---Chapter XIV: Goodbye (Part 4)---



///Reader's PoV///

"...I'm not from this world."

Shoot. Welp. I've dug my own grave. Time to jump in.



Curious looks were all that they gave me. I don't know if they believe what I just said and use it as a reason to kill me...or not believe what I just said and use it as a reason to kill me. Either way, they are so going to kill me.



Oliver crossed his arms. "Mind explaining to us what you mean, poppet?"



"I...uhm...well..." I fumbled for words.



Andres and Gilen also walked over to us. Now all of them are practically surrounding me. "Just spit it out, already." Andres told me blankly.



"...I don't know if you guys will believe me...but I've come from a world where you guys are just pure fiction." I admitted.



Gilen slumped on a chair. "Don't you just mean that you've grownup not knowing about our existences because we were basically rid of it? Because, in a way, it makes sense...and it makes me depressed that you confirm that."



"N-No! That's not it... I've come from a world where personified countries don't exist. Neither do their alternatively coloured counterparts..." I paused and looked at their expressions. "......that were created because of...wars..."



Their eyes widened, finding it incredelous that I know such information. "L-Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys before that I knew about you guys...it's just that I was a bit scared that you guys could kill me--"


"--yeah, we could." Allen cut in. "....but we're intrigued by you at the moment, so we'll let you off the hook...for now. Alright, continue."



A bit worried about what he said, I continued, "...I...I already know your story. I even know your personalities. But most of all...I know you guys have your reasons.


Why you guys are in this mansion. What you guys are planning on and why you guys want that plan to work. 


I know you guys want revenge, but I also know that that kind of revenge isn't right.


I know that you guys are aware of this, and I know you guys don't care if it's right or wrong...


...but believe me when I tell you guys that there are still other ways to solve this. 


If you guys would look at things in a different angle, you'll realise something.


You'll see things that you've never seen there before.



...then, you'll realise what you guys really want.




And you'll know, that this isn't what it's all about."



After I ended my little speech, silence fell upon the room. No one spoke. They just sat there. I'm not sure if it was in awe, or building rage. Just silence. It scared me. If they didn't react, how will I know if my point got through or not? 


But what scared me more was when I heard someone clap at the other end of the room.


It was Luciano, leaning by the door. He must have entered without us noticing. Judging by his expression, it seems that he heard my whole speech.


"Bravo, ragazza. That was incredible. Very noble of you to give a nice lecture to people like us. It's too bad that you won't be able to change our minds, especially when we have already succeeded in killing that weak original that turns back time. It's too late for the rest of them, now." Luciano told me, smirking.



When the other Second Players heard that, they finally reacted. "He's dead? Then it'll be a piece of cake to get rid of the others." Matthieu commented.



"Yeah, they're even setting up some sort of death bed for the guy. Pathetic." the magenta-eyed Italian said.



I gasped. "...I really am here... Italy's..." 



"I knew there was something more to you, ragazza. I thought it was only imagination when you said the name...but looks like it wasn't. When you said, 'Italy'... you were referring to the 'original' one, weren't you?" Luciano asked.



Looking away, I spoke, "...Yes."




Allen stood up and lifted his nail-covered bat. "Welp, sorry dollface, but you need to go--"


"She is not going anywhere." Luciano intervened.



Feeling both fear and relief, I turned to Luciano. "...I'm not?"



"Si. Because you're going give us information. You also have information about those, 'originals', don't you?" he asked, idly playing with his switchblades.


I sighed. I don't have a choice here, don't I? "Yeah, I do." I replied.


"Good. Then she'll be our back-up plan in case someone fucks it up again." Luciano told his comrades.



Flavio stood up. "What do you mean? Isn't your oh-so-wonderful plan, full proof already?" the Southern Italian asked sarcastically.



"I said that the first time, and it was true...until someone messed up and created a monster that magically made a contract with one of the 'originals'!" Luciano snapped.


Oliver reacted and crossed his arms. "Hey! So are you saying it was my fault?!"


"What else am I saying?!" Luciano growled.



With pink swirls in his eyes, Oliver spoke, "You know very well that I had no idea that that would happen! I don't even know if it was my doing or if it was--"


"Then it was still your fault for not making sure!" 


"It is not!"


Matthieu suddenly stepped in and clicked his tongue. "Enough!!! You shitheads aren't going to get anywhere with this fight. We're supposed to focus on those 'originals', not try to cut each other's heads off." he scolded.



"Ooh~ Mama Canada here to save the day~" Allen teased.



Feeling a vein pop in his head, Matthieu growled and turned to the redhead. "What did you say, you little shit?!"


And before we knew it, everyone else quarreled against each other. The funny thing about it was that, their fight was so petty and shallow. It was childish, to say.



Crazy as it might sound, and dangerous as it might be, I couldn't help but giggle.



They may hate the First Players, but they have a lot more in common with them than they think.


They may be quite scary and intimidating, but they can actually be really cute.



....And they may look down on their selves and think lowly of who they are in this world...but they can actually be greater than that. 



"Why don't you guys understand that you guys can be so much more? That you're not just 'Second Players'..." I muttered, thinking that they weren't able to hear me anyway.


Well, I was wrong.



Because as I said that, they stopped quarrelling and all turned to me.




"...'Second Players'...?" 




Ah, dammit.



=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=



///Third Person PoV///



When Italy made sure that Past Germany already exited the room and is out of earshot, he let out a big sigh of relief.


"Phewww!! What a scare!! I almost had a heart attack!! Ahhh, thank God! Germany, you can come out now~! Wow, scolded by Prussia, then hit by me...talk about adding insult to injury, huh~?" Italy said playfully.



Walking up to the curtain in the top left corner where Germany hid, Italy spoke, "Hey, Germany, I was talking to you!... What, are you sulking?"



"I'm not sulking! It's just...I'm s-so weak...Dammit!" Germany answered, walking out of the space behind the curtain.



Italy tilted his head. "Oh, were you that upset about it? You don't have to worry. I was even worse the first time around. I mean, everyone but me was wiped out, you know." he said, causing Germany to fall silent.



"Everyone died right before my eyes. The pure white piano, the pure white sheets, the pure white beds, the pure white floor, they were all painted a deep red." Italy said, voice cracking a bit.


Germany nodded. "...Yes."


"But you know, no one blamed me. Everyone smiled at me. And then they told me, 'I'm sorry I couldn't be by your side till the end...' You and Prussia were the last to die. I just couldn't believe it. I started...breaking everything in the house. There  was no one to stop me or get mad at me...I was ready to give up. It was...pretty tough..." 



Italy explained, looking down and rubbing his arm. "That was the first time. As in, the time before this time loop we're in right now. I'm so jealous that you have someone to get mad at you." he said, facing Germany.


"...I'm sorry. It must be hard to talk about..." Germany apologised.


Italy shook his head. "That's thanks to everyone. Anyway, Germany, why don't we go look for the journal now?"



"Hm? Oh, right. But I want you to wait. Can I just ask you one thing?" Germany said, his voice getting softer.


"Uh, sure." Italy motioned him to continue.



"I want you to let me see this world's Italy. Or rather, I'm going to see him. Are you coming with me?" Germany asked.



Italy thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I'd...rather not...I mean, he's dead and all...I'll be waiting for you in the hallway."




"Sorry. I'll be right back." Germany said as he left the room.


=*=*=*=*=*=*=



Germany headed to the room across the fireplace room on the second floor. As he entered the room, he saw the deceased Past Italy laid down on the carpet in the centre of the room, surrounded by flowers.



Walking over to the body silently, he clenched his fist. He knelt down and spoke softly,  "How strange. Not long ago...you were desperately trying to stop us at the front door... ...I'm so sorry. There are...so many things...I want to tell you...Haa..."



He paused for a moment, feeling his eyes water and a lump form in his throat."So this is what it feels like...to lose a friend. This won't do. I just keep blinking more and more...First...an apology...I'm sorry I laughed at your valuable opinion. 


Also...you...You're probably...going to keep going through many time loops now. 


To do it all over again...desperately trying to get us to escape...over and over...


For some reason, I don't get back my past memories. That's why I'd like to keep my promise to you in my own way. It's quite a long story, but don't worry. I'll definitely keep my word, no matter what. The Italy who is with me now is no longer alone. It must be the scene you were dreaming of.



Everyone is with you. 


It definitely wasn't just a dream...There will definitely come the day when you experience it first-hand. 



Until then..."



Germany picked up a red rose that was beside him and placed it on top of Past Italy's chest.




"Until then, rest in peace, Italy..."




=*=*=*=*=*=*=




///Reader's PoV///



"2P!Italy...Veneziano." I said softly.



After my stupid slip-up, I was made to explain to them what I knew about them as "Second Players". I told them the information I had on them that I read on the internet, along with a little of the explanations that the 2Ps of the current time loop gave me. Right now, they asked me if I knew their names. I told them I did, and they asked me to enumerate them. The thing is, they don't know that I also knew their human names. I didn't feel like I needed to tell them, since I would be telling their future selves, anyway. I just finished enumerating their names, ending with Luciano. 


The tanned skinned Northern Italian hummed a little before he spoke, "Interesting. So, we're actually called as 'Second Players'...and those original bastardos are 'First Players'... Seems appropriate enough, but thought still makes my blood boil."



"...Even so...you guys don't need to be affected by such labels." I said quietly.



Allen placed an arm over my shoulders and faced me, "Whaddya mean, dollface?"



"I mean...you guys are your own persons. You are defined by your own being and action, not by the people who think differently of you. 'Second Player' or not, you guys can be more than what you think." I rambled.



Again, silence.



No one was saying anything, again. They just stared at me like I'm some kind of strange being that they've never seen before. Or maybe it's because they're not used to seeing...to...seeing....



"We've got a problem!!!" Lutz suddenly bursted through the door, alerting the others.


They turned to face him. "What is it?" Luciano asked.



"...They're--they're going to rewind time, again..." Kuro answered, appearing behind Lutz.



Confusion was written all over their faces. Standing up from their seats, they began to gather their weapons and run through the door. "Oh no they don't! We are not going through the trouble of going through all that again!" Allen shouted, walking out the room. They all followed, some where frantic, some weren't. They just left.



They completely forgot about me, but hey, it's pretty convenient they did! I waited a bit until I knew that they were already too far away to hear me. I looked around the room. It was the same room where they stayed back in the current time loop. Since it's still the same, I can conclude that my bag is probably over in a corner like last time...


"There it is." I muttered to myself as I quickly picked up my bag that was placed in a corner. I heard something clink, like something fell to the floor. Looking down, I didn't see anything. I don't have the time to look for whatever it was, anyway. 


Slipping on the straps of my bag, I took a deep breath.


As I reached the door, which was left open by the Second Players, I paused for a moment. You know... if I stay here and get to convince them to stop, I could change the future. I could change that future where Italy would go through countless loops and see his friends die again and again. 


I could.







But...I can't.



Because...that future is also where Italy finally came to realise that he isn't alone. 


That future where everybody has learnt to finally get along.



That future where I...I actually met them. All of them, First Player and Second Player alike.



That future that had to go through many tragedies to be a present...if you think about it...it isn't so bad. It's a future that exists for a reason.



Solving my internal struggle, I smiled. I did what I knew would get me back there.





I ran.



=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=




///Third Person PoV///




Germany exited the room, walked left through the corridor and walked up the hall to meet up with Italy, who was by the right side of the hall.



"Hi, Germany~ How was I?" Italy asked.



Germany wiped his face before turning to Italy. "Hm? Oh. You were sleeping quite contentedly."



"I see. I must have felt content that I was able to protect everyone. But now I that content feeling is a mistake." Italy said, looking away.


Without knowing, tears began streaming down Germany's cheeks.  "Right. A mistake." he said, his voice cracking. This caused the Italian to look at him and see his state.



"Whoa! Don't cry, Germany~! I'm very much alive, and now I know better~" Italy tried comforting him.



Germany tried wiping away the tears.  "Sh-shut up! I'm mourning! How can you be so nonchalant about it?"



"Thank you, though. For crying for me. I'm so happy to have such a great friend~It's so good to have friends, isn't it? That's why I want to get out with everyone." Italy smiled.



Nodding, Germany spoke,  "Of course! And you shouldn't blame yourself or anything-"



"Veh~I've been considering-" Italy started, but stopped when he saw someone in the corner of his eye.



Germany creased his forehead. "Italy...? What's-!"



They both turned to see the person who stood across them in the hall. It was a blonde haired man with blue eyes, and wore a brown bomber jacket and rectangular glasses.




"Amer...ica..." Italy managed to say.



Germany started to panic internally. "Oh, no...He was supposed to think that Italy is dead! He shouldn't have run into us now-"



"--Hey , are you by any chance..." Italy said, stepping closer to where the American was.



Germany tried calling after the Italian. "H-hey! Italy!!"



"A-Al...fred?" Italy asked.



Stopping when he heard what Italy said, Germany spoke, "What?"



"...Feliciano and...Ludwig...?" America asked back, squinting his eyes.



Taking a breath of relief, Germany stepped closer, as well. " I-I see! So it's you!!"



"Aaaaah!! What the hell, you guys wound up here, too?! You scared-mmpf!" America exclaimed, but was made to stop when Italy covered his mouth with his hand.



Italy hushed him. "Quiet! They're upstairs!"



"Sorry, sorry! But I'm so relieved! I thought I was all alone here and felt pretty helpless. So, why is Germany crying?" America asked in a softer voice.


Germany facepalmed in embarrassment. "Why did he have to have such a sharp eye now of all times...?!"


"Oh, um...It's 'cause I died in this world. He just came back from saluting me." Italy answered.



America's eyes widened. "...I see. Then this really is the second time-"



"You were right, America...I died in the second time loop. But that isn't how I remember it..." Italy said with a troubled expression.



Shaking his head, America smiled. "I don't doubt your memories. Some thing must be going on...Thank you for trying so hard to help us, Italy."



"What? Oh...Oh, you mean the me from this world? Um...thanks to you, too." Italy said, smiling back.



Looking around, America spoke, "So, what are we going to do?! I wound up here because of the journal, so I figured that if I found it, I'd be able to go back-"


"We think so, too. But we don't have it, so..." Germany trailed off.



Italy sighed. "We can't take this world's journal, either. What are we going to do? I guess we'll just have to keep looking for it."



"You know...I've also been thinking...if we got here because we were around that journal...wouldn't (Name) be here, too?" America asked.



Germany raised an eyebrow. "(Name)? But we haven't seen her around at all...Where could she be?"



"Oh no! What if she ended up in some other room? What if the the nations of this time loop find her? Or...Or..." Italy began to panic.


America suddenly pointed down the hall. "....Or maybe she's running towards us?"



The remaining two men turned to see a (h/c) haired girl who stopped when she was finally beside the countries she knew was from the current time loop.



"Guys...Haa...You're...here...." she panted.



America glomped the girl. "Yeaah! (Name), we're glad you're safe."


"Air...Air..." the girl choked out, almost feeling the life being squeezed out of her.



Laughing, America let go of the girl. "Oops! Sorry 'bout that, dudette!"



"Man, your 'hero hugs' sure are lethal." (Name) joked.



They all chuckled a bit, but then stopped when they felt the ground below and practically everything else, violently shake.



"Whoa! Wh-what was that?" Germany asked, standing up after the shaking stopped.



Italy looked left and right. "An earth tremor? But it feels kind of different-"


"...England...? England's doing...something...What the hell? I don't know what he's trying to do, but it must be something absurd!!" America told them.



Italy raised an eyebrow. "Something...?!



"I don't know! But this rumble in the ground often happens when he did one of his ench-incantations! Also, it isn't something he can do just for the heck of it...What does he think he's trying to do?!" America frantically said.




Italy cupped his chin. "Something absurd..."



Suddenly the shakes once more and they could hear thunders and roars of lightning. There were even different lights the illuminated around them. After a few moments, everything began to calm quiet down again.



"H-huh? Compared to all that racket...that was nothing much." Italy said.



Germany nodded. "Mm. You're right. Maybe it was just an earthquake?"



They suddenly heard the a loud sound, like a door slamming open, causing them to jump in surprise.



"Was that sound from the front door?" America muttered.



America and (Name) walked over to peer downstairs.



Italy gave a puzzled look. "America, (Name)?"



"Huh. What?...Hey, guys, look! The front door!" America whispered.



Germany walked over to them and asked, "What happened?"



What they saw made their eyes go wide, as they realised that...the scene was just like the beginning of the second time loop again.

"Heeey! Is anyone here?!" Past Germany called out.

Past Japan shook his head. "They're not here. Maybe they went upstairs?"



"Sheesh, those old geezers are always going off on their own! They came here first and yet they're nowhere to be seen." Past America complained.

Germany creased his forehead.  "What on Earth is going on?!"



"No way...We've gone back in time..." Italy whispered in a distressed tone.



America tilted his head. "We're gone back in time even though Italy is gone? You mean someone else made time go back?!"


(Name) only stood by them quietly. She didn't want to intervene at the moment.



"...I'm going to die very soon..." Italy muttered.



Germany placed a hand on the Italian's shoulder. "Italy? What's the matter?"



Running his hands through his hair, Italy frowned. "I'm forgetting something...What was it? Something that someone told me-"



They heard footsteps getting nearer and nearer to them, signalling that the past nations were heading up the stairs.



"Oh! Looks like they're coming upstairs! Eesh, can't they read the mood?" America said, clicking his tongue.



Germany turned to Italy.  "I-I see. Why don't we hide on the third floor again, then? Italy, you have to hide first."



"--Okay." Italy nodded.



=*=*=*=*=*=*=

///Luciano's PoV///



That....that bastardo! They fucking turned back the time again! My plans, ruined again. Now we'll have to go through all that shit again!



After finding out that the 'First Player' counterpart of our magical idiot was also a magical idiot, we realised that the time had been rewinded and the 'First Players' we're all alive again.



With frustrated and angry expressions on our faces, we headed back to our base. I was about to pull out the key from my pocket, when I saw the door open.



I turned to the others and spoke, "....The door...was left open?"



"Huh. Guess we were in such a rush that we forgot about that." the redheaded American suggested.


Clicking my tongue, I swung open the door. "That means....the ragazza..." I looked around the room.



Empty.



"You idiotas! I told you that she was our back-up plan! How could you all be so careless as to let her escape?!" I hissed.



Canada lifted up his shades and turned to England. "Old man, you can do magic, right? Can't you just wave a wand and bring her back here?"



"W-Well...yes. I can cast a spell to get her, that is true... but I don't have any idea where she could be. I mean, time has been rewinded...what if she was back at her home or something of the sort. We don't exactly have information on her." the strawberry blonde Brit explained.



Suddenly, we heard someone chuckle from the corner of the room. It was that redheaded guy, America. He was kneeling down on the floor, as if looking at something. Then, we saw him pick up a small object. He suddenly threw it at me. I caught it without problem.



It was a bag tag.



"Hmm. (Name) (Second Name) (Last Name). (Address). (Contact number)..." I read aloud. I began to laugh as I realised that this was the answer. Turning to England, I asked, "...This is enough information, si?"


The blue-eyed Brit nodded. "Yes. It's perfect." he smiled like a cheshire cat.

"Then work your magic." I said, smirking.




=*=*=*=*=*=*=



After that Brit casted a spell that brought him and myself to the girl's house, we decided to hide first and search separately to cover more ground.


England said he was going to go over to the kitchen, while I search the second floor. While I was going through what seemed to be her parent's room, I saw her walk up the stairs with a mountain of food...what caught my eye was a certain cupcake that seemed all too familiar. This must be that Brit's doing.


I made sure I wasn't seen, just peering through the door of the other room. Several minutes later, I saw her exit her room.




"See you soon, oh splendid isolation hub of mine~" she said, smiling. 





I couldn't help but chuckle at her statement.









"I don't think you will, ragazza~"