---Chapter XVIII: Ready or Not (Part 1)---

///Romano's PoV (Thought you could forget about us, huh, bastard?)///


"Now what do we do? That stubborn Marmite bastard's gonna be really difficult to talk to." I sighed, passively looking around in the library of the third floor.


Spain bit his lip, "Maybe we should...at least join them?"


"What?! What are you saying?" I demanded to know. We don't belong in this timeloop, he knows that. So why...


Waving his hands frantically, he shook his head. "N-No, I didn't mean it like what you might think. I just mean that, if we're gonna be stuck here for the time being, then we should at least be around people..."


"Don't you think that might make matters worse? We could change the future. Our future." I reminded him.


"Our future?" he repeated hopefully (suggestively?). Feeling my face heat up, I shouted, "The future time loop from where we came from, you tomato bastard!"


"Ahahah! I know, I know." he laughed. "I just wanted to see your reaction to lighten things up a bit."


I pouted. "What am I, a joke, huh?"


"You're not. I'm sorry." Spain apologised. "What I mean is that, maybe we should just do what we can do here, work on what actions to take that won't greatly alter the future, then worry about getting back to our time loop later on when the time is right?"


Falling silent for a moment, I let out a deep breath. "Hmph. You can actually make some sensible suggestions, after all."


"You think so?! Uwaah, Boss Spain is so happy to hear that, Romano!" he cheered, ruffling my hair. "Alright, alright. Stop that." I told him.


Grinning, Spain began walking towards the door. Turning to me, he spoke, "Okay, let's go look for them, then."


Nodding, I was about to follow behind him, but I stopped in my tracks.


"Hm? What's wrong?" Spain asked me, unaware as to why I just stood there.




"Spain..? And...fratello?" a familiar voice was heard as a brown-haired, Italian wearing a blue military uniform, entered the room that we were in.



Seeing him made the pain in my chest unbearable again.



"Veneziano?"


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


///Reader's PoV///

=-=-=

"A grandfather clock."

=-=-=

  No one spoke a word, when we heard that one sentence. There were probably so much going on our minds, but I'm sure we all knew that that was one of the most important findings we have on this mansion. But there was something...about it that made my heart strangely pound.


Tick


Tock


Tick


Tock


Tick


Tock

It was as if I could hear the clock ticking really loudly. That strange sense of...familiarity. Why was it like that? Why?


"Ano...(Name)-chan? Is something wrong?" Japan asked me quietly.


Shaking my head, I gave a wry smile. "Not really. I just feel a bit uneasy all of a sudden. It's nothing to worry about." I reassured him.


"Do you guys think that that's the big clock that Italy mentioned before?" Prussia asked aloud, his gaze drifting towards the...resting Italian.


France crossed his arms and nodded. "There's a great chance that it is. I don't think a house like this would have more than one of that."


"Was it really that easy to access that place?" Matthieu inquired from the Russian and Chinese First Players.


Russia frowned. "Well...that's what we thought at first. We were able to open the hidden door and find the room where that grandfather clock is...but..."


"You were ambushed, weren't you?" Francois asked them knowingly, seeing that their clothes were somehow damaged, and their condition obviously showed they just fought off one of those Things. The two First Players nodded. "We were able to defeat it, but we don't know if there are other monsters that could appear in that small room, aru." China explained.


"Then I think it's best for you to two to stay back here and rest first while we check the said place for ourselves." Japan told them, patting China's shoulder, making China wince. "Argh..."


"Eh? You're wounded?" the Japanese man observed. "Let me treat it, then." he offered. China appreciated it, but had to ask, "Thank you, but didn't you want to check the clock?"


"It's alright, The others are still there to check it for us." Japan told him, motioning at the his fellow First Players.


It was then that someone cleared his throat, gaining our attention. "Actually, why don'twe check it out this time. It's not like we're gonna stand staying in this room again for long." Luciano suggested, well, more like demanded, but whatever.


"The Second Players..?" Japan looked over their alternatively coloured counterparts. Well, I guess it's fine. Very well, then."


Raising my hand, I spoke up, "Me, too. I wanna go with them and check that grandfather clock for myself, as well."


"(N-Name)? Dudette, you know that's..." America eventually stopped when he saw the look I was giving. He sighed, "Even if we do say it's dangerous, you'd still go, huh?"


"Ooh, someone's finally getting used to reading the mood." I chuckled and winked. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I mean, we've all made our resolve to get out of here together. They won't try to do anything stupid anymore." I said, turning to the Second Players. "Right, guys?"


The Second Players nodded seriously, somehow giving Japan and the others a sense of relief. Well, that is, until a certain magenta-eyed Italian made his way beside me. "Si. I wouldn't let anyone touch her, anyway." Luciano said, then whispering something in my ear, "...anyone other than myself, that is."


His statement surprised and embarrassed me at the same time, "L-Luciano..."


"--AIYAH! Get away from her you perverted Italian!" China suddenly hissed, pulling me away from the flirty Italian Second Player. "Don't go thinking we don't know what you tried on (Name) here earlier." he glared at him.


"Did what, exactly?" Prussia asked curiously.


I suddenly panicked and turned to China, who was standing in front of me protectively. "China, they d-don't need to know about whatever you saw. It just might cause unwanted issues." I whispered frantically.


"What? But..." he pouted and puffed his cheeks, looking at Luciano from the corner of his eye. "F-Fine.." he sighed. I smiled, feeling a bit happy that China was so concerned about me. "Thanks, Chi--"


"--but we're still not letting you go with them without people who can keep an eye on you." he cut me off.


Oh no you did not just-...


Japan tilted his head, waiting to know what China's outburst was for. "China? What is it?"


"Aiyah, I just find it unsafe for (Name) to be with that guy who tries to keep pulling moves on her." China mumbled.


Flavio actually nodded in agreement. "That's pretty much true, hon. That Luci always keeps the bella to herself!" he pouted. Luciano directed a pissed off look at his older brother. "I told you not to call me that. And so what if I want to keep mi amore to myself?" he winked at me, making me feel all the more embarrassed.


"Ohonhon..even though I'm usually supportive of things like this, I would have to disagree today." France said, wrapping his arms around himself dramatically. "The belle fille must be protected from the wolves~"


"I-I'm quite concerned, as well, but I think everyone's exaggerating a little." Japan sighed, preparing the bandages for China. "Why don't we just have someone go with (Name) and the Second Players, then? Will that put your mind at ease?" he asked the Chinese man.


Nodding, China crossed his arms. "I guess it will, aru."


"Fine, let's just get this petty issue over with already." Kuro rolled his eyes.


China cupped his chin , "Well, then, let's see..." he looked around the room and analysed which First Players are able to leave the saferoom.


=
=
Italy - cardiac arrest - x
=

"...Uh...this is quite obvious that he can't even be in the options." China murmured.


=
Germany -watch over Italy - x
=

China looked at the German First Player, who was sitting on the bed beside the one Italy was resting on. "He doesn't want to leave his side, either."


=
China - needs to rest, wounded - x
=

"I'm injured, so I need to take some rest for the time being." he sighed.


=
Japan - help China bandage wounds - x
=

Looking over at the slim Japanese man, he shook his head. "He's the one who's going to treat my wounds, so he's out, too."


=
Prussia - has no weapon - x
=

"His sword broke, and he's too scared to borrow Japan's 'limited edition' one...ugh, it's not like he knows how to wield my wok." he muttered, glancing at the wok he held in his other hand.


=
England - blind - x
=

"I can perfectly see that he can't go out there in that state." China said aloud, causing me to jab his side. "Ow!" he groaned. I shot him a glare, "You did not just say that." He realised what he just said earlier and apologised, "E-Er, sorry, aru."


=
America - watch over England - x
=

China looked at the blond American, who seemed to be gazing sullenly at the blinded British gentleman. "He's not letting him out of his sight, either."

This time, I stepped on his foot. "Ow! What?" he cried. I just frowned and gave a soft, "hmph".


=
Russia - needs to rest, wounded - x
=

"That big guy fought alongside me earlier, he deserves to take a breather, too." he sighed.


He looked over at a certain Frenchman. "Oi, France? Would you like to go check downstairs with them?"

"Hm? Moi?" he asked, but looked over at the kitchen behind him. "I actually wanted to, but I realised that we've started to run out of cooked food, and the other food here got burntby a certain so-called British gentleman who I will hide under the name, "England"..so it looks like I'll have to stay to cook and make edible food." he told us.


"Hey! I heard that, you frog." England snapped.


China nodded, "I see..."


"Stop thhaaat." I groaned, squinting my eyes at him.



=
France - will stay to cook for them - x
=


China sighed, realising that everyone else is actually unable to leave the saferoom so soon. "Isn't there anyone who's free to accompany you?" he bit his lip and looked at me.


"Well, if you're so desperate to have someone accompany me, then I can tell you that you're forgetting someone." I told him.


Raising an eyebrow, China asked, "Who?"


Rolling my eyes at his ironic question, I pointed over at a certain, quiet, blond haired Canadian, standing by the corner.


"Oohh! Canada! That's it!" China exclaimed, waving his overly long sleeves at him, making him come over to where we stood. "You go with (Name) and the Second Players."


"E-Eh?" Canada let out, but nodded. "Uhm, but okay. I wanted to check that place for myself, too." he told us in soft voice.


America smiled, "Oh yeah! Canada could maybe figure out a few things there, too. He's good at that." he said, giving his brother a thumbs up.


"Very well, then. Since they all agree, watch over (Name) for us, Canada." Japan said. "We aren't really in hostile terms with the Second Players anymore, but having you with them could put this person's mind at ease." he added, gesturing at China.


"Alright, alright. Let's just go, already." Lutz told them as they started exiting the room one by one.


As I went out the door, I noticed that Canada and Luciano were still left behind. Then, strangely enough, I saw Luciano glare at Canada and spoke,


"I seriously do not like you."


"Eh?"


=-=-=-=

///Italy's PoV///

=-=-=

"I've waited for centuries; I could wait for a century more. But please...just please come back safe.."

"Thank you...but I won't make you wait more than you should, I promise."

=-=-=

  Once again, he was gone.

I believe in his words, yet I still feel myself fall weak at the thought that he was out of my reach again.



"Italy! What are you doing, there? Let's move!" Past!Prussia called out to me, running towards me amidst the fact that the ground was still shaking. Grabbing my arm, he directed me ahead where Japan was. We seemed to be running towards the room on the lower right corridor.


As soon as all three of us where in the room, Past!Japan closed the door behind him and walked over to us, who were in the middle of the room. We were all panting and unaware of what to do at a situation like this, but luckily enough,

it stopped.


Past!Japan looked around suspiciously, "...It just...stopped?"


"Wait..." Past!Prussia suddenly gripped his sword.

Furrowing his brows, Past!Japan asked, "What's wrong?"


"....Don't hear the sound of something...getting closer?" the Prussian told him, making my face grow pale.



No.

No, don't tell me...



Taking a step back, I felt myself suffocating from fear. "J-Japan....did you...l..lock the door?" I managed to ask.


"Eh? I didn't..." he replied.


"Lock the door! Lock the door, Japan, hurry!" I shouted, fear rising within me.


Understanding, Past!Japan turned to lock the door, but...



BANG.


BANG.



A monster burst through the door before he had the chance to do so.



"What the hell??!!" Past!Prussia screamed upon seeing the deadly creature. "Japan!! Get away from it!"


"Will do." Past!Japan obeyed, swiftly moving backwards, dodging the monster that tried to lunge towards him. "It looks like we have no other choice but to fight it, though." he concluded, unsheathing his katana.


Nodding, Past!Prussia, drew his sword, as well. "You're right." he said, then turned to me. "Italy, you stay back, it's dangerous."


"No! I want to fight with you." I told them. They were surprised, but they shook their head. "You can't.. Don't worry, we'll be alright." Past!Prussia reassured me. I was about to protest, when they suddenly ran in front of the Thing, taking turns attacking it.


They tried one attack after the other, the monster taking damage. Both of them had swords, so it was more of a close range fight, making it difficult for them to balance between attacking and getting away from the monster's retaliation.


That was when one of the things that I feared the most occurred.


As Past!Prussia was giving the finishing blow on the monster, using his sword to slice through the monster's head, he was unable to dodge the monster's final attack before it began disappearing.


"....Arghh..." Past!Prussia puked blood, staining the crimson liquid onto his Prussian blue military uniform. He was suddenly dropped to the ground, as the monster already faded into nothingness.


I couldn't believe my eyes, seeing something like this again.


Running towards him, I shouted with all my might. "Prussiaa!!!"


"Prussia!!" Past!Japan also exclaimed, rushing beside the albino. I was already holding him up, trying to help him breathe.


"I....no...this can't be happening...." I cried, looking at the Prussian's condition. "No, please...not again..."


Past! Japan felt weak himself, as well. "Prussia...you can't be..."


"Enough...Enough worrying about me, you two..." Past!Prussia told us. "Instead of that...I want you two to go and leave this mansion as quick as you can."


"What?! No, we're not going to leave you here!" I scolded him, not accepting this all too familiar scene before me. "I agree with Italy." Japan said.


Past!Prussia used his energy to raise his voice. "Italy, Japan. Both of you know the truth, so just accept it. I'm no longer a nation, something as grave as this--I won't heal from it anymore. With all this blood I'm losing, I'm already a goner. I'm a dying soldier in this battlefield, so move on and leave this place for your sake and mine."


"I..." Past!Japan clenched the handle of his katana. "I..understand." he said, in a shaky voice. "Italy, let's go."


"Wh-What? Japan, no, Prussia he--" I tried protesting, but the sorrowful look on Past!Japan's face told me that it was no use. Quietly, I looked at Past!Prussia and gently laid him down on the floor. "I'm sorry." I choked out.


He managed to give a light chuckle. "Don't be, Italy." he said. Then, seemingly remembering something, he spoke, "O-Oh...wait.."


"What is it?" I asked him. With whatever strength he has left, he lifted his hand into his jacket and pulled out a strange book. Handing it over to me, he spoke, "I don't know if this means anything, but I feel like I need to give this to you. It's pretty much a blank book, but I think there's something more to it."


I took the book in my hands. "Is this the journal?" I wondered, but when I opened it, I realised that it wasn't. It was just a blank book, but...


Past!Prussia started coughing out blood, snapping me from my thoughts. "P-Prussia..." my lips trembled, tears streaming down my cheeks.


"We will go as you say." Past!Japan told Past!Prussia calmly, even though the former looked completely torn about what he was saying. He went out the door cautiously.


I stood up and began walking towards the door, as well. Before I left, I heard Past!Prussia say one word.



"Live."


=-=-=-=

///Third Person PoV///

"Like, what are we going to do? And when is Lithuania getting back? He's totally been away for a while now." Poland frowned, completely worried by the situation at hand.


He was sitting inside this tent that the rest of the countries set up at a safe camp outside the mansion that the other countries were trapped in. He wasn't alone, though, Latvia was also in that tent.


The young Baltic nation was severely injured, but luckily enough, he was in a somehow stable condition now.


When the Polish nation began hearing footsteps coming towards their tent, he stood up. "Liet! Well, like, finally!" Poland pouted.


"Huh? Poland, Latvia's...?" Lithuania's gaze fell upon the young bandaged lad lying on the bed. "He's already been treated? I thought only the girls knew how to..." he trailed.


The Polish man smiled. "Yeah, that's what we thought. But, then this Philippines gal arrived here, too. She was like, totally skilled at this stuff." he explained.


"R-Really? Wait--does that mean that there are more countries here now?" Lithuania inquired, astounded by their increasing number. "Like, 'course there are, Liet! The Southeast Asians arrived an hour ago. I heard that the South Americans were on their way, too, but like, I'm not so sure."


"This is both dangerous and reassuring." the Lithuanian commented. Sighing, he continued, "Well, I'm glad that Latvia's okay now...looks like I panicked in front of girls for nothing. Ugh...Belarus would seriously think I looked like an idiot."


"You did look like one." the Belarussian lady agreed, as she walked in the tent.


Surprised, Lithuania turned around to meet Belarus' cold gaze. "B-Belarus? I..er.. I'm sorry for bothering you girls like that."


"....You were a bother." Belarus told him frankly. She looked at the young Latvian nation and sighed. "But you did that for your...friend.. and I commend you for it."


"O-Oh. Thanks.." Lithuania said in a softer voice, quite amazed at the fact that Belarus just somehow praised her back there. He even felt somehow elated, a slight blush dusting his cheeks.


Just then, Estonia entered the room, along with Finland. "Oh, Estonia, what is it?" Lithuania asked his fellow Baltic nation.


"It...It seems like people caught wind that Latvia got injured." Estonia replied, adjusting his glasses.

Poland placed his hand on his hip. "And?"

Estonia turned to Finland, who was fidgeting in his place. The Finnish man looked at them with a worried look eminent on his face,



"Have you seen Sealand around?"


=-=-=-=

///Romano's PoV (If it started in my PoV, it should end in my PoV. Chigi!)///

=-=-=

"Veneziano?" 

=-=-=

Without even saying a word, I rushed over to him...and tightly gave him a hug. I know that he isn't my fratello from the timeloop that I was in, but I was just relieved seeing him. Alive.


"V-Ve? Fratello, what's wrong?" Past!Italy asked, completely new to his brother's strange display of affection.


Breaking our brotherly embrace, I frowned at him. "If I wanted to give you a damn hug, I'll give you a damn hug, you bastard."


"Ve....Romano..." he spoke, starting to tremble himself. "Grazie!~ I needed one, actually!"


"You did, huh?" I sighed, thinking of the obvious reason why he said that.


Past!Italy looked back and forth between Spain and I. "That reminds me, how did you two get inside this mansion?"


"W-Well..." Spain started. I shot him a look that screamed, 'don't you dare tell him we're from the future, he'll probably break down again so don't tell him you tomato bastard'... fortunately, he got my message.


Spain scratched the back of his head. "We actually found this tunnel-like place in the basement. Romano wanted to see you, so went went in the house through there." he explained, which was somehow true.


"Oh? Wasn't the rope ladder there burnt?" Past!Italy asked us, knowing that the monster destroyed that way of escape. I nodded anyway, "Si, but we didn't know that, so the Spanish idiot here fell halfway."


"And Romano jumped down, and I caught him." Spain strangely stressed. It was Prussia that caught me, but I guess what he said would make more sense.


Past!Italy smiled, "I see! So that's how."


"Si. Romano was so worried about you, Ita!" Spain grinned, looking like he was happy that I'm somehow relieved to talk to my brother again.


Chuckling, Past!Italy pat my shoulder. "Aw~ That's so nice of you, fratello! But you don't really need to worry anymore!" he told us cheerily.


"Huh? What makes you say that? I asked him, intrigued by his behaviour.


This time it was he who gave me a hug. "Because we're finally going to escape this mansion together!" he told me.


Confused, I broke away from the hug and faced him. "What? What are you talking about?"


Past!Italy gave us a warm smile,

"We have the key to the front door, fratello."