---CHAPTER XI: Take Us Back (Part 1)---

///Third Person PoV///

"Well, then, I'll go back for now. It seems I have to attend to something. If anything comes up, call me." Austria told them over the phone before ending the call.

Prussia nodded and spoke, "Okay. Be careful."

"Well, now... er, well... Where should I start? What do you want to hear?" Italy asked nervously after placing his phone back in his pocket.

Japan cupped his chin and thought for a moment, "Well, um

... this isn't the first time we...came here, is it?"

"Ah, I was also wondering about that. America said that we've gone through this several times..." Russia said, raising an eyebrow.

Italy nodded. "......Yeah. We've gone through this several times, ever since we came here from the world meeting."

America's eyes widened as his theory was confirmed. "I knew it...

... So, what happened the very first time?"

"How this started. Okay." Italy took a deep breath before continuing, 

"Before the world meeting, I sneaked away from Germany's training and arrived at an unknown city somewhere.

When I was there, I happened to hear rumours about this place. I thought it sounded interesting, and I told America about it."

"Yeah, no difference so far." America said, nodding.

Italy looked over to the others, "Yeah. Oh, but

... the very first time, I came here with nine of you."

"Which is everyone except me and Spain. This really is the first time we both are here." Romano told them.

(Name) slowly raised her hand and spoke softly, "And me. This is the first time I've been in this mansion, too."

"That's right... I have started to understand why my fratello and Spain are here...but I have no idea how you ended up here, bella." Italy stated, turning to the (hair colour) haired girl.

The girl met the Northern Italian's gaze and became a bit nervous. "Well...I have told some of you guys about this but...I'll explain it to everyone now..."

Italy nodded and ushered her to continue, he was also curious because it seemed that the girl also knew what happened and what was going to happen in the mansion.

"I'm... I'm not from this world." (Name) told them.

The blonde haired American beamed and spoke excitedly, "HA! ALIEN!"

"You git! We already told you it's not like that!" England scolded.

(Name) gave a soft chuckle and spoke, "Hahaha..America...I'm not like your alien best friend that you met during the Roswell Incident."

The girl's statement caused America to take a step back, eyes wide in surprise. "Wh-Wha?! How did you know that? I didn't tell you about that or anything!"

"Calm down, America. We have already told you earlier that (Name)-chan....comes from a world where.....we are actually just fictional characters of an anime." Japan explained, trying to calm down the American.

China furrowed his eyebrows. "Aiyah. This is so hard to comprehend....but we'll do our best. Please continue, (Name)."

"Thanks... Japan's right.  Back in my world, you guys are from an anime called 'Hetalia'. I know this because I'm actually a reaalllyy big fan of the show. I know almost everything about you guys." she told them, a small smile forming on her face.

France stepped closer to the girl and nudged her playfully, laughing a bit. "Oohh?~ I knew Big Brother would still be loved across dimensions!" (Name) rolled her eyes, but laughed heartily as well.

"Hmm? Okay... Then it's clear that she's not from this world...but how did it lead up to you ending up in this mansion?" Russia asked, turning to the girl.

(Name) couldn't help but take in a deep breath before answering the tall Russian's question. "Well....about that.... It was supposed to be just a normal trip with my parent's to my aunt's house. But during our long car ride, I fell asleep. When I woke up, our car was parked outside this mansion...and my...parents weren't with me anymore, so I assumed that they went inside this place. I grabbed my stuff and walked through the front door--"

"--Wait...but wasn't that...locked?!" England exclaimed.

The girl shook her head, "I have no idea how, but it was seriously open when I arrived....ah but.... When I stepped inside, I tried to call my parents, but there was no signal here. So, I decided to go back outside.....and that's when I tried to open the front door again...only that time....it was locked for good. I didn't budge anymore."

"That's the time when I was on my way back to the second floor.... the time I bumped into (Name)-chan." Japan added, giving a small smile.

(Name) smiled back and spoke, "Right. I was incredibly shocked when I realised where I was and what situation I was in when I met Japan. Seriously, of all the instances to be able to meet you guys in real life---it just had to be HetaOni."

"....'HetaOni'?...What do you mean by that?" Germany asked, crossing his arms in confusion.

The girl's (eye colour) orbs darkened for a while before she continued, "The name came from combining the title of your anime, 'Hetalia'....and 'oni'....meaning...."

"....'demon'... I see..." Japan finished for me, starting to realise and understand.

China gasped and covered his mouth with his long sleeves. "And by 'demon'.... you're referring to.....that Thing that's chasing after us?!"

"Correct... HetaOni is actually an RPG game about you guys being stuck in this mansion and chased by that oni. 

In my case right now, it still seems like I'm playing a game because I can monitor you guys through a game screen." she waved her hand in front of her to open a holographic menu screen.

"Huh? But I don't see anything." Romano commented.

The girl waved her hand again to close the menu and spoke, 

"I don't know how that works, either, but it seems like I'm the only one who can see it." the girl replied.

England tilted his head. "Some sort of screen? Ah.. so that's why I've seen you do that gesture a few times before."

"Yeah. Also...I have played this game before... so all this time... I sort of knew what was happening and who was going to do what and stuff...." she said, slowly turning to face Italy, who has looked so confused and shocked during the whole explanation.

The Northern Italian furrowed his eyebrows and spoke, "You......you knew all along?..."

"Y-Yes...I'm sorry I hid it from you guys... I didn't think you guys would believe me just like that... also there are other things to consider..." she replied, looking away.

Russia clicked his tongue, "But--"

"--I'm sorry, but is it okay if I continue my explanation later? I've got some things I need to sort out with myself... Besides, Italy's not yet done with his explanation, right? Let's listen to him first..." (Name) said, her lips starting to tremble.

France gently pat the girl's head and told her, "It's okay, fille, take your time." he then turned to the Northern Italian and spoke, "Italy, may we please hear the rest of your explanation?"

Though Italy wanted to hear out (Name)'s explanation, as well, he nodded and continued his explanation. "Where was I?  Ah, yes..... That time when first went to this mansion.....

We were just going to have fun. We were going to go home soon.We opened the door and came in, but...as you know, there was that monster inside.

We all ran in different directions and I got lost from everyone, and I was so scared and had no idea what had happened.

I wanted to find someone as quickly as possible

...After walking around a lot, I found Japan. I was really happy, but...." Italy paused for a moment, trying to blink away tears that started to form in his eyes and continued, 

"... he had just been beaten by the enemy.

Until then, I'd completely forgotten that Japan had come along. There was a gap, as if  something had been erased...

While I was thinking that there was something wrong with my memory...

China, Russia, France... America, Canada, and England were killed one by one...

By the time I'd finally be able to escape, Prussia and Germany were also killed, and I was the only one still alive."

"You were... alone..." France said in a low voice, looking down.

Italy nodded slowly. "I was supposed to get out, but I felt too hopeless. I just wandered around without knowing what to do, and before I knew it, I was in the library." he then opened his uniform jacket and took out an old looking book for everyone to see. "That's when I found this book."

"That's the Bible you've been carrying all along, isn't it?" China said, pointing at the book the Italian held.

Italy nodded and looked at the book. "Yeah, it kind of looks like a Bible, but this is actually a journal.

When I opened it, it had the name of its previous owner written on it." he then opened the journal and flipped it to a certain page.

"It reads 'Ryuuzu no Ko', right?" Japan said as he peered over to see the book.

Italy nodded again and continued, "Everyone had died right before my eyes, and I was all alone.

By then, I wasn't really thinking straight any more. That's where my memories get a little fuzzy.

I was going to throw this book away, too. But

... that monster found me, and I unconsciously ran away with the book still in my hands, and at last

... I got out.

I was alone..."

==*==

{flashback about the time Italy successfully escaped the mansion on his own}

Italy ran out of the front door and looked at his surroundings with wide eyes.

"I got out...

I'm the only one who survived, the only one who got out...

I shouldn't have been able to get out...

What the hell? This doesn't make any sense. Out of everyone, I'm the only one left? 

What the hell? What the hell?" he yelled out in a frustrated tone.

Suddenly, the monster also dashes out of the front door and charges after Italy. The Italian runs quickly towards the gate, his exit. But then, he found himself stopping. He turned around and shouted at the monster, 

"Stop!

I won, right? You couldn't catch me; you lost!

The moment I get out of here, you'll lose! There's nothing you can do from that distance!

When I get out of here, this place won't be the same as before, you know! As a nation, I will destroy this place!

Doesn't that make you frustrated? Huh? I'm your last trophy, after all. You lost to the guy whose only redeeming feature is his fast feet.

... 

...

...back

...

Take us back!

You can take us back in this warped space, can't you?

If you do that, why don't you eat me first? If you can catch me, that is.

......

Go back!!! 

{end of flashback}

=*=*=*=*=

"The next thing I knew, I was in the world meeting hall. I had the journal in my hand...and I knew I'd gone back in time.

And then I became the owner of this journal.The proof that I turned into Ryuuzu is that it was written on the previous journal that he was the only one who could go back in time." Italy said, closing the book.

China looked at Italy with sad eyes, "So, you made a pact with it. It made time go back so that it could eat you..."

"The second time, I didn't want to come back here, and I tried to stop America.

But it was too late; you were already headed here...

In the end, no matter how many times I go back in time, I can't go back to before I told America about this house.

The ten of us always come here. Even if the groups change. Always." Italy told them, starting to shake a little.

Canada nodded in understanding. "So that's what the memories of coming here with different people are all about. We kept coming here in various patterns."

"That's right. But in the second time loop, I couldn't save England, China, or America, and I survived again." Italy said in a depressed tone.

Japan's head shot up as he let out, "What?!"

Italy, not hearing Japan, continued, "So, once again..." 

America waved his hands in front of him to catch his attention. "Stop, stop! Hold on. In the second time loop, er...I did survive, didn't I?"

"What?!" Italy exclaimed, utterly confused.

Japan stepped forward and spoke, "Yes, it is just as America said. It is difficult for me to say it, but... Italy, you were the only one who...in the room right behind you..."

"I'm the only one who died? What? That's impossible..." Italy rambled in an exasperated tone.

England tilted his head and suggested, "Maybe you're just confused due to going through that too many times?"

Italy shook his head. "The second time wasn't the same as the first time, but I still remember it perfectly. Besides, if I died, who made time go back?"

"Ah, yes, Italy is the only one who can go back in time. That wouldn't fit... or would it?" Russia wondered.

Japan was starting to get exasperated himself from the confusion. "But we saw it when we broke that clock! Even Italy said in all certainty that it was the second time."

"I...can confirm that it's true. I also saw the same thing as Japan did. So did America." (Name) said, rubbing her elbow.

Italy turned to Japan with a puzzled look. "I did? There were definitely several past times I opened up to you like I just did now,but the... second time...Where was that clock?"

America scratched his head and spoke in a low voice. "Remember there was a box in that cell? The clock was inside that box. Along with a letter for you."

"There was something inside that box?!" Italy exclaimed, genuinely shocked.

England nodded and spoke, "It looks like I'm the one who sealed it. It was my past self who sealed it, to be exact."

"Ita, maybe you haven't got all of your memories back yet? And that's why you remember things differently?" Spain said in a comforting tone.

Russia crossed his arms and pointed at the (hair colour) haired girl with them. "Then why don't we just ask the little sunflower to tell us the whole story, da?" he said, causing the rest of the countries to turn their gazes at the girl.

"I... I can't...do that." the girl said in a soft voice.

Germany became irritated at this and spoke, "And why not? I do not understand why you wouldn't tell us everything you know. You have the information, don't you?  Haven't you thought that it'd be a whole lot easier for us to get out of this wretched mansion if you do?! Do you think this is still some sort of game you used to play in your so-called world?! Well, mind you, frau, it is not! This is not a game! This is reality!"

"THAT'S THE POINT!" (Name) shouted angrily, causing the blonde German to step aback. The rest of the countries eyes widened in surprise, as well.

The girl tried to wipe off the tears from her (eye colour) eyes before continuing,

"That's...the whole point. This isn't a game where I could play freely without thinking of the possible consequences because I can restart it later. When I played this game, I always relied on the option of saving the game at a certain checkpoint whenever I was unsure of any decision I was about to make. If I took the wrong path, I could just reload the game and play it again...

....but, Germany's right.... 

....This is reality.

I can't save at any checkpoint. I can't afford to make even the simplest mistake....

...because one wrong move could inevitably lead to someone's end. Be it mine, be it one of you guys, or even all of us here!" 

The girl looked around her and saw the others didn't want to meet her gaze. She looked down and spoke, her lips trembling,

"Guys...

I've told Japan and Prussia about this before...and I'll say it again.

....<i>I'm scared.</i>

I'm really scared about what could happen--not only to myself, but also about you guys! The whole time I've been here, I've constantly debated with myself on what I should do, what I should not do, how I can help, how not to be a burden...

....I'm really sorry. I have the information....but I am so afraid of the consequences of telling you guys something that could end up in the worst if used at the wrong time. 

I want to help you guys, really. I can guide you, but I can't give you all the information. I know that I'll be useless if I don't tell you guys everything... but...I can't risk it. Because even if you guys don't know me, I know you. Even if you were all  fictional in my world, I've grown fond of all of you guys. "

Germany's eyes widened for a bit, then softened. He walked up to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder, ".....I'm sorry. I didn't know you had these feelings bottled up inside you. I didn't even consider how difficult it had been for you. You know, I've noticed that you're case is a bit similar to Italy's. I apologise for not being considerate of your feelings."

"Si. I really appreciate you thinking about us, bella. We're almost on the same boat, I understand why you did so. Even I felt scared when I had to go through all those timeloops and knowing what was going to happen to who... Ehehe... Though my memories are kind of hazy right now. " Italy told the girl, trying to comfort her as well.

"It's alright, you guys. We can't expect Italy to remember everything all of a sudden, and we can't expect (Name) just to spoonfeed us the information or give us a risky shortcut... But we got the gist of what we needed to know." Canada said.

France raised a hand. "To sum it up, we died the first time around, and Italy went back in time, right? And Italy is the only one who can keep going back until all of us can get out. The fille, on the other hand, is from another world and got lost here, and now will try to help us out out of this mansion by guiding us."

"I'm glad that (Name)-chan was finally able to tell the others about her situation...but I still find something wrong about Italy's case. I'm sure I saw a past in which Italy lost his life.If that past is real, then who on Earth went back in time?" Japan thought.

Italy noticed his friend in deep thought and nudged him, "Japan? You're frowning..."

"Italy, how do you go back in time?" Japan asked.

The Italian raised an eyebrow but answered, "Er, well, there's a clock somewhere in this house. A really huge one. All I have to do is rewind it."

".......A clock?! Could it be...?" (Name) thought, her eyes widening.

Japan tilted his head. "Is that big clock in a different place each time?"

Italy nodded and replied, "Yeah, that's right. The first time around, it moved so that I could escape, but whenever someone fell, I would go after it and it'd be in a different place.

Sadly, it's the one sure way to escape."

"You mean... for everyone... right? Surely you're including yourself in that?" Japan asked, furrowing his brows.

Italy looked away. "Oh... er... well..."

Japan gently placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and made him face him. "......Italy, do you remember the question I asked you earlier?" 

"Question...?" Italy tilted his head in puzzlement.

"I asked you if you were... hurt somewhere." Japan said.

"Oh.

Yeah, I remember." The Northern Italian told him.

Japan took a deep breath. "I'll rephrase my question, Italy."

"O-okay..." Italy nodded.

"Is there somewhere you want to be?" Japan asked, giving a caring smile.

Italy's eyes began to water. "Japan..."

"Please answer... Italy." his friend pleaded.

"I...

All this time, I wanted to be with you guys... All of me hurt, but I couldn't stop trying, and yet I couldn't find a way to make it stop, either...

But maybe I can tell you now? Actually, I wanted to be with you, too. I wanted to escape with all of you..." Italy admitted, his whole body now trembling.

Japan pat his friend's head, "Yes. So do I."

"Ve... Japan..." At that, Italy couldn't help but break down in tears.

Prussia raised his hands and exclaimed. "Ack! Japan, you made little Italy cry!"

"Prussia, this is a serious conversation..." Germany reprimanded his brother.

America gave a thumbs up. "Anyway! We'll all live and escape together! The last time you had to rely on that clock was literally the last time! Okay?"

"Yes, no objections." England agreed.

"There sure are a lot of things that still don't fit, though. Goddammit, I can't figure it out with the memories I got..." Romano thought frustratedly, running his hands through his hair.

"Romano, don't think too much about it." Spain said, placing an arm over the Southern Italian's shoulders, causing the latter to give a look of surprise.

Spain faced him and spoke, "Just think that the red stains on your clothes were only tomato juice. It couldn't have been anything else."

"... Fine. I'll ask them later. For now, I guess it's enough that we figured out this much. Besides, they're a little less troubled now." The olive-skinned Italian said.

Spain ruffled Romano's hair. "Good boy."

"Sh-shut up! Stop treating me like a kid!" the older Italian huffed in annoyance.

///Switch to Reader's PoV!///

"Hey, listen...I want to help you guys. I can't tell you everything, but I'll guide you guys to the best of my capabilities."I told them shyly.

Prussia faced me with a grin. "Thank you so much, frau, but you don't need to stress yourself out too much for us. You know, you have to think about yourself, too." 

"......Myself...?" I asked softly. Then all too suddenly, I remembered something.

No... Why the hell did I forget such a thing...??

Look at me talking big like that in front of them...

Look at me talking about how I'm going to help them...

Look at me...

....This time I...

.....I'm  the one feeding them with lies.

But....I haven't taken the metal piece yet, right?

So--

......No!

.....I need to take it.

Not for myself, but for...my parents.

I just need to take the metal piece and give it to the 2Ps so that they'll set my parents free, right? .... After that, I don't care what those 2Ps will do to kill the 1Ps, but I'm going to help the 1Ps get out of this mansion. I won't allow those Second Players to kill the First Players for revenge... The metal piece might be a way to escape this mansion, but I'm sure there are other ways besides that...

The Second Players...

....I've considered them. Their situation, their feelings, their pasts...

...But I still can't accept how they want to handle their anger at the First Players.

I know there's still a chance for them to change...so there's this possibility of talking things out with them, right?

I'll worry about that bit later...

...for now, I have to work out how I'm going to take the metal piece without them knowing...

....because if they find out...

......they'll never forgive me. 

If they find out that I've been working with the Second Players, they'll be really angry at me, huh?

They'll probably say things like they shouldn't have trusted me, or I was a such a liar and stuff. They'd...

They'd probably hate me.

But what can I do??! Help the 2Ps or Help the 1Ps?!

I can't just do both...I can't do neither...

What will I do?!

What should I do?!

Ahhh....There's so many things to think about...

Add in the dream I just had a while back...

Anymore....anymore and I think I'll go insane....

"(N-Name)...? Are you alright? You're trembling... Feeling ill again?" Canada asked me in a soft voice, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I looked up at his violet orbs and choked out, ".....No. My--"

"It looks like we have to end our discussions for now. We have a visitor." Japan announced, taking his katana out of its sheathe.

As I turned to look where the said visitor was, I saw a large grey monster a few feet away from Japan.

"Aaaaaargh!! What's that Thing?!! What the hell?!!" Spain shrieked upon seeing the Thing.

Romano covered his ears from Spain's outbursts. "Hey---stop screaming in my ear!"

Before the Spaniard could even recover from seeing the first monster, another creature appeared from the door beside them.

Spain jumped in pure fear. "Aaaaaargh!!! There's another one!!!"

"See, now that's a natural reaction. I suppose we've been through this so many times that we've got unconsciously used to it." France pointed out.

Prussia began positioning his awesome sword in front of the monster and spoke. "That's how it is when you see it for the first time! Stop worrying about it and fight!"

"Everyone, take your weapons. We shall definitely do away with them." Japan told us.

At that, the battle begun between the countries and the two monsters. While they were having an exchange of attacks, I stood at a fair distance from them, opened my bag and waved my hand in front of me. Doing that, a screen appeared, allowing me to see their HPs and MPs.

Sword clashing, gun shooting, pipe smashing, physical attacks, magical attacks, the countries have been doing their all to fight back. However, the creature does take its chances and attacks the countries with its unknown powers.

 Everytime someone's hp would cut in half or get dangerously low from an attack, I would give them a riceball, or when it seems like their attacks aren't doing any damage because of low mp, I give them a can of beer. The others would get hesitant at first, but eat/drink them anyway, then widen their eyes upon regaining their strength from the magical riceball and beer I bought from a toilet. They didn't know that, though.

After several exchanges of attacks, the monsters eventually weakened and disappeared upon being defeated.

When they won, a menu screen popped in front of me:

Japan's Party was victorious!

4 EXP were received!

200HETA were obtained!

Onigiri was found! Hot Pepper was found! Onigiri was found! Hot Pepper was found!

After the pop-up disappeared, I was going to turn to the others, when I saw another game screen appear in front of me:

///~CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS.~\\\

Along with the screen showing Prussia's thoughts, saying:

///Prussia: (... God dammit! What the hell is this voice?!) \\\

Moments later, the screen disappeared, the I heard the others talk.

"Well, now, let's go back. We're all tired. Let's call it a day..." Japan told us, wiping sweat from his forehead.

China stretched his arms and spoke, "That's right! Let's go to sleep!"

"Hey, dudette! You were perfect back-up a while ago! I didn't know those riceball-thingys would give you back so much strength!" America beamed, ruffling my hair a bit.

France walked up to us to join in. "Oui~ Even though I prefer wine, the beer you told me to drink gave me so much energy. Merci, fille!"

I shrugged for a while and gave them a small smile, "Well--"

"Don't thank her just yet."  we heard a voice from the end of the hall.

A voice. A familiar voice. A voice that I know.

England stepped closer and looked where the voice came from. "Who's there? Show yourself."

At that, the door at the end of the hall opened, revealing...people that every one of us would recognise.

The Second Players.

One by one, they stepped out of the room. People who look like copies of the countries I was with, but with alternate colours of hair, eyes and skin. There were only five of them, but they were enough to give off an aura of danger.

This caused the First Players to take a few steps back in pure surprise...and horror. 

"It...can't be..." Japan uttered slowly.

Silence filled the hall, allowing us to hear the heavy footsteps of the man who owns the voice we heard a few moments ago. He was the last one to slowly exit the room.

That man had auburn hair, piercing magenta eyes...and a smirk that sends chills to the spine. On his right hand he held a switchblade....on his left hand.....he held.....a very large....sack.....

My eyes widened in horror. It's impossible, right..? That sack...inside that sack..... It's not like..... It's not.....

"......My....pa.....rents.......?" I choked out, tears forming in my eyes.

The magenta-eyed man wearing a tan military uniform handed the sack to one of his henchmen and turned to us. Breaking the silence of the halls, he darkly chuckled,

"Ciao."