They work tirelessly for hours, many of the nations taking several shifts at a time. Some volunteered in one of the tents, helping the others affected by the earthquake.

Japan watches silently as Germany, France, and Cuba carefully extract one of the walls. Russia had given him his report several hours earlier, causing them to quicken their pace.

"So?" Wang appears beside him, sighing wearily.

"I left Hungary in charge. So?"

"They've extracted all of the exterior walls and roof. They've just reached the inner rooms."

"They should be close then. It just depends on where they were when it hit."

"Yes. Russia said they're pinned under two walls leaning on each other. I'm afraid that the closer we get, the more the walls will start to collapse."

Wang nods, sighing. "It's just-"

"Wang. You've done more than enough for them."

"Hey Japan. You might want to come see this," France yells.

They walk over to where the three men were waiting. "Yes?"

"This is going to be hard," Cuba admits, rubbing his chin.

"No. It won't be," Japan concludes as he observes the wreckage. The two walls were balanced delicately against each other. One movement on one could cause the other to slip and collapse, crushing the children beneath it. "We must pull on both walls at the same time, opening them up. From there, someone should be able to climb down and help them."

"That's a good plan, but are you sure it's going to work?" China asks, looking down into the pit worriedly.

"It must. We will make it work. We will need several more people."

Then, they were ready to try. There were several on each wall, waiting for Japan's signal.

"Everyone set? You most hold it long enough for Sealand to go in and get them out. On three. One. Two. Three!"

The nations hoist the walls apart, inch by grueling inch. Sealand jumps down into the newly created gap, hitting the floor in a cloud of dust. He spots Taiwan and crawls over.

"Help me. His arm's stuck."

He frowns and crawls closer. "Okay… You take the side. We'll pull on three, okay?"

Mei nods, moving around to the other side.

"One, two, three!" They both tug on the wood, attempting to release Ryou's trapped arm. It gives way, little by little, as it is slowly dislodged from the floor.

Mei quickly pulls Hong Kong away as Sealand drops the wood, crawling over to them. Mei pushes Ryou towards him. "Take him first."

He nods, taking the small boy from her. He makes his way to the side of the hole and reaches up a hand, grabbing a piece of dangling rope. He tugs on it and is quickly yanked upwards. He falls to his knees as he hits the ground, cradling the child in his arms. He passes him off to Switzerland, who takes him to China and his team. Sealand jumps back down, holding out his hand. "Your turn."

Mei nods, taking it. Sealand wraps his arm around the small girl's waise and tugs again on the rope. They are hauled up, finally collapsing on the ground. He stands up shakily, pulling Taiwan to her feet.

A huge crash jolts them as the walls are let go. Mei looks around, rubbing her eyes clear of the suffocating dust.

"Mei."

Mei turns around, smiling widely. "Honda-san!" She dashes towards him, wrapping her arms around his legs.

Honda pries her arms off and kneels. He hugs her tightly, whispering in her ear, "You scared me little one. Are you alright?"

Me nods, closing her eyes. "Is Ryou okay?"

Japan stands, picking her up. "Let's go see. And Sealand?"

The young boy looks up, eyes wide. "Y-yes Japan-sama?"

"Thank you.