---Chapter XVIII: Ready or Not (Part 2)---

Tick.


Tock.


Tick.


Tock.



///Third Person PoV///


"Ah, it's this way, desu yo!"


Rustling through the green bushes, a young blond lad enthusiastically pushed through the branches, leading the way for his companions. The boy was was wearing a white sailor outfit with matching hat and capris. He appeared to be sporting a British accent, along with a strikingly familiar set of thick eyebrows that somehow resembled a certain someone. Well, he wasn't alone on that attribute. One of his companions shared the same fate.


Puffing her cheeks, a young girl with dark brown hair emerged from the bushes, as well. "Are you serious? We shouldn't even be walking around this place, you idiot. You're really too stubborn, Sealand," she sighed, crossing her arms.


"Aww, but you still tagged along with us, Wy. Was it because you'd miss us if we were away for too long?~" another voice piped up just behind the girl. It was a young man, who was older and taller than the other two. He had brownish red hair that had a curl sticking out at the side, that was also quite similar to certain Italians, but his was uniquely curled in an angle.


Wy's face became tinted with a soft red as she tried looking away as quick as she could. "I-It's not like I was w-worried about you idiots or anything. Hmph!"


"Ohh, you made Wy angry again, Seborga," Sealand chuckled, then stepped aside to watch his other companions join them. One was a small boy with white hair tied in two long braids, the other was a young man wearing dark shades and a gruff aura around him. "Ah, Kugelmugel, Molossia--we're all here now, huh? Well, let's all head to the backyard heheh!"


The olive-eyed guy with the mobster-like appearance huffed. "Haa? Do I look like I'm gonna follow orders from you?! You punks don't even know what you're all getting yourselves into. You're all just a bunch of--..." he sneered, but stopped when he realised that everyone was already walking ahead, not paying attention to his comments. He decided to just follow them, whilst spouting complaints and insults.



"So, you came along, too, huh?" Wy tried making small talk to the white-haired kid walking beside her. Kugelmugel made little to no response, muttering something to himself. Puffing her cheeks, Wy asked, "Why did you come along, anyway?"


Hearing her question made Kugelmugel stop in his tracks, as if realising something. Wy stopped as well, tilting her head at the braided lad. Slowly, Kugelmugel spoke in a soft voice, "Discovering new places without others' knowledge is....is..." he paused, then raised his voice in a strangely surprised tone, "...ART!"


Wy kind of regretted bothering to ask.



"Say, Sealand, why did you say we needed to find clocks?" Seborga asked curiously, also catching the attention of the others with his inquiry.


The young blond smiled, "Ah! Haven't you heard? All the other countries are looking for them, so I figured that if we help them out---they'd recognise us for sure!" he said enthusiastically raising his hand in the air.



"Are you thinking straight? How will that actually help?" Wy scoffed, "And besides, I'm already recognised!" she smirked, placing a hand by her hip.


Sealand grinned even wider. "But don't you think it'd be really neat if we could actually...be like them? Having those cool meetings and stuff? All of them always gathering together like that, it must feel fun!"


"Sealand..." Wy sighed, understanding the blond lad's sentiment. Twiddling her thumbs, she hesitantly responded. "I...guess it doesn't sound so bad. R-Right, guys?" the young brunette turned to her other companions, her tone seemingly threatening them if they don't respond.


Unsure what they should actually do, the others simply nodded. "..Right.."


"Well, then, what are you guys waiting for? Let's go, desu yo!" Sealand perked up again, changing the atmosphere back into its carefree one. He began skipping onwards, followed by the other micronations. A certain Italian micronation walked a few paces behind, though.


Seborga watched over the smaller nations before him, along with a certain Molossia that seems to switch from getting pissed off to being ignored, but starting to be treated in a friendlier way.


Running his hand through his reddish brown locks, Seborga couldn't help but give a crooked smile.


"Sealand...it's not always so fun, you know. The world may be beautiful, but it can still be so cruel. I don't think...we should rush ourselves to become nations like them. Ah, but he doesn't understand that yet, huh?" Seborga whispered to himself as he eased his steps. "It must be nice to be young like him eheh." he chuckled.


At that moment, he heard some rustling from the bushes nearby. Looking to the side from the corner of his eye, Seborga murmured,


"Looks like someone else is here, as well."


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

//Third Person PoV//

-=-=-=-=-=-

"Have you seen Sealand around?"  

-=-=-=-=-=-

"...Sealand?" they heard a soft voice from a certain Latvian boy that was sitting upright on the makeshift bed.


Lithuania became alarmed by this, not wanting the injured boy to know about his young friend's situation. "L-Latvia! You're awake. Do you need anything? Water? Something to eat?"


"I'm fine, I'm fine...but Lithuania, what's going on? What is this about Sealand?" Latvia asked, clutching the soft blanket placed on his lap. The Lithuanian man frowned as his attempt to change the subject failed. "It's...nothing. He's actually here, but we're all on our way to get him back here in our camp," he replied.


Worry sweeping over his face, Latvia couldn't help but panic about the dilemma. "Wh-What?! Ahh, that kid, really. He's such a handful... It's too dangerous for him to be out here! I mean, look at me!"


"Don't w'rry. M'wife and I w'll find him." Sweden reassured the boy, pulling Finland beside him as some sort of proof. The Finn was surprised and kind of embarrassed by Sweden's weird way of calming Latvia down, but seeing the Latvian boy's relieved face made him go along with it. "R-Right! We'll get Sealand back here safe and sound in no time!" the Finnish man said with a bright and confident smile. "Besides,"


"...it's not like I'll allow anything bad happen to Sealand. I won't stand for it, I'll annihilate those monsters dare they try anything." Finland added in a dark and low voice that somehow sent chills down their spine as he hugged his sniper rifle. Knowing the Finn's impeccable skills, they even almost felt a tinge of pity for those monsters. But no matter, they needed to get rid of them anyways.


Latvia smiled, "Thank you so much. I'll leave it to you, then."


-=-=-


As Finland and Sweden went out of the tent, they were quickly approached by a certain someone from down under.


"O-Oi, Finland and Sweden, right?" asked a man with dark brown hair that had two strands stuck up like an antenna. He had a band-aid placed across the bridge of his nose, and a mean looking Koala perched on his shoulder.


Nodding, Finland smiled as he acknowledged the man before them. "Yes. Ah, you're Australia, right?" he spoke, recognizing the man from conferences, meetings, and competitions, like Eurovision. Seeing him outside of those events were strange, but he had a bad feeling about the worried look on the usually upbeat man.


"You're right on there, mate." the Australian returned the smile, but his eyes were still filled with concern. "See, Wy is also missing, and I have a hunch that she's tagged along with her other micronation pals."


Finland gasped, "What? Oh no, not them, too..."


"It appears so." they heard another voice, this time more refined and somehow melodic. "I've been told that Kugelmugel also headed over this area." Austria informed them.


"Crikey! It's you!" Australia laughed as he approached the Austrian man, who seemed a bit displeased as he recognised the man. "Remember me?" Australia grinned.


Austria rolled his eyes, a bit annoyed. "How could I not remember the country that I always get mistaken for, you fool?"


"Hey, it happens to me, too, mate!" Australia tried empathizing. Going back to the subject matter at hand, he stopped his shenanigans and spoke to them, "So, do you have any idea where they could be?"


Looking off into the distance, Austria sighed. "Not exactly, but I don't think they could have gotten too far."


"That's good to hear." Finland let out a deep breath of relief. "Let's start looking for them, then." he told them. Sweden simply nodded. "Mm."



"Uhm, excuse me..." another voice decided to join their party, one coming from a petite blonde lady with a ribbon tied around her hair on one side of her head. She shyly approached them, but spoke with determination. "I would like to join in your search."


"Liechtenstein! What are you saying??" another blond charged towards the group, strangely similar to the petite female, but this one was a man that looked like he was ready to shoot someone with the guns slung behind his back.


Liechtenstein was startled and began to feel slight guilt from her action, but she had made up her mind. "Big Brother, I want to look for those kids. I need to know if they're safe, as well."


"But..." he tried to think of how to convince her to just stay there in the tent, but he knew that once she makes up her mind, there's no helping it. Giving a huff, the older brother gave in. "Fine, but I'm going with you."


"Ah! Thank you, big brother!" Liechtenstein smiled brightly, making her brother look away with a slight pink dusting his cheeks. "N-No problem. I have to make sure you're safe, too."


"Switzerland's really nice, after all!" Finland grinned. The others nodded in agreement, including a certain Austrian man. Looking around, Australia spoke, "Right, well I don't think there'll be any more who'll join the party, so let's get goin', then."



After they made sure that they were all set to look for the micronations, the countries took off.


"You haven't changed, I can tell." Austria pointed out offhandedly as he was walking behind Liechtenstein and Switzerland, causing the latter to grunt. "What do you mean by that, huh?"


The Swiss man's tone seemed to amuse the Austrian, causing the musical genius' lips to slightly curve upward. "Sometimes, I do not even know, myself."


"What--"


Switzerland was about to tell him off, but he paused abruptly, as if he sensed some sort of danger.


Liechtenstein noticed this and asked, "Big brother...what is it?"


"The kids we're looking for...it seems that they're by the backyard way over there." Switzerland told her, pointing at the grassy fields behind the curb of the mansion's wall. "A minute ago I heard their childish laughter, but it stopped all of a sudden."


"That...means..?" Liechtenstein trailed, not wanting to assume the worst case. Instead, she called out and informed the others, causing them to dash off towards the said area.


When they were nearing the backyard, they heard high-pitched screams.


And that was when Liechtenstein's fears were confirmed.

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

//Third Person PoV//

-=-=-=-=-

"I seriously do not like you."

"Eh?"

-=-=-=-=-

Their walk to the annexe was fairly quiet, save for the excited squeals from the British Second Player as he was telling the (h/c) haired girl all the things he wants to bake once they get out of the mansion. The girl listened intently, happy that the Brit was being hopeful and cheery about their escape sometime soon.


The other Second Players would occasionally join in on their conversation when it fits them, the others would keep quiet but listen. They didn't have the same energy levels when it comes to socializing or just talking, but the flow of their conversation went smoothly. It was nice.


Walking slightly behind the rest, the Canadian First Player felt out of place, but was content with observing them nonetheless. He was curious about it, after all.

Back then, they would consider their Second Players as a mistake. Their mistake. Their weakness. Their selfishness. And realising that made them so ashamed of themselves that they wanted to be free of the memory of the darkness of their existence.

Years ago, it never crossed their minds to consider that their alternately coloured counterparts had thoughts and feelings, too. That they, too, had a life.


They, too, had a heart.


Who knew that all it took was one girl, one special girl named (Name).


(Name).


If he were to be brutally frank, she was actually just an ordinary girl at first sight.


But her personality was far from ordinary.


Her kindness, her bravery, her principles, her heart.


Those were something that he--and the First and Second Players alike--had never encountered before in all their years.

Yes, she did not have extraordinary strength. Yes, she did not have any super power whatsoever. Yes, she is a normal girl with flaws and imperfections.


But what was admirable about her was her strength to pull through all the hardships they faced in this mansion. She was strong enough to keep all of them together. She had the willpower to endure everything and believe in all of them, even going back for them just to make sure that they were all safe. She had this power over all of them that managed to make their two conflicting sides to ceasefire and join forces. Despite her flaws and imperfections, she never gave up.


She was simply incredible.


"Hey... Don't make me repeat myself, again. Hey." he heard a slightly irritated voice snap him out of his thoughts. Canada turned to his right to find the source of the voice, but panicked when he saw who it was.

"L-Luciano..." he squeaked in surprise, causing the auburn haired Italian to roll his eyes. "Oh, don't give me that. I was being proper and all you respond with is that? Idiota."

Finding composure, Canada furrowed his brows. "Sorry, er... what is it?"


"You were in a daze and I got pissed off." the Italian Second Player stated, crossing his arms. The Canadian couldn't help but be puzzled, "U-Uh? I'm sorry, but, why did you get pissed off by that?"


"Because I know you were thinking of her."


Canada's face began heating up as he became aware that he got caught. "What? Uhm, ahahah...what do you mean, uhm..."


"Pathetic. Did you really think it wasn't obvious?" he told him, quite annoyed with the Canadian's denial. Luciano clicked his tongue as he climbed down the stairs, to be followed by Matthew. They were all down the annexe now, with the rest walking just a bit ahead of them.


"I hoped." Canada sighed, placing his hands in his pockets and stared down at his shoes as they were walking in the chilly hall of the annexe. "Say, I know it's not in my place to ask, but..." he paused.

The Italian Second Player looked at him from the corner of his eye. "Hm?"


"Do you like (Name)?"


Luciano stopped in his tracks.


And gave him a look of disbelief, then laughed.


"Are you insulting me? I don't like her," Luciano told him nonchalantly. Then, with a serious look on his face, he continued, "...I love her."


Canada was a bit taken aback when Luciano admitted his feelings for the girl. The Canadian felt a mix between fear and determination. Looking directly at the auburn haired Italian, he asked for confirmation, "You do?"

"I do," Luciano answered confidently, all too aware of his feelings towards (Name). Raising an eyebrow, he turned the question back at the Canadian. "...Do you?"


In a heartbeat, Canada finally answered honestly, "I do." Luciano wasn't surprised at all, but he knew, the both of them knew that they had something. Rivalry.

There was a short silence between them, but it was broken by a loud voice in a Southern accent.


"Well, then! With y'all giving yer "I do"s, I'll pronounce the both of ya "man and manwife!" HAHA!" the redhead American laughed, placing his arms over Luciano and Matthew's shoulders. "Didn't think the two of y'all were swinging that way, but that's fine with me because that means we get to keep (Name)~"


Canada squinted at the American Second Player, then looked at Luciano. "Momentary truce to beat the living lights out of this guy?" he offered.

"Agreed." Luciano said as he sent a death glare at Allen, who would've seen it if he wasn't thrown to the ground.

Allen was surprised, but knew it was partly his fault. "Aw, c'mon. You bastards aren't any fun."

"Said the bastardo himself," Luciano scoffed, ready to punch Allen for his idiotic joke.

The redhead stood up and dusted off his jacket, "Oh please. And here I was to call you two because the rest were already inside the study room. You sissies are so ungrateful."

Canada's gaze went from the door and back to the two 2Ps with him, realising that they really were the only ones left in the halllway. "O-Oh.. Sorry about that, we didn't know."

"Hah. Whatever, let's just get going. The others are bound to get cranky while waiting." Allen told them as he led the way, placing his hands at the back of his head. The other two followed him, saving their annoyance at the American for some other time. Well, partly because it was gonna turn into something else.

"And by the way," Allen suddenly spoke up, without turning to face them.


"...Who ever said y'all were the only ones who liked (Name)?"


Allen simply smirked and went through the door to the smaller study room. With wide eyes, Luciano and Matthew just looked at each other with a bad feeling in their chest.


They've come to know, that they actually had more rivals than they thought.


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

((Saferoom))


"We actually have more matters at hand than we thought." Japan said as he was treating China's wound. He was in the saferoom with the rest of the First Players, except Canada, who was down at the annexe with (Name) and the Second Players.

China winced a little, but spoke, "That's true, aru."

"But we're making progress, aren't we?" France pointed out in a hopeful tone. "That grandfather clock was found, for one."

"But that doesn't mean that we'll be able to get out of here just like that, you frog." England sighed as he was lying on one of the beds. France would've retaliated, but looking at England reminded him that there was still the dilemma with the Brit's eyesight.

Germany, who was sitting by the unconscious Italy's bedside, sadly agreed with England. "England's right, you know."

"There's Spain and Italy's brother that are both stuck in the past, too." Prussia added, checking out for weapons he could use.

"But we're receiving a lot of help from the outside, which is good, too, da?" Russia smiled, thinking of his sisters that were waiting for him.

England still couldn't help but feel unsettled, "Still, everything just feels suspiciously calm. All too calm."

"Oh, come on, England. You're being too pessimistic about this. We've been through enough already, so things are gonna have to turn up soon." America tried laughing it off, not wanting to think about it. And he really didn't, because without thinking, he added,


"What could possibly go wrong?"


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


((Annexe; Smaller study room))


When Luciano and Matthew entered the smaller study, they really were met with slightly cranky Second Players. They didn't like being held up like that, but they didn't really care all too much. Sensing the atmosphere, (Name) greeted the two. "Oh, hey, you guys finally made it. What took you two so long?"


Luciano's face lighted up when he saw (Name) directing her attention to them. "Well, my ragazza--"


"They got married!" Allen snorted, not giving a fu-- (swear jar)... care about the Italian and Canadian's icy glares. "They both said their 'I do's and I pronounced them as 'man and manwife'. LOL." the redheaded American obnoxiously stated, angering the two involved.


(Name) played along and gasped, "Oh my! Congratulations, you two!"


"What?! (Name), no. Don't believe that bastardo!" Luciano frowned. Canada nodded, "Right! He just made that up!"


Seeing the two's panicked faces, (Name) gave up and laughed. "Hahaha! I know, I know. It was just funny."


"Oh fratello~ Why didn't you even invite me to your wedding?" Flavio pouted, biting onto his handkerchief for dramatic effect.


Luciano grit his teeth. "Because it wasn't real!"


Laughter burst throughout the room. The matter was so ridiculous, even Luciano and Matthew ended up laughing along with them.


(Name) wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Ahahah! Alright, alright. Enough kidding around, you guys. We still have to get to that grandfather clock."


They all agreed, but some spoke up about their suspicions. "Don't you think that this became all too easy? It doesn't make sense." Matthieu commented.


"Ja. I expected a monster or two to try and stop us from getting here, but nothing." Lutz scrutinized the small room, which felt a bit stuffy from all the people inside.


"Let's just get this over with, already." Nikolai told them as he reached out to the doorknob of the secret door.


And of course, ironically, it was like their prayers were being answered.



"Wh-What's going on?!!"



They were looking for something to stop them, right?



Well, something did. They expected that blasted alien creature to try and attack them, and they knew they would fight back. But how could they fight back at this one? They expected an enemy.



They never expected an earthquake.


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

((Saferoom))

-=-=-=-=-

"What could possibly go wrong?" 

-=-=-=-=-

  At the mention of every story's forbidden line, the ground began to violently shake.


"America, you twat! You just had to say it! Saying that would always mean that something horrible will happen for sure! Look at what you've done!" England scolded the American as he felt his surroundings violently tremble.


Japan tried keep his balance as he turned to Alfred. "Ahh! He's right, America. Saying something that jinxes us is quite uncalled for! Now, what do we do??" he said in a totally exasperated manner, then shifted his gaze towards the door.


"Aiyah. Can you maybe chill?" China snapped at the panicking Japanese man.


Japan clicked his tongue. "How about YOU chill?"


"Argh. You're not making any sense right now, aru. Don't leave the saferoom, you know that we need to think of something." China told him, trying to hold onto one of the bedposts to keep himself stable as the ground rumbled.


Sighing, Japan staggered towards the door with determination.



"How about I do, anyway?"


-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-
.

.

.

.



//Reader's PoV//

It just happened without any of us foreseeing it.


One moment, I was in the small study in the basement with Canada and the Second Players...and then the next...everything went dark.


"Ugh..." I groaned as I fluttered my eyes open. It was colder in the room, I wonder if the earthquake had anything to do with it. Where are the others, though? I can't tell...it's quite dark. "Ah...light...hm.." I fumbled around, looking for a switch. And find one, I did.



Click.


Click.


...


It won't work.


"Ahh...We lost electricity, too? What now? It's not like I can move around in the dark like this." I sighed, placing my hands in my pocket to warm them up a little. That's when I realised that I still had my phone with me. "No duh, (Name). We have technology." I muttered, pulling out the mobile device.


Switching it on, I immediately pressed the button to activate its built-in flashlight. As I did, I had to squint slightly to adjust my eyes to the sudden light. "Ah, there we go. Now, where are the others? Luciano? Canada? Ollie? Guys?"


No response.


Hm. Did they just leave me here? That's kinda sad to think about, but I don't think that's the case...


Well, I guess I should get out of here first and look for them.


Adjusting the straps of my bag, I raised my phone to light the way. The silence of the room was eerie, there was something about it that I can't quite figure out. It felt like it became smaller than it was before.


Using the flashlight, I tried looking for the door. It didn't take long, considering that I was actually just a few steps away from it. "Alright, time to look for the othe--..." I stopped. I heard something. It was faint, but I heard it.



Tick.


Tock.


Tick.


Tock.


It progressively grew louder, causing me to turn away from the door and look for the source of the ticking. Raising my hand around to shed some light to different parts of the room, I walked forward, following the sound.



Tick.

Tock.



I stopped in my tracks when I finally found the source.



"....No...No way..." I gasped, reaching my hand out to trace the wooden frame...of a large grandfather clock before me.



Tick.

Tock.



It ticked louder, causing me to jump and take a step back. When I did, I bumped into something behind me.


A raspy voice was heard behind me, sending shivers down my spine.




"Where do you think you're going, sweetie?"