"Zon't zo it," said Maria. "If you even THINK of pulling a Black Widow, there's nowhere for you to jump-"
"It's not that," Kiku snapped. "Sun and Stars. That's us. The Rising Sun and the Sun and Three Stars on our flags."
"But we've been attacking this cage forever!"
"That's because we're not really in this together yet. Listen, it's been really hard for me, for both of us, and I've never really come around to say…"
"Say what?"
"I'm sorry. For everything,"
Maria was bewildered. "What do you mean-"
"I have nightmares about what I've done. YEt, I've never really gotten around to telling you-"
Maria hugged him tight, bringing her lips to his. "You big dummy, of course it's all in the past! Honda, I've never held it against you for not saying it in words. We all have our own way of atoning for what we've done, and I understand you. You've done so much for me, for everyone, and even though we can't change the past, I will always appreciate what you've done to try to make up for it,"
"Ma'i-chan, I-"
"HEY, WE'RE ABOUT TO GET SACRIFICED DOWN HERE! SAVE THE BLOODY WATERWORKS FOR LATER!
Maria smiled. "Now, shall we?"
A blast of slicing winds and a slash of the katana, and the cage shattered. Spain plopped to the ground as Maria ran up to him, and Arthur struggled up to his feet.
"Now," said England. "Time to end this poorly-written farce." Arthur conjured several sigils and glyphs, muttering in an ancient tongue.
"I DON'T THINK SO, BASTARD!" Canada leapt towards Arthur, his sword of ice swinging.
"No!"
It all happened so fast, even Maria could not see it coming, but when the dust settled, she saw Canada, his sword slick with blood, having run through Alfred's chest, his eyes wide in pain.
Maria wailed. Piper McLean had sank to her knees next to her, as if the sight had unearthed some awful memories of her own.
Yet Alfred did not fall. He clutched Matthew's sword tightly in his hands until his palms ran red with blood. "I'm sorry…"
Canada's eyes rolled. "So now you mock me in my defeat. How typical,"
"No, I AM sorry. I'm not gonna pretend I understand how much I've fucked you over. Hell, I didn't realize until a few minutes ago,"
"Matt, every word Dad said was true. We've always loved you, as our favorite. Maybe I've never shown you my love properly, and I'm sorry for that. I guess I was too wrapped up with my dreams. I never saw the nightmare you were in,"
"And Canada? Even if you can't feel the love from me or England, look around! Belgium sends you flowers every year on D-Day, when are you gonna notice her, brah?"
"I… I never noticed…"
"Netherlands' your best friend since high school, I know you two smoke pot on the sly. Think about him!"
"Even my girlfriend over here, I know you and Maria hang out together at the Breakfast Club!"
Maria and Kiku joined in, as well as Arthur and Antonio, in a big hug. "We're sorry if you felt invisible all this time, Matt. Please, give us another chance."
Matt broke down in tears. Alfred collapsed into MAria's arms, and Chef Hatchet immediately barged in holding armfuls of ambrosia. "Come on now! He's a hero!"
"I'm no hero," coughed Alfred. "I'm just a lousy brother and son,"
"None of that self-loathing now, my boy. You've saved the day!" said Arthur.
"And I couldn't have done it without all the friends we made along the way.
"Three cheers for friendship, yo!" yelled Leo Valdez, high-fiving Camilo Madrigal.
Canada stood still, staring at his brother, desperately hoping he'd be okay. He was so caught up in the moment that he failed to notice Iran coming up behind him and stabbing him in the back with his flame sword.
"Screw it all!" yelled Iran. "Where am I going to find good teammates who won't flip back to the other side after a bunch of crappy speeches?! I'm outta here!" And Iran vanished in a plume of fire.
"Matt!" Belgium wailed, cradling Canada in her arms.
"Funny," Canada coughed. "All my life, I've felt invisible, and yet, somehow, I made YOU feel I never saw you at all."
"Don't die on me, Matt," Sophie pleaded.
"No one's dying today, if I can help it,"
Israel arrived, bringing a vial of liquid that she hastily poured over Matthew and Alfred's stab wounds. "Djinnfire and True Ice. Formidable weapons, but the waters of the Well of Jacob can cure most wounds"
The waters mingled with the nectar Piper poured earlier, and the wounds soon evaporated. "Talk about a divine collaboration!" cheered Leo.
"Now THAT was a blockbuster!" yelled Chris McLean as he saw the aftermath. "Too bad we didn't catch it on tape!"
"So what now?" asked Piper McLean, seeing everyone gathered together. All these people from different worlds, lives and times, united for a common cause of defending the world as they knew it.
"Well," spoke Laura Ingalls. "I believe Mirabel's mum and Ma have a little feast waiting for us back in Dakota Territory…