The thought that everything was going wrong was really getting to the group trapped beneath the castle. Japan started panicking a bit. "We...we can't...not now...we..." he panicked.

"Japan?" Germany asked after seeing his commrade freaking out.

Rose let go of Germany and went over to Japan. "Mr. Japan?" Rose said as she tried to calm him down.

"Nii-san...Nii-san...we need to find him!"

"Japan, calm down!" Germany tried his best to calm down his normally relaxed friend. Seeing him like this was unnerving.

"Germany-san, I can't breathe!"

"Japan!"

Germany could only watch as his friend began to have a panic attack. Rose tried to calm down but was biting her nails as she watched Japan panic. It was awful. Then he screamed and had a light blind everyone. When it died down, the countries, capitals, and Devil found themselves out of danger. They were in a cave that was just above the castle so they weren't in as much danger as before.

"What the-" Amelia spoke, looking around at the brand new setting.

"How did we-" Emma questioned.

As everyone had a sense of relief wash over them, Germany and Rose noticed how Japan was still tensed up. "Japan? Are you okay?" Germany asked.

Japan did his best to try and calm himself down. He wasn't really sure what had happened himself. However, it was a familiar feeling he had had at the cliff where Hermit died. Still, what was this, thing? ".........I am sorry." He apologized.

"For what Mr. Japan?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion. What was he sorry for? He had just saved everyone, right?

"Dude you got us out of there! There's no need to apologize!" America beamed.

"...........I am sorry." Japan repeated.

"It's really all right Japan. You don't need to apologize," Canada insisted.

Everyone then started giving Japan some space. They had assumed it was just a panic attack of some sorts, but how did it relate to the flash of light that brought them all out of danger? Devil was able to answer that;

"It was a little more than a panic attack," he simply stated, gaining everyone's attention. "If he is a part of Hermit, then he must've gained his ability to disappear during great moments of distress."

Hermit? Amelia thought. It sounds like an arcana I read about in the book. He must've looked like Japan.

"Just as he has a power given to him by Hermit, I too have one to give that will help in times of distress."

"To give...to me?" Russia asked with surprise. Natie looked at Devil and then at Russia. Her Dad was going to have a gift just like Japan? But what could it possibly be?

"Da. I have enough power left to use kolkutz to get you all out," Devil explained. "The icicles should carry you back to the top."

"Why are you helping us?" Canada asked.

Devil looked down at the ground, as if he were being scolded. "...It's the least I can do to apologize for not keeping you safe, Temperance."

Canada smiled at Devil. "Mm, you did the best you could. You're forgiven, Devil."

"You're too kind..." Devil slightly smiled before the grin disappeared into a grin. "Beware the one with the claws. He may still be out for blood."

"Da, I will," Russia said.

"Take care of him. Of all of them." When Devil had said that, he glanced down at Natie. She smiled at him.

"I will, don't worry."

Tears then began to run down Devil's face as he began to vanish. "....Thank you." After he vanished, Russia felt a wave of power wash over him that he thought he could never feel before. Then he actually used Kolkutz and was able to bring everyone back up to the top.

"That was amazing Otets!" Natie cheered after being safe and sound.

"Thank you little sunflower," Russia thanked. He then rubbed his little girl's head and smiled at her and Natie smiled back.

"I'm guessing the 'one with the claws' is the one who did all that damage to him," Britain inferred.

"And you would be right!~" a new voice spoke from behind, gaining everyone's attention. They all turned to see "America" standing right behind them. The girls all gulped before standing by the adult they trusted most, which was the Fathers for Amelia, Emma, and Natie, while it was Germany for Rose.

"There you are friend~," The fake America spoke. "I was worried that you would've been crushed. But come on, I know a place that's just as great as the last! I-"

"No." Canada interrupted. "America, I'm staying with my family and friends."

"But you're family and friends don't care about you!" The double growled. "They don't even notice you!"

"That's not true!" Emma interjected. "We do care about Pa, it's just...sometimes we don't realize how much we take him for granted...so leave him alone!"

The creature growled and Emma hid behind her Dad, who comforted her by placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Enough!" Germany shouted. "Now is the time for answers!"

"You were the one who almost killed Devil, weren't you?" Russia questioned with his infamous dark aura surrounding him.

"Hm? Yes, that was me," the double replied simply. "He didn't do a good job protecting my friend so he had to pay."

So we got Mr. Devil in trouble? Rose questioned in her head.

The creature then prepared himself to fight when something stopped him. "I hear him~." He said with a smile.

"Who?" France asked.

"My best friend~." Suddenly, the creature's form changed shape right in front of them from America into Germany. "He's woken up from his nap~." Everyone gasped at the sudden transformation. "But what's this? She's awake as well?"

"She?" Amelia asked.

The form of the creature changed once more, but this time into a woman that no one could recognize except for Germany and Rose. The creature had turned into Catherine right before their eyes! "My little girl needs me as well~."

This absolutely crossed the line for Germany. It was one thing when this thing turned into him, it was another when it turned into his deceased wife! He was about to charge at it when Japan stopped him. "Now is not the time to act so impursivery," he explained. "You need to carm down." Japan knew that Germany was angry, but that anger was going to get them nowhere.

"Um, America, before you go...can we at least get your name?" Canada asked.

"My name? It's Catherine~." The glowing eyed woman giggled.

"No, I mean your real name."

"Oh~." With her eyes aglow and sharp teeth added to her smile, this was the reply; "Human call me Fauchevere, Friends call me Reve~. Now then, ta-ta~." With that, she disappeared right in front of them.

"VAIT!" Germany shouted before shoving Britain aside and standing where the creature once stood. Italy, Katrina, he thought as he clenched his fists in anger. I couldn't get any answers from him! And to top it off, he changed into Catherine right in front of me!

As he wallowed in anger, Rose walked over to Germany and placed her hand on top of his clenched fist. "It'll be okay Mr. Germany," she assured him. "We'll get them back."

Germany was still seething in anger and Rose sighed. And then of course there was Britain, who was stuck on his back.

***************

Meanwhile, somewhere else, Katrina was currently engaged in a game of chess with her "Father". She studied the board for a good solid minute before finally making a move that took her "Dad's" king. "Check mate." She said before smiling up at her "Dad". "I vin again Vati."

The German sighed in defeat. Katrina chuckled and then went over to hug her "Dad". He wrapped his arms around her and she smiled.

"Vant to play again?"

"But don't you want to come over here and hug your Mother?" A voice from behind asked.

Katrina quickly turned around to see Catherine standing right behind the chair she sat in. "Mutti!" Katrina cried before wrapping her arms around her Mother. Her Mother returned the gesture. "I glad you're back from your errand."

"Me too sweetie," As Katrina laid her head on Catherine's shoulder, Catherine smirked a bit. She isn't going anywhere, The creature thought. "Ludwig dear, could you make us some wurst?"

The fake Germany nodded, getting up from his seat and heading to the kitchen while "Catherine" picked Katrina up and carried her over to the recliner.

The woman laid the chair back just slightly and then pulled a book out from the bookshelf by the wall. "Now then, what story should I read you today sweetie?" she asked the child.

"Um, I don't know," Katrina replied. "How about one that you like Mutti?"

"All right~."