.

"Pasta~!" Italy said, lunging for the bowl.

Russia smiled and silently took a generous variety of food from the assorted trays.

Germany took nearly half of the wurst and Japan suddenly rose, "Oh China-san, I made some rice and sashimi if you would like some."

China nodded his thanks and took a couple of rice balls for himself, leaving the sashimi to Japan.

The countries sat around the table and ate in silence for a while. Germany could tell from the way that Italy was spinning his pasta around his fork that he was content. The worried aura, which had been around Italy for quite some time now, was beginning to fade away and the nation was becoming more like his old self. Germany smiled to himself at the thought. Italy will be so happy when we all escape. . .he'll probably want us to have a giant party at his place with pasta and gelato. . .

"Oh Italy. . ." Germany whispered sub-consciously at the thought.

Italy stopped spinning his fork and glanced over at the German, "Veh~ What is it, Doistu?"

Germany, now realizing that he'd said Italy's name aloud, blushed and struggled to pull out an excuse.

"Erm. . .can you pass the pasta?"

Italy's expression brightened, "Doistu! I didn't know you ate pasta! I thought you only ate wurst and sometimes rice with pickled plums when Japan made that for dinner. Veh~"

Germany half-smiled, "Well that's all true but since I haven't had much food while we've been here, I thought that I would have some pasta from your country."

Japan remained silent, not seeing a point to enter the conversation between the two European nations.

"What the hell?" America randomly said, annoyance in his voice.

Britain glanced over at his younger brother, "Well I say, watch your language, America!"

America shrugged and stood, "I'm sorry Iggy, but its just, check out the Axis!"

Germany and Italy stopped talking and looked up at America; they were just as confused as Japan at the comment that America had just made.

"I-I do not see what you are saying, America-san," Japan said, quietly after a few moments.

China hummed in agreement, "America, might you explain that to the rest of u? aru-."

"I am also confused," Russia added.

Spain leaned back in his chair and kept munching on a churro; apparently the Spanish don't really care about what the stupid Americans say about the Axis since it doesn't pertain to them.

"Okay well, ya' old farts, Look at us," America said, directing his words to the Allied Powers.

"Think about how we always argue and fight. We don't always get along and when we do, its very rare."

America's tone was grave and the others could tell that he was being extremely thoughtful.

"I still don't quite see what you mean, America," Britain said, arching a blonde eyebrow at his younger brother.

America closed his eyes and inhaled deeply before continuing, "Though Italy and Germany are both European nations and get along well, they also must consider Japan's culture which (because he's an Asian country) is different in many ways. Thus, they must work hard to include him even though he's very distant from them. Russia, France, and Iggy are European also, but I am a North American country while China is an Asian nation. Thus, we must find a way to compromise. But the Axis is more efficient than we, and they seem to have a tighter bond than us. So I envy them."

China leaned back in his chair and with his eyes closed, and smiled, "You are all so young. . ."

Russia nodded in agreement, "I like to see them working together though. I miss those days when I was a youth, having all that energy like Italy-kun and America-san."

America sat back down and adjusted his glasses. Canada gripped his brother's hand beneath the table, "That was a very inspirational speech, bro."

America smiled at Canada, "Thanks bruh."

"Kesesese! alright we need to make an awesome new plan," Prussia said, reminding the other nations that he was still present.

Romano grunted in agreement, "Yeah."

"Earlier, I was thinking that we needed to find more keys to unlock the doors on the other floors," China commented.

Japan suddenly gasped, "Oh Prussia-san! Did you happen to pick up that key we found in the piano room?"

Prussia reached into his pocket, "Erm yeah. . .its right here."

With that, Prussia placed the small golden key on the table. The twelve nations scooted closer, inspecting it.

"So then. . .what does it unlock?" Asked France.

Germany responded, "We didn't have time to try it out. See, we got sidetracked when we heard America's gun firing down the hall."

America half-smiled and shrugged, "Well I can't help it if my epic gun is making badass noises."

Britain snorted, "Ha, your badass gun hm? I doubt it."

America glared at his brother playfully, "Blah blah blah, and just remember I was the one who saved your sorry ass."

Britain's eyebrow twitched, "Actually I believe it was the Axis who pulled us out of that mess. I have Italy to thank for that. Now that I think about it, Italy-san has been saving my bloody rump quite often. . ."

Italy smiled, "We all have to escape and I was conveniently there, so. . ."

Britain dipped his head in silent thanks to the pizza-lover.

"May I?" Inquired France, reaching out towards the golden key, which was still laying in the center of the table.

Japan answered for the Axis, "Hai."

France took the key carefully from the table and studied it intently.

"What are you thinking?" Questioned Britain, standing behind where France was seated.

France knit his eyebrows together in confusion, "I was just thinking about the marking on the side of this key. . ."

Italy suddenly leapt up, "What markings?"

The other nations were shocked by his sudden reaction to France's observation and Britain, the first to recover from the shock, answered, "These. Here, see for yourself."

With shaking hands, Italy to the golden key and squinted at it.

His eyes widened with recognition and suddenly, a tear streamed down his face.

"Italy?" Germany placed a hand on his ally's shoulder, in support.

Italy shook his head. His hands found the front of Germany's uniform and he clutched onto the stronger nation.

Germany pulled the Italian closer into a protective hug.

"D-Doistu . . ."

Italy dropped the key back onto the table as though it was burning his hand.

"What's wrong with the markings on that key?" Questioned Canada, asking the question that everyone was wondering.

Italy just gripped Germany tighter and didn't respond.

Romano was sitting quietly with his eyes closed and his arms crossed over his chest in a very annoyed manner.

"Italy! Please tell us!" China pleaded, desperation shining in his amber eyes.

Romano twitched.

"Please!" Spain said, making a puppy-dog face.

Romano inhaled deeply, still twitching.

"Italy. . .will you tell us?" Russia questioned, scooting closer.

"VENEZIANO!" Romano thundered, suddenly leaping up and screaming at his brother.

Italy raised his head just high enough to see his older brother's face, "Hm?"

Romano glared at the countries gathered around the table.

"Vaffanculo, Veneziano! As you all may know, I'm part of Italy too. In fact, I'm the whole southern half!"

Spain blinked, "R-Romano?"

"And because I'm part of Italy, I get some of Veneziano's memories. Which is the whole reason that me and Spain came all the way out here to save your asses! So I know. I know what it is about that key that scares Veneziano."

Silence filled the air as the nations contemplated this new information.

"Well then Romano. . .do you think you could tell us the reason?" Asked France.

Spain nodded, "Yes. We need to know this!"

The countries were desperately trying to coax Romano into telling them the reason when-

"Everyone! Please stop!"

The nations froze and all glanced at Italy, who had risen from his seat next to Germany. His voice was free of fear and cowardice just then.

Darn it! Italy just went back to being weird again. . .I swear, he'll never say pasta again! Germany thought, sighing in defeat.

Italy sniffled before speaking again, "Listen. I'll tell you about that key. But be warned, I told you. Do not go. It will be tempting, but. . .just please. . .don't leave!"

Italy's voice was rising with each word and becoming more desperate.

"Italy. . ." Germany suddenly pulled the nation into his arms and held him close.

Japan scooted away from the two, feeling more awkward.

Italy cried harder, "D-Doistu. . .don't leave. . .please. . .don't leave me alone! I don't want to be alone again!"

Germany suddenly gasped, "I-Italy. . .that's the key to. . .it leads to the annex. And. . .in the annex. . .is our key out of here. . ."

America leapt up, "What?"

Italy gripped Germany harder, "Don't go! I already know. . .I already know what is going to happen!"

Germany leaned down to whisper into Italy's ear, "What happens. . .Italy?"

Italy curled up closer to Germany, "That Thing has an army. . . They are waiting for us up there. The key to the front door is behind the alien in the very back and farthest from the door. But the army will disappear suddenly. Our happiness will be short-lived though. . . Because we'll find out that the other nations (who are outside) are being attacked. . ."

Germany held Italy in his arms for a long while.

"I won't leave you, Italy."