—Chapter XVI: Darkness (Part 2)—

///Third Person PoV; Earlier, in the backyard of the mansion///

"...Haa...I guess this is far enough." said a young woman with long, light blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a dress of a similar colour and a white bow atop of her head.

Just then, another seemingly older and more well-endowed woman with short, light blonde hair, came running after her. "Belaruuus! Waaaait!" she cried.

"Ugh, sister raid...What are you doing here, Ukraine?" Belarus sighed, rolling her eyes.

Before Ukraine could answer, two more girls approached them. One had long brown hair and deep green eyes, while the other had short blonde hair and bluish-green eyes.

"Ahah, good thing I followed you. I'm here to give you a hand!" Hungary smiled, proudly holding up a frying pan.

Liechtenstein stepped closer to the Belarussian girl. "Y-Yes... Belarus, you are so very fast...too fast for me..." she said, panting slightly.

"I don't really need your help. I'm just looking for my brother. My sister aside, this is none of your business." Belarus told them, looking away.

Shaking her head, Liechtenstein spoke, "But... it would be easier to find him than if you were alone. Besides, now it's too late for us to go back."

"We can't just sit on our hands while everyone else is doing all they can. It just wouldn't be right, and besides, we'd start losing our touch." Hungary chuckled a bit.

Ukraine's gaze landed upon the parcel in her younger sister's hands. "Huh? Belarus, that parcel is torn."

"What?! Oh... true. M-Maybe this is a marriage omen!" Belarus exclaimed in horror.

Hungary looked up in thought. "You're going to drop what's inside. If only there was something to fix it with..."

"In that case, you can use my ribbon. This is my spare one, so you can throw it away when you don't need it anymore." Liechtenstein suggested. She walked up to Belarus and fixed the parcel, wrapping it with her spare ribbon.

Once finished, she stepped away and checked her work. "There, all done. Now even if you have to run a little, it won't drop out of the parcel." she smiled.

Belarus couldn't think of anything to say. She wasn't used to interacting with the other countries like this. Thinking of a way to respond, she noticed a gun slung behind Liechtenstein's shoulder. "...You have a gun?" she asked softly.

"What? Oh...My brother lent me this when I told him I was coming to help you. As a parting gift, he said." Liechtenstein replied warmly, a different aura starting to form around her that seemed familiar to Belarus.

"I see... it's a nice gun." she nodded.

"Yes! That's why I won't use it unless I'm really in danger. Because it's my brother's precious gun that I borrowed." Liechtenstein stated with a determined look, though her cheeks heated up as she remembered her beloved brother, Switzerland.

Belarus noticed this, making her lips curl slightly. She knew that it's a nice feeling, thinking of her own brother. Starting to feel a little concern for the girl, she tilted her head and spoke, "Can you really wander around without your brother? I thought Austria told you to stay in the tent."

"Aw, it's fine, he can just get angry later. Anyway, this path splits here." Hungary reassured them, whilst looking at their surroundings.

Ukraine then clapped her hands. "Yeah... Why don't we split up into two groups? Belarus you can come with me~"

"Well, then let's meet here again in ten minutes. We haven't fought the enemy yet, so the more of us there are, the better." the Hungarian girl told them.

Nodding, Belarus tightened her grip on the parcel. "...All right." she said as she watched Hungary and Liechtenstein walk down the southward path.

"Are you worried about them?" Ukraine asked, turning to face Belarus.

Shaking her head, Belarus looked away once more. " ...No."

"Aww, you've made such nice new friends. I'm really, really happy for you~" Ukraine said cheerfully, slightly pinching her younger sister's cheek.

Belarus stepped away from her and placed her hands on her hips. "The-they're not my friends! The only one I want is my brother!" she declared.

"Really? Well, then, we should be going." Ukraine told her, pouting a little. Belarus simply stayed silent.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Meanwhile, Austria and South Korea were in the backyard by the river.

"We're back to where we started..." South Korea sighed, taking a look at their surroundings.

Austria squinted his eyes and cupped his chin. "Well, this is quite odd. I thought we were on the right track, but..."

"Haa...I shouldn't have trusted you. I can't believe we just went around in circles and got back to where we started." South Korea told him, crossing his arms.

Brushing off the Korean's statement, Austria turned around and spoke, "It can't be helped. Well, then, why don't we go this way this time?"

"We just came from that way..." South Korea groaned, facepalming at the thought.

Just then, Switzerland arrived, walking across a bridge to meet up with the two seemingly lost countries. "Huh, what are you doing? I thought you'd already left?" the Swiss asked them with a confused look on his face.

South Korea practically jumped in relief. "Oh! Here's someone a little more reliable!"

"Excuse me! Are you implying that I have no sense of direction?!" Austria gasped.

Turning around and placing one hand by his hip and the other hand raised and pointed to himself, South Korea simply looked at the Austria for a moment. "I'm not implying it.., I'm saying it outright." he sassed.

"It's dangerous to let him lead the way. You would do well to remember that." Switzerland advised him.

Ignoring what the Swiss said, Austria raised an eyebrow. "Incidentally... are you by yourself? Where is Liechtenstein?"

"She ran off to help Russia's little sister find him. Since she was so adamant about going, I lent her my gun and sent her off." he replied.

Nodding, Austria looked like he remembered something and spoke, "I see. ...Did Hungary behave herself?"

"Of course not. She had already run off a long time ago." Switzerland informed him.

Sighing, Austria rubbed his temples. "I should have expected as much. Oh, well."

The three went silent for a while, when they suddenly hear a cellphone ring. Austria checked his phone and looked at the caller screen, "It's from Germany." he told them.

"Answer it, quickly, while we still have signal!" Switzerland said frantically.

Clicking the answer button, Austria placed the phone to the side of his face. "Yes?- Yes, everything is going smoothly here. I trust you are all right?"

"Not. Things aren't going smoothly at all..." South Korea murmurs softly, frowning.

Austria's eyes started to widen. "-What? Is he injured? Is he conscious?" he asked in a panicked tone. This caught South Korea's attention, making him worry.

Disturbing their conversation, a large alien-like creature suddenly appeared in front of them.

"What a timing...Good thing I have a spare gun." Switzerland said, preparing his gun.

South Korea felt on edge as he worried about whoever it was that got hurt. "Hey! Who got injured-"

Pressing the speaker closer to his ear, Austria spoke in a louder voice. "Sorry, we have company. I couldn't hear you, so can you please say that again? Hello? Sorry, can you repeat-" he struggled speaking, since the monster made a lot of garbled noises.

"...Can you shut up for a minute?" South Korea shouted angrily, attacking the creature with a special move and defeating it.

Switzerland took a step back and gave him a thumbs up. "Well done."

"Oh, are you done? Anyway, it was America who got injured and collapsed. And it seems there will be more and more wounded." Austria said, placing his phone back to his pocket.

Frowning, Switzerland clenched his fists. "I see."

"We have to find the clocks quickly." South Korea told them.

Looking into the distance, Austria nodded. "Indeed. There are still nine left. We must hurry." he said, starting to walk towards his left.

"We just told you that's the wrong way! God, why are you such an idiot?!" Switzerland exclaimed in an exasperated tone.

Denying what Switzerland said, the Austrian simply crossed his arms. "W-Well, excuse me! I want to go this way!"

"Either way is fine, let's just go..." South Korea said, feeling the tension between the two rising.

Austria and Switzerland looked at South Korea at the same time and exclaimed in unison. "It is not fine!"

"I hate being caught in the middle like this..." South Korea groaned, facepalming once more.

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

///Reader's PoV///

"I hate being caught in the middle like this." I thought to myself. Part of me wanted to question Luciano straight out about what was so important about the clocks, but another part of me thinks that it's something that I need to find out for myself, well, probably because he looks like he wouldn't tell me if I did ask.

Raising an eyebrow, Luciano snapped a finger in front of me. "Hello? Ragazza, have you seen a clock here?" he asked again.

"H-Huh? I...have no idea what you're talking about.. But, uhm, didn't you bring out a whole of box of them earlier?" I said nervously, praying that he won't notice my bag on the floor. It's open, but the clock isn't visible, so hopefully he wouldn't notice it.

Tilting his head, he looked at me, slightly unconvinced by what I said. "Really, now?"

"Yes...really." I replied, feeling the atmosphere starting to get a bit tense.

Slowly, Luciano stepped beside me and whispered in my ear. "Then why do I hear a clock ticking in your bag?"

Before I could even react, the Italian man suddenly swooped down and picked up my bag. "Hey!" I exclaimed, grabbing his arm to retrieve my belonging.

"Why do you have this with you?! Why did you take it?!" he asked me, keeping his grip on my bag.

Shaking my head, I replied, "To be honest, I don't even know! But I did plan on finding out! I didn't even take it; it was there all this time."

"It...It was? Are you sure you didn't get it here in the mansion?" he asked, looking a bit confused.

Feeling a bit taken aback by what he said, I widened my eyes. "I...You know what? How should I know? I don't even remember much about...anything else, other than what you guys have told me!"

Luciano fell silent upon hearing my words. Seeing his reaction, I pulled my bag towards me. "But now, I'm starting to think that the clock might give me some answers." I said.

With a look of dread, Luciano tightened his grip on my bag and shook his head. "No! It-It doesn't have the answers you want!" he shouted.

Staring deeply into his magenta-coloured orbs, I spoke in a soft voice, "But it has the answers that I need, right?"

Luciano stayed silent for a moment, but surprised me by forcefully pulling my bag towards him, thinking I'd lose my grip on it.

But I didn't.

Then, like one of the most cliche things ever...we both fell down on the floor.

"Oww.." I groaned from the sudden happening.

Luciano placed a hand on my cheek and spoke, "...Mi dispiace...(Second Name)..."

"It's...alright, I guess." I replied, not meeting his gaze.

Sighing, Luciano spoke once more, "...Look, I... The truth is, I can't explain everything to you just yet...because if I did, you wouldn't understand."

"How...How would I not understand?" I asked him, feeling confused.

He ran his fingers through his auburn hair. "Well...your memories...We don't really know what the exact reason was for you to have amnesia. What we do know is that you practically forgot about everything. Everything that you weren't supposed to forget at the moment."

"At the moment?" I raised an eyebrow. Luciano flinched a bit, then spoke, "Y-Yeah, but that's for a later discussion. Right now, we need to figure out how to get you back your memories of....all those that were important."

I found myself silent for a moment. "....I really...forgot everything...important to me?" I asked aloud, feeling a lump in my throat and starting to feel emptiness take over me.

"Don't...don't worry, I'm sure we'll find out a way for you to remember." Luciano reassured me.

My lips started to tremble, "But...what if...what if I don't remember?"

Caressing my cheek, Luciano made me look at him. "You will, (Second Name)..." he said, his eyes softening. For a few moments, we just looked at each other.

There was something about Luciano that always intrigued me. Though my memory only serves me from when I last woke up, when I "first" saw him, he felt so familiar. So familiar, it actually felt a bit painful. He was this cold, stubborn guy in front of his comrades, but...but he has this...other side of him that's actually gentle and even shy. I'm not sure which side of him was real, maybe it's both. To make things even more strange, whenever he looks at me...it feels like he's looking at someone...someone who's been away for such a long...long time.

Breaking the silence between us, Luciano cleared his throat and looked away. "Uh, by the way, ragazza..."

"Yeah?" I replied, tilting my head.

"You can get off me now." he quickly said.

It was then that I realised that because we fell down, we were actually lying on the floor-with me on top of the Italian. I completely forgot about that fact. Feeling my face heat up from embarrassment, I quickly got off of him and stood up. "S-Sorry."

He seemed like he was about to say something, when we both suddenly heard a faint clank. I looked down on the wooden floor and noticed that the metal object given to me by...Feliciano, fell from my pocket.

"Oops..." I said, kneeling down to pick it up. It was a metal keychain. At that, I began to remember my conversation with Feliciano earlier.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"I see. That's okay. Maybe you could help me remember some things later."

"Maybe. But for now, I think I have something that could help you recall something you've mentioned was important to you. I'm positive that this is yours, bella. I hope you'll remember us by this."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Luciano went beside me and looked at the object I held. "That's...That's yours, isn't it?" he said slowly. He then placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke, "Ragazza...this...this could be what we need! Do you...remember anything about this?"

"What? How could this small thing help me..." I said as I turned the keychain around, making me realise that I was looking at the back part of the object. In front, I saw that the keychain spelled, "Hetalia" in green, white and red.

As I read the word, a familiar song resurfaced in my mind.

Marukaite chikyuu...

Marukaite chikyuu...

Marukaite chikyuu...

Boku...

My eyes widened as I looked at the keychain and spoke, ".....Hetalia."

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

///Third Person PoV///

In the saferoom, the countries were having their own discussions and pursuing their own agendas.

"What's wrong, China?" the Japanese man asked.

Placing both hands on Japan's shoulders, China looked at him straight in the eye with a serious expression on his face. "...If you lose your life again, I'll never, ever forgive you!" he said, his voice a bit strained.

Japan's eyes widened at his friend's statement. "I see. In that past, I..."

"Yes, I will bear that in mind." Japan reassured him with a smile.

In a distance, Russia was seen to tap a certain Northern Italian's shoulder. "...Listen, didn't you find anything like a piece of paper in the annex?"

"In the annexe? I did! I found lots of them when I was running away." Italy told him.

Raising his eyebrows, Russia spoke, "Really? Where are they?"

"On the table over there." Italy said, pointing at the long wooden table a few feet from them. The Russian nodded and excused himself, heading towards the table.

It was then that Italy took a look around the room. He saw that everyone was busy with their own thing, like talking, fixing weapons, burning food in the kitchen, taking a rest on the beds, the usual.

But one person in particular was sitting alone in the far end of the room. He was there at the top left corner, holding his polar bear and seeming to look extremely down about something. Italy decided to walk over and check up on him.

"Ciao, Canada... Did something happen?" Italy asked softly, sitting on another chair beside the Canadian.

It took Canada a few moments before noticing that there was a person beside him. "E-Eh? Uhm, sorry, what did you say, Italy?"

"Oh, it's alright. I was wondering why you're looking so down..." he replied, tilting his head.

Frowning, Canada looked down. "Ah, well... I wasn't able to tell the others but...I was actually able to call (Name), earlier."

"What? You were?! Is she fine? What did she say?" Italy asked, a surprised look on his face.

Not meeting the Italian's gaze, Canada spoke, "...She seems well, I guess...but..."

"Hmm? But...?" Italy urged him to continue.

With eyes that looked like it was starting to water, Canada faced Italy and replied, "...but she...doesn't remember me. I don't know how or why... but she spoke to me as if I was a total stranger!"

"...She doesn't...remember—AH!" Italy gasped and stood up suddenly.

Canada furrowed his brows and looked confused at the Italian's reaction. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Ve... I'm sorry! I completely forgot to tell you guys..." Italy apologised, scratching the back of his head.

"To tell us what, exactly?"

Taking in a deep breath, Italy sat back down and spoke, "Canada... I happened to bump into (Name) earlier while we were on our way to the annexe... I tried talking to her into coming with me back here to the saferoom, but she didn't recognise me at all, either!"

"You, too? And...and she was just in the halls earlier?" Canada inquired.

Nodding, Italy replied, "Yes... I'm not sure where she is right now, though... By the way, when I spoke to her, I introduced myself as 'Italy', but she grew confused. She thought I meant, 'Italian'... I even introduced myself as 'Feliciano', but she didn't recognise that name, either. Canada, I think... no, I believe that (Name) lost her memories."

"...Amnesia, you mean...? So, that's why she didn't remember me?" Canada said, sounding a bit hopeful. Turning to Italy, he spoke, "Wait...how did that happen? Did the Second Players do it?"

"Mhmm...I'm still not sure about that. It's possible, I mean, she referred to herself as, '(Second Name)'... Didn't my 2P counterpart refer to her by that name before?" Italy told him.

Canada looked up in thought. "..'(Second Name)'...Yeah, she did refer to herself by that name...huh...she didn't recognise us as, as what she had called, 'Hetalia characters', too. How far was her memories erased? Why would those Second Players go as far, I mean... You know, if you think about it: why did they do that only now? If this was to bring her to their side, why didn't they do it before?" he said softly, a frown still prominent in his face.

"Actually, what if it wasn't the Second Players?" Italy suggested.

Facing Italy, the Canadian asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you see, I'm aware that I have also had my fair share of forgetting and losing my own memories... I was thinking...what if something similar happened to her? She's just a (age)-year old girl... She might have proven herself as braver than average, but in the end... she's still a young girl who's never experienced anything as...horrifying as this mansion." Italy said, starting to feel bad for the girl. "Don't forget...what we saw last time... She-She found out that it wasn't her first time loop. She...she saw her own lifeless body with her very eyes. Surely, that will take a toll on anyone..."

"You're right...I'm sorry... I just... I just feel really bad right now about all this. This is my fault...maybe if I didn't go as far as telling her about the plan against the 2Ps...maybe she could still be here with us in this room...maybe she would still have her memories of us." Canada sighed.

Shaking his head, Italy placed a hand on Canada's shoulder. "No... This is not your fault at all. To be honest, if you didn't tell (Name), then she might not have been able to stop our fight against the Second Players. Someone could've died during that battle."

"...But..."

"Canada...I understand that it's hard to be forgotten, but...as someone whose memories have not been fully restored either.... It's also difficult to know or to realise that you've forgotten someone or something important to you. (Name) obviously didn't choose for her memories to be erased, so we should also think how she'd feel once she finds out that there's someone she had forgotten even if she didn't want to..."

The Canadian's violet eyes started to widen as he realised what Italy had said. He was right. It wasn't just him to be considered about this matter. "Yeah...that's true... I'm sorry. I've never thought about that..."

"But don't worry, Canada! It'll all work out. She'll remember us again eventually. I mean, my fratello helped me out remember and sort out things little by little. That's why I was able to gather my memories about this mansion back. It takes a while, but I know I'll be able to recall everything again soon. Same will go for (Name)!" Italy reassured him, smiling warmly.

Starting to give a small smile, Canada spoke, "Thank you, Italy. I hope so, too... I guess I just took it a little more personally than I should have. As you might know, I am actually quite used to being the invisible one. The one that's always forgotten...

But when I met (Name), I felt like I wasn't as invisible anymore. She always remembered me. She would always meet my gaze and acknowledge my presence, even if America was around. Back then, I thought that America was the reason why I was always overshadowed (though most times, I still think he is the reason), but she proved me wrong about that thought.

I started not to care about being unnoticed by others, as long as she noticed me.

Maybe that's why I got really hurt when I found out that she wasn't able to remember me anymore..."

Canada turned to Italy and noticed a weird smile on the Italian's face. "O-Oh! I've...I've ranted for too long. I'm sorry about that. U-Uhm, just forget those last things I've said. You weren't listening, eh?" the Canadian rambled.

"Ehehehe. It's perfectly fine, Canada . I can see that you really like the bella. That's why you were so down about it, huh?" Italy said, slightly teasing.

Turning into fifty shades of red, Canada let down his polar bear and waved his hands frantically in front of him. "E-EH? No-I, I was just, uhm... Maybe it's just you're imagination... I, well, just described what I thought about her without thinking..and uhm..."

"That's the point. You said those things from the heart. Besides, your eyes practically shined when you said all that." Italy pointed out.

Looking away, Canada tried to think of how to change the subject. "Oh, uh! By the way, I have a few questions about what you were able to talk about with (Name) when you bumped into her earlier..."

"Huh? Like what?" Italy asked curiously.

Canada recalled something that (Name) said that bothered him. Creasing his forehead, he spoke, "While I was on the phone with (Name), she denied that that was her name and referred to herself as '(Second Name)'....but what made me confused that most was that she said she was being mistaken for a little girl-"

***RIIIINGGG****

All of a sudden, they both heard a phone ring. Checking their pockets, Italy spoke, "Oh, is it my phone?" He then excused himself as he answered the call.

Canada looked up and thought hard.

"What if there were more mysteries in this mansion than we thought?"

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

///Reader's PoV///

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"...Hetalia..."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Uncontrollably, tears started streaming down my cheeks as memories began to resurface ever so painfully. Of the good and of the bad. It's not all that clear, but I was slowly recalling enough.

"...I can't...believe that I forgot...about Hetalia..." I cried as I realised that fact.

They say that ignorance is bliss...but knowledge and awareness is still a blessing.

I now know that not knowing about everything, about this haunted mansion, about the oni, about all those horrible things was actually far from painful, but it doesn't mean that I would ever want it.

I'd rather remember all of those horrifying things as long as I would remember my experiences here, the people I've met, the relationships I've built, the person I developed into...and the person that I always was.

A Hetalian.

Wiping tears from the corners of my eyes, I turned to the person who sat silently beside me. "Luciano....I remember....."

"Yeah...I remember now..." I said slowly, raising my hands to his face. "...Yoouu baaasstaaard!" I huffed, pinching his cheeks.

Taking my hands off his face, he looked at me with a puzzled look. "Wh-What was that for, (Second Name)??"

"(Name). I remember that that's my name. Well, what you just called me is also my name, but I'm used to being called by my first name." I said, standing up and dusting my clothes.

Standing up, as well, Luciano looked at me and sighed. "It's still your name, so I will call you as such. Anyway...how much do you remember?"

"Well, I remember Hetalia... It's been a good basis for the rest of my memories... First Players, Second Players, HetaOni mansion... Basing on the memory of the mansion, I started to recall everything that happened to me here up to this point..." I paused, then frowned. "Everything...from this time loop, that is."

Luciano looked away. "I know where you're going with this. Well, you've got your memories back, so...I guess now is a good time to let you...see that time."

"...'See'...Oh, by breaking the clock, you mean?" I said, picking up my bag and taking out the maroon-coloured clock. Placing it on a table in the room, I turned to him. "Does...this contain all of my memories from that time?" I asked, recalling the times I've experienced "seeing" things whenever we broke clocks.

"I'm not exactly sure about that, but I know that it'll give you more than enough for an idea about it...It might even contain some of my own memories." he replied. "It might just contain the significant ones. I've been trying to look around the mansion if there were more clocks that could contain your memories, but I was only able to find that one. Though, I have no idea how you got that."

"If I remember correctly, I got it from the First Players when we were on the fourth floor..." I told him. "That aside...can we...break this clock already? I really need to see for myself how it all happened...the first time. Back in my first time loop in this mansion..."

Turning to me, he spoke in a low voice. "Seeing that will probably change a lot of things...you know? Are you really sure you want to go through this now? You can give some time to prepare yourself for it, ragazza."

"I don't need to prepare myself any more. I've waited this long to find the truth to this. I want to see that time more than ever." I told him, giving a weak smile.

Giving a small smile of his own, Luciano took a deep breath. "If you say so, (Second Name)." he said, holding out his left hand to me. I was puzzled at his gesture and raised an eyebrow.

"Uhm, what?"

"Take my hand. We're going through this together." he told me.

Nodding, I slowly took his hand in mine. He was wearing gloves, but I can really feel the warmth. "Alright."

With his right hand, he forcefully drove his knives down at the clock and broke it.

And in a blink of an eye, everything around me changed.

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

///Third Person PoV///

"....Huh? We're..." (Name) whispered, looking around. "....wait, we're still on the same floor. Is this really the past?"

The magenta-eyed Italian beside her listened intently. "....Yes. I can...hear them from over there." he pointed at the room that was supposedly their meeting room.

"Alright...we can move, right?" she asked, lightly taking a step forward.

Nodding, Luciano led her towards the door. "We can move, but we aren't able to touch anything from this time...so...no matter how much we'd want to do something...we can't."

The two passed through the door and entered the meeting room. There, they saw all too familiar faces.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Well, that may be so... I-I just thought, well, if fans are able to like both the 1Ps and the 2Ps...people could might as well do that here, too. I mean, it was uncalled for the 1Ps to banish you all...but isn't it the same to do it in their case? Can't this be worked out in some other way?" a (h/c) haired girl asked. It was Past (Name).

Past Luciano gave a sarcastic laugh. "Ragazza, you know very well that it's not that easy. Maybe you're forgetting that...", he suddenly threw a knive that flew past the girl and hit the wall behind her, "...that we are dangerous people. Those bastards won't allow us to do anything."

The girl gave a heavy sigh, and spoke softly, "...But it doesn't mean that you guys couldn't live like normal people, without feeling deprived of anything."

"Live normally? Hah. Those 'First Players' treat us like trash. They think of us as lower life forms. Who would let us live normally? Who would even accept us???" Past Luciano asked, starting to sound frustrated by their discussion.

"Given the circumstances that you wouldn't kill me, I would. I would accept you guys." Past (Name) told them. "You guys exist. The mere fact that you guys still do is because you guys still have a purpose in this world. Sure, I know you guys are capable of murdering people...but if you guys learn to control that, you guys could still, well, live 'normally'. Even not as 'normal' as others, but at least being yourselves'..."

Furrowing her brows, (Name) turned to the Italian beside her. "Wait...haven't I said this to you guys back in the current time loop?" she asked.

"Yeah. It was the same thing you said here, so my answer was the same, as well." Luciano replied. "The difference here, though...is that you were brought here inside the mansion by us, you met us Second Players first, and.... you were actually able to convince us to trust you earlier. Your words were too geniune not to believe in."

"R-Really? But then...why...?" she trailed, looking at the scene in front of them change.

Luciano shook his head. "But, of course, though you mattered to us...we believed we had our own agenda to push through at all costs."

The scene in front of us changed. I recognised the place, it was the second floor fireplace room.

A redheaded American chuckled to himself. "Heh. One down, nine more to go." Past Allen said.

"Yeah. Looks like it's actually second time's a charm, eh?" Past Matthieu smiled darkly.

Past Luciano walked out into the hall. "They all went upstairs. Tell the others to regroup here so we can finish off all of those First Players already." he ordered.

Moments later, all twelve Second Players were gathered in the hallway of the second floor...along with a certain (h/c) haired, (e/c)-eyed girl that had a frown prominent on her face.

"Oh, come on now, poppet...I'm sorry I didn't let you out sooner, but we just really had to do it..." Past Oliver apologised, hugging the girl.

Past (Name) tore away from the Brit's embrace and sighed. "No...you didn't really have to do it. I love you guys, but...this is just...wrong... You've...killed Italy...and you're off to kill the others, too? You've done more than enough damage..." she said, lips trembling a little.

"We're sorry, (Second Name)... After this is all over, we'll...send you back home." Past Luciano told her.

Looking away, Past (Name) spoke softly, "Can I...at least see Italy, even just for a few moments?"

"Fine. As long as I accompany you." Past Luciano said. The girl nodded slowly, and the two of them entered the room where Italy rested peacefully.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Right...this is the second time loop. The time...Italy died." (Name) realised, looking down. "Well...the time he and...I died." she added.

"......Don't be so sure that you were the only one, ragazza." Luciano said softly.

Raising an eyebrow, (Name) gave him a confused look. "What do you mean? What happened...?"

"The worst happened."

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The rest of the Second Players waited out in the hall while Past Luciano and Past(Name) were inside the room where the lifeless Italy was.

"Are we really gonna send the dollface back home after this? She's seems cool to hang out with." Past Allen said, toying with his nail-covered baseball bat.

Pouting, Flavio dusted his fabulous outfit. "As much as I'd hate to say it, but it's for the bella's best."

"Nooo. I don't want to part from our sweet poppet..." Past Oliver whined.

Suddenly, an incredibly large, alien-like creature appeared behind them.

Shrugging, Past Zao pointed at the creature. "Hey, Allen. Your friend here is back."

"Huh? Oh." Past Allen said, turning around. "Great job back there, Ste-"

Without warning, the monster used its powers to attack Past Allen. The American was shocked, but was able to move away. His shoulder started to bleed, though.

"Whoa, what the actual fuck?!!!" Past Allen shouted. "That's..that's not Steve at all!"

This alerted the other 2Ps to take action against the unknown creature. All of them tried to attack it, but the Thing seemed to dodge everything they threw. In return, the monster kept attacking the Second Players viciously.

Wiping blood from his cheek, Past Nikolai panted. "What is wrong with this one?"

"I don't know, but I think we don't have much time to find out." Past Lutz said. "Let's...let's split up!"

"Wh-What? What about Luciano and (Second Name)?" Past Gil asked.

Past Kuro clenched his fists. "They're still inside that room. For sure, this monster will come after us, so let's split up to lure it away from here." Past Kuro told them.

As soon as they found a way around the monster, the Second Players ran in different directions. Some went up the stairs, while the others went down to the first floor. Like they predicted, the monster chased after them, leaving the hallways of the second floor empty.

Moments later, the door of the room across the fireplace room was opened. Past Luciano and Past (Name) walked out of the room and looked around the hall.

"What the..? Luci, where did the others go?" the girl asked, tugging the Italian's sleeve.

Past Luciano stared through the halls silently. "...Is that...blood over there?" he asked aloud, pointing at the crimson puddle on the floor a few feet from them.

The two walked over to it and confirmed their fears. "Wait...what happened? Did they...face the First Players?" Past (Name) asked.

"I don't think that's the case... Those First Players were busy upstairs..." Past Luciano replied.

The silence in the mansion was broken when the two heard a blood-curdling scream that seemed to have come from the first floor.

Past Luciano and Past (Name) looked at each other with wide eyes, then rushed over to go down the stairs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The two simply watched their past selves run away. "No...way... You mean...this is just like..." (Name) whispered, trembling a little.

"My First Player counterpart wasn't the only one who's seen his frie....comrades....lose their life..." Luciano said. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply.

Neither of them moved an inch, but the scene before them changed once more.

They were suddenly in the first floor, the kitchen. It was the same as always. Almost.

There, leaning against the wall, was a pale-skinned albino wearing a long cape....drenched in a pool of blood.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"...G-Gil!... No! Gil, can you..hear me...?" Past (Name) cried, kneeling beside the albino, not caring if her clothes get bloodied.

The Prussian raised his head weakly, his red eyes starting to dull. "Frau...you're here...Oh, but...you shouldn't be... It's not safe...it might come after you, too..."

"Who....did this to you...?" Past Luciano asked, gritting his teeth.

Clutching his bleeding stomach, he spoke slowly and tried to move, "...The Thing...that monster...it attacked us. It was after us...all of us..."

"Wait, Gil, don't-don't move... We'll get you bandaged right up! I-I have a med kit in here in my bag somewhere!" Past (Name) said frantically, searching through her bag.

Past Gil shook his head weakly. "Nein...you don't need to do that anymore... It's too late...I'm meeting my inevitable end already..."

"No no no... You won't! That's...that's just your depression talking, Gilen! I'll take care of your...wounds...and then we'll get out of here....and everything will work out fine! So...so...just..." Past (Name) rambled, denying what was happening before her.

Placing a hand on top of hers, Gil looked at her, making her stop speaking. "I appreciate it, frau...but, I'd rather have you getting out of this place as soon as possible. Back then, I thought that this world was as sad and dark as the day we were created...but then, we met you. You were like our light. I don't want that light to be taken away from this world, so...please, go..."

"Gil..." the girl whispered, not knowing what to say or do.

Turning to the Italian, Past Gil spoke, "Luciano....take her away from here..and...if you see my brother, tell him...I'm sorry."

"Si...I will." Past Luciano nodded.

Past (Name) shook her head. "This can't be...Why...Gil..."

Hesitantly, Luciano pulled the girl's arm and led her towards the door. Leaving the albino all by himself.

"Don't...be sad, frau...that's my thing...heh." Past Gil chuckled to himself lightly. Giving her the rarest of smiles, the Prussian spoke, "....Maybe...I'll see you again someday."

Closing his eyes, Past Gil gave his last breath.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

—====—====—-

***LOST 2P! PRUSSIA***

—====—=====—

The memory suddenly changed to a new scene. It was still on the first floor, but this time, it was the hallway near the two bathrooms.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Well, our stay here wasn't that bad of a time...but it looks like this is our end." Past Nikolai said, wincing in pain. He couldn't move anymore, since his legs were bitten deeply by the creature.

The Chinese man beside him faced the girl who stood in front of them. "We fought against that monster as... honourably as we could, but it might still... lurk around this place. It's best for you two... to leave us be." he said weakly, coughing out blood.

"Nikolai...Zao...I'm sorry...if only we got here sooner..." Past (Name) said softly.

The Russian shook his head. "I'm actually glad. If you got here sooner, you could've been in serious danger." he told her. Chuckling a little, he continued, "(Second Name), at first I thought you were some pain-in-the-ass brat we just had to pick up....but I realised that you were actually like vodka."

"I....what...I don't understand...Vodka..?" she said, feeling both fallen and confused.

Smiling, Past Nikolai replied, "You're nice to have and always welcome in my eyes."

"Idiot...you can...still say things like that at a time like this..?" Past (Name) said, her lips slightly curling upwards, but her eyes watering at the same time.

Rolling his eyes, Past Zao spoke, "...Aiyah. I...I don't know about you guys...but I...need to...rest my eyes now..."

"What? Wait, Zao, no-don't!...." the girl cried out.

Looking at her from the corner of his eyes, Past Zao gave a small smile. "It's alright...Meeting you was more than what we all had deserved, so I think our time here was more than enough."

"Zao..." she tried stepping closer to them, but Past Nikolai slowly raised a hand. "There's not much time anymore.....please, go...the both of you..." he said.

"Ragazza...he's right..." Past Luciano said. Looking at their two fallen comrades, the Italian nodded his head in acknowledgement of them, to which the two had reciprocated. Past (Name) clenched her fist and exited the room together with Past Luciano.

"We weren't...able to do what we had planned to do here, huh?" Past Nikolai said, his breath becoming laboured.

With a strained voice, Past Zao replied, "Yeah...but...it's not like we didn't find any good in this place."

"That's true...Do you think...she'll get out of here safely?" Past Nikolai asked, but he heard no reply. The man beside him had already...

"....Zao..?

......Well, looks like in my last moments, I'm the lonely wimp, after all." the Russian said softly, loosing all the feeling in his body and closing his eyes.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

—===—

***LOST 2P! CHINA AND 2P! RUSSIA***

-====—

In a flash, the scene changed once more. (Name) didn't dare speak at the moment, she starting to feel weak from the things that she had seen. Their surroundings changed into the Library of the third floor. This time there were more people in the same room. But, just like the previous ones...the people were all critically injured and bloodied.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Don't...worry about us, poppet. Just leave this awful place before that...bad monster comes after you..." Past Oliver told the girl, his voice cracking slightly.

"But...Ollie..." Past (Name) tried to speak, but she felt like she couldn't finish after seeing everyone's condition. Past Francois, Past Allen, and Past Matthieu were leaning against the bookshelves, their bodies covered with blood all over. ...And none of them moved...at all.

Tears streamed down the girl's cheeks as she held her friend's hand. "Ollie...we can't-we can't just leave you guys here! There's got to be some way to fix all this....You..you have magic, right? Maybe you can-"

"Hush now, poppet. Don't cry..." he said. He gave a small smile, then sighed. "I'm sorry, (Second Name)...but...I don't have any strength left, much less magic. Besides, I'll be fine here, the boys might get upset if they found out I left...."

The strawberry blonde Brit knelt down and pat the Frenchman's head. He then sat in between Past Allen and Past Matthieu, and wrapped his arms around their shoulders, pulling them into a hug. "I want to stay with these three. Francois might have smoked all the time even if I told him not to, but he was a great friend...and Allen and Matthieu were the two boys that I practically raised.

They weren't perfect, but...they're my boys.

They're my family.

I want to...be with them...until the end."

"Ollie...I am so, so sorry..." Past (Name) cried.

Tears began falling from Past Oliver's baby blue eyes, as well. "There's nothing for you to be sorry about, poppet. You were the sweetest friend I could ever hope for. Sweeter...than my cuppycakes, even. I'm so happy we were able to meet."

And at that, Past Oliver hung his head low, giving his final breath.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

—====—

***LOST 2P! FRANCE, 2P! AMERICA, 2P! CANADA, AND 2P! ENGLAND***

—=====—

Once that memory was over, the scene changed into the piano room. When it became clear where they were, Luciano cringed and squeezed (Name)'s hand. This made the girl look at the Italian. She saw the sullen look on his face, as he was looking at something. (Name) found out what made Luciano act like that.

In the piano room, a blond haired Italian was lying in a pool of blood. It was Past Flavio. Beside him was Past Andres, leaning against the white piano that was now stained crimson red.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"....Oh, hey fratello... This blood red colour brings out my eyes, doesn't it?" the Southern Italian joked, coughing a little.

Past Luciano had done his best to compose himself for the past events, but it seems that he had started to crumble. "N-Not you, too! Damn it all! Why?!" Past Luciano shouted, slamming his fist against the wall.

Not speaking anymore, Past (Name) just quietly sobbed. Past Flavio didn't have the strength to get himself up, but he spoke loud enough for her to hear. "Bella...tears don't suit you...Although...I'm happy those tears are for us..." Chuckling a bit, the blond Italian continued, "You, too...fratello. I may not see it, but I'm also glad you're crying for me."

"Bastard....you weren't...supposed to die...." Past Luciano choked up.

Smiling, Past Flavio replied. "Mi dispiace...Though I wasn't that a great of an older brother to you, I'm glad you still care about me."

"Back then, I thought we weren't capable of having that feeling, but I was able to learn..." Past Luciano said softly.

"You've grown up, fratello. I'm proud." Past Flavio said, closing his eyes.

Seeing this, Past Luciano's heart sank. "Fratello? Fratello?!"

"Luciano...I'm sure that they've all told you this, but I'll say it again. Just go. Leave this place and take the chica with you." Past Andres managed to say. He clutched his bleeding arm, feeling his body grow numb. He, too, met his end.

Blinking away the tears, he took Past (Name)'s hand and left the room, both of them feeling like their feet couldn't take them any further.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

—====—

***LOST 2P! ROMANO AND 2P! SPAIN***

—=====—

"I...can't believe this..." (Name) said under her breath. Feeling tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Luciano stayed silent, but he was obviously affected by the memory.

The scene changed into the room in the fourth floor that had a bed and a lever. It was the room above the piano room.

Just like how it was with the previous memories, this place was just as bloody.

Past Lutz and Past Kuro was laid on the bed, both of them badly bruised.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Here you go. We retrieved the key." Past Lutz told them. He smirked as he threw the key at Past Luciano's direction, to which the Italian caught. Though he acted a bit cocky, Past Lutz couldn't deny that he was already weakened after loosing so much blood.

Tears continued to fall from Past (Name)'s eyes as she looked at the two bloodied Second Players. "...Why...why must everyone..."

"Don't shed tears for us. We're just that guy's henchmen." Past Kuro chuckled weakly. He didn't have the strength to sit up, but he was able to raise his hand slightly to point at Past Luciano, who was speechless at the moment.

Shaking her head, Past (Name) stood by their bedside. "No...you guys were more than that. You're his friends...We're...all friends... That's why...."

".....That's why you two should take that key and run to the door, for our sake." Past Lutz cut in.

Smirking, Past Kuro looked at Past Luciano, who stood there motionlessly. "Well, Luciano...It looks like we're going to retire now. Isn't...that right, Lutz?"

"....Ja.... It's time..." Past Lutz said softly.

As if Luciano was snapped back to reality, the Italian shook his head and spoke angrily. "You....You two....wouldn't dare!!" he warned.

"Hahah. We've got nothing left to lose, you...know..." Past Kuro whispered before he closed his eyes and...finally passed.

"K-Kuro!" Past Luciano shouted, rushing beside the Japanese man to shake him. It was no use.

Softly, Past Lutz muttered under his final breath, "Luciano...just go...Don't let our efforts go in vain..."

"No...No....Lutz!!" Past Luciano cried out as he shook the German's broad shoulders. He didn't move anymore. He didn't breath anymore. Neither Lutz or Kuro did.

They were gone.

Wiping the tears away, Past (Name) went beside Past Luciano to comfort him and calm him down. "...Luci...I'm so sorry...but..."

"(S-Second Name)! Can you believe it, these two bastards are slacking off again!" Past Luciano shouted, not believing what was happening. He couldn't take it.

Past (Name) didn't know how to reply to what he said. All she knew was that the Italian was starting to lose it. Past Luciano thrashed around the room, breaking and throwing anything he could take hold of.

"Those-Those bastardi! I...I can't...They're not!! No....No!! They weren't supposed to die! They weren't supposed to leave me! " Past Luciano rambled loudly, pulling his auburn hair. He was starting to go ballistic.

Not able to take seeing Past Luciano like that any longer, Past (Name) approached the Northern Italian. "Luci...Luci, stop...please...you....you look like you're going to hurt yourself..." she said.

"But...(Second Name)...Lutz and Kuro are...not only them...Flavio....and everyone else...." Past Luciano said in between uncontrollable sobs. As much as he never wanted Past (Name) to see him so...vulnerable, he just couldn't handle it anymore.

Seeing the Italian's condition, Past (Name) pulled the man into a hug, hoping that it could calm him down. Past Luciano tightly hugged back, finding comfort in the girl's arms. For a while, they were just silent. They've both seen things they never wanted to see, and lost people they never dreamt of loosing. ...And it was all because of this blasted mansion.

They both knew...they had to leave.

Once Past Luciano had calmed down, they both left the room and headed downstairs.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

—====—===—

***LOST 2P! GERMANY AND 2P! JAPAN***

—========—-==

The scene before them slowly started to change. Meanwhile, (Name) turned to Luciano and spoke, "...I...Luciano..."

"...The memories...are self-explanatory. Convenient for you, isn't it?" he said emotionlessly. He seemed like he wanted to act just like how he did in the memory...but he knew better now. Meeting the girl's gaze, Luciano spoke, "I know...judge me all you want about this...I don't care... It was most likely our fault for making those creatures...I understand that now. And I should accept it, too...but..."

"....but...?" (Name) urged him to continue.

Looking down, Luciano spoke, "...but I can't accept...the fact....that you had to die, too..."

The scene fully changed into a place that used to give (Name) such a nostalgic feel. It was the far end of the hallway down at the second floor.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Where...are the First Players? Why haven't we bumped into any of them?" Past (Name) asked, as she exited one of the rooms.

Past Luciano shrugged. "My guess is that the flow of time in this mansion had gone beyond awry...that, or something else we do not know of..."

"...Something else..." Past (Name) trailed. After a moment, her eyes widened. "This-This is the second time loop for them...so... England might have...went back in time...?"

"What? I thought only my First Player counterpart could.." Luciano said, confusion shown in his tired eyes.

Past (Name) cupped her chin. "..No...I remember...The ways the time was reset here....was either by Italy's journal...England's magic....and the giant clock somewhere in the mansion... I'm not sure if they work independently, all I know is that they can set back time."

"Do you...think we could find a way to set back the time ourselves?" Luciano asked.

Nodding, Past (Name) answered, "The journal's with the 1Ps...and we don't have magic...so our best bet would be...the clock."

"I see...then... I will find that clock....after I send you home." Luciano told the girl.

Taking a step back, Past (Name) frowned. "What?! What do you mean by that? I'm not gonna let you do that! I don't want to leave you here!"

"...But...(Second Name)... It's okay. I'll be okay." Past Luciano replied softly.

Past (Name) clenched her fists, emotions swirling within her. "No... I don't want to leave you here, Luci. I can't. If you're going to go through this again-then fine! As long as...we go through this together."

The Italian couldn't help but doubt his own ears. "Why...Why are you like this...? Any normal person would obviously take the chance to immediately get the hell out of this place. But....you.... You're choosing to stay here....with someone like me... Why?! Why?!" Past Luciano asked her. He thought that the girl would've given anything to get out of this hell house, but...but what is she saying?

Cupping his cheek and wiping away his tears, she replied. "Idiot...don't ask the obvious."

They both stared at each other in silence. Past Luciano knew he had to say it. Placing his gloved hand on top of the girl's (skin colour) one that was cupping his cheek, he spoke, "...(Second Name)...I have something to say...."

"What is it..?"

"....Ti a-"

"—Luci, watch out!!!"

It was all too sudden.

Without either of them noticing sooner, the alien-like monster was there behind them.

Since the monster was behind Past Luciano, Past (Name) was able to see it as it launched it's attack aimed at the Italian. This made her act quickly and push Past Luciano out of the way.

But at the cost of being hit by the monster's attack herself.

"(SECOND NAME)!!!!!" Past Luciano yelled as he saw the girl thrown against the wall...blood starting to form a pool below her body.

Clutching her stomach, Past (Name) coughed out blood. "Luci..."

Turning aggressively at the monster, Past Luciano drew out all of his knives. "YOU SON OF A BITCH! YOU'VE DONE MORE THAN ENOUGH!" he shouted furiously, skillfully throwing all of his knives towards the monster, which landed on the creature's forehead.

It staggered towards Past Luciano and but it didn't attack, it just passed by. With a garbled screech, it disappeared from the halls.

Past Luciano was confused as to why the monster quickly vanished, but that wasn't important anymore.

"...(Second Name)!" he cried, rushing towards the (h/c) haired girl.

The attack was too critical for the girl's body. Her breath was becoming heavy, too, but she was able to still move. Turning to the magenta-eyed Italian who knelt beside her, she spoke, "...Luci...you did it...It disappeared..."

"Yes...Yes, but that's not important! (Second Name), don't worry, I'll get you out of here as soon as we can and we're going to get you to the hospital and you will be alright! You'll...you'll be alright, si? Si. You'll..." Past Luciano quickly said, feeling his whole world shattering.

Unable to hold back her tears, Past (Name) shook her head. "I...I'm sorry, but..."

"No! No, (Second Name)...don't say you're sorry... It'll be fine...really. You will be-"

"....Luci...look at me." she told him.

With a tear stricken face, Past Luciano hesitantly met the girl's gaze.

"Luci....I have some things to say.

First, it was wrong to settle the score against the 1Ps by using this mansion.

Second, though you guys weren't the kind of people I expected to be close with...but I'm glad, really.

Next would be... Thank you. Thank you for everything. This wasn't the ideal setting I'd wished for us to meet...but right now, I think I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry if I didn't help you guys out against the 1Ps. You understand that I can't do that, right? I'm sorry if I was more of a burden to you guys, too.

And I'm sorry...if...I have to leave so soon... even if I said that I didn't want to..." Past (Name) stopped, coughing out more blood.

"(Second Name), please...Please, you can't...No, not you...Anyone but you...." Past Luciano cried, not hiding his emotions anymore.

Blinking away the tears, Past (Name) spoke, "Hey now....don't cry... You know, in the Hetalia fandom...this isn't your character..."

"Do you think I care about that...? All I care about right now is you...damn it..." he sobbed. ".....Don't go and leave me all alone, (Second Name)...."

Fighting to get the feeling in her arm back, she slowly raised her hand to caress the Italian's cheek.

"....I'm so glad to have met you, Luciano Vargas."

With a smile, she slowly closed her eyes...and gave her last breath.

"(Second Name)?

....(Second...Name)...

No!....

No...you can't possibly be...." Past Luciano shook his head, tears continued to fall down his cheeks.

Lips trembling, he softly choked out , ".....Ti amo...."

—===—===—

***LOST (SECOND NAME)***

—===—===—