---CHAPTER VII: Memories (Part 4)---

...And with that, the battle between them and the monster began.

Sword clashing, hits and blows, stuns and flashing lights...that's what they had.

While the four men were fighting, the girl who was standing behind them at a safe distance suddenly went up to them cautiously and said to them,

"Listen to me for a sec... Italy, I suggest you use Peperoncino to lower the enemy's speed and agility. Japan, you have a new skill called String. Germany's skill Torture has leveled up to 30. Prussia, you have a move called, "If You Want To Die, Step Forward."

"Wh-What are you talking about?" Germany asked her, confused.

Japan was unfazed and nodded. "I see. We'll use all those skills."

They continued their battle, hitting with all their might and trying to avoid the blows towards them. The monster seems to be slowing down, but not yet that weakened.

"Argh... Why aren't my attacks doing enough damage..?" Prussia complained.

The girl opened her bag and grabbed a can. "You're out of MP. Here, drink a beer first. Germany, cover us for a while."

While she handed the beer to Prussia, their Italian comrade got attacked by monster.

"O-Ow... I got hit a little..."

"Your HP's cut in half! Hurry, eat this." _____ said in a panicked manner as she held a rice ball in front of the Italy.

"The onigiri? B-Bella, now's not the time to e--mmphfff!" he got cut off when the girl literally shoved the food in his mouth.

"Italy, swallow the riceball already." the girl ordered.

The Italian gulped nervously, then widened his eyes as he felt his strength return to him. "....I can't believe it.. I feel better. Grazie."

As the girl was about to reply, she saw the monster charging at them from the corner of her eye. "W-Watch out, Italy!"

"That was close. Are you all alright?" Japan asked after pulling the two away from the monster's path.

"Yes, thanks." they gave a sigh of relief.

Germany placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. "I think it's time for you to stand back now, ____. Thanks for your help."

She nodded and spoke, "I'll monitor from afar."

After a few more attacks, the monster seemed to slowly break down until it lost all its energy. Finally, it stopped attacking and took a few steps

Japan's Party was victorious!

2 EXP were received!

100HETA were obtained!

Onigiri was found!
Hot Pepper was found!

"(Yes! It recoiled a little!)" Japan thought.

Prussia turned to them. "Let's just get out of here! We can't physically defeat it!"

"Let's warn the others about this..and quick!" _____ exclaimed.

"Italy? You look pale. Are you all right?" Germany asked his friend.

Italy scratched the back of his head and shrugged. "Eheheh. I'm fine. C'mon, let's go back."

Japan took a deep breath and mentally cheered in relief "(Thank God! I can't feel completely relieved, but this is still something!)"

They all ran back to warn the others.

-----------

The first person they ran into was the tall Russian.

"Oh, you're back. What's the matter?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.

"We can't use that exit! It's been burnt out! We have to run now!" Japan told him.

Russia nodded. "I see. Good thing you found me. Let's hurry. The others should be back soon now."

---

"Oh, so we can't use it any more? Too bad. Let's just get away now." France said as they met up with him in the next room.

---

When they found China in the room after that, they informed him, "It won't open. Let's find some other door!"

China raised his eyebrow. "Really?! Let's hurry!"

---

"I-I see. That's too bad. Anyway, let's hurry.America and England are in that room over there." Canada said, pointing to the door ahead of them.

---

"You can't be serious! Just when we thought we were finally going to get out..." England said sullenly.

"Lock the door!!" ______ told Japan, who was the last one to enter the room.

"Oh!" Japan let out as he turned to lock the door.

"Wow. So, now we're all assembled in this tiny room." America said, crossing his arms.

"(Thank God... thank God!! Oh, dear... For a moment there, I really feared we weren't going to make it.)" Japan thought.

"Damn it! Even though we're all together here, our situation hasn't got any better!

Now we're locked up in here and that fucking monster is after our asses!" Germany said bitterly.

"West, don't be so pessimistic. What matters is that we're alive. Besides, with so many nations gone, maybe someone will come to rescue us." Prussia told his younger brother.

Japan suddenly felt uneasy. "(... How odd. I... I feel as though I'm forgetting something important...)"

_____ started whispering something. "Ja..Japan..."

When he turned to face her, the girl suddenly falls to her knees.

"_____-chan?! What's..." Japan exclaimed.

"_____? It's...It's alright...We'll just find another way out of here. D-Don't..worry, love..." England said as he kneeled down with the girl, thinking she needs some comforting.

France walked over to the two. "Oh my... These tears do not suit you, mademoiselle.. Please stop crying.."

_____ shakes her head.

"Japan...you must..remember..." ______ choked out the words.

Japan furrowed his eyebrows. "Remember?"

While they were tending to the young girl, the others discussed what to do next.

"--Besides, we still need to connect the time we spend here with the time in the outside world. We have to keep breaking the clocks." China suggested.

Russia nodded. "Yeah, that's the best short-cut. Except we'll need our strength somehow...

You'll probably agree with me, but... we're quite tired. Not from fighting the enemy, but running away all the time."

Germany clicked his tongue. "Maybe escaping really is impossible...

And now... we're probably going to get eaten one by one. That's what I would do, if I were the Thing!"

Japan's ears shot up as he heard Germany's words. "(That's right..This must be what ____-chan is trying to refer to...Germany said that and Prussia got mad at him... and then what?)"

"That's enough, West!! We only lost one way out! There are still many other ways!" Prussia snapped at his brother.

Japan tried thinking harder. "(What is it? What am I forgetting? Remember, remember!! If I don't--)"

"... Prussia.

I'm sorry. And thank you... for what you did earlier. This time, I intend to make it up to you for saving me. I'm sorry I was a burden." Germany said in a low voice.

"(Regret again?)" Japan wondered.

Italy took a step backward and looked at his friend. "Germany. But, Germany, it's okay--"

"No.

If I can't protect my allies when I have the chance, then my training was pointless. At the very least, I shouldn't be such a burden to you." Germany cut him off. He then looked at Italy straight in the eye and continued speaking,

"I'm sorry to you, too. You've been fighting well, without running away. I really appreciate it."

"What?

... Oh, um. Thanks..." Italy said shyly.

The Italian smiled sadly. "But you know, I think we can definitely get out now. You see, this is the first time that--"

"... What's wrong, Italy?" France asked, noticing Italy's change of tone.

"... Please, if you get out, just keep running." Italy told them in a very serious voice.

Upon hearing that line, the girl's eyes shot open. She tried standing up with all her might, being assisted by Canada, who decided to let the girl lean on him for support.

"No matter what, don't look back, don't forget about me, don't blame me, don't cry, and time--" the Italian man trembled violently.

Canada noticed this and pointed out, "Er... you're shaking..."

Japan clutched his head. "(Time...)

(After that line...)"

_____ suddenly let go of Canada's arm and called after Japan loudly.

"J-JAPAN!! ...ITALY'S GONNA GET---"

Before she was even able to finish warning her friends, a large monster started appear before them, entering from the door behind Italy.

"Italy!!" Japan yelled in horror.

The rest of the guys in the room started to shake in both shock and terror.

"Italy!!" they shouted at the Italian man, pleading him to get away.

Tears started to flow from Italy's eyes as he spoke with a sad smile

"...It was scary, but... but...

...It was fun."

Germany tried to charge after his friend, "Italy!!"